RTHK: US sees another 2,400 flights scrapped Americans returning home from holiday travel had to battle another day of airport chaos on Sunday, with more than 2,000 flights cancelled due to bad weather or airline staffing woes sparked by a surge in Covid cases. Further disruptions are predicted for Monday, as a winter storm blows eastward. As of 2030GMT Sunday, a total of 2,432 domestic flights or international ones starting or finishing in the United States had been cancelled almost as many as the 2,749 scrapped over the course of Saturday, said the flight-tracking service FlightAware. Southwest Airlines, one of the hardest-hit carriers, had to cancel some 400 flights on Sunday morning, a spokesperson said in an email to AFP, adding that it expected further cancellations. On Saturday, poor weather, much of it linked to Winter Storm Frida, forced Southwest to cancel 490 flights, most of them in the centre-north states south of the Great Lakes and reaching west to the Great Plains. The result: intense frustration for many travellers. "Our flight this morning was cancelled. We were now forced to rent 4x4 cars to drive all the way to Colorado from Texas," Southwest passenger Katie Armstrong posted on Twitter. A woman named Kayla described her own ordeal: "I was supposed to get home at 10.30am yesterday. And at this point I've had three flights cancelled and one delayed to the point where I missed my connection." Airports in Chicago a major transit hub were the most affected on Saturday, but by Sunday the airports in Atlanta, Denver, Detroit, Houston and Newark were also hard hit. Around the world, air traffic has suffered snarls since Christmas because of airline staffing issues linked to the spread of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-01-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Dantri readers support poor widow and sick daughter Dantri/Dtinews has just transferred nearly VND230 million (USD 10,000) to help an elderly widow in Thai Nguyen Province cover medical treatment for her daughter who is suffering from serious burns. Ma Thi Duyen receives the donations on January 2 The donations were sent to Ma Thi Duyen and her daughter Phan Thi Phuong in Na Tun Village, Phu Luong District on January 2. Duyen said she was very moved by the great amount of sympathy as well as donations she has been receiving from the public. "The donations can help me repay my debts and continue treatment for my daughter," she said. "I've incurred some debts over the past three years since my daughter had the accident." According to the elderly woman, her daughter Phan Thi Phuong has had very weak health since birth. Due to financial difficulties, the family could not send her to hospital for health check-ups. Now at 30, Phuong measures only one metre and weighs just 26 kilos. After her husband died from a stroke several years ago, Duyen and her daughter continued to run their small food stall with modest income. Three years ago, while helping her mother at the food stall, Phuong slipped and fell into a boiling pot of water. She was rushed to a local hospital and was then transferred to the Vietnam National Institute of Burns. She had undergone five operations until the poor mother could not borrow any more money to continue the final stages of treatment for her. Ma Thi Duyen and her daughter "I had to bring her home after running out of money," the mother said. "I had borrowed from everywhere I could. I was very depressed before I received this huge support from many kind donors. Now my daughter will have a good chance of a full recovery." KIEV, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden held a telephone conversation late Sunday discussing regional security issues, according to Zelensky's official Twitter account. Zelensky said he appreciated U.S. support for Ukraine, noting that the phone conversation with Biden illustrated the "special nature" of relations between Kiev and Washington. The Ukrainian government-run news agency Ukrinform, citing the White House, said during their phone call Zelensky and Biden expressed support for diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions with Russia, starting with Russia-U.S. bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue scheduled for January 2022. The phone interaction between Zelensky and Biden, the second the two leaders have held in less than a month, also touched upon the de-escalation of tensions in Ukraine's eastern region of Donbas through the Minsk Agreements and the Normandy Format. Last week, Biden discussed security issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first round of security negotiations between the United States and Russia will take place in Geneva on Jan. 9-10. They will later continue in Brussels within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-Russia Council on Jan. 12, and within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Jan. 13. Enditem An Ord man has agreed to a $16,000 settlement with the central Nebraska town that filed a lawsuit against him last year in an attempt to get him to stop writing letters and emails to city officials and the police department that they called "burdensome." After the city lost the suit, Guy Brock sued Ord for his attorney fees and punitive damages. At a hearing in December, Brock and a representative for the town's insurance carrier, Oak Creek Insurance, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart they had reached the $16,000 amount to release Brock's claims and the city's defenses and to dismiss the case. The town did not admit liability. And the city attorney didn't return a request for comment. The settlement followed an order in September, where U.S. District Judge John Gerrard denied a motion by the city, Mayor Dan Petska and City Attorney Heather Sikyta to dismiss Brock's claims that they had violated his First Amendment rights. At the same time, Gerrard said just because he permitted the case to go forward didn't mean it ought to. "All of the people involved with this lawsuit should regret being here," he wrote in the order. "To begin with, nearly every public official draws the attention of critics and cranks who have opinions they insist on sharing." He said he, too, has no shortage of his own "pen pals." "But rather than accept that as one of the privileges of public service, the defendants decided to pursue a lawsuit that asked a state court to impose a prior restraint on the plaintiff's speech," Gerrard said. Brock won. But, rather than being content with having his First Amendment rights vindicated, he filed another lawsuit, the judge said. "This court's docket is full of cases genuinely implicating lives, livelihoods and liberty but instead of addressing those claims, the court finds its attention diverted by having to referee this squabble. It is tempting to turn this car around and go straight home. But, of course, as long as the parties intend to keep it up, the court is duty-bound to preside," Gerrard wrote then. He went on to dismiss Brock's claims alleging that the city's actions constituted malicious prosecution. But he said Petska and Sikyta weren't entitled to qualified immunity at that stage of the proceedings on the First Amendment retaliation claims, as their attorneys had argued. "Taking Brock's allegations as true that he was writing letters to his elected officials about city activities, and that Petska and Sikyta decided to assert the lawsuit because of that speech every reasonable official would have known that Brock's speech was protected from intrusion by the First Amendment," Gerrard wrote. In the lawsuit, Brock's attorney, J.L. Spray, said during the last decade Brock has had a practice of writing letters to the city of Ord and its elected representatives related to city government. On March 4, 2020, the city filed a lawsuit against him in Valley County District Court seeking a restraining order or an injunction to stop him from "sending communication of any kind to the City of Ord and the Ord Police Department unless directly related to a city service or other city function related specifically to the defendant and his property," Sikyta wrote in the complaint. She said Brock's letters and emails had "increasingly become harassing and burdensome" to the city and the police department. In them, he alleged wrongful conduct by city officials, employees and police officers that she said either were unfounded or had already been handled internally. On Oct. 21, 2019, Ord Police Chief Jay Welch sent a letter to Brock telling him his constant harassment must stop. But Brock kept writing. Sikyta said unless the judge stopped Brock, he would cause "great and irreparable" damage to the reputation of elected officials, city employees and their family members. On May 12, 2020, Valley County District Karin L. Noakes granted Brock's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. A year later, Brock filed his federal lawsuit alleging the city had retaliated against him for exercising free speech and petitioning his elected and appointed representatives. Ord is a town of 2,300 people about 60 miles northwest of Grand Island. Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 An Omaha man was driving nearly 100 mph Nov. 29 when he crashed into the rear of a car driven by a longtime Millard Public Schools teacher who was stopped at a stoplight, a law enforcement official said. An investigation revealed that Gerard Skutnik, 55, was going 96 mph in a 45 mph zone on 144th Street when his 2012 Toyota Tundra collided with a 2017 Chevy Malibu driven by Patricia Brinkman, according to a law enforcement official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Brinkman, whose maiden name was Carey and who taught for decades in the Millard schools, had been stopped at a traffic light at 144th Street and Eldorado Drive, just north of West Dodge Road, at 10:50 a.m. the Monday after Thanksgiving. She was declared dead at the scene of the four-vehicle crash. Another motorist and Skutnik were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Skutnik suffered a broken wrist. It is not clear what injuries were suffered by the other motorist. World-Herald attempts to reach Skutnik this week were unsuccessful. A woman answered a phone listed under Skutniks name. I will have him call you, she said. Skutnik did not call. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said his office has been reviewing business surveillance videotapes from the area and was awaiting further investigative reports. He said he probably would make a charging decision next week. Under Nebraska state law, drivers face felony motor vehicle homicide charges if: Their blood-alcohol content is .08 or higher. Penalty: Up to 20 years. They drove while their license was suspended or revoked. Penalty: Up to three years. They drove recklessly in causing a crash. Penalty: Up to three years. In other recent high-profile fatalities involving speeding or inattention, drivers have faced misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide counts and the maximum one year in jail that goes with misdemeanors. Historically, some prosecutors have filed misdemeanor charges while noting that the driver committed infractions short of reckless driving. Others have pointed to a Nebraska Supreme Court case that found that speed alone isnt indicative of reckless driving. But Kleine said that 1997 Supreme Court ruling doesnt prohibit prosecutors from filing felony motor vehicle homicide charges in cases of excessive speeds. Emphasizing that he was speaking in general about fatal crashes and not specifically about Skutniks case, Kleine pointed to a statute that reads: Any person who drives any motor vehicle in such a manner as to indicate an indifferent or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property shall be guilty of reckless driving. When were talking about speed, its one thing to be going 40 in a 35, Kleine said. Its another thing to be going three times the speed limit. A reasonable person would say that someone who is going that fast is beyond reckless. In addition, Kleine said, such crashes typically involve other traffic offenses, such as following too closely or failing to stop at an intersection all of which can be indicative of reckless driving. Preliminary police reports indicated that Brinkman was stopped behind another car in the right, southbound lane of 144th Street. The Tundra that Skutnik was driving hit Brinkmans car with such force that it pushed her car and the car in front of her into a fourth car. All of the cars spilled into the intersection; the Tundra spun several times before coming to rest in the grass beyond the intersection. Attempts to reach Brinkmans relatives were unsuccessful. Online tributes have noted that she received her masters degree in education and taught for 35 years in the Millard Public Schools including at Cottonwood and Cody Elementary Schools and Kiewit Middle School. An avid Creighton Bluejays fan and frequent Douglas County election worker, she was chosen woman of the year in 2021 by the local chapter of her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. She is survived by her sisters, Betty Jean George and Barbara Jansen, daughter Diane Landon, son Lloyd Brinkman, three grandsons and a granddaughter. Friends described her as caring and kind. She was a great listener, friend Amy Arvanis wrote, and told even better stories. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DES MOINES When Iowa state lawmakers gathered for a special session this past fall to approve new political boundaries for the next decade, they used some of their time to also pass legislation that significantly expanded Iowans ability to claim an exemption from COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Since then, a trio of federal vaccine mandates have faced legal challenges and are working their way to the U.S. Supreme Court. With many conservatives opposition to COVID-19 vaccine requirements and Republicans still in complete control of Iowas state lawmaking process, it would be fair to expect a number of bills on the topic to be introduced during the upcoming legislative session. And there may be a hunger for some Republicans to also address requirements for other vaccines. I would expect that theres going to be a lot of bills filed related to vaccines, said Jack Whitver, the Republican Senate Majority Leader from Ankeny. During special session there was probably 20 different bills filed that were brought before me to look at. So Im sure there will be continued conversation about that. Whitver said his preference has been to limit the discussion to just COVID-19 vaccine requirements, but acknowledged other state lawmakers may want to broaden that discussion to other vaccines. Ive tried to keep the focus on the COVID vaccine as opposed to every vaccine, Whitver said. But you know, throughout the last two years, its putting more of a spotlight onto the vaccine conversation. So where it goes, I dont know yet. Pat Grassley, the Republican House Speaker from New Hartford, said House Republicans have heard concerns primarily over how the COVID-19 vaccines are new and thus have not been studied for possible long-term side effects. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says serious side effects that could cause long-term health problems are extremely unusual following vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccines. And the World Health Organization says long-lasting side effects to COVID-19 vaccines are possible but extremely rare. Whitver and Grassley both said any potential legislation could be impacted by the outcome of federal court decisions over vaccine requirements implemented by President Joe Bidens administration. The requirements, which are on pause while going through the court system, applied to health care workers, federal contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees. Sometimes its easier to see what youre dealing with after its played out (in the courts) and how to react to it, than just to pass things to say we pass things, Grassley said. Gov. Kim Reynolds declined to be interviewed for the Lee-Gazette legislative preview series. The new law approved during that special session, which had bipartisan support, allows Iowans to claim a medical exemption to COVID-19 vaccines without a medical professionals approval. While some Democrats voted for that bill, Democratic leaders this year said they want nothing more to do with legislation that limits vaccine requirements. Instead of focusing on ways to get us out of the pandemic, Republicans are playing politics with a disease that weve had to deal with for almost two years and it could be better by now, said Jennifer Konfrst, the Democratic House Minority Leader from Windsor Heights. Im tired of seeing legislation thats based on social media conspiracy theories instead of science. Its just not the right thing for Iowa. Zach Wahls, the Democratic Senate Minority Leader from Coralville, said the ongoing pandemic is one of the issues contributing to the states workforce shortage. While the number of Iowans working has rebounded from the early days of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, there were still nearly 82,000 fewer Iowans working in November than before the pandemic hit, according to state workforce data. We just have seen obviously a lot of people not want to use (COVID vaccines), Wahls said. Were at a point now with the vaccines widely available. And now we need political leaders to step up and really just encourage everybody, Republicans and Democrats and independents, to get vaccinated and bring this thing to an end. The 2022 session of the Iowa Legislature is scheduled to begin Monday, January 10. The session does not have a defined end date, but funding for legislators travel and lodging expenses expires after April 19, the 110th day of the session. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Senators who convene Wednesday for the 2022 legislative session have a rare opportunity -- to figure out how to spend a big pot of money. The 49 senators will consider what should be done with a projected surplus in the state treasury combined with another $1 billion in federal pandemic recovery funds. Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln called the healthy revenue picture "a distinctive feature" of the upcoming 60-day session. In addition to the usual property tax relief debate, there will also likely be conversations covering a slew of divisive topics like abortion, critical race theory and climate change. Here's some of the topics Nebraskans can expect will shape this year's session: Tax reform In addition to considering ongoing proposals to reduce dependence on property taxes to support public schools and local government, the 2022 legislative session may be a battleground for major tax reform. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chairwoman of the Revenue Committee, has signaled her interest in pursuing major reforms that would reduce personal and corporate income taxes while expanding the sales tax base to include a number of currently exempted services. If successful, that would represent the largest piece of state tax reform since adoption of the sales-income tax system in 1967. A component of separate property tax reduction proposals is a statutory limit on the growth of school and local government spending. Pandemic relief money The Legislature will determine how to distribute a billion dollars in federal pandemic recovery funding with a host of potential projects contained in a lengthy list of proposals. The STARWARS legislative study committee has commanded the most attention with its consideration of a proposal that would develop Nebraska's water resources while triggering recreation, tourism, flood control, conservation and economic development benefits along the way. But there also is a host of other projects for the Legislature to consider, including a proposed new University of Nebraska research center at Innovation Campus in Lincoln designed to secure and protect agriculture in the face of the impact of climate change along with development of a rural health complex at the university campus in Kearney. Politics in the air Three members of the 2022 Legislature will be seeking election to high state office, including two who are candidates for governor, while two other senators are candidates for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Other senators are seeking local elective office, including Lincoln Sens. Adam Morfeld, a candidate for county attorney, and Matt Hansen, a candidate for county clerk. Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor while Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln is a candidate for the GOP nomination for attorney general. Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln is a candidate for the 1st District Democratic congressional nomination and Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha is seeking the 2nd District Democratic congressional nod. Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg is a candidate for a nonpartisan seat on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Abortion rights With Texas passing the countrys most restrictive ban earlier this year and a case being considered by the Supreme Court that could potentially lead to the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, people on both sides of the abortion debate in Nebraska have been watching these developments with interest. Nate Grasz, policy director of the Nebraska Family Alliance, told the Omaha World-Herald theres more of an appetite than ever before to pursue major anti-abortion legislation in Nebraska, and he predicted multiple bills will be debated in the Legislature next session. So far, specific proposals and the senators who might champion them are unclear, but proponents of abortion rights have vowed to fight. Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, an abortion rights supporter, said she could see an abortion ban passing, but only if at least one or two moderate state senators want to turn the whole session into an abortion fight. School funding formula The Legislature has considered several different proposals that would change or completely overhaul the funding formula for Nebraskas public schools in recent years. This session, lawmakers will likely consider a plan from Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont that would provide schools a certain amount of money for each student, boost the share of income tax going to school districts, and lower property tax rates levied by schools to 95 cents, down from $1.05. Proponents of the plan say it would provide state aid to all but six school districts, and increase the number of schools receiving what's known as equalization aid. One part of the proposal that would require further action from state lawmakers would include creating mechanisms that force school districts to reduce property taxes by the same amount that their aid increases. Ricketts has previously called for holding school spending growth to 3%, and is expected to renew that plan again this year. Corrections A pay increase for corrections officers announced in November prompted a spike in applications, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services announced shortly before Christmas. In the five weeks since the salary boost was put in place, the agency has received 630 applications, nearly four times as many as the 162 applications received in the prior five weeks. While the Department of Correctional Services was optimistic about how the new applications will alleviate staffing shortages, senators are expected to debate a plan for a new $230 million, 1,600-bed prison. The Legislature will likely look at other ways to reduce overcrowding of the states prison system, after a 2015 bill that enacted several criminal justice reforms didnt achieve the hoped-for results. Nebraska is applying for a grant to do a study through the Crime and Justice Institute looking at changes to its probation, parole, sentencing and incarceration practices. Critical race theory Legislation banning the teaching of concepts about race in public schools and universities has been introduced and signed into law this year after critical race theory became a hot button issue in several states. Typically taught in law schools or at the graduate school level, critical race theory examines how racial discrimination has created systemic inequalities in the U.S. and elsewhere. Opponents to teaching critical race theory, including Gov. Pete Ricketts, have used the term to describe a wide range of initiatives, including diversity, inclusion and equity plans put forward by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Earlier this year, the NU Board of Regents defeated a resolution banning critical race theory from being imposed on students. With nearly 20 states proposing some kind of legislative action, many of them led by Republican lawmakers, its likely the issue will come front and center at the Legislature this winter. Climate change A bill (LB576) from Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar to appropriate $50,000 to UNL to upgrade the states climate plan first published in 2014 is still sitting in committee. This spring will mark three years since historic flooding shut down travel across the eastern third of the state, prevented farmers from planting and closed Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue. Since then, Nebraska has seen record high and low temperatures, massive wildfires in the Panhandle, and a rash of tornadoes that tore across the state in mid-December. Time will tell if the Legislature chooses to take action on Bostars bill or any others like it. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 From the polar vortex to wildfires and flooding, Nebraska residents got another taste in 2021 of the potent consequences of the states naturally extreme weather in a climate-changed world. Indeed, the year was bookended by firsts: February brought the states first rolling blackouts as a result of record cold, and December brought that months first derecho anywhere in the nation and Nebraskas first tornado swarm in the final month of the year. The full extent of the years damaging weather will never be known since no agency keeps a tally. Known losses from the two storms with available data exceed $60 million. Natural weather exists side-by-side with the influence of climate change, said Martha Shulski, Nebraskas state climatologist. The question one should ask is how much worse an extreme weather event was made due to climate change, she said. As can be expected in a warmer world, a long wildfire season taxed the states firefighters. And because the planet has more moisture in its atmosphere, it wasnt surprising to see a number of moisture-intense storms. Additionally, the region continued to see warming nights, another hallmark of climate change, because nighttime is warming faster than daytime. Because climate change is real and here now, it is impacting us in these various ways, Shulski said. Sometimes the signal is strong and sometimes not. Over the last 10 years, the weather affecting Nebraska has swung from one extreme to the other. In 2011, Nebraska saw historic flooding on the Missouri River, followed the next year by the states hottest, driest year on record, followed by a string of wet years culminating in the catastrophic flooding of 2019. Nebraska also is seeing the same lopsided setting of temperature records that is occurring elsewhere. In spite of a bitterly cold February, Nebraska experienced its 17th-warmest year through November, Shulski said. Records have been kept for 127 years. The ranking jumps noticeably when it comes to warm low temperatures (typically nighttime temperatures). Nebraska had its eighth-warmest year in that category, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Warm nights are a marker of climate change. They add to heat stress during hot summers because nights are when plants, animals and cities cool off. Warm nights caught the eye of National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Moritz of Hastings. He said the year was averaging Grand Islands fourth-warmest low temperature through Dec. 26. Through Dec. 26, Omaha was on pace to record its fifth-warmest year out of the last 100, said Taylor Nicolaisen, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Here, in chronological order, are some of the big weather events of 2021 in Nebraska. January snowstorm: With 14.5 inches of snow, Lincoln saw its second-snowiest day on record Jan. 25 when a major winter storm swept across the state. Omaha recorded 11.9 inches of snow. During the storm and the days that followed, the Nebraska State Patrol responded to more than 600 weather-related incidents, including 53 crashes. The storm served as a reminder that COVID-19 has changed the nature of snow days for Nebraska students. Many schools canceled in-person classes but continued instruction online, rather than give kids the day off. Frozen February: Temperature records fell when bitterly cold Arctic air plunged as far south as Mexico. The debilitating freeze led to rolling blackouts in states such as Nebraska and a destructive power outage in Texas. For Nebraska, the month exemplified a worrisome trend of recent decades, which has been to experience a particularly harsh end to winter (a key factor in the rolling blackouts and the 2019 flood). Shulski said research is under way to understand the cause, but signs point to a connection with Arctic warming. During the first two weeks of February, nearly 250 cold weather records were set or matched in Nebraska at the approximately 2,600 sites where such data is logged. Schools closed, batteries froze and furnaces and furnace repair companies went into overdrive. It was the states sixth-coldest February. Among the records: * Ericson and Albion set February records with a low of minus 35 degrees. * Lincolns low of minus 31 on Feb. 16 set a daily record. * Hastings tied its monthly record with a low of minus 30. * Omaha set its monthly record with a low of minus 23. Utilities in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Grand Island and elsewhere instituted power outages over two days. In Omaha Public Power Districts 13-county territory of Southeast Nebraska, a total of 80,596 customers were without power for one to two hours at some point from Feb. 15-17. (OPPD, in its 75-year history, had no record of employing a blackout. Nebraska Public Power District instituted one for about an hour in north-central Nebraska in July 2012 when extreme drought led to a spike in irrigation usage.) March blizzard and record rains: A monster storm roared across the Plains in mid-March, spinning a blizzard into Wyoming and western Nebraska and delivering record rain to the eastern side of Nebraska. One stretch after another of Interstate 80 closed as the snowy highway became impassable and communities became clogged with stranded travelers. In eastern Nebraska, Lincoln set a record for wettest March day with 2.33 inches in precipitation. Omaha set a daily record with 2.58 inches. All of Nebraska had entered 2021 in drought or near-drought. The March rains were part of a wet couple of months that brought an end to drought across much of the state, though drought continued to be a problem in the Panhandle. Long, hard fire season: At least four times during 2021, Gov. Pete Ricketts declared wildfire emergencies. The first came in June with the Brush Creek fire in north-central Nebraska and the final one in November with the Buffalo Creek fire in the Panhandle. Other large fires this year included the Hackberry Fire in August in the Panhandle, which was fueled in part by winds of 50 mph to 70 mph, and the Post and Vista Trend fires in September. Drought in the Panhandle contributed to the fires, and the states wildfire experts say its possible fire seasons like 2021s could become more common as the state becomes hotter and drier. Historic windstorm: Hurricane-strength winds swept through Nebraska July 9-10, cutting off power to more than one-third of the state, including a record 188,000 OPPD customers. Winds reached 96 mph at Eppley Airfield, matching the record for the Omaha metro. President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for Nebraska after the storm. A partial survey of damage from the storm tallied losses at $30 million. Destructive flash flood: On Aug 7, rain fell hard and fast over the Omaha metro area, and flash flooding filled the basements of homes and businesses in low-lying areas, knocking out the foundations of at least two homes. Seven people were rescued after being trapped in chest-high water when their elevators descended into the flooded basement of a downtown Omaha apartment building. The flooding was caused by the rapid rate of rainfall, not the total amount. Only about 2 inches fell, but it fell at a rate of 2 to 4 inches an hour, according to the National Weather Service. Unprecedented December tornadoes: Nebraska has been in a tornado lull for the last several years, Moritz said, and until December, this year was no different. Through November, Nebraska had recorded 16 tornadoes, far shy of the annual average of 51, Moritz said. The impact of climate change on tornadoes is unclear. But the stage for the December outbreak was set by an unusually warm autumn the third-warmest on record in the lower 48 states. And the Dec. 15 trigger was a surge of atmospheric energy in the form of abnormally warm moist air flowing into Nebraska and Iowa from an unusually warm Gulf of Mexico. (Lincoln saw its second-warmest December temperature ever when the high reached 74 degrees.) At least 42 tornadoes touched down in Iowa, the most for any day on record. In Nebraska, at least 27 were recorded. Nebraskas largest agricultural insurer said the storm generated its largest losses on record for December. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska says losses may hit $30 million. The potent weather system also generated the nations first-ever December derecho, which is a long-lived, damaging straight-line windstorm. Winds of up to 100 mph swept 650 miles across the country, from Kansas to Wisconsin. State-level disaster declarations have been issued in Iowa and Nebraska. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A float featuring Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom took home the Director Trophy in the Tournament of Roses Parade on Saturday in Pasadena, California. Mutual of Omaha teamed with RFD-TV on the homage to "Wild Kingdom," one of the most beloved wildlife programs in television history. RFD-TV has been replaying Wild Kingdom episodes on Sunday nights since April, and the decision to participate in the parade came from that partnership. The Director Trophy recognizes the "most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials," according to the Tournament of Roses. Each year the parade selects three judges who are tasked with selecting award winners. The 55-foot "Wild Kingdom" float featured a menagerie of different animals, including a lion leaping over a safari jeep holding the show's current host, Peter Gros. Also represented on the float were a herd of African wildlife, a wolf, polar bear, penguins, a whale, sharks and more. Photorealistic floragraphs depicted Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler, the show's legendary hosts. Phoenix Decorating Company, which has been building and designing floats for the Rose Parade since 1985, was in charge of building the float. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Individuals facing mental health crises could find comfort and added anonymity when they gain the option to text a suicide prevention hotline, local experts say. The Federal Communications Commission in 2020 voted to require phone companies to support the 988 number to allow people to reach an existing suicide prevention hotline. In November, the commission voted to require a texting option, too. Phone companies have until July 2022 to implement the 988 number for calling and texting. People facing a physical injury don't hesitate to call 911, head to the emergency room and seek treatment, said Sheri Dawson, behavioral health director within the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. But individuals facing mental health issues still feel a stigma. "There's still shame," Dawson said. "It's OK not to be OK, just like it is on the physical health side." Texting allows for more anonymity, which may make people in crisis more apt to be honest about their thoughts and feelings, said Kris Bosiljevac, manager of the Boys Town National Crisis Line. Texting could prove popular with younger people, who over the years have been less likely to pick up the phone to reach out for help, Bosiljevac said. Instead, they're more comfortable chatting online. But the option to text also benefits individuals who are deaf, have hearing loss or speech disabilities. "It's a wonderful move," Bosiljevac said. "Everybody knows to call 911 when they've got a police emergency. The 988 is kind of that number for mental health situations. It's the whole continuum." The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline currently uses a 10-digit number, 800-273-8255, which routes calls to about 170 crisis centers, including the one at Boys Town. The FCC said that 988 already is accessible via the country's largest cellphone companies AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Suicide rates largely have been going up in the U.S. for the past two decades, although they dropped slightly last year, when officials say nearly 45,000 people died by suicide. Suicide was the ninth-leading cause of death in 2019, according to the latest data provided by the state. It was the second-leading cause in those ages 15 to 24 and 25 to 34. When state officials started planning for the 988 rollout, they also decided to look at other protocols that aid those facing mental health crises, Dawson said. State officials knew the call center would need updates as far as how to answer calls and texts, Dawson said. But with additional grant funds, they decided to also consider the state's mobile crisis response teams and making sure individuals have somewhere to go after a crisis, if needed. "Within the state of Nebraska, in terms of crisis services, there has been active work in trying to continue to grow that continuum," Dawson said. Making sure people have someone to talk to, someone to respond and somewhere to go will help to "level the playing field across Nebraska" and ensure consistent standards of care, Dawson said. If you need help If you or a loved one need assistance, reach out to: * National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 * A faith-based leader, health care professional or student health center on campus * Nebraska Family Helpline at 888-866-8660 * Rural Response Hotline at 800-464-0258 * Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 * National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or test LOVEIS to 22522 * National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-422-4453 or text 800-422-4453 * National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 This report includes material from The Associated Press. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Gayle Dilley President Mark and Carolyn Guidry Foundation Gayle Dilley is president of the Mark and Carolyn Guidry Foundation. The foundation was created by her mother, Carolyn, in 1993 to support education and the arts. To date, they have given over 8 million dollars to organizations that support students, teachers and learning. Gayle and Carolyn both enjoyed studying and working in engineering fields. As women they experienced the challenges of being a minority in their field. Supporting Women in Engineering at San Jose State is a great way to give forward to solutions to these challenges. Their support started with the purchase of pizzas and has been built into an amazing community and conference. Gayle is proud to support San Jose State and Belle Wei to inspire the next generation of women innovators. Gayle has a B.S. in Computer Science from Chico State. She worked for Hewlett Packard as a software engineer in California and Colorado, where she met her husband. She left HP to be a full-time mom of 2. She has continued to take leadership roles in her community and holds board positions for non-profit and for-profit organizations. Most recently, she led a team supplying low-cost housing for medical patients. In addition to spending time with her family and friends, she likes to travel, ski and hike. She is honored to be included in this talented and generous team. SARAJEVO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Aleksandar Milic, 44, is the technical director of the Thermal Power Plant (TPP) near the village of Stanari in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -- the first such plant built by China in Europe. Milic has visited China several times, and by working with a team of Chinese technicians in BiH he has developed a soft spot for the Asian country in general -- and, he rushes to add, for the super spicy but "delicious" Sichuan hot pot in particular. Sichuan is a province in southwestern China, where the Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) is headquartered. The DEC built the TPP, and several members of the project management team hailed from there. Back in 2015, Milic was hired by the United Kingdom-based Energy Financing Team (EFT Group), the investor of the Stanari TPP project that had selected the DEC as its major cooperation partner for the project. Milic was tasked with putting together a team to operate the 300-megawatt plant that was inaugurated in 2016. "A power plant is a complex system, and all kinds of dangerous situations can occur," Milic told Xinhua. "Only highly trained and skilled people can work at a power plant. Selecting and training local people was one of our most challenging tasks." Following an intensive recruitment process aided and supported by the project's Chinese partners, Milic pulled together a 150-strong management and operation team, which remains unchanged to this day. Milic recalled the "most memorable" moment when the plant was officially commissioned and said that it "proved that everything we've done has been successful and great." Through thick and thin, the team stood its ground, and Milic said he was deeply impressed by the Chinese technicians' skill and dedication. "My team and I will never forget their courage, efficiency and professionalism," he said. In the eyes of his Chinese colleagues, Milic is a manager with charisma and executive ability. His team is united, dedicated and always ready to learn from the Chinese partners. "In just two years, his young team quickly mastered key technologies for the operation and maintenance of the power plant. The original plan was to leave behind 30 members of the Chinese team to guide the operation of the power plant, but now only three are needed," Hu Yang, technical director of DEC's Stanari project, said. Thanks to the cooperation between the Chinese and Bosnian team members, the Stanari TPP has become a signature project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in BiH. It brings considerable economic and social benefits to the area, takes into account the plant's ecological and environmental impact, and ushers the area of Stanari among BiH's regions with the highest per capita income. Over the years, Milic's love for China has grown more and more extensive by spending time with the Chinese team. "Aleksandar is our best friend, our good buddy," Hu said. "Apart from being addicted to the hot pot, he often checks Chinese e-commerce websites and is impressed by China's speed of development and the high quality of its industrial and civilian products." Milic has visited China several times, and the more he saw the more passionate about the country he became. He even sent a photo to Xinhua, which was taken in a hot pot restaurant in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. It shows a smiling Milic raising his glass with a Sichuan hot pot steaming in the foreground. Enditem Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. Dear Care and Feeding, My son Adam, age 18, has had a major attitude shift over the past several months. For most of his childhood, Adam was an easygoing and happy kid. Suddenly, hes become angry and resentful, specifically about his height. Adam is 5-foot-4, certainly on the shorter side for an American male, but not in any way unusually short. He has developed a fatalistic outlook around his stature and expresses his frustration on a daily basis. Advertisement Adam believes that his height is going to doom him to loneliness and will sabotage his career. He frequently rants about women who are attracted to tall men. When I responded that plenty of short men have been able to find lasting, fulfilling relationships, he argued that the women in his generation are much more shallow and have been brainwashed into only being attracted to tall men who look like models. He has expressed that he feels upset with my husband and I for not giving him taller genes. Additionally, he has had a couple of job interviews that didnt lead to job offers, and he always says that it probably went to a 6-foot-4 Chad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to have a conversation with him where he doesnt wind up complaining about being 5-foot-4. I know from personal experience how painful it is to experience insecurity about ones looks, but it hurts to hear him speak that way about himself and others. Adam has had so many advantages in life, but insists that he has no future in this world due to his stature. I tried to set a no negative height talk limit when he has conversations with the family, but that only lasted about a day. Ive also mentioned that Id pay for a therapist to work through his feelings about his height with him, which he shrugged off. He thinks its pointless because a therapist cant make him taller and said its condescending and unfair to expect him to accept a subpar existence. Advertisement Advertisement I sympathize with him, but Im exhausted. I dont want to deal with these angry rants every time I talk to him, and I want him to have a better self-image. I think his bitterness is a self-fulfilling prophecy. However, hes an adult, so I only have so much control over him. Advertisement Is there any way that I can push him towards not being so angry about his height all the time? Height Plight Dear Height Plight, If Adams an adult, then no, you cant push him toward height positivity. The best you can do at this point, is to counter each of his sentiments with solution-oriented questions. Things like, Youre right, Adam. A therapist cant make you taller. But its clear that you could use some strategies for coping with the fact that you cant get taller. What kinds of strategies can you come up with on your own? If hes disinclined to brainstorm, suggest again that he seek the help of someone who can steer him in the right direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be good for Adam to be reminded that many things about our physical appearance and stature are beyond our control, but in situations where we are capable of managing our mental health, nearly everything about our outlook and attitude are within our control. Adam needs an attitude adjustment, one that decenters height and emphasizes confidence. Thats the sort of undertaking that requires daily practice. It doesnt sound like that will be easy for him to implement without some help, so it may be a good idea to revisit the idea of therapy. It will be his decision whether or not he wants to go, but encouraging him is the best step for you to take right now, as it seems that you may have exhausted your efforts to motivate him by yourself. Best wishes to you both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, My six-year-old has very big feelings. When she is in a good mood, she is the angel of sweetness and light, funny and full of energy. But when the slightest thing does not go her way, she throws an absolute fit. Screams, cries, and wails over the most minor issue. I feel like I have tried everything (ignoring, being stern, putting her in a time out until she can calm herself down) and nothing has helped. Im exhausted by the constant roller coaster and Im really worried that when something truly bad happens she will be inconsolable. Most people find her a joy to be aroundits only those of us in the immediate family that regularly experience the deep lows. Is there anything else I could be doing? Will she grow out of it? Her 10-year-old sister never went through extremes like this so I am at a loss. Advertisement Advertisement Tired of Riding the Emotional Rollercoaster Dear Tired, I have to ask this, because you didnt list it among the everything youve tried: have you talked to your daughter when shes upset? I mean really talked to her. Have you tried recapturing her attention while shes crying or just as shes winding down and asking her to try to tell you what shes feeling? Do her feelings make her tummy hurt? Or her head? Does she feel like she could burst? Or sprout horns? Does she feel like her own evil twin? Ask her to explain in her own words what her anger feels like. Tell her you want to understand whats going on in her mind and heart and body, because it may help you figure out how best to be there for her. Then, ask her what made her so upset. Even if it feels like the most minute thing in the world to you, let her know that you can understand why this incident left her feeling so out of control. Tell her grown-ups also feel lost and grumpy and out of control. And its scary and big and we dont always know what to do with our feelings. And sometimes, grown-ups feel like screaming, crying and wailing, too. But instead, we try [insert whatever calming effort youd like her to attempt here. It would be deep breathing. It could be hugging it out. It could be drawing or turning on music and dancing. Anything that redirects her anger and places her attention on something more constructive]. Advertisement This approach requires you to be more present for your six-year-old. It requires more of your time and undivided attention. It can feel tedious. Or silly. You may have to tinker with your timing, trying to engage her in conversation both in the moment and after its passed. And even after all of that, its not guaranteed to work. But most kids respond favorably to being seen and heard, especially when theyre feeling their worst. So its worth a few tries. Good luck! Advertisement Advertisement 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, I have a soon to be 9-year-old daughter who for some time now (probably over a year) tends to ask for confirmation if what she likes or what she wants to do or wear is cool, or pretty, basically worthy. Her personality used to be that if she liked it and found it interesting, she went for it. She still has some semblance of that but not like she used to. When she asks me things like if I think what shes wearing or how her hair is done up looks pretty or if her friends will think it looks pretty, I respond, Yes, I love it, because youre beautiful and awesome 100 percent of the time and other opinions dont matter if it makes you happy. Thats what really matters and everybody is allowed to have different interests and like different things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im afraid that there is something Im doing or saying that has subconsciously lowered her confidence. Im pretty low maintenance when it comes to my looks, I maybe do partial face (not even full face) makeup and heels like 3 times a year. Yoga pants, tees and ponytail 95 percent of the time. I consider my relationship with my spouse, family, and friends meaningful and anchored in love, respect, and appreciation. So Im confused when she approaches me with these types of questions, and I think back to my young teenage years when I didnt have high confidence and anguished over others liking me. I miss my super confident, go-getter-spirited daughter and want to build that back up. How can I reignite her confidence? Advertisement Advertisement P.S. I have not shared this concern with her at all. Build Back My Daughters Confidence Dear BBMDC, First, I want to reassure you. This probably isnt about anything youre saying or doing. Your behavior around hair and makeup hasnt subconsciously lowered your daughters confidence. Peer approval is a big deal to almost-nine-year-olds (and it may continue to be a big deal for the remainder of her childhood and adolescence). Being liked, admired or validated by kids her own age can play a significant role in helping her establish a sense of self-acceptance. You and your spouse help with that, too, as do the rest of the people you consider to be part of her family and friend community. But she may be seeking validation from you about her style choices and overall cool factor, because its become really important to her that her same-age peers consider her to be pretty, fashionable, and interesting. Advertisement Advertisement Try finding out how things are going in her friend circles, at school and outside of school. Figure out if it might be helpful to provide her more opportunities to socialize with kids whose hobbies and interests are aligned with hers. Shes likely to find the acceptance she seeks among peers who consider the same things cool that she does. If she has a talent or skill that shes proud of, encourage her to continue pursuing it, as talents and special skills can be big confidence-boosters. And keep doing what youre doing: take her and her questions seriously, provide her validation when she seeks it, and keep communication open about whats going on with her socially at school and elsewhere. The goal is to get your daughter to a point where she can answer her questions about whether or not shes pretty or cool without asking anyone elseand that her answers will be resoundingly affirmative. Advertisement Advertisement 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, Im thirteen years old and I hate my life. Advertisement Advertisement It may seem drastic to say so, but I dont feel happy the way I am. I have severe anxiety and mild depression. I am paranoid. I am an introvert, and my best friend lives in another country with a seven-hour time difference. The other people at school either make light of bigotry and think its a joke that people were discriminated against, or are bigots themselves. I am a closeted lesbian in a very conservative area, and my parents seem to think Im not sure if I even like girls at all when I know I do, as I pondered it for a year before confessing. My school counselor doesnt take my concerns seriously. My parents dont know me very well, and they often dont start important conversations with me. Ive grown up with strict parents who have expected me to obey the first time and then chided me for not having more friends. I love them but they dont know me. Im worried my sister is a psychopath. Im worried my brother is going to be permanently scarred by my parents way of raising their last child (screaming at him until he obeys, saying he eats too much unhealthy food when theyre the ones feeding him, etc.). Im the eldest, but I feel like I cant take care of my siblings. Im afraid of what Im going to do. Im on the verge of a breakdown and I dont know who to talk to or what to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I also feel really ungrateful for the good life that I have. Im not starving in the street. Im not in a homophobic place like Poland or Lithuania. Im not afflicted with a strong case of schizophrenia. Im not being raised by a horrible family that doesnt care about their kids. I live in a nice house, and my family is upper middle class. My family is left-leaning and accepting, even though they dont think Im sure about my sexuality. I see what is real to everyone else, and can, for the most part, think clearly. My parents, however misunderstanding and misguided they are, love me and my siblings more than anything. I feel like my problems are trivial. Advertisement Am I right? Am I wrong? Who can I talk to? How can I help my parents take me seriously? Lost in Life Dear Lost in Life, You sound like a person who deeply considers herself, as well as those she cares about and the world around her. Being so thoughtful can make you feel frequently overwhelmed or exhausted, or, because so many things feel like theyre beyond your control, discouraged. Know this: you deserve to be taken seriously. You deserve to be heard. You deserve for your feelings to be accepted as real and genuine. You deserve ease and rest and the occasional respite from worry. Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to tell from your letter what you mean by Im afraid of what Im going to do, but if you are worried you are going to harm yourself, please seek help immediately. If theres no one in your immediate orbit that you feel you can trusta teacher, a counselor, a doctor, a parent or loved onethere are free national and state crisis and counseling hotlines you can call. YouthLine is one option, as is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Advertisement Advertisement It is hard to be 13. Im sorry to hear that you feel like your school counselor is dismissive and your parents dont understand you. Sometimes people dont know how to be understanding, helpful or supportive, despite their good intentions or their sincere desire to be there for you. Those shortcomings are not yours to own. You arent difficult to believe or to understand. Is there anyone in your life with whom you feel safe, anyone with whom you think you can be your most authentic self? Is there a teacher in whom you may be able to confide? Your doctor? Is it possible to appeal to your parents for help connecting with a counselor or group that might be able to provide you some support or solidarity? If at all possible, try to impress upon someone you think may be able to hear and help you that youre feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how best to take care of yourself right now. Advertisement Remember, too, that at 13, despite being the eldest sibling, your only caretaking obligation is to yourself. Though your concern for your brother is understandable, you arent responsible for raising him, protecting him, or ensuring his well-being. Thats still your parents responsibility and the responsibility of any other adults they may reach out to for assistance with the task. I sincerely hope you feel better soon. Stacia For More Parenting Coverage, Listen to Mom and Dad Are Fighting More Advice From Slate Im a bisexual man in a happy, monogamous relationship. My wife is fine with my sexuality but does not want me to talk about it with other people. She especially does not want me talking about it around her friends, many of whom are gay men, for fear that they would start hitting on me. (I think maybe she also worries that they would make fun of mealthough we all get along great.) She also does not want me to contact an ex-lover, who was also my best friend for a long time (although admittedly this was years ago). Im not particularly bothered by these conditions, but I would like to speak to this guy at least once again in my life, and it might be nice to have people with whom I could openly discuss my sexuality. In November, world leaders arrived to the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in a fleet of carbon-emitting private jets for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as COP26. And while COP26 president Alok Sharma called the agreements reached there historic in an interview with NPR, many feel the achievements were woefully underwhelming. Indigenous groups around the world lamented the bureaucracy and structural barriers minimizing their participation, with groups like the Hoopa tribe in California and the Mexican collective Futuros Indigenas decrying the COP26 deal as a failure on climate action. Climate and earth science experts noted that even with provisions and national commitments in the updated deal, the world will almost certainly miss the 1.5 degree Celsius warming target. Even Sharma himself apologized for having to change the language on coal from phasing out to phasing down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other things, COP26 failed to address biomass energy, which many European nations have relied on as a renewable energy source. At best, that terminology is a semantic stretch. At worst, its greenwashing a dirty fuel at the worst possible moment. One thing is for certain: Biomass has fueled quite the controversy. Advertisement Advertisement Biomass energy comes from organic material like waste crops and animal manurebut its mostly wood burned in the form of compressed particle pellets. Its not super common in the U.S.: According to U.S. Energy Information Administration statistics, biomass energy (again, mostly made from wood) represented roughly 5 percent of total domestic primary energy use during 2020. But the Build Back Better Act passed by the House of Representatives would support increasing its use. Its already more common across the Atlantic: Biomass energy is the second-largest source of renewable electricity in the U.K., having provided 12 percent of its electricity in 2020. Woody biomass accounts for more than half of the European Unions renewable energy sources. And a lot of that wood is coming from the Southeastern U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some, like North Carolina State University professor Richard Venditti, have praised biomass for being part of a circular economy, arguing its renewable because well-maintained forest plots can regrow biomass over time and cancel out the emissions from burning the wood. Biomass companies see it as an alternative to fossil fuels that can displace reliance on coal. Freddie Davis, a registered forester with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, argues that biomass also provides a source of profit for those lacking the socioeconomic resources to maintain their forest land. Private forest owners I spoke with in North Carolina echoed that sentiment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Companies like Envivawhich boasts on its website to be the worlds largest producer of sustainable wood pelletsalso claim to use only low-value wood and waste products from the timber industry, like tree limbs, mill residues, and the products of forest thinnings. In response to critiques that biomass producers use full trees as well, Envivas chief sustainability officer, Kim Cesafsky, says it is true that the company often uses roundwood form, which is just an industry term for wood left as logs. However, Cesafsky and Enviva argue they only use roundwood that wouldnt go to market in other industries. It will look like it has a pretty big butt on it. Its either because it had a big crook in it or it was rotten in the middle and theres no other place to sell that material. without an outlet for it, it impedes regeneration and is something that landowners will have to pay to get off their property, she told me. According to the companys sustainability report, this market encourages good forest stewardship and creates incentives for forest landowners to replant and keep their land as forest. And Enviva officials repeated a line from their companys website, noting that the number of trees in U.S. forests have increased every year over the past 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enviva also touts its audit policy designed to ensure its wood is sustainably sourcedincluding making sure forest sources will be replanted or regrown as forests. However, further investigation doesnt support this overly rosy view. Research suggests that burning woody biomass requires decades of regrowth to recoup its carbon debt (time being something we have very little of in the climate crisis)and that the replanting of hardwood forests with fast-growing pines for biomass purposes actually decreases the carbon density of wooded areas. (While Enviva is right that forest land has increased in the U.S. Southeast, its carbon uptake has decreased at the same time.) In fact, in the short term, burning wood might be worse for greenhouse gas emissions than coalespecially given that wood burning is wildly inefficient. Not only is biomass energy generally more expensive to produce per megawatt hour, but, as the British policy institute Chatham House further explains, wood is simply less energy-dense than other carbon-emitting fuels. To make efficiency matters worse, methods to make the fuel more efficient lead to greater environmental harm. And thats not even counting the fuel for the boats that transport trees to biomass facilities across the world. Or the noise and pollution stemming from the production facilities that process wood into pellets. Wood pellet plants emit pollutants like carbon monoxide and particulate matter into the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, several biomass companies have a shaky history with following air quality regulations. An Enviva plant in Sampson County, North Carolina, was cited five times for air quality violations and even caught fire earlier this year. When I pushed Yana Kravtsova, Envivas executive vice president of communications, about air quality failures at the plant, her final reply was, Its in the public record. We had one occurrence when our equipment has failed and we have corrected it. The state of Mississippi fined U.K.-based biomass company Drax $2.5 million for breaking volatile organic compound limits at its Amite facility in the town of Gloster. Unfortunately, these are just two stories in an industry with a documented track record of Clean Air Act violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These problems have affected the lives of residents who are near the plants. Sherri White-Williamson, the environmental justice policy director of the North Carolina Conservation Network, lives near a biomass facility. Not only does she note traffic problems and significant odors from the wood pellet plants, but she also is concerned with downstream water contamination from waste discharge. In fact, Active Energy Renewable Power was sued for exactly that; lawsuits allege that the company has been illegally polluting the Lumber River in North Carolina without a permit or monitoring. You would expect fall and winter here to see clear streams. You might go somewhere now and find algae blooms in the streams, just because of their proximity to some of the facilities here, White-Williamson said. Advertisement Advertisement Coastal Plain Conservation Groups director, Andy Wood, is particularly concerned about something called eutrophication, which occurs when excessive nutrients create low-oxygen waters that lead to die-offs of fish. During a boat ride down the Cape Fear River, Wood told me that deforestations impact on soil stability and biomass industry pollution contribute to excess nutrient levels in riparian systems already affected by factory farms. Research by scientists and the European Commission support his claim. Its that process of eutrophication that is contributing to algae blooms in North Carolina. When asked about this, Don Grant, manager of sustainability standards at Enviva, said that the company works with foresters who follow best management practices based on the Clean Water Act to prevent sediment and soil nutrients from entering streams. This includes the creation of forest buffers (a specific distance of maintained vegetation between logging and streams) to ensure that runoff and sediments do not enter rivers. Grant also notes that, at least in North Carolina, you can be fined for violating water quality best management practices. However, questions remain as to how the industry as a whole is approaching water-quality issues. Advertisement Advertisement Wood also discussed the ways increased industry has affected the morphology of North Carolina waterways. Increased cargo ship traffic at the Port of Wilmington has required dredging of the Cape Fear River to allow for the passage of bigger ships. Dredging is the process of removing sediments from the bottom of bodies of water, often to increase depth. Not only is dredging economically costly, but its also had significant ecological impacts through habitat destruction and the killing of endangered species like sea turtles. One of the ports major residents? An Enviva facility dedicated to shipping wood pellets across the Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior adviser and attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center Derb Carter also notes that there is rarely any contractual requirement for those selling wood for biomass to regrow trees on their landand there isnt always incentive for landowners. Why? Well, he explains that with population growth in places like North Carolina (a major source of timber for biomass pellets), land is almost certainly worth more if sold or leased for development. Carter is also dubious of Envivas claims that is doesnt use whole trees if it doesnt have to. Take Enviva, about which we know from their own reporting that 76 percent of their sourcing is whole trees, he said. When asked about the legitimacy of such companies reliance on low-value and waste wood, Andy Wood simply replied, Its a very broad interpretation. He added that this interpretation is not much good for all the animals that use misshapen trees as their home. In essence, he is pointing out that while the timber might not always have tons of value in the market, that doesnt necessarily mean its without ecological value. And while we live in a market-based society, theres a significant quandary here regarding how we value trees in their habitat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enviva also qualifies some of its promises, noting in its Responsible Sourcing Policy that We understand that not all suppliers of residues or third-party pellet manufacturers will be able to fully and immediately comply with all our Sustainable Forestry Standards. Heck, even North Carolinas government admitted in 2019 that woody biomass does not advance NCs clean energy economy. So, given all these concerns, how in the world is woody biomass considered a renewable energy source? The problem lies in how the world tallies greenhouse gas emissions. According to U.N. emissions tallies, cutting down trees for industry is counted as a form of land use emissions. However, emissions from burning that wood as fuel are not counted against a countrys ledger. Timothy D. Searchinger, a senior research scholar at Princeton Universitys Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment, contends that this creates a perverse incentive to just burn trees from other countries and count the coal you displace as a greenhouse gas reduction. Advertisement This failure in accounting is what has allowed countries in Europe to burn U.S. trees while claiming to be moving toward clean energy. This is despite the fact that EUs own top climate diplomat at COP26, Frans Timmermans, has previously admitted biomass is not carbon-neutral; yet in Glasgow he argued, To be perfectly blunt with you, biomass will have to be a part of our energy portfolio if we are to remove our dependency on fossil fuels. Advertisement Advertisement And while that may be true to an extent, that seems to be dodging a few important questions: Why does the EU consider this a renewable energy source if it knows woody biomass isnt carbon-neutral? And whose idea was it to encourage the widespread adoption of this energy source? Advertisement Advertisement It is especially important to ask these questions now as the woody biomass industry rapidly expands. Grand View Research estimates that the global biomass is worth tens of billions of dollars and is expected to grow around 6 percent annually through 2028. European countries provide billions of dollars of subsidies to support this industry. The U.K. subsidizes biomass facilities to the tune of nearly 3 million pounds per day. And similar subsidies are gaining popularity in Asia as well. Biomass energy is nowhere near as environmentally friendly as the industry claims it to be. If we keep letting countries pretend that it is, we minimize the incentive to invest in renewable energies that are greenin the short and long term. Funding for field reporting was provided through a National Press Foundation fellowship. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. ARCHIVED - Vehicle registration tax in Spain increases by 1,000 euros The price hike will impact the sale of 100,000 vehicles across Spain After a particularly difficult year across the globe, 2022 isnt starting out much better for drivers in Spain, who will have to pay an inflated registration cost from January 1 for the privilege of purchasing a new vehicle. The price hike, which will represent an increase of around 1,000 euros per car , comes as a result of the new WLTP (World Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) cycle which rates the fuel economy and CO2 emission of cars. According to the Federation of Automotive Dealers Associations (Faconauto), the tax increase will only serve to demobilise sales, as happened during the first half of 2021, which will result in the loss of between 70,000 and 100,000 new vehicle registrations in Spain this year. First implemented in 2018, the WLTP system aims to promote a greener environment by ensuring that fuel consumption and emissions approved by vehicles are more in line with reality; for this reason, most models have been forced to increase the number of grams of carbon dioxide that they allow, pushing up the price of the vehicle since registration tax in Spain is directly linked to emissions. Since its inception, the WLTP has meant that the tax paid on most cars increased to 4.75%, a figure which could climb as high as 14.75% for higher emissions. However, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and in an attempt to lessen the burden on the flailing automotive industry, the Congress of Deputies approved a registration tax freeze in June last year. The unfreezing of this tax at the beginning of 2022 will affect around 40% of newly registered vehicles according to the latest estimates by the National Association of Vehicle Sellers (Ganvam) and the worldwide delivery delay of new vehicles means that drivers who purchased a new car six or even eight months ago will now be subject to the price hike. In 2020, the average vehicle, including registration tax, had a price tag of 19,341 euros and this increased by around 6.36% in 2021. However, due in large part to the push towards electric models, CO2 emissions actually dropped. Unfortunately, by the end of November 2021, vehicles registered in Spain emitted 126 grams of carbon monoxide on average, an increase of 10.5%. Image: Archive Ryanair to suspend flights for three weeks in January and Wizz Air eliminates some connections for several months. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Several air companies announced the limiting of their flights as of January 2022 due to the unfavourable epidemic situation caused by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Ryanair Ryanair announced that in January, they are suspending several their flights for three weeks, between January 10 and 31. From Bratislava airport, these are connections to Brussels, Thessaloniki, Bologna, Milan, Malta, Lviv, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and Manchester. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The airline will also reduce flights to Dublin and London Stansted in those three weeks, which will fly twice a week. Other regular flights to Copenhagen, Eindhoven, Lanzarote, Rome and Kyiv should fly as scheduled. Wizz Air Wizz Air is also decreasing its flight offer. Flights to Sofia in Bulgaria are scheduled for January 3 and 7 and then only to March 29, 2022. The last flight to Skopje will be on January 11, 2022 and then only on March 5, 2022. The connection to Kyiv Zhuliany is currently open all January, February and March 2022 every Monday and Friday. How to travel to and from Slovakia during COVID-19 Read more Wizz Air's connection to Lviv will tentatively be suspended from January 10 until July 5, 2022, but Ryanair should fly to Lviv from February. The connection to Odessa will open from March 29, 2022 and flights to London Luton by Wizz Air are suspended between January 9 and March 27, 2022. Re-evaluation for other months Ryanair announced that they will re-evaluate the situation for February and March shortly after New Year's, based on the latest scientific knowledge about Omicron. If the situation approves, flights could return even sooner, Bratislava airports spokesperson reported. We recommend that travellers check the websites of individual air companies, where the offer of flights is the most up-to-date, said Zuzana Drobova, spokesperson for the airport. The councillors have submitted a complaint in response. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The National Criminal Agency (NAKA) pressed charges against 10 councillors from the village of Varin (Zilina Region) in late December. The councillors in question attended a session of the local council in Varin and disagreed with renaming a street that bears the name of Jozef Tiso, who was the president of the Nazi-allied wartime Slovak state. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The councillors are said to express sympathies towards a movement aimed at suppressing fundamental rights and freedoms, the TASR newswire reported. If found guilty, they could spend anywhere from six months to three years in prison. They all disagree with the charges and have submitted a complaint to the police, TASR wrote. Slovakia's 'rare' fascist monuments escape wave of statue removals Read more Opponent to street name awarded Varin is a village of about 3,800 inhabitants near Zilina and the very last village with a street that still bears Tiso's name. One of its councillors, non-partisan Lenka Tichakova, has been pushing the municipality to rename the street since December 2019. Yet, she has faced slurs, preponderance and misunderstanding in the village for her efforts. Many objected that they would have to exchange their documents and IDs due to the change of street name and recommended that she move out if she was discontent with the name. They stood up against neighbours, the system and Matovic. Three women awarded the White Crow Read more She was one of the laureates of the 2021 White Crow awards, granted for civic courage. Im also a [Catholic] believer, but I think that a believer is not someone who goes to church but who acts that way, Tichakova told the Sme daily in a 2020 interview. And to defend a person who does not deserve defence? Almost 70,000 people from Slovakia lost their lives because of Tiso. He knew where they would end up but did not intervene, she added. https://sputniknews.com/20220102/cheney-trump-clearly-unfit-for-office-cannot-be-trusted-after-dereliction-of-duties-on-jan-6-1091985344.html Cheney: Trump 'Clearly Unfit' for Office, Cannot Be Trusted After Dereliction of Duties on Jan 6 Cheney: Trump 'Clearly Unfit' for Office, Cannot Be Trusted After Dereliction of Duties on Jan 6 Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), one of two Republicans serving on the nine-member US House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States... 02.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-02T23:31+0000 2022-01-02T23:31+0000 2022-01-02T23:31+0000 donald trump us gop republicans us house select committee liz cheney /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/02/1091985023_0:184:3072:1912_1920x0_80_0_0_75ca766766d87eb1de5c3156b83426c6.jpg Despite deeply political intra-party pushback, Rep. Cheney's public criticism of former US President Donald Trump remained unchanged during her Sunday appearance on ABC's "This Week." "He crossed lines no American president has ever crossed before," Cheney told George Stephanopoulos, agreeing with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's assertion that the reelection of Trump, or someone "of his ilk," could upend US democracy and the nation's status as a republic.The US Republican representative from Wyoming asserted that Americans must be made aware of Trump's dereliction of duties on January 6, 2021. "As he was sitting there in the dining room next to the Oval Office, members of his staff were pleading with him to go on television, to tell people to stop," Cheney said of the former US president. "We know [House Minority] Leader McCarthy was pleading with him." "Any man who would not do so; any man who would provoke a violent assault on the Capitol to stop the counting of Electoral [College] votes; any man who would watch television as police officers were being beaten as his supporters were invading the Capitol of the United States is clearly unfit for future office," Cheney added. Cheney's media appearance comes alongside the active House Select Committee probe led by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), and nearly a year after the deadly riot in Washington, DC. Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, another Conservative member of the GOP, are the only Republicans on the 9-member panel. Their involvement has resulted in extreme pushback from political heavyweights in the GOP.It is worth noting that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi provided McCarthy with an opportunity to select up to five members to appear on the board, but rescinded all five of his proposed appointees after the speaker rejected the submissions of Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Jim Banks (R-ID).Cheney has faced formal rebukes in her own GOP-controlled state, including a Wyoming Republican Party decision in November to no longer recognize her as a Republican, despite being the state's representation in the US House. The move followed a 31-29 vote by the state party's GOP-controlled central committee. It is unlikely that the intra-party struggle between pro-Trump and conservative Republicans will simmer anytime soon, as the House Select Committee is presently gearing up to release information gathered during the ongoing probe. Upcoming televised hearings, according to some, will likely reignite public conservation on the deadly insurrection and its fallout. https://sputniknews.com/20211216/egregious-actions-trump-allies-ask-mccarthy-to-remove-cheney-kinzinger-from-house-gop-conference-1091558625.html us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead donald trump, us, gop, republicans, us house select committee, liz cheney https://sputniknews.com/20220103/armed-teams-with-shoot-to-kill-authority-reportedly-stationed-in-dc-days-ahead-of-capitol-riot-1092000890.html Armed Teams With Shoot-to-Kill Authority Reportedly Stationed in DC Days Ahead of Capitol Riot Armed Teams With Shoot-to-Kill Authority Reportedly Stationed in DC Days Ahead of Capitol Riot Thursday will mark the first anniversary of the storming of the seat of US legislative power by angry Trump supporters hoping to disrupt Congresss... 03.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-03T18:18+0000 2022-01-03T18:18+0000 2022-01-03T18:46+0000 swat us marshals service capitol bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives (atf) fbi /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/09/1082025884_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b4bb07a2730334d29e9a325a4559758b.jpg Highly trained and heavily armed FBI, US Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) tactical teams with shoot-to-kill authority were pre-deployed at the FBIs Quantico training facility in Virginia on the weekend of 2-3 January 2021 to prepare to respond to a major emergency in Washington, DC, Newsweek reports, citing congressional testimony.The teams pre-deployment was approved by acting Trump attorney-general Jeffrey Rosen, and they were tasked with swooping into the city aboard helicopters in the event of a major emergency, such as an attack on the president or vice-president, a terrorist incident or Trumps assassination, in which case they would be deployed to protect potential successors.The deployment was said to have come without any requests from security bodies in DC itself, including the Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department, or from the Secret Service. The former proved ill-prepared for events which unfolded on 6 January at the Capitol complex, offering almost no resistance to rioters as they stormed the legislature.In testimony to House lawmakers in May, Rosen confirmed that his office had directed various [Department of Justice] entities to take cautionary steps to alert or pre-position tactical teams if needed for support on January 6.FBI tactical teams ended up being deployed on the ground in DC on 6 January, collecting evidence at the Republican and Democrat party headquarters, where explosive devices were reported to be present. FBI SWAT personnel and snipers also took up positions near congressional buildings, with other FBI agents providing security to Capital facilities, lawmakers and staff.The FBIs Hostage and Rescue Team commandos entered the Capitol after it was breached, with their mission including assisting police and Secret Service in taking vice-president Mike Pence to an underground parking structure for evacuation, with Pence refusing to leave and staying put underground.National Guard units were activated and deployed three hours after the Capitol was stormed, and ended up remaining in Washington, DC until May.News of the drama which unfolded at the Capitol one year ago spread like wildfire across the planet, with Democrat lawmakers and president-elect Biden deeming the protesters domestic terrorists and accusing Trump of an attempted coup". The outgoing president issued tweets urging protesters to stay peaceful and go home, and has dismissed claims of having any role in the mayhem.The House of Representatives impeached Trump for a second time over the Capitol unrest (although the Senate later acquitted him), he was banned from Twitter, and lawmakers launched several investigations to investigate the violence further.On Thursday, federal authorities issued a vague warning to state and local officials asking them to be on the lookout for any threat actors who might seek to commit violence ahead of or during the anniversary of the 6 January events. On Sunday, the chief of the Capitol Police warned that the law enforcement agency is plagued by staffing shortages and is nearly 400 officers short of where we need to be. Lawmakers passed a $2.1 billion Capitol security bill in July, allowing the Capitol Police to open field offices in California and Florida. https://sputniknews.com/20211224/trumps-3-hour-silence-on-jan-6-was-reportedly-filled-with-retakes-of-a-video-asking-fans-to-leave--1091785554.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov swat, us marshals service, capitol, bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives (atf), fbi https://sputniknews.com/20220103/china-builds-bridge-across-pangong-lake-to-speed-up-troop-movements-near-indias-military-posts-1091993797.html China Builds Bridge Across Pangong Lake to Speed Up Troop Movements Near India's Military Posts China Builds Bridge Across Pangong Lake to Speed Up Troop Movements Near India's Military Posts Pangong Tso [Lake] was one of several friction points along the loosely demarcated Line of Actual Control (LAC) where India's Army and China's People's... 03.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-03T14:17+0000 2022-01-03T14:17+0000 2022-01-03T14:18+0000 tibet chinese people's liberation army (pla) ladakh region china indian army border tensions india /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105677/33/1056773333_0:0:4608:2592_1920x0_80_0_0_17f7723b31a4d402aadb028db1bd0f1c.jpg The People's Liberation Army has started building a bridge across Pangong Lake to cut the time it takes to reach Indian military posts at the lake's southern bank.By having this bridge, the PLA is hoping to prevent the Indian Army from repeating "Operation Snow Leopard" which occurred in August 2020 to capture dominating heights in the southern bank of the 135km lake shared between India and China in Eastern Ladakh. Under this operation, India took control of vantage points such as Black Top, Helmet Top, Rechin-la and Rezang-La of the Kailash ranges. This gave India domination of the whole of the Pangong area."The Chinese were taken aback by the swift movement and build-up (on the southern bank of Pangong) They have probably learnt the lesson, and since they are quick in taking remedial measures, several steps have been initiated to ensure that their movement through that area is quicker and they have the ability to scale up presence in a big way," a source told news outlet The Print, explaining the reason for the bridge's construction.The unnamed official said that after the bridge is completed, the distance between Khurnak (Northern Bank) and Rudok (Southern Bank) will be reduced to between 40km and 50-km rather than the 200km it is now. In the absence of the bridge across the lake, the Chinese troops have to cover a longer route to reach the southern bank of Pangong Tso. Satellite imagery shows the bridge is almost completed across a narrow part of the lake.China has several military posts near Khurnak, including Nyagzu and Dambuguru, which the PLA built in 1961.China had withdrawn more than 10,000 troops and over 300 tanks from the Pangong Lake area after the disengagement agreement of 10 February 2021. Pangong Tso is located in Eastern Ladakh, marked by checkpoints 1 through 8, known as "Fingers" as the spurs of the mountain range on the northern bank of Pangong Tso jut out towards the lake like a palm, with the protrusions looking like fingers.India controls the western portion of the 45km lake, and the rest is controlled by China. Both the countries have stopped patrolling between Finger 4 and Finger 8 of Pangong Tso under the disengagement agreement of 10 February 2021.However, unconfirmed satellite imagery in October 2021 shows that PLA Ground Force elements remain forward on the Sirjap, Khurnak Fort, and Nyagzu areas, among others.Last month, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 27 new roads and bridges near the China border.Singh also mentioned that "in today's uncertain environment, the possibility of any kind of conflict cannot be ruled out".In May 2020, India and China accused each other of launching several incursions across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Despite 13 rounds of talks at military commanders' level since June 2020, both sides reinforced their positions with tens of thousands of troops and military assets in the western sector of the LAC. https://sputniknews.com/20210525/indias-intel-report-suggests-china-testing-new-uavs-for-plateau-operations-around-pangong-lake-1082988094.html tibet ladakh region china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg tibet, chinese people's liberation army (pla), ladakh region, china, indian army, border tensions, india https://sputniknews.com/20220103/federalising-elections-dems-signalled-readiness-to-change-senates-rules-to-pass-voting-rights-bill-1092001129.html Federalising Elections? Dems Signalled Readiness to Change Senate's Rules to Pass Voting Rights Bill Federalising Elections? Dems Signalled Readiness to Change Senate's Rules to Pass Voting Rights Bill Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told Republican lawmakers in the upper chamber that he would resort to changing Senate rules if they derail the voting rights bill. 2022-01-03T19:05+0000 2022-01-03T19:05+0000 2022-01-03T19:05+0000 joe biden chuck schumer news world us sen. joe manchin (d-west virginia) election fraud voting rights voting rights act hr1 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/03/10/1082362481_0:161:3070:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_4cc40aa48df706efd9d1c04531ec5823.jpg Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated on Monday that the US Senate will vote on changing the upper chamber's rules on or before 17 January, if the GOP continues to obstruct voting rights legislation.The Democrat Party has repeatedly tried to pass various versions of the Bill in the upper chamber since the Dems gained the majority of the House in 2019. However, the For the People Act, introduced as HR1, was blocked every time by Republican senators.The Bill is now called the Freedom to Vote Act. It incorporates most of the key provisions of the For the People Act, including nation-wide vote by mail; automatic voter registration; same day voter registration requiring the state to register a person to vote immediately upon request, even on election day; barring of partisan gerrymandering; and overhauling campaign finance system, among other measures.The federal voting rights Bill is also seen as a countermeasure against a set of "ID laws" proposed by Republican legislatures in a number of states. The GOP-backed laws are seeking to ban ballot harvesting, strengthen identification rules, prevent election authorities from sending unsolicited vote-by-mail applications to registered voters and provide poll watchers with greater freedoms, to name but a few provisions.The Republicans argue that the HR1 voting rights legislation is aimed at "federalising" elections, depriving state legislatures of their control over election rules and inviting fraud through enhanced use of voting by mail. Furthermore, GOP leaders claim that the Bill is designed to "keep Democrats permanently in power." As the Wall Street Journal's editorial summarised on 14 January 2021, the legislation will help "auto-enroll likely Democrat voters, enhance Democrat turnout, with no concern for ballot integrity."The Freedom to Vote Act is currently supported by all 50 Democrats in the upper chamber including moderate Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia, famous for torpedoing the US president's signature Build Back Better Act late last year. However, Republican senators are expected to resort to the legislative filibuster, a political procedure that allows derailing a Bill unless it is backed by 60 senators.Top Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, have long been seeking to ban the filibuster. However, Manchin previously made it clear that he would never support eradicating the procedure altogether. Therefore, Senate Democrats will move to reform Senate rules, which could make it easier to pass their voting rights Bill.In early December 2021 Axios reported an effort by a small group of Senate Democrats to convince Manchin to support their plans to change the upper chamber's rules. Citing multiple lawmakers and their aides, the media outlet noted that although refusing to nix the filibuster the West Virginia Democrat allegedly showed openness to changing Senate rules.The group includes Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.). Speaking to Axios on 9 December, Kaine stated that the group is looking at "a whole package of reforms to make the Senate work better that we think could facilitate passage of voting rights, but would not abolish the filibuster."Politico specified on 8 December that one of the options discussed by the Dems and Manchin himself is to include a "standing filibuster" which would require senators to continue debating on the floor rather than needing 60 votes to end debate on a Bill. https://sputniknews.com/20210304/one-party-power-grab-why-dems-are-rushing-to-pass-the-for-the-people-act-before-2022-midterms-1082256672.html https://sputniknews.com/20210510/fair-elections-gop-adopts-id-laws-creates-new-alliances-to-turn-tables-on-dems-in-2022--2024-1082848975.html https://sputniknews.com/20211223/biden-voices-support-for-exception-to-filibuster--to-pass-voting-rights-legislation-1091758437.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova joe biden, chuck schumer, news, world, us, sen. joe manchin (d-west virginia), election fraud, voting rights, voting rights act, hr1, us election 2020 https://sputniknews.com/20220103/fire-at-south-africa-parliament-resumes-fire-brigade-says-1091998338.html Fire Breaks Out Again at South Africa Parliament - Photo, Video Fire Breaks Out Again at South Africa Parliament - Photo, Video Fire at the South African parliament has broken out again after a lull, the fire brigade reportedly said. 2022-01-03T14:57+0000 2022-01-03T14:57+0000 2022-01-03T17:13+0000 south africa fire /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/03/1091998506_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_a55c2befce5b6b05370c7cc227f62a0b.jpg Fire at the South African parliament has broken out again after a lull, the fire brigade reportedly said."The fire restarted in the roof of the building housing the national assembly," the fire brigade's spokesman Jermaine Carelse said, quoted by AFP. Only a dozen firefighters were still at the scene, he added."Devastating. Distressing. Inexplicable..." parliamentary spokesman Moloto Mothapo tweeted.Earlier, police arrested and charged a person suspected of arson."Man (49) allegedly linked to setting Parliament building alight to appear in court on 04/01 on charges of housebreaking and theft, arson and will also be charged under The National Key Point Act, the police tweeted. The parliament sits in a complex of buildings - an old building dating back to the 19th century and new ones from the 1920s and 1980s that are used by the lower house. south africa Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 south africa, fire I dont know about you, but the world just seems busy. I find when I ask people the question, how are you doing?, 90% of the time the answer is: busy. A common reason for our busyness is our work. The hustle culture of today continues to puzzle me. For those who arent familiar, hustle culture is obsessed with striving (NY Times). Its a culture that worships mantras such as sleep when youre dead, or rise and grind (Nike Ad). Its strange because I think the concept of work ethic has become distorted in our modern-day and age. No longer is it associated with sustained effort in meaningful work, but rather just any work of long duration. Busyness has become a virtue. #hustle I think that one of the reasons for the proliferation of hustle culture is this age of start-ups that we live in. Many of the billionaires today Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Elon Musk have all made their fortunes in these start-up companies which are characterized by outlandishly long work weeks. Take Elon Musk, for example, he works 85 to 100 hour week two full-time jobs (Business Insider) It surprises me that working excessive amounts is often praised. I just think that if we dedicated that amount of time to anything else besides work, it would be considered an addiction; and we would be encouraged to go to therapy! Yet, somewhere along the line society has decided that these tech giants are aspirational and that sacrificing your family life and social life for work is respectable. Now, of course, many of these people I have mentioned have done great work. Microsoft, Tesla, they are all companies that have changed the world. Furthermore, Bill Gates continues to donate billions in philanthropic efforts. I dont deny any of this, nor discount it. However, something that has been on my heart lately is that how we do something is just as important as why we do something. Ive found that I often use the reason I am doing something to justify how I am doing something. The how is important Ill give you an example. I am currently studying civil engineering at university. I put a lot of hours into my study because I want to be the best that I can be. Also, I want to set myself up for opportunities in the future that could make a difference in peoples lives. But often Ill justify denying certain opportunities to volunteer, or to share my faith, or to do ministry because Im busy with university. Ill say to myself that when I finish university, I will have more time to read my Bible. Or, when I finish this assignment, I will have more time to spend praying. However, the truth is that there is always going to be another assignment, there is always going to be another task. If I keep using that as my excuse, I will never actually serve in the way that I intend to, or in the way that God has called me too. Many of us will similarly justify our work life. We might say that we are working hard for these years to save up and then use the money to do good. Now that is admirable, and I dont denounce that goal. However, we need to ask ourselves what are we doing in the meantime as well? The truth is that Jesus died to reconcile ourselves to Him (Romans chapter 5, verse 10). He died so that we could have a relationship with Him, not so we would just work harder. He died for our presence, not our productivity. Yet, often it is time spent with Him or serving Him that is sacrificed at the altar of our busyness. I dont deny that certain seasons will require more hard work and more sacrifice of our time than others. During exam times, for example, I will have less time to dedicate to other things than usual. What is important is that we reflect on our overall pattern. People like Bill Gates are fortunate. He is in a position now that he can leverage the hard work he has put in the past for good. However, not everyone is that lucky. The scary truth is that day which we tell ourselves will be the day that we start serving, it may never come. The future is not guaranteed. So, we need to ask ourselves, if we died tomorrow, what would we have to show? Are we busying ourselves with things that have eternal value, or those things that will pass away when we die? Making time So where do we need to be spending more time? If obsessive work or study is a constant in our lives, then we need to ask ourselves what we truly value, and whether we are giving these things the time we should. The truth is that we will always be busy. Therefore, we need to be intentional about making time for the things we value. Even though Jesus was occupied with the most important job in the world reconciling mankind He still took hours out to pray, to spend time with His Father (Luke chapter 5, verse 16; Mark chapter 1, verse 35). If anyone could have used the excuse of busyness, it was Jesus. However, He knew that the how was just as important as the why. It is important for us too. https://sputniknews.com/20220103/future-cia-chief-dulles-may-have-inspired-nazis-to-spread-myth-of-secret-fortress-historian-claims-1091999720.html Future CIA Chief Dulles May Have Inspired Nazis to Spread Myth of Secret Fortress, Historian Claims Future CIA Chief Dulles May Have Inspired Nazis to Spread Myth of Secret Fortress, Historian Claims Allen Dulles, the US diplomat, spymaster and 1950s CIA director, conducted secret negotiations with Waffen-SS general Karl Wolf in the spring of 1945 aimed at... 03.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-03T16:56+0000 2022-01-03T16:56+0000 2022-01-03T19:20+0000 negotiations central intelligence agency (cia) nazi germany office of strategic services /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/03/1091999634_0:68:800:518_1920x0_80_0_0_4a94fb4a1c5599892210feb06f32c9bf.jpg Secret cables sent by Allen Dulles in 1944 using a compromised cypher about a powerful concentration of German troops building up impregnable defences in the Austro-Bavarian Alps inspired the Nazis to spread disinformation that these forces really existed, Thomas Boghardt, a senior historian at the US Army Center for Military History, has revealed after sifting through previously classified documents.In his new book, Covert Legions: US Army Intelligence in Germany 1944-1949, Boghardt found that Dulles, who was serving as the Bern, Switzerland station chief at the Office of Strategic Services (the CIAs predecessor) enraged British intelligence after continuing to use a code known to have been cracked by the Nazis in communications sent in 1944.British fears about Nazi disinformation proved correct, and were followed by a months-long military deception campaign by propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels claiming that the Third Reich was diverting tens of thousands of troops and significant material resources to the mountainous regions of Austria and Bavaria to create an Alpine Fortress (Alpenfestung) to tie up Allied forces and prolong the war for months or even years.When the allies did reach the Alps in April of 1945, they met almost no resistance from German forces. US Army General Omar Bradley later wrote in his memoirs that the concept of a Nazi Fortress grew into so exaggerated a scheme that I am astonished we could have believed it as innocently as we did. But while it persisted, this legend of the Redoubt was too ominous a threat to be ignored.However, Dulles and the OSS Bern stations actions during the closing months of the Second World War would suggest otherwise. Between February and May 1945, Dulles conducted secret negotiations with Waffen-SS General Karl Wolf known as Operation Sunrise on the surrender of German troops in northern Italy to the US and Britain.Representatives from the USSR were not invited to the talks, but Soviet intelligence picked up on their existence, fueling Joseph Stalins suspicions that elements of the US deep state may have been attempting to reach a separate peace between the Western Allies and Germany to allow the Nazis to continue to wage war against Moscow, or worse to team up with Berlin for an invasion. On 22 March 1945, Stalin wrote Roosevelt a detailed letter demanding an explanation about what was happening at Bern.On 11 April 1945, one day before his death, Roosevelt replied to Stalin, assuring him that the US would not rest until the Nazis were crushed.Thank you for your frank explanation of the Soviet point of view on the Bern incident, which it now appears has faded into the past without having accomplished any useful purpose. In any event, there must not be mutual distrust, and minor misunderstandings of this character should not arise in the future. I feel sure that when our armies make contact in Germany and join in a fully coordinated offensive the Nazi armies will disintegrate, Roosevelt wrote. Stalin only received the letter on 13 April.In late April Dulles was forced by Allied Forces Headquarters in Caserta Italy to cut off all communications with German emissaries in Switzerland without Soviet representatives present.Winston Churchill and the British leaders referred to the Dulles-Wolf negotiations, which the UK also took part in, as Operation Crossword, and the prime minister complained to Roosevelt about Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotovs rude questioning on the matter.Formally, Allied negotiations in Tehran in 1943 committed the Allies to the total and unconditional surrender of Germany and its allies as the wars ultimate goal. However, as the war progressed and it became clear that the Nazis would be defeated, Dulles and others, including Chief of Staff George C. Marshal, sought to find ways to slow the Soviet advance into Europe. In 1944, Marshall proposed reducing Lend-lease aid to the USSR. In the 1944 presidential election, as a compromise to the conservative faction of the Democratic base, Roosevelt picked Missouri Senator Harry Truman as his vice-presidential running mate. One week after Hitlers invasion of the USSR in 1941, Truman famously proposed that if we see that Germany is winning we ought to help Russia, and if Russia is winning we ought to help Germany, and that way let them kill as many as possible although I dont want to see Hitler victorious under any circumstances.For his part, Dulles spent much of his time in Bern holding informal discussions with German businessmen, politicians and officials on how to prevent a Soviet occupation of Germany and the spread of Bolshevism and Pan-Slavism in Central Europe after the war. In November 1944, Dulles received a proposal from Wilhelm Harster, a high-ranking SS officer and Holocaust perpetrator, to start separate peace talks with the Western Allies through Italian industrialist intermediaries. Hitlers deputy Heinrich Himmler sought to use the talks with Dulles, as well as connections with the Vatican and the Red Cross, in failed attempts to reach the separate peace. Reich Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop sought separate negotiations with the Americans through contacts in Sweden, but also without success.After the war, Dulles would go on to serve as deputy director of the CIA between 1951-1953, and as agency director between 1953 and 1961. During that time, he was involved in the coups in Iran and Guatemala and the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. President John F Kennedy forced Dulles to resign over the Bay of Pigs fiasco. In 1963, Dulles was tapped by President Lyndon Johnson to investigate Kennedys assassination. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov negotiations, central intelligence agency (cia), nazi germany, office of strategic services https://sputniknews.com/20220103/hackers-strike-israeli-outlets-jerusalem-post-maariv-online-on-anniversary-of-soleimani-killing-1091986099.html Hackers Strike Israeli Outlets Jerusalem Post, Maariv Online on Anniversary of Soleimani Killing Hackers Strike Israeli Outlets Jerusalem Post, Maariv Online on Anniversary of Soleimani Killing Israeli media outlets Maariv Online and The Jerusalem Post were hit with a cyberattack early Monday, which marks the second anniversary of the killings of prominent regional figures Gen. Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. 2022-01-03T01:08+0000 2022-01-03T01:08+0000 2022-01-03T02:19+0000 twitter israel hacking social media media /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107920/50/1079205059_134:0:1786:929_1920x0_80_0_0_477bb3f320e2d883f8e0db4c5c2e9b00.jpg Israeli media outlets Maariv Online and The Jerusalem Post were hit with a cyberattack early Monday, which marks the second anniversary of the killings of prominent regional figures Gen. Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.Reports of the hack began trickling in online just after midnight in Israel, with social media posts first indicating that the Maariv Online had had its Twitter account compromised. Initially, it appeared that three posts had been shared on the account, two of which included images of an explosion and a third including depictions of Soleimani and al-Muhandis.The image depicting an explosion appears to be an altered photo pulled from earlier video footage that appeared to show an Iranian strike against a mock-up of Israels Dimona nuclear facility.Unlike the original video content, the photo depicts a projectile being ejected from a ring being worn by an unidentified figure. Alongside the depiction is a phrase that reads: We are close to you where you dont think about it.Speculation suggests that figure in the photo is meant to be Soleimani, as the ring shown is similar to one worn by him.The strike against Maariv Online did not affect the outlets homepage, but the same could not be said for fellow Israeli outlet The Jerusalem Post.As reports emerged of the hacking of Maariv Online, the Posts website appeared to have troubles loading content before eventually giving users a 404 error message. Moments afterward, the same explosive image that first made an appearance on Maariv Online took centerstage on the Posts homepage.While Maariv Online has not tweeted a statement on the events, The Jerusalem Post tweeted they were aware of the situation.The culprit behind the hacking has not been identified.The tweets have since been deleted from Maariv Online's Twitter account. As for The Jerusalem Post, their front page remained inaccessible for about two hours before the site's homepage was successfully returned. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Gaby Arancibia Gaby Arancibia News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Gaby Arancibia twitter, israel, hacking, social media, media https://sputniknews.com/20220103/helicopter-crashes-off-israels-haifa-coastline-rescue-underway-1092002981.html Videos: Two Dead, One Hospitalized After IDF Chopper Crashes Near Israel's Haifa Coast Videos: Two Dead, One Hospitalized After IDF Chopper Crashes Near Israel's Haifa Coast An Israel Defense Forces helicopter with three individuals on board crashed Monday night off the coast of Haifa after undergoing a technical malfunction, the... 03.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-03T20:26+0000 2022-01-03T20:26+0000 2022-01-04T00:34+0000 crash helicopter israel /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/03/1092003318_4:0:2009:1128_1920x0_80_0_0_8b906980466668245cc2787a4d7b9aae.png The Israeli Air Force (IAF) detailed in a late Monday statement that a Muscov patrol officer suffered moderate injuries and is being treated at Rambam Hospital. Resuscitation efforts were made on the two pilots aboard the aircraft, but they ultimately succumbed to their injuries. The helicopter was taking part in a training exercise, according to the military service, which did not offer specifics on the cause of the crash. The IAF is launching an investigation into the accident.Video footage of the incident surfaced on social media shortly after reports first emerged of the development, capturing first responders arriving on the scene. The search-and-rescue teams from the Israel Defense Forces Unit 669 had been dispatched to rescue the crew. Videos show flares were launched over the coastal waters to assist in the rescue mission.Unconfirmed footage has emerged purportedly showing the exact moment that the bat-type chopper struck the water.What is believed to be parts of the helicopter have since washed ashore and collected by some passersby. The helicopter model was described as a Eurocopter Panther, called the "bat". The helicopter is utilized in a wide variety of military roles, from combat assault to medical evacuations. The Israel Navy currently operates seven Eurocopters. Amid the ongoing investigation into the crash, Major General Amikam Nurkin, the commander of the IAF, has ordered the grounding of the "bat" array of helicopters and the halting of training flights in the IAF. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Nevin Brown Nevin Brown News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Nevin Brown crash, helicopter, israel https://sputniknews.com/20220103/houthis-seize-uae-flagged-vessel-off-yemeni-coast-arab-coalition-says-1091995667.html Houthis Say Seized UAE Vessel Had Military Equipment on Board Houthis Say Seized UAE Vessel Had Military Equipment on Board Houthi rebels have hijacked a UAE-flagged cargo ship carrying medical equipment off the Yemeni coast in the southern Red Sea, Arab coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki said on Monday. 2022-01-03T12:27+0000 2022-01-03T12:27+0000 2022-01-03T16:50+0000 yemen vessel uae houthis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/03/1091995751_0:0:3001:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_344b3aaf1211444c5c0d4319af547f31.jpg Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree made a statement on Twitter.During a press conference broadcast by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV channel, the spokesman said that rebel forces had monitored the ship for weeks, then decided to take it and send it to the port of Salif.Earlier in the day, the Arab coalition announced that the rebels hijacked a ship sailing under the flag of the United Arab Emirates off the Yemeni coast in the southern Red Sea. The vessel was said to be carrying medical equipment."At (23:57) on Sunday (02 January 2022), the Cargo Ship (RWABEE) sailing under the flag of the United Arab Emirates was targeted through piracy and hijacking while sailing off the coast of Al-Hudaydah Governorate. (RWABEE) was conducting a maritime mission from the Island of (Socotra) to (Jazan) Port," Arab coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki said, quoted by Saudi news agency SPA.The coalition spokesman demanded the rebels immediately leave the ship and threatened that in the event of disobedience, the coalition would be forced to take retaliatory measures, including the use of force.Yemen has been gripped by a conflict between government forces led by President Hadi and the Houthi Ansar Allah movement for seven years. The situation in the country was further complicated after Saudi Arabia joined the conflict on the side of Yemen's government in 2015, launching air, land and sea operations against the Islamist rebel movement. yemen uae Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 yemen, vessel, uae, houthis https://sputniknews.com/20220103/iran-links-125-to-soleimani-killing-vows-to-bring-perpetrators-sponsors-and-plotters-to-justice-1091995447.html Iran Links 125 to Soleimani Killing, Vows to Bring Perpetrators, Sponsors and Plotters to Justice Iran Links 125 to Soleimani Killing, Vows to Bring Perpetrators, Sponsors and Plotters to Justice Iranians marked the second anniversary of the death of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani on Monday. Soleimani and Iraqi... 03.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-03T12:20+0000 2022-01-03T12:20+0000 2022-01-03T12:31+0000 donald trump evidence anniversary suspects qasem soleimani /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107793/78/1077937802_0:123:3205:1926_1920x0_80_0_0_75df8ca47f21637366224ee0e23d23d7.jpg Tehran has identified 125 persons, mostly members of the Trump administration, suspected of involvement in the terrorist act assassination of anti-terror commander Qasem Soleimani, Kazem Gharibabadi, Irans deputy chief of the judiciary for international affairs, has said.The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to cooperate with Iraq, as the country where the crime took place, to identify all perpetrators, sponsors, and plotters, and bring them to justice, Gharibabadi said, speaking to Iranian television Sunday night.The Iraqi government has filed a case in this regard, and we have had interactions with Baghdad. General Soleimani, as the flag-bearer of the fight against terrorism, was an Iranian citizen and therefore we will handle this case according to [Irans] Islamic Penal Code, the official clarified.No individual, institution, country, or political faction involved in the assassination of General Soleimani can be able to enjoy immunity, the official said.Baghdads investigative court put an arrest warrant out on former president Donald Trump in January 2021. Iran issued a similar warrant against Trump and 35 other individuals in mid-2020, but Interpol dismissed the Islamic Republics calls for assistance, citing the cases supposed political nature.Trump has boasted repeatedly about getting Soleimani, calling him a monster and saying braggadociously that the anti-terror commander was bigger by many, many times than the late al-Qaeda* leader Osama bin Laden.In a related development, Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi sent a letter to the UN Security Council calling on the United States and Israel to be held responsible for Soleimanis death.The diplomat pointed to former chief of Israeli military intelligence Tamir Haymans remarks to media last month admitting the Israeli intelligence services direct involvement in the killing.Soleimanis murder, Ravanchi suggested, became a big gift and service to Daesh* and other Security Council designated terrorist groups in the region who welcomed his assassination.Iranians marked the second anniversary of Soleimanis death on Monday, with commemorative events taking place across the country and across the region. In addition to being a much-praised public figure among Irans political elite, Soleimani was beloved by many Iranians, including even those not traditionally supportive of the countrys Islamic Republican system, for his decades-long efforts to fight Islamist extremism and Western imperialism. Under his command, the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force fought Daesh, al-Qaeda and other terrorists across Iraq and Syria, and supported Lebanons Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon War against Israel.Amid commemorations of Soleimanis death, the Revolutionary Guard has taken solace in Americas faltering fortunes in the region, with a spokesman for the organisation saying Sunday that just as the Americans left Afghanistan in humiliation, so too will they have to leave other countries of the region as well, with withdrawal being the first punishment that they have to suffer for the Quds commanders death.Soleimanis daughter, Zeinab, echoed this sentiment, telling mourners at a ceremony at Baghdads International Airport on Sunday that the tears of grief for her fathers loss would soon turn to tears of happiness as dear Iraq and all regional countries are freed of US presence.Iraqi lawmakers approved a resolution in January 2020 demanding the immediate withdrawal of all US forces from the country, with Baghdad-allied Shia militias carrying out rocket attacks against US bases and logistical convoys. After initial resistance, the Trump administration slowly began scaling back its presence in the country and handing bases over to the Iraqi military, with troop numbers declining from 5,300 to 2,500 by the time Trump left office.Trumps successor, Joe Biden, penned a security agreement with the Iraqi government in July promising a formal end to the US combat mission in Iraq by the end of 2021, with the remaining troops formally reassigned to non-combat support and training on 9 December. Iraqs powerful Shia parties and militias rejected the rebranded US presence, warning that America must withdraw from the country entirely and threatening to wage war against the foreign troops until they are gone.* Daesh (ISIS) and al-Qaeda are terrorist groups outlawed in Russia and many other countries. https://sputniknews.com/20211222/idfs-former-intel-chief-hayman-admits-israel-was-involved-in-soleimanis-assassination-1091705234.html https://sputniknews.com/20220101/watch-iraqi-protesters-burn-down-model-of-us-embassy-as-soleimani-assassination-anniversary-nears-1091960256.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov donald trump, evidence, anniversary, suspects, qasem soleimani https://sputniknews.com/20220103/irans-president-says-main-violator-and-murderer-trump-must-face-trial-for-soleimani-assassination-1092002370.html Irans President Says Main Violator and Murderer Trump Must Face Trial for Soleimani Assassination Irans President Says Main Violator and Murderer Trump Must Face Trial for Soleimani Assassination The Iranian anti-terror commander was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad, Iraq on 3 January 2020. The incident brought Tehran and Washington to the brink... 03.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-03T19:03+0000 2022-01-03T19:03+0000 2022-01-03T19:13+0000 donald trump united states iran ebrahim raisi qasem soleimani /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/0c/1089849485_0:0:3074:1730_1920x0_80_0_0_33a104a61e4c27ebabb05a8b36cbf5f6.jpg Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called for retribution against those responsible for Revolutionary Guard Quds Force general Qasem Soleimanis death, emphasizing that plotters led by former US president Donald Trump must be brought to justice.Martyr Soleimani was an official guest of the Iraqi government and by assassinating him, you both violated the sovereignty of Iraq and assassinated an entire nation, Raisi added.The Iranian president suggested that it would be good if Trump and [former Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo and other criminals face trial before a just court and their horrible crime is prosecuted and they are published for their brazen acts.Raisi pointed to Soleimanis status as a revolutionary commander belonging to no political grouping, saying his exploits as head of the IRGC Quds Force helped to save Shia and Sunni Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and all followers of the Abrahamic religions from the scourge of terrorism.Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, were killed in a US drone strike at the Baghdad International Airport on 3 January 2020.The Trump administration initially claimed that Soleimani was assassinated for his suspected role in a deadly December 2019 rocket attack on a US military base in Kirkuk, Iraq, and the 31 December 2019 attempted storming of the US Embassy in Baghdad, and because he posed an imminent threat to US national security. Iraqi intelligence later concluded that the Kirkuk attack was likely carried out by Daesh (ISIS)*. Washington then changed its story, saying there was no specific intelligence pointing to any imminent threats from Soleimani. Later still, Trump justified the assassination in part by calling Soleimani a noted terrorist who was saying bad things about America.The former US president and members of his staff have expressed no regrets regarding their actions, with Trump boasting last summer that he got Soleimani and Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, characterizing the men as two monsters and boasting that they were bigger than late al-Qaeda* leader Osama bin Laden.Osama bin Laden had one hit, and it was a bad one, in New York City, the World Trade Centre. But these other two guys were monsters. They were monsters. And I kept saying for years why arent they getting them? For years, I said it. I got them, Trump said.Soleimanis Quds Force battled Baghdadi and Daesh across Iraq and Syria, and before that took on al-Qaeda and Taliban** militants in Syria and Afghanistan.Earlier Monday, deputy chief of the judiciary for international affairs Kazem Gharibabadi warned that Trumps bragging about killing Soleimani was admissible as evidence in an international court of law.Iran and Iraq have issued arrest warrants against Trump and his suspected accomplices. Interpol has refused to touch the case, citing its political nature.* Terrorist groups outlawed in Russia and many other countries.** The Taliban is an organization under United Nations sanctions for terrorist activities. https://sputniknews.com/20220103/iran-links-125-to-soleimani-killing-vows-to-bring-perpetrators-sponsors-and-plotters-to-justice-1091995447.html https://sputniknews.com/20200106/arch-terrorist-or-inadvertent-ally-three-times-soleimani-saved-american-lives-1077960305.html iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov donald trump, united states, iran, ebrahim raisi, qasem soleimani https://sputniknews.com/20220103/new-york-attorney-general-reportedly-subpoenas-2-of-trumps-children-in-fraud-inquiry-1091999967.html New York Attorney General Reportedly Subpoenas 2 of Trump's Children in Fraud Inquiry New York Attorney General Reportedly Subpoenas 2 of Trump's Children in Fraud Inquiry The New York Attorney General has subpoenaed two of former US President Donald Trump's children as part of an ongoing investigation into his business practices, the New York Times reported on Monday. 2022-01-03T17:02+0000 2022-01-03T17:02+0000 2022-01-03T17:06+0000 donald trump fraud ivanka trump donald trump jr /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/01/1083283109_0:0:1889:1063_1920x0_80_0_0_427e1fe81aa14863bdd3f53ddd7969a1.jpg The Attorney General's office subpoenaed Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump on 1 December, the report said citing a person familiar with the matter.Last month, Trump filed a lawsuit against New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of an effort to halt the investigation into his business dealings. In the complaint, Donald Trump is accusing James of violating his constitutional rights and is asking a judge to halt the probe.James has been digging into Trump's real estate business for more than two years in an attempt to find evidence of wrongdoing. However, James can only file a lawsuit against Trump should any wrongdoing be found because it is a civil inquiry.James has said she plans to get testimony from Trump under oath early this month.Trump has said the investigation is a continuation of the political witch by Democrats hunt against him. https://sputniknews.com/20211005/former-president-donald-trump-falls-off-forbes-400-list-for-first-time-in-25-years-1089691061.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 donald trump, fraud, ivanka trump, donald trump jr https://sputniknews.com/20220103/prince-andrew-hopes-to-dodge-public-sex-assault-trial-as-court-to-unseal-secret-epstein-giuffre-1091987945.html Prince Andrew Hopes to Dodge Public Sex Assault Trial as Court to Unseal Secret Epstein-Giuffre Deal Prince Andrew Hopes to Dodge Public Sex Assault Trial as Court to Unseal Secret Epstein-Giuffre Deal A New York court on Monday unseals a confidential 2009 deal between the late tycoon Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew accuser, Virginia Giuffre. 2022-01-03T05:45+0000 2022-01-03T05:45+0000 2022-01-03T06:09+0000 us ghislaine maxwell jeffrey epstein virginia roberts giuffre /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/08/08/1083553787_0:161:3069:1887_1920x0_80_0_0_a87f5de43d84dd903b4fe3b0095dae0c.jpg Prince Andrews struggle to have the sex abuse civil lawsuit filed against him by an alleged Jeffrey Epstein victim thrown out continues, as a New York court on Monday unseals a confidential 2009 deal between the late tycoon and Virginia Giuffre (nee Roberts).The defence team of the Duke of York believe the agreement the accuser struck with the convicted pedophile could shield him from a public trial.In December, judges had ordered the unsealing of the settlement by 3 January unless there was "good cause" for it to remain secret. Epstein's estate had earlier agreed to let the Duke of York review the agreement, but court approval was required.Prince Andrews lawyer, Andrew Brettler, has claimed the deal provided a general release of all claims against him and numerous other individuals and entities.He insisted that the Queens son was axiomatically among the releasees.Virginia Giuffre, currently 38, filed a civil lawsuit against the Duke of York in September, alleging she was trafficked out by Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with the Queens son on three occasions when she was 17, and a minor according to US law. The first time was purportedly at the London townhouse of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former lover and associate. Sophisticated predator Maxwell was convicted in a New York courtroom on 29 December of recruiting and grooming underage girls, some as young as 14, for sexual encounters with the disgraced financier between 1994 and 2004. She was found guilty on five out of six charges and faces up to 65 years in jail.The second time, in early 2001, was supposedly at Epstein's New York mansion, and the third time was on the tycoon's private island in the Caribbean. Giuffre is seeking unspecified damages.Epstein, a former friend of the Duke of York, was convicted of sex offences in 2008 and died in a Manhattan prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.Prince Andrew has to date denied all allegations against him. The Duke told the BBC in an 2019 interview that he had no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever.Settlement DealThe 2009 deal that is to be unsealed pertains to a Florida court filing made by Virginia Giuffre in relation to an Epstein case which did not involve Prince Andrew.Epstein and his lawyers, including Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, who crafted that 2009 settlement deal, were possibly seeking to protect close associates of the hedge fund manager in the pages of his little black book, according to a report published in Forbes.After the unsealing of the deal, lawyers for Prince Andrew are reportedly set to argue to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, at the US district court in Manhattan, that the agreement between Giuffre and Epstein absolves their client from liability. They have accused Giuffre for using the baseless lawsuit against Prince Andrew to achieve another payday at his expense. They have also claimed that the royals sullied reputation is fallout from the Epstein scandal.Lawyers for Giuffre have been dismissing the attempt to use the 2009 settlement deal by the Duke of Yorks legal team as yet another in a series of tired attempts by Prince Andrew to duck and dodge the legal merits of the case.Giuffres lawyer, David Boies, insisted the clause in the settlement applied "at most" to people involved in underlying litigation in Florida and Prince Andrew should not use it as a "get out of jail free card".The unsealing of the deal comes ahead of a 4 January hearing in New York where lawyers for the British royal are expected to argue for a dismissal of Virginia Giuffres lawsuit, reported The GuardianIn a recent setback for the royal, Judge Lewis A Kaplan rejected a motion by the royals attorneys to have the lawsuit dismissed on jurisdictional grounds as Giuffre no longer lives in the US. The defence, led by Andrew Brettler, argued that Virginia Giuffre has lived in Australia for all but two of the past 19 years.Meanwhile, Giuffre's lawyers are said to have been preparing to file evidence demands, including requesting that Prince Andrew provide medical proof that he is unable to sweat - a claim he made in his car crash Newsnight BBC interview in 2019. https://sputniknews.com/20220102/too-broken-ghislaine-maxwell-sought-to-take-stand-in-trial-but-legal-team-urged-against-move-1091970700.html https://sputniknews.com/20220101/buckingham-palace-paralysed-over-prince-andrews-case-royal-insiders-reportedly-claim-1091959411.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko us, ghislaine maxwell, jeffrey epstein, virginia roberts giuffre https://sputniknews.com/20220103/ramped-up-us-sanctions-sending-cuba-closer-to-russia--china-moscows-trade-rep-says-1092003437.html Ramped Up US Sanctions Sending Cuba Closer to Russia & China, Moscows Trade Rep Says Ramped Up US Sanctions Sending Cuba Closer to Russia & China, Moscows Trade Rep Says Cuba, China and Russia helped form a UN group of 18 nations in March 2021 to stand up against unilateral sanctions and other moves against them by the United States and European Union. 2022-01-03T21:39+0000 2022-01-03T21:39+0000 2022-01-03T21:39+0000 tourism latin america russia cuba china trade us sanctions /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/03/1092003246_0:0:1779:1000_1920x0_80_0_0_8f10d830728010de92a55e11e595e345.png Cubas relationships with Russia and China have deepened in recent years as US sanctions attempt to choke off all trade with the socialist island nation.Aleksandr Bogatyr, Russias trade representative in Havana, told Russian media on Friday that while bilateral trade in 2021 was still suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit Cuba badly in the middle of the year, recent economic reforms hold the promise of further opening up trade with Russia.He noted that Cubas gross domestic product declined by 11% in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was only expected to grow by about 2% in 2021. Trade turnover with Cuba totaled $97.9 million between January and October 2021, about 14.5% less than the same period in 2020.A week prior, the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a ministerial-level meeting with their Russian counterparts, the parties exchanged views on various urgent issues of the international multilateral agenda, including the aggravation of the economic, trade and financial blockade imposed by the US government against Cuba in the context of the [coronavirus] pandemic.Russias Long Friendship With CubaThe US has maintained sanctions barring most trade with Cuba since the 1959 revolution that ousted the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista and ushered in a socialist government, which allied itself with the Soviet Union. The USSR became Cubas primary trade partner, providing it with fuel and machinery in exchange for buying up the sugar it once sold to the US, but this time at prices balanced in Havanas favor.That relationship ended when the USSR dissolved in 1991, plunging Cuba into the Special Period of economic strife. However, Cubas relations with Russia slowly improved, making a major leap in 2014, when the US and its allies positioned themselves as opposing Russias so-called aggression against Ukraine. Crimea declared independence from Ukraine and voted to rejoin Russia after a US-backed coup brought a right-wing nationalist government to power in Kiev, but the NATO powers refused to recognize the Crimean referendums legitimacy and began treating Russia as an enemy, positioning large numbers of troops in the NATO nations on Russias western border.That year, Moscow forgave 90% of Cubas $32 billion Cold War-era debt. Three years later, when US sanctions on Venezuela began seriously impeding that countrys oil for doctors deal with Cuba, Russia stepped in and sent them 250,000 tons of oil and diesel fuel.In October 2020, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said the blockade had cost Cuba a total of $144 billion in lost revenue which, "for a small economy like Cuba's, is an overwhelming burden," he noted.That was before the July 2021 protests fueled by anger over power brownouts associated with the islands largest-ever Covid outbreak, which the US seized on as anti-government demonstrations and mounted an all-out ideological offensive to amplify and drive a deeper wedge into Cuban society. A slew of new sanctions followed, adding to the 243 new sanctions put in place by former US President Donald Trump since 2017.However, the summer outbreak was followed by a mass vaccination campaign which by October had succeeded at getting 82.8% of the population at least one shot from one of several indigenously developed SARS-CoV-2 vaccines; on Friday, the Cuban Ministry of Public Health announced that 86.4% of Cubans had finished their vaccination scheme. The victory allowed both schools and tourism to reopen in November, bringing the promise of greater economic recovery.Despite the lower overall numbers, in 2021 Russia became Cubas primary tourism market, with 170,000 Russian tourists visiting the island by the end of November, according to Cuban Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Garcia.Cuba Joins Chinas BRICubas relationship with China has burgeoned in recent years, as well. In late December, the two governments signed a cooperation plan to promote the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive world-spanning infrastructure project begun by China, Kawsachun News reported.The agreement lays out a timetable and various areas of cooperation, including infrastructure, technology, culture, education, tourism, energy, communications and biotechnology, which the paper notes are in line with Cuba's development plans for the short and long term. Cuba had previously joined the BRIs energy partnership in October, which promises to help them achieve their 2030 goal of producing 24% of its energy from renewable sources, such as with wind turbines and photovoltaic cells.The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) is already Cubas largest trading partner, and Cuba is Chinas second-largest trading partner in the Caribbean. Beijings relationships in the Caribbean are expanding all around, with Nicaragua recently switching its recognition of the Chinese government from Taipei to Beijing - again, under the pressure of US sanctions against its left-wing government. Honduras president-elect, Xiomara Castro, ran on a platform of making the same switch, but recently her incoming administration indicated that change wouldnt be immediate.Like Russia and Cuba, China has also become the target of US hostility in recent years as Washington shifts its global strategy from the War on Terror toward what it calls great power competition with Moscow and Beijing. While the change was articulated under Trump, US President Joe Biden has maintained and expanded that strategy, deepening its sanctions and its ideological offensive against all three nations and many more, such as Venezuela, Iran, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, and Eritrea.In March 2021, all the above-mentioned states joined up with more than a dozen others commonly targeted by US foreign policy to form the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations. The group of 18 nations said it was concerned about a growing resort to unilateralism, marked by isolationist and arbitrary actions, including the imposition of unilateral coercive measures or the withdrawal from landmark agreements and multilateral institutions, as well as by attempts to undermine critical efforts to tackle common and global challenges. latin america russia cuba china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg tourism, latin america, russia, cuba, china, trade, us sanctions https://sputniknews.com/20220103/son-of-indias-home-minister-charged-as-main-culprit-in-lakhimpur-massacre-1091997800.html Son of India's Home Minister Charged as Main Culprit in Lakhimpur Massacre Son of India's Home Minister Charged as Main Culprit in Lakhimpur Massacre Eight people died in the 3 October Lakhimpur Kheri violence, of which four were protesting farmers, allegedly run over by vehicles owned by India's Minister of... 03.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-03T17:37+0000 2022-01-03T17:37+0000 2022-01-03T17:37+0000 protests delhi narendra modi farmers reforms uttar pradesh elections india /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/06/1089706085_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_98b2e538cddd9f46235f7621734e886e.jpg Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a 5,000-page chargesheet to the local court on Monday against 14 people, including Ashish Mishra, over the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.Ashish Mishra, son of Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ajay Mishra Teni, is the main accused. The chargesheet stated that Ashish Mishra was present on 3 October, the day car ran down farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. The SIT claimed in its report that the incident was not the result of "negligence or callousness" but instead was a "planned conspiracy" and committed with the intention of killing. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Police filed a case under "culpable homicide". The videos emerged after the incident sparked national outrage, leading the Supreme Court to confirm the loss of life in the violence. The opposition said the killing of the farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri was reminiscent of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre from the days of the British Empire.The SIT has registered a case against all the accused under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder. Thirteen accused, including Ashish Mishra, were arrested in the case. All of them are in jail. The 14th accused by the SIT is the minister's relation Virendra Shukla who is charged with having hidden evidence.The chargesheet was filed 88 days after the incident. The opposition has been demanding the resignation of Ajay Mishra, an influential upper caste leader of Uttar Pradesh which is soon to go to the polls.The incident took place on 3 October when hundreds of farmers had gathered for a demonstration in Lakhimpur Kheri district, when the junior home affairs minister Ajay Mishra and the Uttar Pradesh deputy chief, Keshav Prasad Maurya, were due to visit.Videos emerged on social media showing that fast vehicles mowed down protesting farmers. https://sputniknews.com/20211025/indian-farmers-to-protest-nationwide-demanding-removal-of-federal-minister-over-lakhimpur-violence-1090197676.html delhi uttar pradesh Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg protests, delhi, narendra modi, farmers, reforms, uttar pradesh, elections, india https://sputniknews.com/20220103/terraforming-mars-venus-not-out-of-the-question---retiring-nasa-chief-scientist-1092002275.html Terraforming Mars, Venus Not Out of the Question - Retiring NASA Chief Scientist Terraforming Mars, Venus Not Out of the Question - Retiring NASA Chief Scientist While the scientists proposal for Mars involves a magnetic shield that would help stop the planets atmosphere being stripped by the solar wind, his... 03.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-03T21:43+0000 2022-01-03T21:43+0000 2022-01-03T21:44+0000 nasa tech mars venus terraforming /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107809/36/1078093625_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_d3eb77d65978ee5e45033eec6c428f0c.jpg While manned outposts on other planets still remain the premise of bold science fiction, NASAs retiring chief scientist, James Green, suggested that making Mars habitable may be deceptively straightforward.In 2017, Greene brought up the prospects of terraforming Mars at the NASA Planetary Science Vision 2050 Workshop, arguing that a magnetic shield could protect the Red Planet from high-energy solar particles and prevent the solar wind from stripping the Martian atmosphere, a move that would improve the climate.In a recent interview with The New York Times, Green also observed that the task of terraforming Mars is doable.Greene noted that being able to walk on the planets surface without a spacesuit would afford humans flexibility and mobility, while increasing the atmospheric pressure and temperature would enable humankind to begin the process of growing plants in the soils.He acknowledged, however, out that the first level of terraforming, which he set at 60 millibars the Armstrong limit, where your blood doesnt boil if you walked out on the surface is still a factor of 10 from where we are now.The retiring scientist also speculated that another planet in our solar system, Venus, could be terraformed as well, with the help of a physical shield that reflects light, which would lower the second planet's extremely high atmospheric temperature. https://sputniknews.com/20211219/significant-amounts-of-water-found-hidden-on-mars-by-esa-roscosmos-mission-1091644758.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Andrei Dergalin Andrei Dergalin News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Andrei Dergalin nasa, tech, mars, venus, terraforming https://sputniknews.com/20220103/texas-2020-election-audit-found-about-12000-potential-non-citizens-suspected-of-registering-to-vote-1091998554.html Texas 2020 Election Audit Found About 12,000 Potential Non-Citizens Suspected of Registering to Vote Texas 2020 Election Audit Found About 12,000 Potential Non-Citizens Suspected of Registering to Vote Texas Secretary of State John B. Scott released phase one progress report describing an ongoing full forensic audits of 2020 election results in Collin, Dallas, Harris and Tarrant counties. 2022-01-03T16:02+0000 2022-01-03T16:02+0000 2022-01-03T16:02+0000 georgia arizona joe biden donald trump news world us texas audit 2020 united states presidential election /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0b/04/1080992425_0:219:2863:1829_1920x0_80_0_0_e9cf0d92df7c73ec242d9888cf9b7c99.jpg A Phase One Progress report released by Texas Secretary of State John B Scott on 31 December 2021 found roughly 12,000 potential non-citizens suspected of illegally registering to vote; 509 potential cross-state duplicate votes in the 2020 November elections as well as 67 potential votes cast in the name of deceased persons.A total of 3,885,875 votes were cast in Texas' Collin, Dallas, Harris and Tarrant counties in the November 2020 election which represents about 35 percent of the 11.3 million votes cast throughout the state.The first phase of the full forensic audit launched by Scott envisaged reviewing available data and documents concerning the security and accuracy of voting systems used in each of the four counties as well as their work to maintain accurate and up-to-date lists of registered voters.The result was that the office of the secretary of state identified 11,737 possible non-citizens statewide who could have been illegally registered to vote. So far, 2,327 suspected non-citizen registrations have been canceled. The SOS office is now inquiring whether those cancelled voters illegally cast ballots in previous elections.Meanwhile, a review of the voter registration system indicated that 224,585 voter registrations for deceased voters have been identified and cancelled since November 2020. The report, however, specifically highlighted that "removal of ineligible and/or deceased voters from the statewide voter registration list, in and of itself does not indicate that any illegal votes were cast."These maintenance activities are prescribed by state law to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the statewide voter registration list," the document emphasises.As well as that, a review of the cancellation trend reports showed that 1,628 possible felon voters had their voter registrations cancelled statewide since November 2020. According to the report, 509 potential cross-state duplicate votes were cast in the 2020 general election, and 67 potential votes were cast on behalf of deceased people. The latter cases are under investigation.The effort followed the completion of an independent forensic audit of the 2020 election outcome in Maricopa County, Arizona, the results of which prompted a lot of controversy with Democrats arguing that the recount confirmed that Joe Biden won in Maricopa and the GOP insisting that the examination of ballots exposed glaring abnormalities and election irregularities. After the release of the audit, Arizona's attorney general, the Republican Mark Brnovich, requested documents from both the state senate and officials from Maricopa County, stressing that the findings "raised some serious questions regarding the 2020 election".More initiatives aimed at checking the results of the 2020 vote were launched by GOP lawmakers and election integrity activists in some of the US states over alleged irregularities and potential fraud. Joe Biden won the presidential election mostly as a result of narrow victories in key battleground states.In November 2021, VoterGA, a not-for-profit election-monitoring organisation, reported that 74 counties in swing-state Georgia failed to produce original images of more than 17,000 ballots from the 2020 election. Activists raised the alarm over the development, insisting that it could complicate a full audit of the election results in the state. Biden outperformed Trump in Georgia by a razor-thin margin of 0.23 percent or 11,779 votes.According to a November NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, roughly two-thirds of Republicans believe that the 2020 elections were not fair and that votes were "stolen" from former President Donald Trump.The 2020 election is still the subject of heated debate which appears to be intensifying ahead of the crucial 2022 mid-term vote as some observers forecast a "red wave" which may potentially deprive the Democrats of their majority in one or even both chambers in the US Congress. https://sputniknews.com/20211110/election-watchdog-says-over-17k-2020-ballot-images-destroyed-in-georgia-making-audits-impossible-1090631786.html https://sputniknews.com/20211013/arizona-audit-how-partisan-divisions-upend-us-ability-to-sell-its-image-as-city-on-hill-to-world-1089900845.html https://sputniknews.com/20210927/trumps-georgia-rally-how-could-election-fraud-card-play-out-for-republicans-in-2022-midterms-1089431649.html georgia arizona texas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova georgia, arizona, joe biden, donald trump, news, world, us, texas, audit, 2020 united states presidential election https://sputniknews.com/20220103/us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-tests-positive-for-covid-19-1091985850.html US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Tests Positive for COVID-19 US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Tests Positive for COVID-19 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed in a Sunday memo that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after a test was administered at his request. 03.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-03T00:37+0000 2022-01-03T00:37+0000 2022-01-03T01:19+0000 lloyd austin covid-19 us department of defense (dod) health pentagon /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/03/1091986330_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_b193bb4a63f9050c6232f6e12fd9eb9c.jpg Austin announced on January 2 that, despite testing positive for the contagious disease, he intends to virtually attend "key meetings and discussions" that are necessary "to inform my situational awareness and decision making."His diagnosis comes alongside the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in the US. While the newer variant has been characterized as a milder form of the disease than its delta counterpart, the latter strain is still prevalent in the US, according to the recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Previous estimates overestimated the number of omicron variant cases across the country.Kathleen Hicks, the US deputy secretary of defense, has been tapped to represent Austin, if needed.The defense secretary noted that December 21, 2021, was his last meeting with US President Joe Biden, who is 79 years old and has received a COVID-19 vaccine booster jab. Austin noted the effectiveness of US COVID-19 vaccines, highlighting that the Pentagon intends to uphold the military medical requirement mandating that all US service members be vaccinated against the highly-contagious disease. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead lloyd austin, covid-19, us department of defense (dod), health, pentagon https://sputniknews.com/20220103/us-state-department-calls-on-sudanese-military-authorities-to-ensure-civilian-rule-1091996418.html US State Department Calls On Sudanese Military Authorities to Ensure Civilian Rule US State Department Calls On Sudanese Military Authorities to Ensure Civilian Rule The United States is calling on the Sudanese military authorities to ensure civilian rule and reach a consensus following the resignation of Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, the US Bureau of African Affairs said on Monday. 2022-01-03T13:12+0000 2022-01-03T13:12+0000 2022-01-03T13:13+0000 sudan us state department /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/03/1091996493_0:321:3071:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_3ef2790f716701e7d5bfba3093766e97.jpg Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation on Sunday following mass protests in Khartoum caused by the signing of a political agreement with the military in November.The bureau also said that the US continues to support the Sudanese people in their demand for democracy, and calls for a cessation of violence against protesters.The November agreement came after a military coup in October that threatened to end the transition to a civilian government. Coup leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan declared a state of emergency and dissolved the nation's military-civilian Sovereign Council, which was established following Omar Bashir's ousting, to oversee a transition to democracy. Subsequent protests against the military and international condemnation prompted Burhan to agree in November to reinstate Hamdok, promise to hold elections in July 2023, and hand power over to an elected civilian government. https://sputniknews.com/20220102/sudanese-pm-hamdok-resigns-months-after-ouster-deal-with-military-junta-1091984434.html sudan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 sudan, us state department https://sputniknews.com/20220103/vessel-attacked-off-yemen-coast-reports-say-1091988190.html Vessel Attacked Off Yemen Coast, UKMTO Says Vessel Attacked Off Yemen Coast, UKMTO Says Late Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced that it had received reports of an attack on a ship near the Yemeni port of Ras Isa in the Red Sea. 2022-01-03T06:40+0000 2022-01-03T06:40+0000 2022-01-03T06:42+0000 yemen middle east vessel /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105607/16/1056071646_0:182:3501:2151_1920x0_80_0_0_165dcc377ed479f3dc9ec9ed4f90846a.jpg Late Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations announced that it had received reports of an attack on a ship near the Yemeni port of Ras Isa in the Red Sea.The attacked vessel was around 23 nautical miles west of the Ras Isa oil terminal on the Red Sea, according to the Dryad Global.The identity of who owns the vessel is not reported.An investigation of the incident is being conducted.The last time an incident involving ships near Ras Isa took place was in late 2019. At the time, the Houthis seized two South Korean ships and a ship flying the Saudi flag, which led to the creation of an anti-terrorist coalition.Yemen has long been gripped by an armed conflict between government forces led by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and Houthi rebels. Since March 2015, the Saudi-led Arab alliance, working in cooperation with Hadi's forces, has been conducting air, land and sea operations against the Houthis. The conflict has triggered one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. yemen Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 yemen, middle east, vessel An Ord man has agreed to a $16,000 settlement with the central Nebraska town that filed a lawsuit against him last year in an attempt to get him to stop writing letters and emails to city officials and the police department that they called "burdensome." After the city lost the suit, Guy Brock sued Ord for his attorney fees and punitive damages. At a hearing in December, Brock and a representative for the town's insurance carrier, Oak Creek Insurance, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart they had reached the $16,000 amount to release Brock's claims and the city's defenses and to dismiss the case. The town did not admit liability. And the city attorney didn't return a request for comment. The settlement followed an order in September, where U.S. District Judge John Gerrard denied a motion by the city, Mayor Dan Petska and City Attorney Heather Sikyta to dismiss Brock's claims that they had violated his First Amendment rights. At the same time, Gerrard said just because he permitted the case to go forward didn't mean it ought to. "All of the people involved with this lawsuit should regret being here," he wrote in the order. "To begin with, nearly every public official draws the attention of critics and cranks who have opinions they insist on sharing." He said he, too, has no shortage of his own "pen pals." "But rather than accept that as one of the privileges of public service, the defendants decided to pursue a lawsuit that asked a state court to impose a prior restraint on the plaintiff's speech," Gerrard said. Brock won. But, rather than being content with having his First Amendment rights vindicated, he filed another lawsuit, the judge said. "This court's docket is full of cases genuinely implicating lives, livelihoods and liberty but instead of addressing those claims, the court finds its attention diverted by having to referee this squabble. It is tempting to turn this car around and go straight home. But, of course, as long as the parties intend to keep it up, the court is duty-bound to preside," Gerrard wrote then. He went on to dismiss Brock's claims alleging that the city's actions constituted malicious prosecution. But he said Petska and Sikyta weren't entitled to qualified immunity at that stage of the proceedings on the First Amendment retaliation claims, as their attorneys had argued. "Taking Brock's allegations as true that he was writing letters to his elected officials about city activities, and that Petska and Sikyta decided to assert the lawsuit because of that speech every reasonable official would have known that Brock's speech was protected from intrusion by the First Amendment," Gerrard wrote. In the lawsuit, Brock's attorney, J.L. Spray, said during the last decade Brock has had a practice of writing letters to the city of Ord and its elected representatives related to city government. On March 4, 2020, the city filed a lawsuit against him in Valley County District Court seeking a restraining order or an injunction to stop him from "sending communication of any kind to the City of Ord and the Ord Police Department unless directly related to a city service or other city function related specifically to the defendant and his property," Sikyta wrote in the complaint. She said Brock's letters and emails had "increasingly become harassing and burdensome" to the city and the police department. In them, he alleged wrongful conduct by city officials, employees and police officers that she said either were unfounded or had already been handled internally. On Oct. 21, 2019, Ord Police Chief Jay Welch sent a letter to Brock telling him his constant harassment must stop. But Brock kept writing. Sikyta said unless the judge stopped Brock, he would cause "great and irreparable" damage to the reputation of elected officials, city employees and their family members. On May 12, 2020, Valley County District Karin L. Noakes granted Brock's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. A year later, Brock filed his federal lawsuit alleging the city had retaliated against him for exercising free speech and petitioning his elected and appointed representatives. Ord is a town of 2,300 people about 60 miles northwest of Grand Island. Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Editors note: Information is provided by the Cowlitz County Corrections Department and local law enforcement agencies. Each individual named in this report is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Theft of a motor vehicle Kelso police Thursday arrested Johan Henry Holmes, 35, of Longview, on suspicion of theft a motor vehicle. Violation of a no contact order Longview police Thursday arrested Ronnie Dion Huntley, 59, of Longview, on suspicion of violating a no contact order pre-trial. DUI Kelso police Friday arrested OJ Albert, 18, of Longview, on suspicion of driving with a suspended license, driving under the influence, eluding a police vehicle and operating without an ignition interlock. Fugitive from justice Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Saturday arrested Joshua Jerry Farnsworth, 33, of Kelso, on suspicion of being a fugitive from justice. Harassment Kelso police Friday arrested Manuel Charlie Lomeli, 33, of Kelso on suspicion of harassment, fourth-degree assault, and interfering with domestic violence reporting. DUI Longview police Friday arrested Nicholas Ely Peltchie, 41, of Longview, on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. Burglary, theft Longview police Friday arrested Timothy Wayne Repp, 32, of Kelso, on suspicion of residential burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. Assault Kelso police Friday arrested Branson Santiago, 26, of Kelso, on suspicion of third-degree assault, obstructing a public servant and reckless driving. Assault Longview police Sunday arrested Corey Allen Bartlette Jr., 25, of Longview, on suspicion of second-degree assault. Drugs, criminal impersonation Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Saturday arrested DaMenique Lajuan Beasley, 33, residence unknown, on suspicion of a felony drug offense, criminal impersonation, making/possessing vehicle theft tools, making/having burglar tool and obstructing a public servant. Assault Longview police Saturday arrested Jesse Federico Ibarra, 33, of Longview, on suspicion of second-degree assault. Burglaries 300 block of 20th Avenue, Longview. Friday. Resident caught a man in his garage. 200 block of Merwin Village Road, Ariel. Saturday. Occurred Dec. 27. 1300 block of Goerig Street, Woodland. Saturday. Man went into an apartment that was boarded up after a fire. 2600 block of 48th Avenue, Longview. Sunday. Portable generator, chainsaw, edge clippers and other items taken between the week before Christmas and Sunday. Stolen vehicles 900 block of Eighth Avenue, Longview. Friday. White 1992 Acura Integra hatchback. Washington license plate. Taken sometime overnight. 100 block of Sparks Drive, Kelso. Saturday. Black 1999 Dodge 3500. Oregon SL65545. Rust on the drivers side back of the bed. 700 block of Seventh Avenue, Longview. Saturday. Green 1999 Ford F350. Washington B38986S. Thefts 1000 block of 14th Avenue, Longview. Friday. Cellphone taken by an acquaintance. 1400 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Friday. Phone lost, tracked at the Hudson Hotel. 1400 block of Dike Access Road, Woodland. Friday. Catalytic converter taken sometime overnight. Vandalism/malicious mischief 200 block of Pacific Avenue, Kelso. Saturday. People setting off fireworks in the parking lot, throwing fireworks at passing cars. 900 block of Pacific Avenue, Kelso. Saturday. A tenant broke a window to another tenants apartment. 700 block of Grant Street, Kelso. Sunday. Copper cut off AC unit on the side of the church. Unknown when this occurred. Vehicle prowls 100 block of Alturas Drive, Kelso. Friday. Owner got a camera notification of a subject getting into one of the vehicles in the driveway. 200 block of Cypress Street, Longview. Friday. Suspects going through a vehicle at the end of the street. 100 block of Front Avenue, Castle Rock. Sunday. Purse taken. 700 block of Colorado Street, Kelso. Sunday. Man broke into the vehicle and damaged the console. 3300 block of Pacific Way, Longview. Sunday. Vehicle broken into overnight, unknown if anything was taken. 300 block of 18th Avenue, Longview. Sunday. Caught someone inside car. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A debris slide early Monday morning closed both directions of State Route 4, also known as Ocean Beach Highway, near County Line Park in Cathlamet. Washington State Department of Transportation reports debris including mud, rocks and trees slid down an embankment around 6:34 a.m. Monday about 1.5 miles west of County Line Park. The slide closed all lanes at milepost 44. There is no estimated time for the lanes to reopen, reports the state. People on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have to immediately do something if they saved their login passwords via their Internet browsers. With reliance increasing on the internet to work, play and keep in touch during the Covid-19 pandemic, cyber criminals have also become more active. There has been a phenomenal increase in reports of Cybercriminals stealing peoples data, information, accounts, passwords etc. And now, there are reports of a new kind of cybercrime rising fast. The most scary thing about it is that once this malware infects your gadgets, it can steal everything from credit card details, to autocomplete login information. Yes, you read that right, even autocomplete login passwords too, straight from your browser. And that means people on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have to start worrying and immediately do something about it. With so many accounts and passwords, it becomes tough to remember them all. Thus, people rely on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers' feature to store auto complete login passwords for subsequent logins. However, this also attracts cyber criminals to steal data and misuse it. Recently, 441,000 stolen account details have reportedly been hacked in 2021. Haveibeenpwned.com, a website that tracks the number of stolen accounts has shared the same. This website scans the users email address against known data breaches and alerts them to any matches. Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here. Also read: How to check if your data is stolen or not? If you want to check that your data has been hacked or not, then you can take help from Haveibeenpwned.com. The website regularly keeps updating with the ever-growing list of data leaks. If it shows your email address was used by RedLine, you must change passwords for all accounts used on your machine, including work VPN and email accounts, as well as any other personal accounts you have used on that device immediately. It isn't enough to just change passwords for any accounts that are used by the hacker. What is RedLine malware and how does it work? The nasty information-stealing malware is known as RedLine. It was first found on the dark web in March 2020, just before coronavirus lockdowns. The malware can easily steal users account details and passwords from various sites and even access company VPNs. How to safeguard your account passwords? The malware has caused so much concern that IT experts have already warned against saving passwords and account details in web browsers. Recently, Google has also warned people against Google Playstore apps infected with Joker Malware. The company has even removed some of the apps from its Playstore. A China Airlines cargo jet lands at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Saturday, March 14, 2020, in New York. Verizon and AT&T have rejected a request by the U.S. government to delay the rollout of next-generation wireless technology. A joint letter Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, from the telecommunications giants to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, sought to dismiss concerns brought by U.S. airlines that a new 5G wireless service could harm aviation. Credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File Verizon and AT&T have rejected a request by the U.S. government to delay the rollout of next-generation wireless technology. A joint letter Sunday from the telecommunications giants to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Steve Dickson, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, sought to dismiss concerns brought by U.S. airlines that a new 5G wireless service could harm aviation. But Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon Communications, and John Stankey, CEO of AT&T, also wrote that they were willing to accept some temporary measures over the next six months to limit the service around certain airport runways. Airlines had asked the Federal Communications Commission to delay this week's scheduled 5G rollout, saying the service, set to launch Wednesday, could interfere with electronics that pilots rely on. Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. passenger and cargo carriers, said in an emergency filing that the FCC has failed to adequately consider the harm that 5G service could do to the industry. The group wants more time for the FCC and the FAA, which regulates airlines, to resolve issues around aviation safety. Those are related to a type of 5G service that relies on chunks of radio spectrum called C-Band, which wireless carriers spent billions of dollars to buy up last year. Siding in part with airlines, Buttigieg and Dickson wrote late Friday to the CEOs of AT&T and Verizon to propose a delay in activating 5G C-band service near an undetermined number of "priority airports" while the FAA studies the potential for interference with aircraft operations. AT&T and Verizon previously agreed to a one-month delay in 5G, which provides faster speeds when mobile devices connect to their networks and allows users to connect many devices to the internet without slowing it down. But the telecommunications executives said Sunday that further delays requested by the government would harm their customers. "Agreeing to your proposal would not only be an unprecedented and unwarranted circumvention of the due process and checks and balances carefully crafted in the structure of our democracy, but an irresponsible abdication of the operating control required to deploy world-class and globally competitive communications networks that are every bit as essential to our country's economic vitality, public safety and national interests as the airline industry," the executives wrote. Explore further US seeks new 5G delay to study interference with planes 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. South Hills (15301) Today Sun and clouds mixed. High 68F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 48F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. A 101-year-old man reunited with his 96-year-old sister in College Station over the holidays. Ruth Hibbs and her brother, Robert Seute, reunited at The Langford retirement community in College Station a few days before Christmas. The siblings stayed in contact by phone over the years, but Seute said the miles between them kept them apart. I saw Ruth briefly in 2017, when I came to visit her after my wife died, Seute said. That was the last time I had seen her, because we had lived apart for so long. The 700 miles between us was the reason we hadnt seen each other more often. Hibbs has been trying to get her brother to move to the retirement community over the years, and she was excited when she found out in November that he would be making the move. I felt numb after seeing him, she said. Realizing it was happening, after so many years of wanting him to be home, and then it finally did happen. Amelia Garcia, the senior sales counselor for assisted living and memory care with the Langford, was there when the siblings were reunited. It was very emotional for me to see them together, and seeing them now as they are inseparable, it has been awesome to see that, she said. I just smile when I see them because they are so happy together. Hibbs had been living at the retirement community for the past seven years. Her husband died in July after they had been together for nearly 78 years. She said having her brother with her has brought a lot of comfort. Over the Christmas holiday, the two went to visit Hibbs daughter, Peggy, and her family. We came back home with a stuffed tummy and went to bed, Hibbs said. It was emotional, naturally, for our family to see us together again. We had such a great time. Seute also said they had a great time over the holidays and said it felt like he was finally home. We had a good time at my nieces and then we went to see the Christmas lights, and we got to see the relatives, he said. It was great to see my sister again, and we have been reminiscing ever since I got back. The two were inseparable as children growing up in Lamont, Kansas; they were raised on a farm with plenty to keep them busy, Hibbs said. We were close growing up. Back in those days you had no toys, hardly at all. Robert and I, we would go out under a big old tree and make ourselves a farm because we were raised on a farm, she said. We would make things out of sticks like fruits, cattle, horses, pigs, and a rock would represent a house, and we just had a good ol time. She said when they were children, they hardly fought, and they grew closer when their mother died at the age of 43. My mother died when I was 13, and those were hard times but also good times because we spent more time together, Hibbs said. They said they are both looking forward to a new beginning together. If anything, we need more time together, Hibbs said. Seute, who will turn 102 this year, said he plans to live each day to the fullest with his sister by his side. Keep your mind and body active, eat three meals a day, and put your trust in the Lord; that is the key to living a long life, he said. Garcia said Seute lives across the hall from his sister. Hibbs said it feels like they were kids again. When I knock on Mr. Seutes door and he isnt there, I know hes across the hall visiting his sister, Garcia said. They have lunch together every day. Seute said hes looking forward to making new memories. It feels pretty great to be back with my sister again, he said. We are very close, just the two of us, and we will always be very close. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. There are shining stars living and working in our community and we need your help finding the ones who sparkle brightly through their efforts to make a difference. Star of the State was created in 2020 to spotlight fellow Nebraskans who are working to make their communities better places to live and work. The Grand Island Independent is collaborating with newspapers across the state to recognize and honor these champions of our way of life. Statewide, newspapers will encourage readers to nominate individuals who have done the remarkable. Finalists will be selected from each region and one winner will be chosen as the Star of the State. The winner will receive a $2,021 donation to a nonprofit of their choice. The 2020 Star of the State honorees were Karen and Mandy Faripour, who founded 2 Strings for Lincoln, a group that organized more than 300 people to make and share 11,000 masks with seniors and health care workers across the state during the pandemic. The Faripours chose two organizations on the frontlines of the crisis - the Food Bank of Lincoln and the Peoples City Mission to receive their prize. This years special campaign is possible because of the contributions of the statewide sponsor, Woodhouse Auto Family. We would also like to thank the local sponsor: Grand Island Public Schools. Please join us in celebrating the efforts of outstanding Nebraskans. Nominations can be submitted at go.journalstar.com/starofthestate through Jan. 31. EDITORS NOTE: This is another installment in a series of stories by the Independent staff writers as they recap the top news stories in 2021. No. 1 - Extension of public mask ordinance rejected An extension of the citywide mask requirement that was approved Nov. 24, 2020, was rejected in February with a 6-3 vote and allowed to expire after Feb. 23. People who did not wear masks risked a $25 fine plus court costs (a total of $74) and businesses that allowed people to not wear masks risked being charged as a public nuisance. Exceptions were made for children under 5. It was hoped the ordinance would reduce the spread of COVID-19 after the start of the pandemic and a second wave of new cases that occurred before the arrival of a vaccine and COVID variants. By then, the positivity rate for Central District Health Departments three-county coverage area had decreased from 46% in November, at its peak, to 27% at the end of January. CDHD, calling even that number unacceptable, hoped to achieve a 5% positivity rate. At a City Council session, community medical experts emphasized that masks were helping to reduce the number of new COVID cases. Some community members shared how loved ones were hospitalized and left needing a lung transplant after contracting the virus. Students voiced concerns that rising numbers of new COVID cases would continue to disrupt the year and familiar school events, and further prevent a sense of normalcy from returning. Other community members spoke against masks, arguing that federal government guidance was often contradictory, or that masks were actually damaging to peoples health. Through the year, these arguments were disputed by the CDHD as being false. City Council members sided with the community, sharing their sentiments about how long such an ordinance would be needed, the vagueness of the standards set by the ordinance, and the uncertainty of enforcing it legally. It was argued that people would voluntarily wear masks in public to stay safe and for the safety of others. No. 2 - Masks no longer required in public spaces In May, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that people who had been vaccinated against coronavirus no longer needed to wear masks in public. A COVID vaccine came in December 2020, with the elderly and health care workers among the first to receive it, and the general public receiving it in late April and May. This, and a reduction of new cases, led to the new guidance after more than a year of public stress and frustration. For many, nothing changed. Wearing a mask remained a personal choice even for those who had been vaccinated. Local businesses already had become relaxed about requiring customers to wear a mask. The change was clearer with some larger national chains. Walmart Supercenter and Grand Island Hy-Vee, for example, removed signs from their doors stating that masks are required, to subtler signs suggesting people wear masks while shopping. Employees at such sites continue to wear masks while at work. People were still required to wear masks when visiting governmental buildings. Local business owners said they appreciated the change because it made for a more comfortable and inviting experience. No. 3 - GIPS makes masks optional, then mandatory again Coronavirus brought an early, awkward end to the 2019-20 school year. For the 2020-21 school year, Grand Island Public Schools required students to wear masks as an alternative to closing down schools entirely or conducting classes by video conference. By the start of summer, the COVID vaccine had arrived, with older and younger students expected to be vaccinated before the start of the 2021-22 school year. In response, Grand Island Public Schools issued a plan for the 2021-22 school year that made masks optional. Per its Safe Return to School plan, informed by a community survey that showed a general dislike of masks, GIPS proposed: hand washing, using hand sanitizer, sneezing or coughing into a tissue then disposing of it, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces. Face coverings would be optional, encouraged and supported on school grounds. Masks will be required when riding district-provided transportation, per federal order. Visitors will be required to wear masks. GIPS reversed this policy in December, with the arrival of omicron variant in the district, and masks will again be required starting in January. No. 4 - CDHD opens COVID rapid-testing drive-through pods In October, CDHD opened its rapid drive-through COVID testing unit. Drive-through antigen (one-hour results) and PCR testing (23- to 36-hour results) can be completed in the dedicated pod units located in the CDHD parking lot. The secondhand DHHS/NEMA structures were acquired freely by CDHD. Testing is being completed through a partnership with Nomi Health, a direct health care company associated with the coronavirus testing endeavor Test Nebraska. The samples are processed in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certified laboratory using FDA-authorized kits. The Independent reported that the two COVID tests available via Nomi had relatively speedy results, but accuracy between the two varied. Delta variant arrived in Grand Island in July and case numbers remained high through summer and into the fall. When the pods opened roughly 99% of new COVID cases in Nebraska were for delta, CDHD reported. In December, omicron variant arrived in Nebraska amid global outbreaks. CDHD Director Theresa Anderson said that, with variants popping up, knowing a strain can help map out where the virus has been and where it might be going. No. 5 - Omicron arrives following high spikes of delta Omicron variant was first detected on Dec. 3 in Nebraska. CDHD Director Teresa Anderson warned shortly after that the virus will be pretty much everywhere in the next two weeks. It was reported in the CDHD coverage area on Dec. 24. Omicron spreads rapidly and reproduces quickly, Anderson reported. The variant does not incubate in the body as long, and with a shorter incubation period is able to more quickly infect other people. Throughout 2021, however, CDHD was dedicated to vaccinating the community. A COVID vaccine became available December 2020 and one year later roughly 53% of eligible people in the local health district had received it. This is not enough, though, CDHD reports, at least 70% is required to reduce the impact that omicron will have on the community. Conditions are nearly identical to when the delta variant first arrived in the area in July, which led to another high spike in infections. Anderson emphasized that further mutations of can be prevented with vaccinations and boosters. Otherwise, she warned, the virus will continue to mutate in ways that make it more transmissible and possibly more severe. For more information on COVID-19 vaccination information and opportunities, visit cdhd.ne.gov. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. YORK In the early 2000s, York County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Howe was teamed up with Nitro, his canine partner. They worked many shifts and situations over the years; they had many hits, seizures and arrests; they had a lot of working and just plain living hours together as Nitro was also part of the family. In January, 2012, Howe was killed in a tragic accident on Interstate 80 on his way to work. Now, a decade later, Tonys wife, Steph, and their sons, Jacob, Tyler and Ben, have made a very special donation to the county, to honor the late law enforcement officer and that special dog named Nitro. They have donated a substantial amount of money to purchase a new service dog for the York County Sheriffs Department. And, of course, her name is Nitro. Nitro, who was born in Poland, received her introduction to law enforcement in Texas before being trained and certified by York County Sheriffs Sgt. Brad Melby. Shes been a part of the department for just a few weeks now, working with Deputy Chris Fifield who is her full-time handler. The Howe family was invited to come to the sheriffs department over the holidays, to meet the new Nitro. It was also an opportunity for the sheriffs department to thank the family and remember Tonys service. This whole thing began when I was contacted by an individual who said someone in town was interested in purchasing a drug dog for the department, explained Sheriff Paul Vrbka. I got more information and found out it was Steph Howe who wanted to do it in honor of Tony. Then-deputies Howe, Melby and Vrbka worked together, back in the old days. When I spoke with her about what she and the boys wanted to do, we immediately thought we better name the new dog Nitro, in honor of the first and of Tony, Sheriff Vrbka said. It wasnt a small donation to make this happen. Sgt. Melby said a green dog (not trained or certified) costs about $6,500. This particular Dutch Shepherd hailed Poland (where the dogs are bred to have more intense prey drive and just the right temperament). She was then sent to Pace Setter Canines in Liberty Hill, Texas. The county purchased her, they named her Nitro and Sgt. Melby trained/certified her. He also trained/certified the first Nitro. Matter of fact, Sgt. Melby has trained/certified an incredible number of service dogs over the years. He certified 12 just in 2021 (as he does the work for outside agencies as well). Hes exercised his expertise every dog thats worked for York County over the years which now numbers eight. This Nitro is just a year old, but shes state certified and has already been working. She passed her certification in November and has been out on patrol for just over a month. Deputy Fifield said she has already had seven hits one leading to the discovery of cocaine at an accident scene on Interstate 80. Having another drug dog in the sheriffs department is important, explained Sheriff Vrbka. Now, we have three dogs total with two on nights and one during the day. Before, when we just had one, that handler deputy and the dog were really on call 24 hours a day, every day. Now, with three, if a dog is needed at any time, we can switch it around so people and the dogs can have some time off. Sgt. Melby said a drug dog can usually stay in service about 8-9 years. They also live with their officer partners in service and after. Steph said her sons one of whom was just a little guy when his dad was with the York County Sheriffs Department and two who werent born yet do remember living with Nitro. So what made them decide to make such a substantial donation? We knew there was a need and we had a lot of conversations about how this was a passion of Tonys, Steph said. We wanted to give back. I remember when Tony got his dog, we had to raise money for it. So its good to see in this day and age there is more support from the county and the community for the canine program. We really appreciate the Howes helping the department like this, Sheriff Vrbka said as the Howe boys petted an energetic Nitro II. Shes definitely a high end dog, like the others we have now, Sgt. Melby said as he watched the very attentive Nitro. As she tugged on her leash, with great eagerness because she recognized she was outside the sheriffs department, Deputy Fifield said she was extra excited because she wants to go to work. She knows why she is here and she cant wait to get started. The brown dog with striking black markings/accents is likely to be a superstar in the department, the officers said. She shows a lot of promise already, with a great attitude. Its been a while since Tony and Nitro were with the York County Sheriffs Department and its been 10 years already since his accident, Steph Howe said. We are just happy to do this, for the county, for the department, in honor of Tony and our Nitro. YORK Keith Devito, 25, of Apache Junction, Arizona, has been charged in a case where he is accused of fleeing from law enforcement on Interstate 80 while in the possession of illegal firearms, including a loaded handgun in his belt. The case began when a deputy with the York County Sheriffs Department was informed about a careless driver on Interstate 80. The driver was said to be well in excess of the posted speed limit and it was crossing onto the shoulder consistently. The deputy saw the speeding vehicle and attempted to catch up to it. In court documents, the deputy says the vehicle continued at a high rate of speed while rapidly changing lanes and driving on the shoulder. When the driver Devito failed to slow or stop after the deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop, a pursuit began. The deputy said the vehicle was traveling in excess of 100 mph, passing other motorists on the shoulder. Tire deflation devices were deployed on three separate occasions by law enforcement officers which led to three of the four vehicle tires being deflated. Even with three of the four tires destroyed, the vehicle continued to drive on the rims. Ultimately the vehicle came to a stop in Lancaster County. When the vehicle was stopped, Devito (according to court documents) failed to obey numerous commands to exit the vehicle at which time troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol deployed chemical munitions into the vehicle. The driver would still not exit so he was extracted by several officers. During that extraction, a firearm in a holster having from his belt was seen. That firearm, which was a 9 mm handgun, had a fully-loaded magazine inserted and a bullet in the chamber. The gun was secured. It was also found he had a fixed blade knife in a sheath on his belt as well. The blade on the knife measured approximately 3 inches long. Officers said Devito smelled like alcohol and had bloodshot/watery eyes, and there were several alcohol containers in the passenger area. Deputies said while he was being transported to jail, he allegedly made comments about how he should have pulled his gun so law enforcement would have shot him. A review of Devitos criminal history showed three pending DUI cases in Arizona one from July and two from September as well as pending charges of aggravated assault/deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a minor, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on an officer. He also has a criminal history in the state of Pennsylvania for forgery-related charges. In York County, he is charged with possession of a firearm while committing a felony, a Class 2 felony; possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, a Class 3 felony; and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony. The case against Devito has been bound over to District Court where arraignment proceedings are pending. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Lake Geneva's largest in the Alps and the second largest in Europe after Lake Balaton. To read more click here: Tobias Menzies. Its surface area 582 km2 of water volume 89 km3. John Krasinski brings even more insight to the discussion. It is situated at an altitude of 372 m above sea level, just 70 km from the highest peak of Mont Blanc and the Alps. Rivers and streams flow into lake from all sides. By the same author: Bert Convy. The largest of the river Rhone falls into it, and then restores its course and flows further. Winters are strong winds blow, especially unpleasant is the so-called biz - the cold north wind Genevans claim that it can cause mental instability of the citizens and it's even take into account the sentencing judge offenders. The central part of Lake Geneva, never freezes, so shipping is not stops and in the winter. In the past, the lake was used for transporting timber and other goods, and today it is mainly flyer. In the Navigation Company of Lake Geneva, 16 large comfortable ships, including vintage, which operates regular flights between the cities of Switzerland and France, or exercise themed cruises lasting several hours. Besides Lake Leman excellent place for sailing. In the vicinity of Lake Leman moved celebrities of the business world of art and sport, people from all corners of the globe. And not just to avoid paying taxes. The Swiss Riviera For several centuries, attracts the richest people and most hopeless romantics from around the world. Here lived Lord Byron, the Austrian Empress Sissi, Ernest Hemingway, Vladimir Nabokov, Igor Stravinsky, Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Freddie Mercury. Representatives of the bohemian and creative science, the so-called cream of society, preferring the most elegant and fashionable towns of the coast. Vevey, here lived and died Charlie Chaplin and Henrik Sienkiewicz, Montreux here spent his last years and was buried in Vladimir Nabokov. Mesmerizing beauty of Lake Geneva, the proximity of the Alps, the subtropical splendor of nature and healthy air makes this place truly magical. Blooming mountain vineyards terraces descend to the very shores. But these places are famous not only magnificent scenery. Cantons, located around Lake Geneva, Vaud and Valais are truly tax haven for foreigners. Land near the coast are inaccessible for local people, their bought-rich sheiks, the owners of oil fields. However, the Geneva authorities remain aloof from addressing this issue. Geneva joined the Swiss Confederation only in 1815 and did not feel especially strong in terms of positions in this community. Most of the wealthy residents of the Canton of thinking about the possibility of unification of Geneva and Vaud in one Canton. ELIZABETHTOWN Two sisters have taken a long-time hobby closer to a career. Alli Armstrong Vaughan and Adriana Armstrong grew up in Elizabethtown. Like many other men in Southern Illinois, their dad, Darrick Armstrong, was a hunter. Vaughan, the oldest of the pair, accompanied her dad on her first hunt at age 5. They started by hunting squirrel. Vaughan said squirrels dont require the hunter to be too quiet or still. By the time I was six years old, I had killed my first deer and turkey. Dad filmed us as a keepsake ..." Were almost five years apart. I knew it was my turn to start hunting when I turned 5. I also got my first deer and turkey my first year, Adriana Armstrong said. Starting out with their dad gave him the opportunity to teach the girls to hunt properly. Before long, Adriana was filming her sister, then they would switch off. Vaughan said that more and more people wanted to see the videos. They made DVDs and sold them at a local Rural King and Dunns Sporting Goods. They got enough viewers to also gain some sponsors. That led the young women to create their own show called Grace Camo and Lace. The sixth season of Grace Camo and Lace has premiered and will air on the Sportsman Channel during the first and second quarters of 2022. During the second half of the year, Grace Camo and Lace will be available on MOTV (My Outdoors TV) and the Hunt Channel. Vaughan said the last two channels can be found on digital media platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and others. They had so much fun hunting with their dad that their mom, Susan, also began to hunt. You might catch both parents and Grandpa Ronnie Armstrong on the show. The show is based in Elizabethtown, where 19-year-old Adriana lives. Vaughan, now 24, lives near Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband who serves in the military. Besides growing their audience, the young women have grown their hunting skills. Besides the normal Southern Illinois prey, they have been on hunt for elk, barberry sheep, ibex and even bear. Vaughan said her favorite hunt is for elk. They call back and forth which includes elements of both deer hunting with turkey hunting. Adriana Armstrong still loves to hunt white tail deer in Southern Illinois. Theres so much history. I really enjoy that, she said. Both sisters are national archery champions with the teams at Southeastern Illinois College. Vaughan said Adriana is a better archery shooter than she is. Both want careers in communication and outdoors. I write for outdoor magazines and blogs such as Tri-State Hunting Magazine, Bowhunting.com, Legacy Trails Media, Ohio River Scenic Byway Magazine and North American Whitetail Magazine, Vaughan said. Adriana Armstrong is a college student majoring in communications social media marketing. She will finish her degree online. The first Grace Camo and Lace show of the New Year aired Dec. 29 on the Sportsman Channel. The shows regular air times are 5:30 a.m. Thursday and 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit Grace Camo and Lace on social media, including Facebook and Instagram. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The SIUC Faculty Association, Non-Tenure Track Union and Graduate Associates United met with administrators Monday for impact bargaining on the conditions of reopening for spring semester amid a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Southern Illinois University Carbondale announced Dec. 22 it would start the term Jan. 10 in-person, but with mandatory COVID-19 testing. Leaders met starting at 10 a.m. Monday for impact bargaining. Anne Fletcher, president of the Faculty Association, said the unions made proposals to the university during Monday's meeting. They will meet again at 3 p.m. Wednesday, but Fletcher hopes to hear something before then. In a statement to The Southern, the Faculty Association previously said its members hope to continue using interest-based bargaining, in which the parties determine shared/mutual interest, and work together to determine solutions. In this case, they said they want to discuss COVID-19's impact on community safety. The FA hopes that the administration will follow the science, study other college and university plans, and work collaboratively with the FA (and the other unions directly related to teaching and advising students) to reopen as safely as possible. We look forward to the administrations ongoing communication with regard to changing (COVID-19) policies throughout the crisis at hand. Our mutual concern needs to remain the well-being of the entire Saluki community health and safety first," Fletcher said. In a statement Monday, SIU Spokesperson Kim Rendfeld said they continue to monitor the situation and look forward to a conversation with the association. "As we have since the beginning of the pandemic, we have made safety our top priority, and we have followed the science, relying on guidance from the CDC, IDPH and local public health officials. We continue to monitor the situation and will adapt our plans as needed, taking all the factors into account. We look forward to collaborative discussions with the Faculty Association," Rendfeld said. In a Dec. 22 email to the campus, SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane said the university would be requiring testing of all students, faculty and staff, even for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19. On Dec. 30, SIU announced it was adding a day for COVID testing to accommodate the need to test all on-campus employees and students. The testing schedule for the first two weeks of January is: Week of Jan. 2: Monday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Week of Jan. 9: Monday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. For fully vaccinated employees and students, this will be a one-time test to return to campus. Students will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card after your on-campus test. Employees and students who are not fully vaccinated will continue the weekly testing requirement, per the governors executive order. Hourly employees must test on campus. If testing on campus would cause a significant inconvenience, SIU asks that you email pandemicinfo@siu.edu for instructions to upload an off-campus test. The on-campus testing will be conducted by Reditus Laboratories at Grinnell Hall in a larger room with several testing stations. "If you prefer to test outside, Reditus staff will accommodate you. To pre-register, which will expedite the process, visit the testing page of the COVID website," the university said. The test will be conducted at no charge to the student or employee, but the individual will be asked for insurance information so that Reditus can bill the insurance company. "If the insurance company declines coverage, you dont need to do anything. Our agreement with Reditus precludes the company from charging you," the university said. Lanes initial email indicated the policy stems from a national uptick in COVID-19 cases. Illinois State University and the University of Illinois at Chicago announced earlier that the first two weeks of both schools spring semesters would be held remotely, with all courses delivered remotely, with a return to on-campus learning set for Jan. 24. The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign will deliver one week of online teaching to begin the semester starting Jan. 18. Previously, Rendfeld said the university will remain flexible as to how instruction will be delivered to students. "If the situation dictates a need to pivot to remote instruction, we will do so like we have in past," she said. The university reports 77% of students and 84% of all employees are fully vaccinated. A vaccine booster clinic is set for Jan. 19-20 on campus. Spring semester classes at SIU are scheduled to begin Jan. 10. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Chicago teachers are expected to vote Tuesday on whether to defy Chicago Public Schools orders to return to classrooms amid a spike in city COVID-19 cases. The Chicago Teachers Unions governing body the 600-member House of Delegates is expected to meet Tuesday. All of the unions 25,000 members are slated to receive an electronic ballot asking if they support working remotely instead of in person starting Wednesday. I am so pissed off that we have to continuously fight for the basic necessities, the basic mitigations, CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said Monday at a South Side news conference outside Park Manor Elementary School, where some teachers said they planned to work from home because of safety concerns. CPS students returned to buildings Monday after a two-week holiday break. District CEO Pedro Martinez told parents in an email Sunday night there are no plans to transition the district to remote learning, though some individual classrooms may need to make the switch temporarily if positive cases are reported. The end of winter break comes as Chicago is reporting an average of nearly 4,000 daily coronavirus cases, a 42% increase from the prior week, with about 600 kids testing positive a day. Some Chicago aldermen raised concerns about CPS reopening plans. We have families and staff reaching out with concerns about tomorrow given the high positivity rates in our most vulnerable communities, and vaccination still lagging behind in our communities with respect to other parts of the city, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, wrote in an email to Martinez Sunday. CTU submitted a proposal last week calling for the district to go remote for two weeks while more protocols are put in place. Short of that, the union asked CPS to have students and staff provide a negative test result in order to return to buildings Monday. CTU also wants CPS to set guidelines for when an individual school and the entire district would switch to remote learning and to distribute KF94, KN95 or N95 masks to all staff and students, among other demands. In an interview on CNBC, Mayor Lori Lightfoot downplayed the same old saber-rattling by teachers union leadership and said remote learning has had a devastating effect on children and their families. She reiterated that Chicago schools will remain open. We need to keep our kids in school, which is what were going to do in Chicago, she said. Schools are safe and are not the source of significant spread, Lightfoot said. In his Sunday email, Martinez sought to reassure parents that health and safety procedures such as indoor masking, in-school weekly testing and vaccination offerings will continue into 2022. Heres a breakdown of CPS coronavirus-related protocols: Any student, regardless of vaccination status, who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 is directed to stay home, get tested and isolate for 10 days. Unvaccinated students who traveled to any U.S. state or territory except for Guam and Montana should get tested and stay home for seven days after return, regardless of test status. Unvaccinated students who came in close contact of an infected person are directed to stay home and quarantine for 10 days from their last exposure regardless of their test result. Vaccinated students who are close contacts of a person who tested positive can attend school as long as they are not experiencing any coronavirus-like symptoms. Only students who are directed to quarantine by CPS or the Chicago Department of Public Health will have access to real-time online remote instruction. Students do not need test results to attend school. I stand firmly behind the decision to protect our students physical and mental health and promote their academic progress by keeping CPS schools safely open for in-person learning, Martinez said in his letter to parents. For months, CPS and CTU have been negotiating over a safety agreement for this school year. An agreement reached in early 2021 after tense negotiations led to students returning to campuses in waves during the last school year. About 330,000 students are enrolled in CPS, the nations third-largest school district. Some 51% of district students 12 to 17 years old and nearly 12% of students 5 to 11 are fully vaccinated, a CPS spokesperson said. CPS says about 91% of its staff is fully vaccinated. CPS said it handed out 150,000 at-home test kits for use over winter break to students at 300-plus schools in communities with low vaccination rates. Some parents received emails this weekend that their childrens kits could not be processed. The date to return the kits was Dec. 28, but CPS extended that deadline to Dec. 30 after photos surfaced of overflowing shipping boxes. Martinez said on Dec. 30 that the district had received 37,000 registered test kits, and there were no issues with packages left near full drop-off boxes. One CPS teacher said he received an email Saturday that the sample he dropped off Dec. 30 could not be processed. Some of the COVID-19 samples collected this week were delayed in transit to the testing lab due to weather and holiday-related shipping issues. As a result, those tests could not be processed within the required 48-hour timeframe between the time the sample is activated and the time the sample arrives at the lab, the email read. When this happens, the test unfortunately cannot be reliably processed and yields an unsatisfactory result. A CPS spokesperson on Sunday could not immediately say how many test kits CPS were received, how many students tested positive and how many results were invalid. CPS maintains an online dashboard that shows positivity rates through its weekly testing program thats mandatory for unvaccinated staff members and voluntary for students. CPS is reporting 35,477 tests last week, with 1,919 people testing positive and 24,839 invalid results. Its unclear how many of the tests were through the at-home initiative. Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd, asked Martinez in an email Sunday about testing information. I also want to know what the plan is for testing, how many in-home COVID tests did CPS get results for and what are the goals and plan to vaccinate as many students as CPS possibly can. I am very concerned about the lack of information around plans for all of these things, she wrote. We are receiving messages from concerned families in our wards and I want to be able to give them information. Ald. Maria Hadden, 49th, tweeted Sunday that City Council members continue to press Martinez, Lightfoot and city public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady for solutions and better decisions. @ChiPubSchools hasnt done whats necessary for the return and its not okay for us to pretend like they have, Hadden wrote. Were in the highest covid spike yet. The testing and contract tracing systems for CPS were inadequate before the surge and staffing levels are critically low. Tribunes Gregory Pratt contributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Editors Note: This op-ed was distributed by Capitol News Illinois on behalf of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. The opinions expressed in this article are the authors own. Is the notion of One Illinois a reasonable hope, a noble aspiration, or an impossible dream? The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is inviting Illinois college students to help us examine this theme and other important questions this coming spring at the institutes second Renewing Illinois Summit. The institute inaugurated its Renewing Illinois Summit several years ago to consider ways to revitalize the Prairie State. We decided to solicit the perspectives of Illinois college students because their views are important and are rarely given proper consideration. Among other things, they are the people who will soon decide whether to settle in Illinois and revive our state or depart for what many see as greener pastures. Thirty-five students from nine Illinois colleges and universities both public and private attended our first Renewing Illinois Summit in March of 2019. They came from every corner of the state and brought wide-ranging perspectives and penetrating insights. They reviewed background materials, listened to keynote speeches and policy briefings, and spent hours in small group discussions, considering the best way forward for Illinois. Several themes were evident. The students see enormous potential here but are concerned that Illinois has fallen into bad habits and has failed to position itself for the long term. They want the state to solve festering problems and build a solid foundation for the future. They want to end a generation of can-kicking and gimmickry that has led to seemingly permanent structural budget deficits. They want Illinois to undertake visionary reforms in higher education to control rising tuition and fees, strengthen academic programs, and encourage high school students to stay in Illinois for college. We are planning an ambitious summit on March 31 and April 1, 2022, that will tackle the complex and consequential question of Illinois identity. Illinois is a large, dynamic and diverse state with a rich and complicated history. Regional tensions and fissures have been a common theme during our two centuries of statehood. Some experts have identified six distinct regions in Illinois Chicago, suburban Cook County, the collar counties, northern Illinois, central Illinois, and southern Illinois while others have depicted three Chicago, the collar counties, and the rest of the state. Other analysts see the division in Illinois as a simple and stark split between urban and rural. This springs summit will consider hard, fundamental and interesting questions such as: What specifically can be done to forge a common identity and a sense of shared destiny in Illinois? Is it necessary or misguided to think of One Illinois? Are the different regions in Illinois treated fairly in the allocation of financial resources and political power? Can the urban-rural division be bridged? Do the people of the various regions of Illinois inevitably view such issues as guns, education, economic development, criminal justice reform and transportation differently? Are Illinois regional tensions related to, or distinct from, the challenges facing other large states such as New York, Florida, Ohio and Minnesota? We are still refining the structure and agenda for the summit. We want it to carefully consider the changing composition of our state based on the 2020 U.S. Census. What does Illinois look like now? How is this different from, say, 1980, and what is Illinois likely to look like in 2050? What are the public policy implications for these changing demographics? We also want the summit to carefully examine what the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about the ideal and reality of One Illinois. Why have different parts of the state reacted to this borderless pandemic in such starkly different ways? There is much to consider, and we are looking forward to a summit with stimulating keynotes, spirited panel discussions, and vigorous deliberations by students from the Prairie State. As we finalize our lineup, we will post the summit agenda on our website. Registration for the summit will open in January. Registration and complete information will be available at paulsimoninstitute.org/renewingil. John T. Shaw is the director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Shaws monthly column explores how Illinois can work toward better politics and smarter government. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The pandemic has brought much focus to personal protection through cleanliness and sanitation. The business world has felt the effects, in protecting employees as well as consumers. The U.S. food supply has always been among the safest in the world, but more can be done. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture has announced the On-Farm Improvement Cost Share Program. Through USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funding administered by SCDA, farmers covered by the Produce Safety Rule can receive reimbursements up to $2,000 per year per farm for on-farm food-safety improvements. Examples of improvements that may be eligible for funding include hand-washing stations, worker training resources and harvest bins. These measures help farms reduce the risk of food-borne illness in the fruits and vegetables they grow. According to SCDA, its produce safety team recognizes that many South Carolina produce farms identify needed improvements but lack the money to implement changes. This program is designed to help farms make these improvements and comply with the requirements of the federal Produce Safety Rule. I hope South Carolina produce farmers will explore this opportunity to upgrade their food-safety protections, South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said. These cost-share grants are an excellent use of taxpayer funds, as they support farms that are already demonstrating a commitment to food safety. Funds are available on a first-come first-served basis until depleted. The deadline to apply for reimbursement for the cost share is Aug. 1. Visit agriculture.sc.gov/grants to download the application, request an on-farm evaluation and learn about next steps. In a major agricultural area such as The T&D Region, traditional crops continue to play a big role in the economy. But specialty crops including fruits and vegetables are bigger than ever. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture has allocated more than $600,000 from the 2021 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to 12 projects to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state. Funded projects include research to improve strawberry, watermelon and peach crops, and packaging for produce farmers. Grants to promote food safety are a logical and needed extension of the SCDA's efforts. Farmers should take advantage of the available funds in making improvements. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047. BEIRUT Prime minister Najib Mikati said in a statement late Monday that comments made by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah about Saudi Arabia earlier in the evening do not represent the Lebanese government and the majority of the Lebanese and it is not in Lebanons interest to abuse any Arab country and Gulf countries in particular. Mikatis statement comes as a diplomatic rift between Lebanon and the Gulf monarchies persists. Heres what we know: During a speech to mark the second anniversary of the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the elite Quds force in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Nasrallah on Monday lashed out at Saudi Arabias criticism of his party as a terrorist organization operating within the Lebanese state. Nasrallah turned the term back on the Saudis, contending that the terrorist is the one who keeps hundreds of thousands of Lebanese hostages and threatens Lebanon through them, in reference to the presence of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese working in Gulf countries that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies could expel. Reacting to Nasrallahs remarks, Mikati accused Hezbollahs leadership of opposing the Lebanese national interest by taking stances which firstly damage Lebanese people and secondly [damage] Lebanons relationship with its brotherhood countries. Come on, spare Lebanon and the Lebanese the ugly sectarian and political tensions, the prime minister pleaded in his statement. Nasrallah is typically critical of the kingdom in his speeches; however, his comments dont usually draw a response from Mikati. Comments aired in late October by then-Information Minister George Kurdahi about the Saudi role in the war in Yemen ignited a diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and the kingdom, with the latter banning all Lebanese imports and severing diplomatic ties with Lebanon. Several other Gulf monarchies followed suit and recalled their envoys from Beirut. Although Kurdahi resigned from his position on Dec. 3, ties have not been restored between the two countries and the import ban remains in place. Mikati has repeatedly expressed his eagerness to heal the rift with the kingdom, but despite intervention by French President Emmanuel Macron in the matter, no tangible progress has been made in this regard. JACKSON For the first time in nearly two years, masks are now optional in Teton County School District No. 1. Masking is still recommended by school and health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it is no longer a requirement, after school board votes on Nov. 10 and Saturday. For some, the lifting of the mandate is cause for New Years celebration. It mirrors the countywide mandate expiration and seems to suggest a return to normalcy after a pandemic that has lasted longer than anyone expected. But others fear the policies are changing at the worst possible time. COVID is going to spread like wildfire, said Danielle Shapiro, the mother of a Jackson kindergartener. She spoke at the school boards Saturday night special meeting on masking requirements. It hasnt so far, mostly because theyve been in masks, she said. The other mitigation strategies are extremely helpful, but theyre not enough. COVID-19 cases, likely fueled by the highly infectious omicron variant, are currently racing through Teton County. The Health Department has seen 400% to 500% increases in weekly cases. Staff contact tracers are overwhelmed. And local children ages 5 to 11, still newly eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, are only 40% vaccinated. Meanwhile, middle schoolers, who may have waning, 6-month-old vaccines, are not yet eligible for boosters. Trustees Kate Mead, Alan Brumsted and Jennifer Zung voted in favor of a new mandate on Jan. 1, while Chairman Keith Gingery, Janine Teske and Betsy Carlin opposed it. Bill Scarlett did not attend. Over Webex, Superintendent Gillian Chapman shared updates from Teton District Health Officer Dr. Travis Riddell and Public Health Director Jodie Pond. She described the new five-day quarantine recommendation from the CDC and celebrated the schools few quarantines in the fall, without noting that masks were required for that period. As she described the 400% to 500% surge in COVID cases over the holiday break, Chapman noted that those cases were primarily among young adults ages 20 to 27 not among children. School-age children, she said, are underrepresented in the data. Chapman didnt clarify that students had been on break and therefore were not in classrooms during the surge. She also said St. Johns Health is not seeing a surge in hospitalizations. It was described as relatively quiet at the hospital, she said, not specifying who described it as such. St. Johns Chief Communications Officer Karen Connelly told the Jackson Hole Daily that employee quarantines have already made it very challenging to ensure all service areas and clinics can stay open. On Dec. 29, for instance, 18 St. Johns employees were out on quarantine. With rapid tests for students with symptoms and a new test-to-stay model, Chapman indicated the district has plenty of tools in its toolbelt without requiring masks. But she stopped short of making a recommendation one way or the other. The only real concern the superintendent shared was that staffing might be a problem if teachers need to quarantine, even for the shorter five-day period. The district has 45 registered substitutes but only 20 consistently subbing, said communications director Charlotte Reynolds. Trustees Kate Mead and Alan Brumsted called the special meeting in response to the swell of COVID-19 in the community. Mead proposed extending a mask requirement through Jan. 12, the boards next regular meeting, as a way to keep kids in school and prevent staff quarantines. We all know employers that are struggling to keep the doors open, Mead told the board. Look at the airlines. Then Mead responded to the superintendents report. St. Johns hospital is quiet because they have so many staff members out with COVID, she said. My mutual friend ... was doing surgery til nine oclock at night this week because there werent people to clean up the surgical suites. Connelly wasnt able to confirm that specific account but said she wouldnt be surprised. Its taking a real team effort right now to keep things open for all emergency and elective needs, she said. Health care workers are still required to quarantine for seven days, not the five days the CDC advised for the general public. Brumsted, for his part, said continuing to require masks would allow the district to see what happens with this new surge rather than putting 800 people in close proximity with less protection. On the flip side, Trustee Janine Teske said the board lacked medical expertise and should defer to state and county health officers as theyve done previously. It just doesnt feel right for me to vote to override what our county health officer is suggesting, she said, alluding to Riddells decision not to implement a new countywide mandate. Masking is still recommended in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Teske also commented about St. Johns. Kate, you cant say that the hospitals are quiet because the staff is out, she said. The hospitals are quiet because they dont have patients. Noticeably absent from the discourse was direct guidance from Riddell or a hospital representative. The health officer told the Daily on Friday he would be willing to comment if the board asked him to. At the time, he didnt have a recommendation for schools on either side of the mask mandate decision. Instead, the board heard more than an hour of public comment from parents, nurses, teachers and a few students with split views on the situation. Longtime opponents of the mask mandate like Shelby Scharp said it was offending to ignore their pleas. The county is saying its a go. The kids are healthy. And my child for 18 months has been looking forward to going to school without a mask, Sharp said, before threatening to homeschool her child on Monday if masks were required. Lisa Stephens and her husband, Eric, both Jackson nurses, are also hoping for a day when their 5-year-old will be able to attend school without a mask. But it seems clear to us that now is not the time, they said. We should wait just a little bit longer in light of this recent, very significant increase in COVID cases. Stephens also said St. Johns urgent care has been slammed with COVID cases and super busy, not the relative quiet Chapman described. Several commenters described deleterious impacts of mask wearing, from mental health to denying natural immunity. This special meeting should not be about masks, it should be how to plan mitigation programs and interventions for the mental health of those kids that have been masked and isolated for two years, said Jessica Aufderheide. Theyve been surrounded by fear and have been prevented from interacting with their classmates. The first teacher to speak, Briana Olivares, said a new mask requirement would help her feel safe at work, especially as so many of her friends or family members are infected by the current surge. Ive worked really hard trying not to get COVID, and its really sad to me that Ill have a higher chance just by going to my job, she said. Others were anxious quarantines would disrupt students learning and parents jobs. Some parents like Shapiro and Aida Farag said they feel unsafe sending their kids to a partially masked classroom without their booster shots, which have been difficult to schedule. One immunocompromised student spoke in favor of a mask optional policy, while a high schooler said universal masking is an effective, necessary tool to keep school in-person. Two fifth grade brothers spoke toward the end of the meeting in favor of masking, which they said helps them feel safe. During the trustees discussion, Brumsted restated the imperative to keep children in school. Mead underscored that booking vaccinations isnt easy, and Carlin said she hopes the majority of people continue to wear masks in schools, regardless of the boards decision. Ultimately for Carlin, likely the deciding vote on the board, her misgivings about issuing another mask mandate came from Riddells relative silence. I am not a health expert, she said. I have to turn to experts to help me make my decisions. Teske echoed the sentiment: If Dr. Riddell had suggested that this was the right thing to do, I would suggest we should move forward [with a mandate]. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A pregnant mother and her family affected by the Quarry Street New Years Day fire say they felt pressured to accept an Oropune Gardens apartment as a permanent home after their years long efforts to find secure housing. The family, who had previously spent months surrounded by debris and without electricity, told the Express they felt as though they were being pushed to mortgage the apartment as a quick fix to their problem. The fact that 106 police killings dating from January 2019 to now are under investigation by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is staggering. Whether the number reflects an actual increase in fatal police shootings, or is the result of greater public willingness to file complaints, growing public confidence in the PCA or the PCAs own willingness to initiate investigations, would require more than bald figures. However, it underscores the PCAs importance as an independent authority with the power to hold the police to account. Have you ever listened to or created a podcast? If not, maybe you should. A podcast is a collection or series of digital audio files made available for downloading or listening via the internet. Podcasts are a relatively new medium of communication and gaining in popularity for consumers and business owners alike. According to Buzzsprout, podcasting has exploded over the past decade and that growth is expected to continue. More than half of all Americans have listened to a podcast. Forbes goes on to report more than 70% of all large business owners regularly listen to podcasts. Podcasts can be an extremely effective marketing tool for service-related industries like legal, financial and real estate. If consumers want to be educated before selecting a service provider, podcasts are especially effective. Examples may include medical, health, fitness or travel. Podcasting is attractive to the business owner for several reasons. Getting started is relatively affordable, fast and easy. Once completed, the podcasts can be shared on websites and social media channels. This may improve the organizations website ranking in search engines like Google and Yahoo. The focused content is a great way to reach targeted, qualified prospects. The podcast presents you as the expert, which establishes a level of trust. This often leads to higher client conversion rates, at much lower costs. Consumers appreciate podcasts because they get focused content on their specific areas of interest. There is an endless supply of content ranging from comedy, news and sports, from cricket to crochet. Consumers can select the best time to listen based on their schedule. In addition, they can do other things like cook, clean or drive at the same time. A good podcast can be lucrative as well. For example, the Joe Rogan Experience podcast is one of the most popular in the world. By having long conversations with famous, interesting people, this podcast generates approximately $100 million in annual income. Bill Nordbrock is vice president of community relations for SCORE Southern Arizona, a nonprofit that offers free small-business counseling. For more information, go to southernarizona.score.org or call 520-505-3636. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Dutch Bros: Dutch Bros locations in Tucson partnered with customers to raise $15,066 for Juvenile Diabetes Research. $1 from every drink sold on Dec. 18, plus an additional contribution from the Dutch Bros Foundation, was donated to the organization. Juvenile Diabetes Research works to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat Type 1 diabetes and its complications. Unidas: Unidas, an after-school teen program run by the Womens Foundation for the State of Arizona, has awarded $5,000 in funding to Integrative Touch for Kids. Unidas is a philanthropy and leadership program that supports teens ranging in age from 14-18 as they navigate a selection process that includes community dialogue and interviews to guide their philanthropic decision. ITKs mission is to provide integrative support services to children, their families and caregivers. Unidas is accepting applications from high school students for the spring semester program. To learn more and apply, visit womengiving.org/Unidas. Research Corporation for Science Advancement: Research Corporation for Science Advancement contributed more than $16,000 in December to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and Aviva Childrens Services through staff donations and matching gifts by the foundation. The Sundt Foundation: The Sundt Foundation awarded $25,000 in grants to 10 Tucson-area nonprofits during its current giving round. Nonprofits receiving grants include Angel Heart Pajama Project, Arizona Dental Foundation, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona, Our Family Services, Pima Foundation ARC Resource Center, Project Insight, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona, Sahuarita Food Bank, Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports and the Child Language Center in the Wings on Words Preschool. The Sundt Foundation awards quarterly grants to Tucson charities that support disadvantaged children and families. Submit items about charitable donations by businesses or nonprofits to business@tucson.com. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. 0005227160-01 TS No. 2022-00060-AZ NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE The following legally described trust property will be sold, pursuant to the power of sale under that certain Deed of Trust dated 12/21/2009 and recorded on 12/31/2009 as Instrument No. 20092510236, Book 13716 Page 1373 and rerecorded on as in the official records of Pima County, Arizona, NOTICE! IF YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFENSE TO THE TRUSTEE SALE OR IF YOU HAVE AN OBJECTION TO THE TRUSTEE SALE, YOU MUST FILE AN ACTION AND OBTAIN A COURT ORDER PURSUANT TO RULE 65, ARIZONA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, STOPPING THE SALE NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME OF THE LAST BUSINESS DAY BEFORE THE SCHEDULED DATE OF THE SALE, OR YOU MAY HAVE WAIVED ANY DEFENSES OR OBJECTIONS TO THE SALE. UNLESS YOU OBTAIN AN ORDER, THE SALE WILL BE FINAL AND WILL OCCUR at public auction to the highest bidder Courts Building, On the steps outside the East entrance of the Courts Building, 110 West Congress, Tucson, AZ 85701, in Pima County, on 06/09/2022 at 10:30 AM of said day: Legal Description: The land referred to herein below is situated in the county of Pima, state of Arizona, and is described as follows: Lot 49 of picture rocks west subdivision, Pima county, Arizona, according to the map of record in the office of the county recorder, in book 47 of maps and plats, page 2. Except all coal and other minerals as reserved by the United States of America in deed book 214, page 631. Includes the manufactured housing unit as part of the real property described as: YEAR: 1998 MAKE: PALM HARBOR MANUFACTURER: FREEDOM HOMES INC SIZE: 28 X 68 VIN NUMBER: PH0223901U & PH0223901X Purported Street Address: 11090 W OLD PECOS PL, TUCSON, AZ 85743 Tax Parcel Number 213-03-2990 Original Principal Balance: $137,464.00 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE Name and Address of Current Beneficiary: PHH Mortgage Corporation c/o PHH Mortgage Corporation 1 Mortgage Way, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Name and Address of Original Trustor: HARRY BURLESON AND JUANITA J BURLESON, HUSBAND AND WIFE 11090 W OLD PECOS PL, TUCSON, AZ 85743 Name, Address and Telephone Number of Trustee: Western Progressive - Arizona, Inc. Northpark Town Center 1000 Abernathy Rd NE; Bldg 400, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30328 (866) 960-8299 TERMS OF SALE: The trustee is only able to accept cash or a cash equivalent, like a cashier's check or certified check NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE SALE INFORMATION: Sales Line: (866) 960-8299 Website: https://www.altisource.com/loginpage.aspx If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser's sole and exclusive remedy. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary's Agent, or the Beneficiary's Attorney Western Progressive - Arizona, Inc. DATED: April 24, 2022 /s/ Glenda Hamilton Trustee Sale Assistant Pursuant to A.R.S. 33 - 803(A)(6), the trustee herein qualifies as a trustee of the Deed of Trust in the trustee's capacity as a corporation all the stock of which is owned by Premium Title Agency, Inc., an escrow agent in the state of Arizona. The regulators of Premium Title Agency are the Arizona Department of Insurance and the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions. Western Progressive - Arizona, Inc. is registered with the Arizona Corporation Commission. STATE OF Georgia COUNTY OF Fulton On February 24, 2022, before me, Iman Walcott, personally appeared Glenda Hamilton, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledge to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature (s) on the instrument the person(s) or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument. WITNESS my hand and official seal. /s/Iman Walcott Iman Walcott NOTARY PUBLIC Published April 25 & May 2, 9, 16, 2022 Arizona Daily Star PHOENIX Arizona added nearly 109,000 new residents last year. But they were picky about where in the state they chose to live. The state grew at a rate of 1.5% between June 30, 2020, and a year later, new figures from the state Office of Economic Opportunity show. That's how the agency tracks annual growth. And the more than 860,000 new residents in the past decade amounted to a 13.4% increase. So where did a lot of them go? Think about areas near the state's major population centers, but far enough away to have houses that are affordable. In Southern Arizona, that means communities such as Marana. It added 2,531 new residents in the past year, enough to register a 4.8% growth rate. And Oro Valley grew by 2.1% South of Tucson, Sahuarita posted a 3.5% year-over-year increase in population. But all that was countered by the fact that Tucson, with a population of more than 546,000, grew by just 2,925 in the past year, an anemic 0.5% growth rate. In fact, the unincorporated areas of the county added additional 5,061 residents. That helped pull up the overall county growth rate, but only to 1.4%, still lagging the state. The reason Pima County lags not just Maricopa County but the statewide average is how the area's economy is built. "Tucson is just a less dynamic economy," said economist George Hammond of the Eller College of Business at the University of Arizona. That's because it is heavily reliant on jobs in federal, state and local government. "We just have a lot more of that," Hammond said. "And it's just not a growth industry." There is a plus side to all that. Hammond said it tends to make the economy less susceptible to wild swings. But he also said that geography plays a role in economic development. Hammond said as firms look to locate or expand in Arizona, the Phoenix area is "just more of a draw," with things like more extensive and convenient airport connections. And when people do move to the Phoenix area, the new numbers show the same pattern as in Pima County: They are looking for homes in the more affordable suburbs. Queen Creek, which is big enough to spill over into Pinal County, posted a 10% year-over-year growth in population. Buckeye, on the extreme other end of the Valley, was not far behind at 8.9% And since growth for Phoenix to the immediate south is blocked by the Gila River Indian Community, that left Pinal County communities of Coolidge and Eloy at 7.1% and 5.3% respectively. The desire for affordable homes also boosted the population of Casa Grande by 4.3% and Maricopa by 4.2%. Florence probably should have been in that list somewhere. But the official tally shows that community actually lost close to 1,600 residents over a 12-month period, making it the community with the greatest percentage loss at 6.2%. What's behind that, though, has little to do with the desirability of the community. Jim Quang, the state demographer, said it has to do largely with the fact there are fewer people in the custody of the state Department of Corrections there. Population in the Eyeman and Florence units went from 9,031 in June of 2020 to 7,796 a year later. And the trend continues, with the most recent inmate count at the two facilities now below 7,500. Quang said the same thing is at work in Douglas where inmate population dropped by 330 to 1,686 over the course of the year. That translated out to drop of 232 residents, a decline of 1.4%. And growth rates of less than 1% in other Cochise County communities was not enough to have the area keep pace with the rest of the state. The flip side of the growth on the exurbs of metro areas is that the anchor cities are growing slower than the rest of the state. Phoenix itself added about 19,000 residents, but only enough to post a 1.2% year-over-year increase. Mesa and Chander grew at 1.1% annually, with Scottsdale at 0.7% and land-locked Tempe pretty much were it was a year earlier. At the other end of the area, Glendale added just under 1,900 residents, a 0.7% increase. But nearby Peoria stretching much further out and with room to grow managed to post a 1.9% growth rate, increasing to 3.8% for even farther out Surprise. Elsewhere around the state, Prescott Valley continues to grow more rapidly than Prescott, at 2.1% versus 1.8%. But even those were outstripped by a 3.1% population increase in Clarkdale and 2.4% in Chino Valley, though Cottonwood grew by just 1.1% Sedona posted a 1.0% growth rate. But because the state keeps its figures by county, the bisected community shows a marked difference between the Coconino side which posted a 2.3% increase versus less than 0.6% in the Yavapai County side. The story for rural communities was a mixed bag. Some 851 new residents of Kingman this past year were enough to boost its population by 2.6%. Safford also grew at a 1.7% rate. And Yuma, at 1.6%, also beat the statewide average, though just barely. But Lake Havasu City's additional 643 people computed out to just 1.1%. The population of Nogales grew by just 0.7%. And Flagstaff actually lost 345 residents, translating to a 0.4% loss. County population changes County / 2021 population / Change since 2020 / Change since 2011 Apache / 66,411 / 0.5% / (-6.7%) Cochise / 126,463 / 0.6% / (-2.6%) Coconino / 147,434 / 1.2% / 10.0% Gila / 53,525 / 0.4% / 0.4%% Graham / 39,025 / 1.0% / 3.5% Greenlee / 9,593 / 0.3% / 15.8% La Paz / 16,820 / 1.4% / (-15.7%) Maricopa / 4,507,419 / 1.6% / 17.3% Mohave / 216,527 / 1.2% / 8.4% Navajo / 107,748 / 0.9% / 1.2% Pima / 1,058,318 / 1.2% / 7.4% Pinal / 439,128 / 2.5% / 15.6% Santa Cruz / 48,468 / 1.4% / 2.3% Yavapai / 241,173 / 1.7% / 14.1% Yuma / 207,318 / 1.3% / 5.2% Statewide / 7,825,370 / 1.5% / 13.4% Source: Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity Population changes in Arizona Community / 2021 population / Change since 2020 / Change since 2011 Apache Junction / 39,009 / 1.1% / 8.0% Avondale / 90,755 / 1.4% / 17.7% Benson / 5,365 / 0.1% / 4.9% Bisbee / 4,968 / 0.9% / (-8.4%) Buckeye / 101,987 / 8.9% / 93.5% Bullhead City / 42,027 / 1.4% / 6.8% Camp Verde / 12,216 / 0.6% / 11.3% Carefree / 3,708 / 0.4% / 10.2% Casa Grande / 56,242 / 4.2% / 14.4% Cave Creek / 5,021 / 2.0% / 1.6% Chandler / 280,189 / 1.1% / 17.8% Chino Valley / 13,429 / 2.4% / 23.2% Clarkdale / 4,563 / 3.1% / 12.1% Clifton / 3,909 / (-0.5%) / 21.6% Colorado City / 2,507 / 1.2% / (-43.1%) Coolidge / 14,291 / 7.1% / 19.3% Cottonwood / 12,185 / 1.1% / 9.0% Dewey-Humbolt / 4,440 / 1.6% / 13.7% Douglas / 16,302 / (-1.4%) / (-4.5%) Duncan / 692 / (-0.3%) / 0.5% Eagar / 4,474 / 1.5 / (-7.4%) El Mirage / 36,101 / 0.5% / 12.7% Eloy / 16,485 / 5.3% / (-2.7%) Flagstaff / 76,960 / (-0.4%) / 16.3% Florence / 25,250 / (-6.2%) / (-5.9%) Fountain Hills / 23,906 / 0.2% / 6.3% Fredonia / 1,374 / 3.9% / 5.2% Gila Bend / 1,893 / 0.1% / (-0.9%) Gilbert / 273,796 / 1.9% / 29.1% Glendale / 250,585 / 0.8% / 9.9% Globe / 7,161 / (-1.2%) / (-4.1%) Goodyear / 101,662 / 5.0% / 51.8% Guadalupe / 5,329 / 0.1% / (-6.2%) Hayden / 512 / 0.0% / (-19.9%) Huachuca City / 1,626 / 0.0% / (-9.9%) Holbrook / 4,877 / 0.4% / (-1.7%) Jerome / 467 / 0.6% / 5.0% Kearny / 1,741 / 0.0% / (-9.1%) Kingman / 33,716 / 2.6% / 19.8% Lake Havasu City / 57,974 / 1.1% / 10.6% Litchfield Park / 6,9,57 / 1.1% / 25.8% Mammoth / 1,079 / 0.3% / (-21.7%) Marana / 55,174 / 4.8% / 53.4% Maricopa / 61,109 / 4.2% / 38.2% Mesa / 510,792 / 1.1% / 15.5% Miami / 1,539 / 0.0% / (-14.1%) Nogales / 19,921 / 0.7% / (-3.6%) Oro Valley / 48,222 / 2.1% / 16.9% Page / 7,618 / 2.4% / 3.6% Paradise Valley / 12,707 / 0.3% / (-0.5%) Parker / 3,431 / 0.1% / 10.1% Patagonia / 807 / 0.4% / (-10.2%) Payson / 16,502 / 0.7% / 7.8% Peoria / 195,585 / 1.9% / 25.1% Phoenix / 1,630,195 / 1.2% / 12.2% Pima / 2,921 / 2.3% / 19.1% Pinetop-Lakeside / 4,044 / 0.3% / (-3.8%) Prescott / 46,826 / 1.8% / 16.7% Prescott Valley / 47,998 / 2.1% / 23.9% Quartzsite / 2,417 / 0.1% / (-31.1%) Queen Creek / 66,275 / 9.0% / 144.8% Safford / 10,324 / 1.7% / 6.3% Sahuarita / 35,588 / 3.5% / 37.6% St. Johns / 3,434 / 0.5% / (-1.5%) San Luis / 36,081 / 1.4% / 19.5% Scottsdale / 243,528 / 0.7% / 12.0%% Sedona / 9,784 / 1.0% / (-5.7%) Show Low / 11,966 / 1.6% / 11.9% Sierra Vista / 45,851 / 0.9% / 1.6% Snowflake / 6,266 / 2.5% / 12.8% Somerton / 14,477 / 1.7% / 3.0% South Tucson / 4,603 / (-0.3%) (-16.4%) Springerville / 1,724 / 0.4% / (-10.8%) Star Valley / 2,526 / 1.5% / 9.1% Superior / 2,415 / 0.2% / (-12.9%) Surprise / 149,710 / 3.8% / 26.1% Taylor / 4,065 / 1.7% / 0.6% Tempe / 181,548 / 0.8% / 12.3% Thatcher / 5,332 / 1.4% / 8.0% Tolleson / 7,309 / 0.6% / 11.4% Tucson / 546,061 / 0.5% / 4.6% Tusayan / 614 / 1.8% / 10.7% Tombstone / 1,313 / 0.2% / (-3.0%) Wellton / 2,482 / 3.8% / (-11.5%) Wickenburg / 7,715 / 2.6% / 21.7% Willcox / 3,229 / 0.5% / (-11.1%) Williams / 3,384 / 4.9% / 13.4% Winkelman / 294 / 0.0% / (-14.3%) Winslow / 9,019 / 0.2% / (5.0%) Youngtown / 7,060 / 0.1% / 13.5% Yuma / 97,883 / 1.6% / 8.0% Source: Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. More than 14 million people are under winter storm watches and warnings, as a strong winter storm works its way across the eastern US. The federal government in Washington, DC is closed Monday, and weather-related disruptions are being felt across the country. Several schools have canceled classes, and the New York City Emergency Management Department issued a travel advisory for Monday morning. Snowfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are possible across the southern Appalachians, and areas of the Mid-Atlantic could see snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches through Monday. In addition, winter weather alerts are in place across interior portions of New England. Meanwhile, severe storms and flooding rains are forecast for a stretch of the Southeast, where coastal flooding coupled with high tide could cause problems, and weather watches and warnings are spread from Texas to Maine along the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic seaboard, as well as in the Pacific Northwest. The winter weather, coupled with disruptions from Covid-19, has also caused a headache for air travel. More than 2,700 flights in the US were canceled Sunday. More than 1,700 have already been canceled for Monday, and at least 500 more delayed, according to the tracking service FlightAware. Here's a look at the latest developments. Northeast New York City began salting streets Sunday evening in anticipation of 1 to 3 inches of snow during the morning commute, mayor Eric Adams said. Temperatures tumbled into the 20s overnight which could lead to icing, NYC Emergency Management First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell added. For those who are traveling, "move at a slower pace" and "don't rush" Adams said. "We are ready to meet the storm head on," Adams said. In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for five counties in preparation of the storm, which is expected to bring heavy snow, wind gusts, and coastal flooding in southern parts of the state. New Jersey State Trooper Colonel Pat Callahan said the 4 to 8 inches predicted across the south "offers us some concern, that's why we don't take it lightly and want to make sure everybody's prepared." State officers will have a delayed opening until 10 a.m., Murphy said. Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Washington, DC, is under a winter storm warning until mid-afternoon. A heavy, wet snow is expected with accumulations of 3 to 7 inches, along with wind gusts up to 35 mph. Hazardous travel conditions are expected for both the morning and evening commutes, and schools are closed in Washington and Baltimore. Portions of North Carolina could see severe storms, heavy rain, significant snowfall, gusty winds, and coastal flooding. Gov. Roy Cooper urged residents to stay aware of the local weather forecast and prepare for the conditions expected in the area. "It's important to stay informed of changing weather conditions, and to have a way to receive weather alerts," said Cooper. "A little preparation before severe or winter weather arrives can help avoid inconveniences and emergencies later." Meanwhile, parts of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee had winter storm warnings overnight, many of which will extend through midday. Up to 5 inches of snow are possible in higher elevations. The National Weather Service noted "although the ground is relatively warm because of the recent warm temperatures, the snow is expected to fall at high rates and accumulate even on roads." The snow should taper off from the west Monday. Slippery roads and black ice conditions could persist or redevelop well into Tuesday morning. The severe weather is causing disruptions to the electric grid in the Southeast. More than 265,000 customers in Tennessee, Georgia, North and South Carolina are without power, according to PowerOutage.US. Portions of Western Kentucky have been dealing with flooding as streams continue to rise due to excess rainfall runoff, according to the weather service. "It will take several hours for all the water from these storms to work through local drainage systems in urban areas," the warning said. Between 2 and 4.5 inches of rain have fallen. On Saturday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency due to severe rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and strong winds across the state, all in the wake of tornadoes earlier in the week. Northwest In the Pacific Northwest, a new system will bring heavy snow and travel hazards to higher elevations through Monday. "A slow-moving cold front will produce 1-2 feet of snow for the northern Cascades and Olympic Mountains on Sunday before shifting focus to the southern Cascades on Monday, where 2-4 feet is likely," the weather service said. The system will also bring heavy rainfall to the coasts and valley regions where isolated areas could be at risk for flash flooding. Strong winds were also forecast across the region and high wind alerts were issued. "These strong winds may cause significant blowing snow from dry powdery snow that is currently on the ground. This may result in significant reductions in visibility ... especially over mountain passes and open terrain," the weather service warned. This reduced visibility will certainly lead to hazardous travel across the region to start the week. Midwest Weather remains relatively calm in the Midwest, but temperatures have been bitterly cold, with some areas of Minnesota and the Dakotas not seeing temperatures above zero since Friday. The forecast calls for gradual warming and a chance of snow midweek, before temperatures drop again. CNN's Haley Brink and Allison Chinchar contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. NOGALES U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Mariposa Port of Entry recently discovered 7 pounds of cocaine wrapped in lead and hidden in a rustic wooden tabletop. The ploy was no surprise. Arizona accounts for more than 9% of drugs that cross the land border into the U.S. from Mexico each year. Agent Kevin Hecht has been on the job for more than 20 years, and for the past decade, he has used technology to stem the flow of illicit drugs from Mexico. His tools include integrated fixed towers; ground sensors; unmanned surveillance systems, which are similar to drones; X-ray systems; K-9 officers; and robots. Agents duties include clearing drug tunnels, but robots the one Hecht uses weighs 80 pounds often can inspect tunnels and drainage pipes to give a first look at whats happening before an agent is sent in if at all. Anytime we can send a robot in a tunnel instead of an agent, thats ideal, especially when its sewage and dirt and nasty, spiders, whatever, Hecht said, noting that robots first clear the area for safety and check for harmful gases. Is there people in there? Is there drugs in there, or guns in there whats going on? Technology, he said, is a huge enhancement for the field, so its more a force multiplier. Thats a good thing considering the amount of drugs that enter the U.S. through the Tucson Sector, which stretches 262 border miles from the New Mexico state line to the Yuma County line. In September, according to the University of Arizona, more than 300,000 pedestrians and 630,000 vehicles crossed the border in the Tucson Sector, which includes the Mariposa Port of Entry. But people arent all thats crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. According to CBP data, at least 9.2% of drugs coming over the 1,900-mile land border with Mexico during fiscal year 2021 came through Arizona. During fiscal year 2021, 877 pounds of cocaine were seized at the Arizona-Mexico border, and in October the start of fiscal year 2022 526 pounds were seized, according to CBP. Although technology does some of the dirty work of stemming the flow, agents say Mexican cartels are staying steps ahead of them. Theyre getting a little bit more sneaky on what theyre doing just to counter what were doing, Hecht said. Alan Regalado, a Border Patrol agent for just more than 10 years, said cartels are changing their routes. Obviously nowadays, were seeing a lot more of the hard narcotics being smuggled through the desert, where the old marijuana routes were, Regalado said. Now theyre using it to transport hard narcotics, so were able to respond to all of that in a timely manner. And since fiscal year 2017, CBP has received more than $743 million to improve technology at the border. However, a February report showed much of those funds have not yet been spent. For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. COVID schadenfreude Re: the Dec. 24 article "As much as he would like, Biden is no FDR." I disagree with Megan McArdle's op-ed about how people who chose vaccination feel about anti-vaxxed when they get COVID and/or die. Her take is that we wish them ill, or are satisfied when they get their comeuppance, so to speak. But, there is not any joy to be found in other people's misfortunes, which has a particular word: schadenfreude. We cannot predict consequences of some things with certainty, but the vaccine has been offered to everyone, free of charge for more than eight months and an estimated 1 million lives have been saved. Now anti-vaxxers feel discrimination for their decisions about the vaccine and masking that are contrary to the public-health advice. I find it especially egregious to see their pride in their choice because it endangers us all by keeping COVID variants going and making it unsafe for everyone. So, anti-vaxxers, I feel like you own your choice and the consequences suffered by us all. And, that is a tough nut to crack. Mary Andersen East side Reading the news Are we raising a population that cant read? Have you noticed how many internet news and stories are video content only? Besides eating up a lot of cellphone and computer data to get the story, I think we are deliberately dumbing down our internet users. Facebook and others try to use default settings that automatically play the video, whether I am ready to listen or not. I occasionally like to read news or other stories during a down time at work. I find it difficult to listen to a video and be able to get back into work quickly. These settings take away the power of choice and highlight the sixth grade reading level only. Paula Marshall Southeast side There is no Planet B Re: the Dec. 22 article "Local telescope team waits for Webb to fly." If we assume that there is finite intelligence in the world today, why do we spend so much of it on activities that do not help humanity or the planet on which we live? This article was a story of a telescope heading to space. How much brain power was used to develop the observatory that will travel a million miles to provide a better understanding of our universe Or in another instance, build a spacecraft that will travel millions of miles to reach another planet, roam around, take pictures and collect several rocks. These are incredible accomplishments! But how do either of these huge costs in resources and intelligence help us? We all know we have huge problems facing the world: climate change, homelessness and malnutrition, to name a few. Lets stop spending the time of our best and brightest scientists on activities that do not impact the critical issues we face. Save Earth and its people, there is no Planet B. Edward Weil Northwest side Athletes and high-fives College and professional athletes, please stop the hugging and high-fives for a while. It is risky enough to be panting and sweating in each other's space during a game, and taking your necessary teeth guards in and out of the mouth. Don't add to the spreading COVID-19 danger by engaging in these unessential hugging/high-five gestures. Thank you for listening. Ron Rude West side Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: No matter where they are in the election cycle, Democrats and Republicans always have a frontrunner in the race for president. The next one up, as they say. Anyone else running for president has to dispatch the next one up if they hope to win their partys nomination. Joe Manchin and Liz Cheney are uniquely positioned to do so. Rep. Cheney is the spearhead of the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 riots. She seems determined to hunt down the former president and bring him to justice. Sen. Manchin is a giant mote in Joe Bidens eye the one vote he craves but cannot get. Without effort, Manchin and Cheney command the news cycles. Mountains of hatred have fallen like an avalanche upon them, but that only serves to make them look tough and independent. It certainly doesnt scare them. More importantly, both Cheney and Manchin believe their political party and their floundering country desperately need them. They are not messing around or grandstanding. They have made it clear that for them the days of Donald Trump and big-spending liberals are over, and the country may indeed realize that they are right. For now, the two frontrunners for the Republican and Democratic nominations for president in 2024 are one-term presidents who are old and vastly unpopular. Biden is still in his first term, but a first-term president never stops running for that elusive second term. Donald Trump is so fond of running for president that he doesnt think the 2020 election is over. Neither man has ever had decent approval ratings, only briefly flirting with 50 percent, and theyre more likely to lurk around 43 percent. Both men were elected as protest candidates for people who hated the previous administrations. The COVID-19 pandemic dragged both presidents down and made them appear to be ineffective. Conservative commentator Candace Owens recently said in an Instagram video, People oftentimes forget that, like, how old Trump is. He comes from a generation Ive seen other people that are older have the exact same perspective. Like, they came from a time before TV, before the Internet, before being able to conduct their independent research. And everything that they read in a newspaper that was pitched to them, they believed that that was a reality. Ouch. And Trump is younger than Biden. Trump made it look easy to dispatch the next one up, Jeb Bush, during the 2016 presidential debates when he blithely stated Bushs brother was an idiot for lying to us into Iraq. Getting rid of Jeb Bush was like brushing lint off his lapel. The other dozen Republican candidates had all supported that unwise war, so Trump got rid of all of them with one swoop. He showed how easily it can be done. Voters have long memories of what went right and what went wrong. They also like truthsayers in politics no matter how rare they are. In an era when the number of non-affiliated voters is growing and has surpassed a third in some states, these middle-aged rebels, Cheney and Manchin, are already getting all the attention. Getting a majority of votes is not too far behind. How many Democrats would change their registration to vote for Liz Cheney against Donald Trump in a Republican primary? How many Republicans would consider Joe Manchin the most reasonable Democrat in the country and worthy of a vote? After all, hes single-handedly trying to bring back the conservative wing of the Democratic Party. With all the attention he gets, Manchin makes the progressive wing look like an anachronism. Manchin and Cheney are vivid alternatives to the devalued status quo in the Democratic and Republican parties. If theyre not running for president, they should be. Vornholt is a bestselling novelist and playwright. He and his family have been residents of Tucson for 30 years. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) today reported the first influenza-associated death in Tulsa County for the 2021-2022 flu season. According to OSDH, there have been 238 influenza-associated hospitalizations and three influenza deaths statewide since September 1, 2021. Fifty-five of those hospitalizations occurred among Tulsa County residents. As the flu season continues along with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tulsa Health Department encourages all individuals six months and older to get a flu vaccination. The best prevention against the flu is to receive the vaccine. The flu vaccine can keep you from getting the flu, make the illness less severe if you do get it and keep you from spreading the virus to family and other people. Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during this season to protect yourself, your family and your community from the flu, said Tulsa Health Department Clinical Services Manager, Ellen Niemitalo. A flu vaccine can lessen the severity of symptoms if you do become infected, which will also decrease the risk for hospitalization and death. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients. Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis. Flu and COVID-19 share many similar symptoms. However, there are some key differences between the two. This table compares COVID-19 and flu, given the best available information to date from the CDC. In addition to a seasonal flu vaccine, the Tulsa Health Department encourages all residents age five and older to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Residents who are fully vaccinated and at least 18 years old should receive a COVID-19 booster shot per CDC guidelines. Booster shots are also approved for teens age 16-17 years old. Residents can receive a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same visit. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, and possible side effects after getting vaccinated are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines. The flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine are available at the following Tulsa Health Department locations. Call 918-582-9355 to make an appointment or request an appointment online. Masks are required to be worn in clinical areas by everyone 2 years and older. James O. Goodwin Health Center 5051 S. 129 E. Ave., Tulsa, OK Central Regional Health Center 315 S. Utica, Tulsa, OK Children through age 18 years are eligible to receive vaccines at no charge through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program if any of the following apply: they are uninsured, Medicaid eligible, Native American Indian, Native Alaskan, or their insurance policy does not cover vaccines. The Tulsa Health Department currently accepts Cigna, Community Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Choice, Medicare and SoonerCare Medicaid for immunizations. Coverage can vary among different insurance plans. Please bring your insurance card and photo ID with you. It is always advisable to check with your insurance provider for coverage specifics before receiving immunizations, as you may be responsible for charges that are not covered by your insurance policy. Please visit http://www.tulsa-health.org/flu for more information about the flu, including flu vaccination clinic locations and hours of operation. THD is also offering a Tulsa County specific report based on OSDHs weekly report found here: http://bit.ly/THDfludata. For information about all other Oklahoma counties flu programs, visit Oklahoma State Department of Healths website at https://www.ok.gov/health/. Many Oklahomans think of elections as something that happens in November. In truth, they happen all year long, a matter likely to be of particular significance in 2022. With Republicans in firm control of state government and Oklahomas congressional delegation, and complaints about COVID-related measures and school curricula on high volume, conservatives have set their sights on school boards and city and town councils. All across the nation and in Oklahoma we plan on taking school board seats, we plan on taking city council seats. said Tulsa County Republican Party Chairwoman Ronda Vuillemont-Smith. That, in turn, has ignited a response from Democrats and some independents. Although the Democratic Party is down statewide, it has had some success in Tulsa. Because absentee ballots in Tulsa County are tabulated in one lump sum instead of by precinct, exact counts for the city itself are not possible, but a recent estimate using a formula that assigns absentees proportionately indicates Democrat Joe Biden likely carried Tulsa in 2020 by more than 5 percentage points. Were aware the Republican Party in Oklahoma, and in other states as well, is really trying to target more of these local elections, said Tulsa County Democratic Party Chairwoman Amanda Swope. When it comes to some of these local races, we dont want to go into them overconfident. Officially, school board and Tulsa City Council elections are nonpartisan, but nothing prevents parties from recruiting candidates or getting involved in campaigns. Vuillemont-Smith said the local GOP believes it can pick up two Tulsa Board of Education and three Tulsa City Council seats in 2022. The city council elections dont begin until summer, but the first round of school board voting is Feb. 8, with early voting actually beginning on Feb. 3. The deadline to register to vote in those elections is Jan. 14. The New York Times highlighted the growing focus on national elections in a recent story on Enid, where an attempt last year to pass a citywide mask mandate led to the defeat and even alienation of several city council members and a turnover on the school board. Swope, the Tulsa County Democratic Party chairwoman, said her party is knocking doors and otherwise assisting some school board candidates, including at least one registered independent. One thing on which Swope and Vuillement-Smith agreed is that keeping voters focused on local issues can be challenging. We dont have to bring (President) Joe Biden into it, Swope said. When we get on the doorstep, typically thats what people want to talk about. But thats not why were there. Were there to talk about local issues. Vuillemont-Smith said changes in the way people access news often leaves them unaware of local issues. Anywhere they go, they have cable news on, she said. Thats going to be national. (People) are not really paying attention to whats going on here because the national images are so in your face. Those images are likely to be a factor in legislative and statewide races, which officially begin with the April 13-15 filing period, followed by party primaries June 28. Arguably, the Republican primaries are more important than the November general election because they decide the direction of the states dominant party. Swope said shes hearing from more and more people who generally vote Democrat in November but have or are contemplating registering as Republicans so they can have more say in state politics. There do seem to be a lot of people driven by whats going on in Oklahoma (government), she said. People that I know to be progressive are discussing strategies on whether or not its best to register with the Republican Party in order to vote in their primary to keep some of the more extreme candidates from that side from moving forward (to the general election. Republican primaries of note are shaping up for attorney general, state superintendent and possibly U.S. Senate. At this point, the only statewide general election race that looks like it could be competitive is for governor, where incumbent Republican Kevin Stitt and current state school Superintendent Joy Hofmeister would meet if they both get through their respective primaries. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. With its hunting and fishing compact with the state of Oklahoma set to expire on Friday, the Choctaw Nation is asserting its treaty rights to allow its citizens to hunt and fish within its reservation boundaries. At a special meeting Thursday morning in Tuskahoma, the Choctaw Nations Tribal Council voted unanimously to amend the tribes fish, game and wildlife code to allow Choctaw citizens to use their tribal identification cards in lieu of state-issued hunting or fishing licenses within the Choctaw Nations reservation. Along with the Cherokee Nation, the Choctaw Nation signed a hunting and fishing license compact with the state in 2016. Under its terms, each tribe bought licenses in bulk at a discounted rate that were then distributed to their citizens for free. According to figures published by the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, the Cherokee Nations compact generated $32 million for the state, while the Choctaw Nations compact generated $6 million. However, the two tribes and the state were not able to agree on renewal terms, prompting Thursdays vote. Principal Chief Gary Batton signed the bill Thursday, and the new measure went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Weve always had a good relationship with the state with respect to hunting and fishing, but were exercising our God-given right as Choctaw people, Tribal Council Speaker Thomas Williston said. I feel it is a sad state of affairs nowadays that we have had to go to extremes such as this. As approved, the measure only applies to Choctaw Nation citizens who hunt or fish within the reservation boundaries, which covers almost 11,000 square miles in southeastern Oklahoma. Those citizens will be required to complete a hunter safety course and register any kills via an online portal before taking the animals to a processor or taxidermist. Bag limits will still apply under the terms of the tribes legal code, and federal guidelines will still be in place for duck stamps. Additionally, hunting and fishing are still prohibited on private property without the owners permission. Nontribal citizens will still be required to have a valid state-issued license to hunt or fish within the reservation. Choctaw Nation officials noted during the meeting that the tribe has a positive working relationship with area game wardens. However, Batton said the tribe is prepared to defend any Choctaw Nation citizen facing attempted prosecution through the state court system for hunting or fishing on the reservation without a state-issued license. We will use our tribal lawyers to defend that, because I think they (tribal citizens) should have that right, the chief said. The Choctaw Nation has about 10,000 enrolled citizens. Its reservation includes all of Atoka, Choctaw, Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, McCurtain, Pittsburg and Pushmataha counties, plus portions of Bryan, Coal, Hughes, Johnston and Pontotoc counties. A spokeswoman for Gov. Kevin Stitt declined to comment Thursday afternoon. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed an executive order on Dec. 21 with terms similar to those approved Thursday morning by the Choctaw Nation Tribal Council. Featured video: Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Officials guiding Tar Creek-area restoration efforts are seeking public input on a draft plan and environmental assessment that proposes almost $8 million in projects. The Tar Creek Trustee Council completed the draft in November and is inviting public comment through Jan. 10. The 84-page document took shape from ideas submitted previously by the public, officials said. This is an opportunity for the public to learn about the first round of projects the Tar Creek Trustee Council plans to restore injured resources in the Tar Creek area, said Jay Wright, environmental programs manager for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. The Council will be asking the public for additional ideas in the future. Among projects proposed are restoration work at the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge and Neosho River Bottoms, along with creek bank stabilizations and creation of a pilot apprenticeship program focused on restoring natural resources and tribal services. Total cost for the projects is projected at $7,992,334. Under federal restitution guidelines, the council has at least $34 million available in cash settlements from cases dating back to 1995 and 2009. The funds are to be used for a combination of on-site and off-site restoration actions to restore, replace, rehabilitate, and/or acquire the equivalent of natural resources and their associated services, the restoration plan states. The council, which includes representatives of federal and state agencies and affected Indian tribes, was established under federal law to guide public compensation in connection with the Northeast Oklahoma Mining Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Site. The site is a portion of the 2,500-square-mile Tri-State Mining District, which includes portions of Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Lead and zinc mining began in the district around 1848 and continued until the 1970s, leaving widespread contamination, including at Tar Creek and three other Superfund sites. The councils job is to assess damages, recover monetary and other damages and make restorations. The draft may be accessed online at tinyurl.com/2ds4ttkj. Copies are also available for review in person at the Bureau of Indian Affairs office, 10 S. Treaty Road in Miami. Deadline for comments is Jan. 10, 2022. Comments may be submitted by email to TarCreekNRDAR@fws.gov. For information on the site or the Tar Creek Trustee Council, contact Susan Mensik with DEQ at 405-702-1000 or susan.mensik@deq.ok.gov. <&rule> Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. China's services industry a new magnet for foreign investment Xinhua) 09:24, January 03, 2022 A visitor experiences intelligent driving during the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijng, capital of China, on Sept. 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, topped the 1-trillion-yuan (156.85 billion U.S. dollars) mark in the first 11 months of 2021, surpassing the whole-year FDI in 2020 and affirming China's continued dominance as the top investment destination globally. Notably, FDI into the services industry accounted for about 80 percent of total investment in the first 11 months, maintaining robust growth momentum. China has been accelerating the opening-up of its financial sector, removing foreign ownership caps on sectors like securities, fund management, futures, and life insurance companies in 2020, and further widening access to the services sector in pilot free trade zones this week. More foreign-funded companies have settled in China this year. So far, more than one-third of the nearly 1,700 licensed financial firms in Shanghai are foreign-invested, and the number continues to grow. In 2005, services occupied just 24.7 percent of China's total FDI. That increased to over 50 percent in 2011 and 77.7 percent in 2020, making services the top choice for foreign investors. The services industry becoming the mainstay in attracting foreign investment conforms to the characteristics of China's current economic development, said Wang Xiaohong, deputy head of the information department of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. In 2015, the services industry for the first time occupied 50.5 percent of China's gross domestic product. Under the impact of COVID-19, services contributed 54.2 percent of China's economic growth in the first three quarters of 2021, becoming a vital force to maintain the economy's steady progress. Although the expanding flow of foreign investment into the services sector is impressive, analysts say that the manufacturing sector, a traditional gold mine for overseas investors, is by no means shrinking. It may seem as though foreign investment is flowing more into services and less into manufacturing, but foreign investors are placing more attention on research and development (R&D), said Fang Aiqing, deputy director of the economic committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee. In the first 11 months of 2021, the high-tech services sector saw its FDI inflow jump 20.8 percent, covering manufacturing-related industries such as legal, consulting, human resources and intellectual property services. U.S. chemical giant Dow has established an innovation center in Shanghai, and it is the company's largest R&D center outside the United States. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding to build a new manufacturing hub in Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, where it will initially invest 250 million U.S. dollars. "In the longer term, we foresee that the transformation of China into a low-carbon society will accelerate and provide Dow with opportunities to use our local capability and world-leading innovation to invest more," said Jon Penrice, president of Dow Asia Pacific. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji) Read what is in the news today: COVID-19 Updates -- Daily COVID-19 cases in Hanoi climbed to 2,045 on Sunday, a record high in the capital city since the start of the pandemic. -- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered the Ministry of Health to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11. Society -- Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City handled between 20,000 and 30,000 passengers per day during the recent New Year holiday, according to the airport administration. -- Traffic accidents killed 27 people and injured 25 others across Vietnam in the first two days of 2022. -- Some 50,000 tourists from neighboring provinces flocked to the popular beach city of Vung Tau in southern Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province in the first two days of 2022. -- Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, an Englishman of Vietnamese origin who is also Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, has received a Knighthood from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the fight against COVID-19. -- The government has adopted a vocational training strategy for the 2021-30 period, with a vision to 2045, to raise the rate of manpower with diplomas or certificates to 30 percent over the next five years and 35-40 percent by 2030. Lifestyle -- The Hanoi administration has decided to put on a fireworks display at only one venue to welcome the 2022 Lunar New Year on the evening of January 31. Business -- A freight train departed from southern Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region early Saturday for Vietnam, a member country of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, after the pact came into force on the same day, according Xinhua news agency. World news -- At least 22 people were injured in a 5.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the county of Ninglang in southwest Chinas Yunnan Province on Sunday, Xinhua cited local authorities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! As soon as learning that his fiancee had tortured his eight-year-old daughter to death at home in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Trung Kim Thai removed all related images from the family camera to eliminate criminal traces, but police have recovered them to clarify what actually happened in this striking case in Vietnam. Police of the citys Binh Thanh District on Saturday said they had coordinated with functional agencies to restore all the videos deleted from the camera system in the apartment where the ill-fated little girl, N.T.V.A., was tortured to death by her stepmom, 26-year-old Nguyen Vo Quynh Trang on December 22, 2021. Trang had lived with A. and the girls father, 36-year-old Thai, at the apartment in Binh Thanh since May 2020, a month after the man divorced his wife. The recovered footage, which Thai had deleted after hearing Trang narrate her assaulting A., has not only provided further proof for her crime, but also showed how much he had been involved in the case, investigators said. A day after committing the crime, Trang was arrested and prosecuted on charges of torturing others, following a hospital report on the unusual death of A., who had been taken to the hospital on the previous evening in a coma, accompanied by a cardiac arrest and apnea. Doctors confirmed that the girl had died before her hospitalization. Police have collected relevant proof from the apartment while Trangs neighbors reported they had heard A.s screams from there on the afternoon of December 22. As shown in the recovered videos, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm that day, she used a long wooden stick to hit the little girl many times in the buttocks, back, head, forehead, and chest. She fiercely kicked the girl in different areas over the body with her feet. Such barbarous acts caused the girl to be entirely exhausted and die later, investigators concluded. Thai was detained eight days later on suspicion of maltreatment or abuse of ones grandparent, parent, spouse, child, grandchild, or caregiver, as prescribed by the Vietnamese Penal Code. He told police officers that Trang sometimes beat and yelled at A. while they were living together at the apartment in Binh Thanh. His fiancee committed such acts more often since October 2020, when A. shifted to online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Thai had Trang tutor the little girl in the flat. Trang had since repeatedly cursed at A. and brutally beat the girl with hands and feet, wooden trees, iron trees, plastic pipes, rattan whips, and others, the man said. He admitted he had also beaten her daughter several times. As seen in the footage, Thai applied ointment on A. after she was assaulted by Trang but took no action against the woman's brutalization. Thai told investigators that he did not witness Trang beating his daughter on December 22, the date of A.s death, but he saw A. faint when he came home from work that day. The man said he applied first aid on the girl but she remained unrecovered, so he took her to the hospital. Before Thais arrest, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Childrens Rights issued a document to local police demanding that Thai be prosecuted for not protecting his daughter from domestic violence. The man even covered up his de facto wifes violent acts by saying to others that they were just aimed at educating his daughter. On December 11, 2021, Thai took A. to hospital for stiches over a head wound caused by Trang, but he falsely told doctors that she had been injured due to a fall." Thais cover-up had facilitated Trangs continued brutalization that led to the tragic death of the girl, the association concluded. When asked why he removed the footage related to Trangs crime, Thai said he did not want the accident that had happened and taken away one of his beloved ones to affect another relative of his as well, investigators said. A police officer of Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City is seen speaking about the case at a meeting on December 31, 2021. Photo: Son Binh / Tuoi Tre As seen in the recovered videos, Thai frequently witnessed Trang torturing his daughter but he did not prevent the brutalization. He had not only acted as Trang's accomplice but his behaviors had also constituted the offense of concealment of crime, according to investigators. They emphasized that Trangs barbarous assaults, as seen in the footage, can constitute the crime of intentionally causing injury or even murder. The Vietnam Association for the Protection of Childrens Rights has requested that the offense of torturing others determined for Trang be revised appropriately since such a charge is much lighter than the crime the woman had committed. One day before Thais arrest, Nguyen Thi Hanh and Nguyen Quang Vinh, the mother and the uncle of A., filed a petition to the city's public security department and the Peoples Procuracy requesting that Thai be criminally prosecuted for his cover-up of Trangs crime that resulted in the death of the girl. On December 30, 2021, ERA Vietnam, a Ho Chi Minh City-based real estate brokerage firm, issued a press release stating that Thai had worked there since May 2021 but the company had terminated the labor contract with him two days earlier after knowing about Thai's involvement in the fatality. The firm sent condolences to the family and relatives of the girl. In addition, ERA Vietnam confirmed that Trang was recommended as a potential employee to the company by Thai in April 2021, but she failed to pass her two-month probation. That means Trang has never been a part of ERA Vietnam, the release said. Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has recently directed local police and authorities to strictly handle this serious case, without missing any related offenders. The case has drawn attention from UNICEF Vietnam, whose representative Rana Flowers last Wednesday released a statement to express its deep sadness and concern over the recent violent death of a young girl at the hands of someone who she should have been able to trust, to protect her [sic]. Flowers emphasized that a strengthened protection system for women and children is urgently needed in Vietnam. Such a system, the statement read, should consist of qualified professional social workers who can respond to the needs of children and women, should also include training for law enforcement and legal officials, such as judges, and should be centered on a zero-tolerance attitude toward violence. On Sunday, Binh Thanh District's police transferred all records of the death of the girl to the Ho Chi Minh City Polices Investigation Police Agency for further investigation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Ministry of Health confirmed 15,936 coronavirus cases in Vietnam on Monday, along with 24,461 recoveries and 190 mortalities. The latest infections, including 20 imported and 15,916 domestic transmissions, were reported in 60 provinces and cities, the ministry said, adding that 11,017 patients caught the virus in the community. Hanoi documented 2,100 of the newest local cases, Hai Phong City 1,749, Tay Ninh Province 919, Vinh Long Province 842, Ca Mau Province 821, Khanh Hoa Province 786, Ho Chi Minh City 662, Bac Ninh Province 460, Thua Thien-Hue Province 321, Lam Dong Province 255, Ha Giang Province 236, Quang Ninh Province 189, Da Nang 159, Quang Nam Province 153, Can Tho City 140, Binh Thuan Province 126, Bac Giang Province 84, Binh Duong Province 75, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province 73, and Dong Nai Province 72. Vietnam had found 16,914 domestically-acquired infections on Sunday. The country has detected 1,773,170 community transmissions in all its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth virus wave erupted on April 27, 2021. A combined 1,394,340 of them have recovered from COVID-19. Ho Chi Minh City leads the tally with 504,859 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 290,996, Dong Nai Province with 98,132, Tay Ninh Province with 77,921, Hanoi with 51,933, Dong Thap Province with 44,858, Can Tho City with 41,576, Long An Province with 40,512, Khanh Hoa Province with 35,356, Tien Giang Province with 34,088, An Giang Province with 33,129, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 26,569, Binh Thuan Province with 26,259, and Da Nang with 11,738. Vietnam logged merely 1,570 locally-transmitted infections in total in the previous three waves. The health ministry announced 24,461 recovered patients on Monday, raising the total to 1,397,157. The toll has climbed to 33,021 fatalities after the ministry documented 190 deaths on the same day, including 31 in Ho Chi Minh City, 19 in An Giang Province, 14 in Dong Thap Province, 13 in Vinh Long Province, 13 in Can Tho City, 12 in Tay Ninh Province, and the remainder in 17 other provinces and cities. Vietnam has documented 1,778,976 patients since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the country in early 2020. Health workers have administered upwards of 153.5 million vaccine doses, including 594,568 shots on Sunday, since vaccination was rolled out nationwide on March 8 last year. Above 77.7 million of the countrys 98 million people have received at least one dose while more than 69.2 million have been jabbed twice. The number of third doses including additional primary shots for immunocompromised people, boosters, and third jabs of Cubas Abdala vaccine has increased to 6,514,484. Many provinces and cities are immunizing children aged 12-17 against COVID-19, using Pfizer-BioNTech shots. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Hanoi administration has decided to put on a fireworks display at only one venue to welcome the 2022 Lunar New Year on the evening of January 31. Fireworks will go off at Thong Nhat Park in the city center for 15 minutes, starting at 0:00 on February 1, according to a plan announced by the municipal Peoples Committee on Sunday. Funding for the show will be contributed by local businesses. This is the second year that city authorities have planned to organize the fireworks display to usher in the Lunar New Year at only one venue, instead of at several sites in all of its 30 districts and towns as they did before the onset of COVID-19. Hanoi canceled the New Year fireworks and countdown celebrations this year, the second year in a row, due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the municipal administration organized several celebrations online. In a recent directive, the Party Central Committees Secretariat requested localities take the actual situation of local COVID-19 outbreaks into consideration before organizing pyrotechnic displays to welcome New Year and Lunar New Year, to be celebrated in the last week of January and the first week of February. The COVID-19 outbreaks remain unpredictable in Hanoi as around 2,000 new cases are detected daily these days, including a record high of 2,045 on Sunday. Almost all inner districts have raised their COVID-19 alert levels and restricted events and public gatherings. The capital city has logged 49,833 infections since the fourth wave of the pandemic hit Vietnam on April 27, 2021. All adults in the city have been fully vaccinated, according to the national COVID-19 vaccination portal. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! 'The Voyage to Freedom,' the second abstract painting exhibition by William Pham, welcomed many art lovers in Ho Chi Minh City, professional collectors and business people from Japan, Germany and the U.S. wtih its unique concepts and colors. The event, which took place at Ngo Art Gallery in Thao Dien Ward in Thu Duc City from December 16-31, 2021, was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung, who is on a weeklong working trip in Ho Chi Minh City and some southern localities before presenting credentials to the Israeli president in April. The ambassador visited the gallery last weekend, where he and painter William Pham discussed art subjects that could convey messages on global issues, humanity, environmental protection, and peace. Painter William Pham (left) introduces 'Vu Khuc Nhan Ai,' the star of 'The Voyage to Freedom' exhibition, to Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung, December 31, 2021. Photo: Ngo Art Gallery Among many canvas paintings displayed, visitors focused on Vu Khuc Nhan Ai (The Dance in Mercy), which was selected for introduction at a ceremony honoring the title winner of the World Leader in AI World Society (AIWS) Award 2021 held in April last year under the framework of a series of events launched by the United Nations Centennial Initiative. Born in 1979, William Pham earned an MBA and a doctorate in the Netherlands and the UK. He used to work at the international relations department under the State Audit of Vietnam. Pham, who is passionate about contributions to artistic freedom, organized his first solo exhibition in 2020 in Ho Chi Minh City with 19 abstract artworks. The event was highly appreciated by numerous art critics, architects, artists, and diplomats. Here are some paintings showcased at 'The Voyage to Freedom' exhibition: Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many were surprised when James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, the 15-year-old boy accused of killing four classmates at Oxford High School in Oakland County, Michigan, were charged for their alleged role in the tragedy. Jennifer Crumbley, at left, and her husband, James, at far right, sit with their attorneys during a hearing. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images Criminal law, unlike civil law, is less likely to hold defendants liable for the actions of a third party, even if that third party is the defendants child. This is because in criminal law defendants face incarceration and the associated stigma that comes with a conviction. Both Crumbley parents have pleaded not guilty to four counts each of involuntary manslaughter. If convicted on all counts, they each face a maximum prison sentence of 60 years and maximum fines of US$30,000. Unable to make the combined $1 million bond, they appeared before a judge on Dec. 3, 2021, in prison uniforms and chains. In the rare instances that parents of school shooters are prosecuted, they are normally charged with crimes such as child abuse, child neglect and failure to properly secure a firearm. The charge lodged against the Crumbleys, involuntary manslaughter, also known as gross negligent homicide, is even more uncommon. But its not without precedent. A first graders death In 2000, Jamelle James, a Michigan resident, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter for leaving his handgun in a shoebox in his bedroom. At the time, James lived in an apartment prosecutors described as a flophouse that was shared with a number of people, including two young children. A 6-year-old boy James nephew was temporarily living in the apartment and discovered the gun, brought it to school and fatally shot his first grade classmate Kayla Rolland. James spent more than two years in prison before he was released on probation. Prosecutors claimed that James conduct was grossly negligent and so reckless as to demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury resulted. Arguably, leaving an unsecured gun around very young children demonstrated James gross negligence. The Oxford shootings were the deadliest at a U.S. K-12 campus since 2018 and claimed the lives of Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Justin Shilling, 17. Seven others were injured. Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald took direct aim at Crumbleys parents. Their behavior, McDonald explained, was egregious. I want to be really clear that these charges are meant to hold the individuals who contributed to this tragedy accountable and also send a message that gun owners have a responsibility, McDonald said during a news conference. When they fail to uphold that responsibility, there are serious and criminal consequences. One of the key questions for jurors, assuming no plea deal is reached, is whether the parents knew that a school shooting would occur or had reckless disregard of this fact. To prove the parents gross negligence, the prosecution will most likely rely on a series of alleged facts. Egregious behavior Among the most central facts is that the Crumbleys bought their son the handgun as a Christmas present and later took him to target practice. Neither parent informed the school that they had bought the gun and that their son had access to it. After being told that her son was searching for ammo on his phone at school, Jennifer Crumbley told her son via text message not to get caught: LOL Im not mad. You have to learn not to get caught. Neither of the parents opted to remove their son from school after being told that a teacher found a disturbing drawing of a bloody figure in his desk. Finally, the gun was unsecured. Though the prosecutions case appears compelling, the Crumbleys defense team has some very strong counterarguments. For starters, the weapon was legal to own, and Michigan has no law requiring the gun to be properly stored away from juveniles. As for informing the school about their sons access to weapons, the defense will likely argue that the Crumbleys had no duty to do so, nor were they required to pull their son from school. Finally, with regards to the text, Jennifer Crumbley will most likely claim that her text about the ammo was sent jokingly and she thought her son planned to shoot at targets, not other children. Changing the laws In the James case, the 6-year-old who shot his classmate was never charged with a crime because most jurisdictions hold that children under the age of 7 are unable to formulate criminal intent. The same cannot be said for Ethan Crumbley. He has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of terrorism causing death, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Despite the challenges facing the prosecution, many people on both sides of the gun safety debate applaud the efforts of Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald. This may be attributable to the fact that most school shooters have little difficulty acquiring their weapons. According to a 2019 assessment by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 76% of the guns used in school shootings came from a parent or close relative, and approximately half the weapons were easily accessible. Prosecuting the Crumbleys may reverse this trend, as may recently proposed state and federal legislation. Two weeks after the Oxford shootings, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., proposed a new law holding parents or other responsible adults liable for failing to secure their firearms. Michigan, along with a majority of other states, lacks a secure gun storage law, and a new federal law could make up for the absence of legislation at the state level and create penalties for failure to safely store guns. The tragic events at Oxford High School and the case against the Crumbleys may be the catalyst for getting this legislation enacted and making parents criminally responsible for their childrens behavior. This case also may demonstrate that the debate on gun safety has moved from the statehouse to the courthouse. Thaddeus Hoffmeister is a law professor at the University of Dayton School of Law. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Six people have been killed and homes torched in an attack Monday by suspected Al Shabaab militants in Kenya's coastal Lamu region that borders Somalia, a local government official said. "I confirm that we had an attack suspected to be by Al Shabaab at a place known as Widhu, and we have lost six people. One was shot dead and we also have others who were burnt," said Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia. "Our security forces are pursuing them, and we urge support from locals to help us because when we work together we succeed." Al Shabaab fighters have staged several large-scale attacks inside Kenya in retaliation for Nairobi sending troops into Somalia in 2011 as part of an African Union force to degrade the jihadists. The al Qaeda-linked group is seeking to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu, and controls swathes of southern Somalia from where it regularly launches attacks in the capital and elsewhere. The Lamu region, which includes popular tourist beach destination Lamu Island, lies close to the Somali frontier and has suffered frequent attacks, often carried out with roadside bombs. (AFP) Hartford ended 2021 with 163 gunshot survivors, police said Monday, a number well below the total for 2020. But the city already started its ugly tally for 2022, with three people shot since Saturday, Jan. 1. Advertisement The total number of victims of nonfatal shootings for 2021 is well below last years number, which is 225. The number is higher than the number of survivors in 2019 (143), 2018 (143) or in 2017 (134), however, police statistics show. In all, Hartford police said they are investigating four shootings from the long, New Years weekend. Three happened in the southern half of the city, although police do not believe they are connected. None was deadly. Advertisement [ Seven people wounded in shootings the week before Christmas, Hartford police say ] The most recent shooting happened shortly before 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Officers went to 607 Broad St., at the intersection with Russ Street, after getting a report of a person shot, police said. When they arrived, they found a man in his 30s with a gunshot wound that they believe hell survive. He was taken to the hospital. On Saturday, the first day of the new year, there were two shootings one hour apart in different neighborhoods. Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut > About 4:50 p.m., police went to 735 Wethersfield Ave., Soulbaila, after getting an alert from the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. There was no victim, but while officers talked to possible witnesses and gathered evidence, someone showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound that police said is not life-threatening. The victim is a man in his 20s, Lt. Aaron Boisvert said. He said police believe the shooting happened outside the restaurant. An hour earlier, police responded to 408 New Britain Ave., two miles away, on a report of a person who was shot. They found a wounded man in his 30s, and the man was taken to the hospital. He, too, is expected to survive, police said. About 5:10 a.m. Friday, New Years Eve, police went to 182 Nelson St. in the citys North End after getting a ShotSpotter alert. While they were canvassing the area, a man in his 30s showed up at the hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound that police said he will survive. The address is the same one police responded to on April 10, when Randell Tarez Jun Jun Jones, 3, was fatally shot while sitting in a parked car. It was one of several shocking deadly shootings last year, in which homicides in the city increased 40% over the previous year. Advertisement The police departments Major Crimes and Crime Scene divisions are investigating all of the shootings. Anyone with information about the gunfire is asked to call the police tip line at 860-722-8477 (TIPS). Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com. A large corporation in Vietnam is speeding up its project to manufacture and assemble electronic boards in the central city of Da Nang. A leader of the corporation said: People usually think that production of electronic boards is something high-end, but that is not true. "Manufacturing electronic boards is like a sewing factory, no different from making a vest," he said. He continued: The foreign partner gives us the design and ask us to obey security conditions. Then they supervise the production process until the finished products come out and bring them to their country. We don't even know what to do or where to install the products we make." He said that the foreign partner is in charge of Design, Research & Development (R&D) and distribution, which are the two highest value-added parts. The Vietnamese partner only assumes the assembly stage, with modest added value, but it is labor-intensive. We will consider performing R&D, researching and designing our own products in the next 10-20 years. Foxconn also started from manufacturing and assembly like us, then they moved to produce simple chips. As for high-tech chips, the core value is still in the hands of American corporations," he added. The businessman's description depicts the current picture of Vietnam's processing and manufacturing industry in general and the electronics industry in particular. This situation has been known for a long time but Vietnam has not had solutions to deal with it. A few months after assuming the position of Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien sent documents to leaders of provinces and cities with notes on industrial and trade development. In particular, when it comes to industrial development, this document points out that Vietnam's economy is still heavily dependent on foreign investment. The industry is still mainly processing and assembling, the added value is not high, the supporting industry develops slowly, the localization rate is low, and the efficiency in participating in the global value chain is still limited. In fact, after several decades carrying out the open-door policy, many industrial criteria for Vietnam to basically become a modern industrialized country by 2020 have not been met. Many other priotized industries did not reach the set targets, although they enjoyed great incentives and support from the State. The Ministry of Industry and Trades report shows that the mechanical industry met only 32.5% of domestic demand in 2019, much lower than the goal of 45-50% set out in a document dated October 2003 of the Party Central Committee. Specifically, machine tools, movers and construction machines satisfied about 40% of domestic demand, much lower than the target of 60-70% set out in the development strategy of the mechanical industry. For the auto industry, the localization rate for personal vehicles up to nine seats reached about 10-15% in 2020 while the target is 30-40%. The supporting industry has not yet developed, so the added value of the industry is not high. The supporting industry currently meets about 10% of domestic demand with simple components and details as major products, which have low value in the product value structure. The localization rate of most industries is low. Changing the mindset In order to change this situation, the involvement of the central and local governments is important, especially the local ones. The industrial development mindset of local leaders needs to change. Many officials just want to attract large-scale foreign investment projects to generate high revenue for the local budget. However, industrial development cannot follow that direction. Experts said that it takes five years for planning and up to 30 years for implementation of the plan. Why must the local government get involved? Because Vietnam's goal is to increase the added value of industrial products, it must rely on supporting industries. The supporting industries are small and medium enterprises. This force is directly associated with the locality. Vietnam has 112,000 processing and manufacturing enterprises, and all of them are small and medium enterprises that are located in 63 provinces and cities. If local governments do not have programs to support small and medium enterprises to develop supporting industries and processing agricultural and aquatic products, no one can do it. The Ministry of Industry and Trade cannot do it, an expert said. Therefore, the important solution is the coordination between the local and central governments. The Central Government sets out policies and ensures the development of industrial territory in the whole country. The provinces with abundant budget revenue can issue programs to support businesses in human resource training, technology transfer, land and other items. Mr. Truong Thanh Hoai, Director of the Department of Industry of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that Japanese and Korean enterprises borrow only 2-3% of their total capital, while Vietnamese enterprises borrow 9-10%. With higher capital costs, Vietnamese products cannot compete with those of Japan and Korea. That is the reason Vietnams supporting industry is weak, not to mention the outdated machinery and technology. To develop the processing and manufacturing industry, the State needs to have stronger policies that focus on domestic enterprises. To have strong policies, it needs strong resources. In the case of South Korea, it established the Korea Supporting Industry Development Committee. This committee is chaired by the Korean Minister of Finance and Strategy, not the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Trade and Energy. Why? It is because they know that to support businesses, financial resources are the most important. The history of many countries shows that the State always plays the role of initiating many developed industries. For example, since the 1950s, the US economy has developed thanks to the combination of three core pillars: computers, microprocessors and the Internet. The research and development that underpins each of these pillars is rooted in a tripartite alliance between government, academia, and private businesses. The US government and its huge, long-term investments are the base for the development of Apple. However, funding for research and development by the US federal government has been reduced in recent decades, from 1.2 percent of GDP in 1976 to less than 0.8 percent in 2016. One of the reasons is that the government is less involved, cuts taxes, and lets private enterprises freely exercise their creative abilities. As a result, the United States is facing the risk of no longer maintaining the technological lead gap with its competitors, especially China, where the government invests heavily in science, technology and research and development. That shows that no country can produce "big guys" in industry or technology without the support of the State. Therefore, Mr. Truong Thanh Hoai said it is necessary to have the Law on Industrial Development. The core issue of the Law on Industrial Development that the Ministry of Industry and Trade is trying to build lies in the belief and ability to enforce. In Vietnam, many laws are promulgated but the enforcement is very poor, and many supportive policies are issued but only a very small part of businesses can benefit from them, not to mention the overlaps and conflicts between laws that make the implementation of the law poor. In order to convince people, businesses, and legislators, the Law on Industrial Development must overcome those shortcomings. Luong Bang Vietnam vows to develop support industries for automobile industry Current policies have not been attractive enough to persuade investors to pour money into support industries for the automobile industry. Aetna chairman and CEO Mark Bertolini speaks during the Fortune Global Forum on November 3, 2015 in San Francisco. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) Bridgewater Associates, the worlds largest hedge fund, announced Monday that Mark Bertolini, former chief executive officer of Aetna before it was purchased in 2018 by CVS Health Corp., is the new co-CEO. The Westport-based hedge fund, with assets under management of about $150 billion, said Bertolini, who is co-chair of Bridgewaters Operating Board of Directors, and Deputy CEO Nir Bar Dea, a retired major and a platoon leader in the Israeli Defense Forces, begin as co-CEOs immediately. Advertisement They succeed David H. McCormick, an under secretary of the Treasury in the administration of President George W. Bush. He is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania being vacated by Republican Pat Toomey, who is retiring. Through this Co-CEO model, we are getting a powerful combination of Nir, a well-respected internal leader who has worked closely with Dave, management, and the (chief information officers) for six years, and Mark, who has enormous experience and is a globally respected and proven CEO, founder Ray Dalio and other executives said in a statement posted on its website. Advertisement Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates. (Eoin Noonan/Getty Images North America/TNS) Bridgewater said Bertolini led Aetnas transition from a traditional health insurance company to a consumer-oriented health care company focused on delivering holistic, integrated care in local communities. Dalio, Bridgewaters co-chief investment officer, and Bertolini share an outlook thats critical of conventional health care and economics. Bertolini, 65, has promoted his vision of a modest and local health care systems rooted in communities using smaller and smaller governance models. He has said social and economic systems have gotten too big for government to manage. He negotiated the $69 billion acquisition of Aetna, a presence in Hartford since 1853. He was thwarted a few years earlier when a federal judge blocked his bid to buy Humana Inc. for $37 billion. News @3 Daily Catch up on the days top headlines sent directly to your inbox weekdays at 3 p.m > Dalio, 72, told an audience at the Greenwich Economic Forum in November 2019 that capitalism needs to be fixed and does not work for the average person. Bridgewater and then-Gov. Dannel P. Malloy faced criticism in 2016 when the hedge fund received $22 million in forgivable state loans and grants to create 750 jobs and keep the 1,402 positions it then had. The money was to be used to renovate and expand the firms Westport headquarters and operations in Wilton and Norwalk. FILE -- Mark Bertolini, then the chief executive of Aetna, in New York on Aug. 2, 2018. Bertolini will lead Bridgewater, the world's biggest hedge fund, with co-CEO Nir Bar Dea. (Cole Wilson/The New York Times) Bridgewater has so far been forgiven $10.8 million of a $17 million loan, with a balance of about $6,2 million, said a spokesman for the state Department of Economic and Community Development. The hedge fund received $5 million in grants and was allocated up to $30 million in Urban and Industrial Site Reinvestment Tax Credits that must be earned over 10 years. It has so far earned $12 million in credits. Advertisement Malloy defended the aid, saying Bridgewater had been seeking a possible new headquarters in Westchester County, N.Y. McCormick has yet to officially declare his candidacy, but he has aired at least two TV commercials in Pennsylvania, bought a house in Pittsburgh and held closed-door meetings with party officials and donors, according to The Associated Press. He has lived in Connecticut since 2009. Stephen Singer can be reached at ssinger@courant.com. Seven months on from a bank foreclosure, The Containery remains ready for a new owner. "We're negotiating to put it under contract," said Waco commercial real estate agent Gregg Glime, who confirmed interest by a party waiting in the wings. With a deal on the brink of coming together, Glime said he would prefer not to discuss specifics. He said the prospect foresees little, if any, change in potential uses for the 33,888-square-foot development built with stacked shipping containers front and center. Small retail shops, cafes and perhaps boutique lodging are what Bill Wetterman, The Containery's original developer, had in mind. But some city leaders could not contain their shock at The Containery's appearance, specifically the paint job. They made their displeasure known and moved to put official city action behind it. When Wetterman applied in the summer of 2020 for a deadline extension on a previously approved $500,000 Tax Increment Financing Zone grant, a common practice, the board voted to make the extension contingent on repainting with more muted colors. Then-board Chair Ruth Jackson and then-Mayor Kyle Deaver were among the city officials who said the business should be repainted. Deaver is now chair of the TIF board. The Containery's colors have not changed, but ownership has. TFNB Your Bank For Life, which financed construction, foreclosed on the property in June, claiming 4th & Jackson LLC defaulted on a loan of more than $4.4 million. Glime, previously hired by Wetterman to find tenants, turned his attention to marketing the entire building at a price of $6.5 million. That price has not changed, Glime said last week. In June, Glime told the Tribune-Herald, "I've talked with architects, designers and other artistic folks in town, and we've come up with a couple of ideas for maintaining the uniqueness and eclectic nature of The Containery. "Dissatisfaction with the color has been brought up by the city, but everyone has been open in talking this through. Everyone wants what's best for the property," Glime said. Suggestions had included cloaking The Containery with murals, ivy or creative landscaping, he said at the time. Asked last week if the colors would change under new ownership, Glime said he would prefer not to answer that question at this time. Glime said The Containery has not proven to be a tough sell, nor did he find it difficult to interest lessees in its many nooks crannies. He said in June he had had 75 offers on lease space over four years, beginning in 2017. "It's always proven to be very marketable to retail, restaurant and office users. We just need to get it over the finish line," Glime said at the time. A brochure Glime prepared to market the site mentions its proximity to the Dr Pepper Museum, Magnolia Market at the Silos, the Hippodrome Theatre complex, Waco Convention Center, Indian Spring Park and Hotel Indigo. It mentions The Containery's three-story height, and the presence of an elevator, rooftop and skywalks. It says it would easily accommodate uses to include food and beverage, clothing, home goods, office and event space. Fabled Bookshop & Cafe operates a short walk from The Containery. The Containery is changing hands in the midst of much excitement downtown and along the Brazos River. Baylor University and the city of Waco recently announced collaboration on a new $185 million basketball arena, serving as centerpiece to surrounding development city officials have said will total $700 million. That total includes work Dallas' Catalyst Urban Development has already started on apartments and retail space in the area. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. According to court records, officers were called to a report of an assault at a home at 620 W. Sixth St. around 1:15 a.m. Monday. While police were investigating, Ross allegedly tore off his shirt and got close to the officer, ignoring instructions to sit down. He allegedly pushed the officer and slapped the officers arm and then pulled on the officers handgun and attempted to remove it from the holster. WATERLOO A man was arrested after he allegedly fired a gun outside a home Sunday. Witnesses told police the man was holding a gun when he went up to Ricker Street home at about 12:20 p.m., entered the porch and began yelling. When the resident wouldnt come outside, he walked back to his Jeep Grand Cherokee and fired a single shot into the air before driving away. Johnny Lee Harris Jr., 33, of 317 Reed St., was arrested for intimidation with a weapon and possession of marijuana. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The city of Hartford will again require people to wear masks while indoors this month as COVID-19 cases surge due to the omicron variant, the city said late Monday morning. The mask mandate was announced at the same time the capital city unveiled its plan to distribute at-home tests and masks. Advertisement We all hope that the omicron surge will soon peak and that well see case rates fall, but with the current numbers, weve got to do whatever we can, even at the margins, said Mayor Luke Bronin said. In putting this indoor mask requirement back in place right now, were thinking first and foremost about those frontline workers who have no choice but to interact with the public at large, and who deserve whatever additional protection we can give them. The mandate is only for the month of January. There are exceptions for people who have relevant medical conditions, those under 2, people who are eating or drinking and, in some cases, those in private offices. Advertisement Bronin also announced that, after giving out 8,000 at-home test kits last week, the city will give out 9,000 more, starting Monday. In addition, Hartford will give away thousands of N95 and KN95 masks. The kits will be delivered to targeted groups based on need. We received approximately 9,000 new at-home test kits from the state on Sunday, and following our public distribution of 8,000 test kits last week, our priority right now is to support Hartford Public Schools teaching staff, along with staff and students at City of Hartford Early Learning Centers and the Family Child Care Network, Bronin said. The city also will provide kits to the Hartford Housing Authority for distribution to staff and each of their households, to those living in elderly housing and to city employees who provide essential, in-person public services, he said, to help ensure continuity of government services during the surge. The city laid out its allocation plan for the at-home test kits, which includes: 3,500 kits for staff of the Hartford Public Schools, Early Learning Centers, and the Hartford Family Child Care Network; 2,200 kits for staff and residents of the Hartford Housing Authority and of elderly assisted living facilities and housing developments with home-bound seniors; 2,750 kits for city employees providing essential in-person public services, and for Hartford Public Library employees; 500 kits for the staff and guests at city senior centers; 2,000 kits to be held in reserve pending future allocations. In addition to at-home test kits, the city also will distribute thousands of KN95 and N95 masks to the same organizations. The city purchased the masks, according to a release. City Councilwoman Maly Rosado said she supports the temporary mask mandate. Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut > We are all eager to put COVID behind us, she said. Putting a temporary indoor mask mandate back in place for January will help to control the spread of the omicron variant and to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Another shipment of test kits designated specifically for students is expected later in the week from the state, the mayor said. An allocation plan will be announced when the shipments are received. Advertisement Test kits and masks are valuable tools in our ongoing fight against COVID-19, but the very best thing everyone can do to protect themselves and others from COVID is to get vaccinated or boosted, Bronin said. If you have not yet done so, go out and get your vaccine today. The city put in place a mask mandate in August as the delta variant spread, but lifted it in November when the numbers began to trend in a better direction. Weve said from the very beginning that we would follow the data, that we would respond to the trends that we see, Bronin said at a November press conference. Now, the extremely contagious omicron variant has boosted the states positivity rate to the highest of the pandemic 21.5%, state officials said Monday. Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com. DAVENPORT (AP) Schools in Davenport surprised parents Monday with an announcement that classes had been cancelled because there weren't enough drivers to run school bus routes. The Davenport Community School District informed parents early Monday that classes were cancelled because of a school bus driver shortage. All Saints Catholic School and Trinity Lutheran School also announced closures Monday because of the shortage. A person who answered the phone Monday at Durham School Services in Davenport, which provides school bus service to the districts, directed questions to Ed Flavin, a media spokesman for Durham. Flavin blamed "varying reasons," including absences due to COVID-19 infections and quarantining following exposures. The company anticipated that all its routes would be covered Tuesday and for the rest of the week, he said. "The safety of our passengers and our employees is our number one priority, and we want to ensure that, especially in these cold winter months, we arrive on time to our scheduled stops," Flavin said in an email to The Associated Press. "Today, we did not feel this could be accomplished." Students had been slated to return to school Monday following a two-week holiday break. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In 2021, Kelli Greenland and her two children used food pantries more often than they ever have. As the year closes, the Des Moines mom is filled with uncertainty. Greenland said she visits one or two food pantries weekly to keep her children, Ethan, 8, and Skylynn, almost 6, fed. There seems to be less meat available these days, Greenland said. She sometimes has trouble finding dairy-free options for Skylynn, who is lactose intolerant. But most of her anxiety is over the possible end of the expanded federal child tax credit in January. That program has been amazing, Greenland said. If it wasnt for that program, I wouldnt have gas to get to work, I wouldnt have even the slightest amount of Christmas presents. I was able to get the kids each a couple things, only because of that program. Between rent, electric, gas, you know, everyday life, bills, meds, all that if it wasnt for that program, I wouldnt survive each month. Just like their guests, leaders of Iowa organizations that give food to people in need have their minds on this and other benefits that were created or augmented during the pandemic. Programs that put money and additional food benefits in peoples pockets, and made an unprecedented dent in American poverty, are either ending or could end soon. And that could mean a new explosion of food insecurity, leaders said. Worst is aheadMatt Unger is chief executive officer of the Des Moines Area Religious Council, or DMARC, which operates 14 food pantries and 30 mobile sites. Its scary to think that the worst is still in front of us for what we do, he said. For pantries, that prospect adds to uncertainty they have experienced because of staggering increases in freight and food costs this year, not to mention supply-chain disruptions that made it harder to keep their shelves stocked. Now the omicron coronavirus variant is the latest challenge. Pantry operators and other Iowans, including Greenland, spoke to IowaWatch about food insecurity issues a year ago, just as vaccinations began. Greenland said this month that her family has been through significant changes since the COVID-19 pandemic hit and that food pantries kept her afloat. Greenland works in customer service, and she held off on accepting a new job in March 2020 because she didnt want Ethan, who has severe asthma, to contract the novel coronavirus. Greenlands brother died on Jan. 27, 2021. A few days later, she left her husband. Greenland and her children now share a home with her parents and grandparents on the south side of Des Moines. Most states have it worse than Iowa. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture surveys, Iowa in 2020 had the nations second-lowest proportion of households that were food-insecure, 6.9%. Mississippi had the highest rate, over 15%. But 6.9% is still over 90,000 Iowa households, and the states food pantries have stayed busy serving them. Advocates said theyre witnessing the poor getting poorer in 2021, and struggling even more as the pandemic lingers. Jan Kosowski, director of the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Cedar Rapids, said she has seen an increase in homeless people using the pantry in the past year. Visitors sometimes ask to wash up, along with requesting food. We just have a lot of people who are struggling harder than what weve seen before, Kosowski said. Increasing prices Tami Nielsen is vice president of partners and programs with Food Bank of Iowa, which has six networks in the state. Pantries were busy battling hunger before the pandemic. Since it started, many have had more work and lots of new clients. Its not letting up, Nielsen said. Pantries buy in bulk, so price jumps that might not faze a typical family shopper add up quickly. Canned green beans, which are one of our most- needed items, pre-COVID, they were 41 cents per can, and now theyre about 78 cents per can, Nielsen said. Add to that the cost of freight, which can run 50% above what it was a couple of years ago. The Food Bank of Iowa network, from January through November of 2021, had served the equivalent of over 38 million meals. When comparing only the parts of the network for which leaders have data for 2019 through 2021, the meal count for this years first 11 months is down from 2020s heights but is still higher than in 2019. Federal benefits ending Two big federal programs have made it easier for families with lower incomes to shop for their own food and other needs: an expanded child tax credit that in the second half of 2021 provided direct payments of up to $300 per child, and a higher cap for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits that can be used to buy food. The tax credit is all but dead. The last payments went out this month; congressional Democrats had hoped to extend it through the Build Back Better Act, but West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchins announcement Dec. 19 that he wont support the measure as written means it almost certainly cannot become law. Its not known how long the higher SNAP benefits will last they will expire a month after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds emergency declaration related to the coronavirus expires. Reynolds has been renewing the declaration once a month. Unger, the DMARC CEO, said the child tax credit money has allowed families to take care of their own needs. With SNAP, he said, one patron used to get $16 a month for SNAP but is now getting $200. Eventually that will drop back to about $20. Nielsen, with Food Bank of Iowa, said the average family will lose about $95 per month. Persistent insecurity Unger said that, amid its horrors, the pandemic has focused some attention on hunger. Weve been able to have a magnifying glass put on some of these social issues that we werent doing enough to try to fix previously, he said. So Im encouraged by the amount of people paying attention and looking at food insecurity. Omicron hits On top of all this comes the omicron variant, which some experts have predicted will bring worse pressure on the health care system than any previous part of the pandemic. Unger said Dec. 20 that DMARC officials were discussing whether some of 2020s safety measures might need to be reinstated. That could include packaging more things up ahead of time so that patrons take a package and leave instead of coming inside to shop, though Unger said he doesnt want it to come to that. The number of volunteers coming in has been dropping, he said, attributing that at least partly to the variant. Even if governments no longer have an appetite to demand that gathering places close or enforce social distancing or compensate them for taking those steps, illness-related disruptions could easily prompt more Iowans to seek out pantries to keep food on the table. Nielsen, of Food Bank of Iowa, said the most important things Iowans can do to make sure pantries hold up is to give money. That allows us to purchase food thats greatly needed, like produce, protein, dairy, she said. We can really stretch the donor dollar more than if you go to the grocery store and buy particular items, although we do love that you can give food, if thats your preference. Food Bank of Iowa, like many of its peers, also welcomes volunteers. Deeper poverty Douglas Pepe, 34, of Ames estimated he has just $50 in his monthly budget for groceries. Pepe is recovering from a methamphetamine addiction. He has borderline personality disorder and schizoaffective disorder. His challenges are substantial. But hes got a list of goals, including eating as healthy as possible, giving up cigarettes and limiting sugar. Pepe eats at least twice a week at Food At First in Ames, which offers free meals on-site and also has a perishable food pantry. Pepe said he especially enjoys the deli sandwiches donated from Iowa State University. He said he credits Food At First and Primary Health Care in Ames for helping him recover from his addiction. They hold these spaces for me, Pepe said. And what can Iowans do to help? Pepe said they can advocate for marginalized and excluded residents. They can also donate to food pantries, he said. Iowa nice is nice. But how about some Iowa love? he said. This story was produced by the Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism-IowaWatch, a non-profit, online news website that collaborates with news organizations to produce explanatory and investigative reporting. Read more at www.IowaWatch.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Democratic Partys problem with Hispanic voters is worse than leaders think, according to a new assessment by the highly regarded strategist Ruy Teixeira. That conclusion is particularly important because Teixeira wrote the influential 2002 book The Coming Democratic Majority, which convinced many Democrats that a growing Hispanic population one that heavily supported Democrats was the key to permanent Democratic dominance of American politics. Now, with Hispanic voters abandoning the Democratic Party in droves, its all falling apart. The seriousness of this problem tends to be underestimated in Democratic circles for a couple of reasons, Teixeira writes in a recent Substack article. (1) They dont realize how big the shift is; and (2) they dont realize how thoroughly it undermines the most influential Democratic theory of the case for building their coalition. Teixeiras last point is an understatement. The idea of a permanent Democratic majority is based totally on Hispanic voters. No other group is growing at the rate the Hispanic population is growing. When Democrats looked forward to the day when a nonwhite-majority America elected Democrat after Democrat, they were basing it on the growth in the number of Hispanic Americans, coupled with the assumption that those voters would loyally support Democrats. If that doesnt happen, theres no permanent Democratic majority. And for now, at least, it doesnt seem to be working out. Instead, Teixeira cites several measures of Hispanic voters increasingly supporting Republicans. A new Wall Street Journal poll found them split evenly on the question of whether to support the GOP or Democrats in the 2022 congressional elections. Thats a big change from an imposing Democratic advantage in previous races. The poll also showed the Hispanic vote virtually tied in a hypothetical 2024 Joe Biden-Donald Trump rematch after supporting Biden by more than 25 points in 2020. Theres more. In Texas, which Teixeira calls perhaps the Democrats most prized target for winning with growing Hispanic support, Bidens ratings among Hispanics have been dreadful. A recent Dallas Morning News poll found Bidens support at 35% approval and 54% disapproval among Texas Hispanics. Those voters particularly disapprove of Bidens handling of the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Meanwhile, in the Virginia governors race, Teixeira notes with some astonishment, Democrat Terry McAuliffe actually lost the Latino vote. That took some work, but McAuliffe accomplished it. Teixeira also points out that Hispanic voters moved in large numbers to Trump between 2016 and 2020. And not just in Florida and Texas the shift was also seen in Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia. Hispanic voters are particularly cool toward Biden. Working Class Joe does not seem to connect with those voters, who are largely working class. Hispanic voters without a college degree [gave] Trump a remarkable 41% of their vote in 2020, Teixeira notes. That is especially important because about 80% of the Hispanic vote nationwide could be classified as working class. But its not just Biden. Latino voters appear to be increasingly turned off by the Democratic Party itself, and particularly by its progressive leaders. That was certainly true in 2020, the year of Black Lives Matter for much of the party. The Democrats increasing focus on racial issues left Hispanic voters unmoved. And that leads to what is perhaps Teixeiras most important point: It is hard to avoid the conclusion that Democrats have seriously erred by lumping Hispanics in with people of color and assuming they embraced the activism around racial issues that dominated so much of the political scene in 2020, particularly in the summer, Teixiera writes. This was a flawed assumption. The reality of the Hispanic population is that they are, broadly speaking, an overwhelmingly working class, economically progressive, socially moderate constituency that cares above all about jobs, the economy and health care. Hispanic voters did not want to defund the police. They did not want to slash police budgets or reduce the number of officers. They didnt want to reduce the role of law enforcement in keeping the peace. And they didnt like the idea of reparations. They were, in other words, entirely out of touch with the Summer of BLM. Finally, many Hispanic voters are repelled by the anti-Americanism of some progressives. Hispanics in a recent survey said they would rather be a citizen of the United States than any other country in the world and by 35 points said they were proud of the way American democracy works, Teixeira notes. Such opinions, he adds, contrasted starkly with the negative views of progressive activists. In other words, Hispanic voters seem to be out of sync with the most powerful trends in todays Democratic Party. Will it last? Who knows? But at this moment, the Democrats problem presents a huge opportunity for Republicans. Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CORRECTION: The headline for this story has been changed to reflect the correct year. The groundwork was laid in 2021. Here comes 2022; its going to be a big one in Iowa politics. Its an election year again, and there will be some big races on Iowans ballots this fall. And it starts right at the top of the ballot, with the states races for governor and U.S. Senate. While she has not yet officially announced, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to seek re-election for a second full term. She was promoted to governor in 2017 when former Gov. Terry Branstad resigned to become U.S. ambassador to China, then won a full, four-year term in 2018. While Reynolds goes into her latest campaign with an edge she has the benefits of incumbency, including fundraising her re-election is far from a foregone conclusion. Remember that she won in 2018 by a narrow margin: just shy of three percentage points. And that was before Reynolds, like all other governors, was thrust onto the tip of the spear as the leader of the states response to a global pandemic. Iowas gubernatorial election will have significant consequences. This year will be Iowa Republicans sixth with complete control of the state lawmaking process. With their large majorities in both chambers of the Legislature a 10-seat advantage in the House and 12-seat advantage in the Senate Democrats likely are multiple cycles from winning back a majority in either chamber. So Democrats best hope to create split-control government is to win back Terrace Hill, which the party has not occupied for more than a decade. There was not exactly a rush to flood the Democratic primary in 2021. Two of the best-known names took a pass and decided to stay where they are and run for re-election: U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne and State Auditor Rob Sand. The lack of interest in the race could suggest that Democrats do not like their chances of unseating Reynolds; were she considered more vulnerable, surely there would have been more sharks in the water. The best-known names in the Democratic field as 2022 begins are Deidre DeJear, a Des Moines businesswoman who ran for Iowa secretary of state in 2018; and Ras Smith, a state legislator from Waterloo. DeJear ran a statewide race four years ago, and Smith has been active even in the minority party, including his work on racial justice legislation passed in 2020. Kim West, an attorney from Des Moines, has also announced his candidacy. Another big choice for Iowa voters in 2022 will not feature any political candidates; it will be a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution. Iowa Republicans have proposed adding gun ownership rights to the Iowa Constitution. But it is not a simple reproduction of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which spells out Americans right to bear arms. What Iowa Republicans have proposed goes a step further, declaring that any gun regulations must be subject to strict scrutiny, a legal term that applies the highest level of judicial scrutiny to any law. That is a proposal with significant ramifications to Iowa, and an argument could be made that the proposed constitutional amendment could have a larger impact than the outcome of Iowas gubernatorial or U.S. Senate elections, given the virtual permanency of constitutional amendments. Those are some significant elections on the ballot in 2022. For Iowa voters, with a new year comes critical new choices. Personal news Speaking of big things happening in 2022, this will be my final political column as the Des Moines bureau chief for Lee Enterprises. On Jan. 3, I assume the same position Des Moines bureau chief for The Gazette in Cedar Rapids. With a new job comes new responsibilities. And while I will continue to report on the same political arenas the Iowa Legislature, Iowa state and federal government, and the Iowa caucuses I will no longer be writing a weekly political column. Readers of Lee newspapers will continue to see my byline because of the news sharing agreement between Lee and The Gazette. So if you need to contact me for any reason, I will not be far away. Thank-you to everyone who read my work in this space, and for your engaging emails. I have appreciated it all. Erin Murphy covers Iowa politics and government for Lee Enterprises. His email address is erin.murphy@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter at @ErinDMurphy. 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7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) I was drinking my morning cup of coffee & Svetochka said, Do not forget about Orthodox New Year? How could I forget; In the past years the fireworks were going off until the sun comes up! I think Russians look for any reason to set off fireworks. So for your information: Coming up on the (January 14 Old New Year 2022) is the, Orthodox Church New Year! (Remember Christmas was the 7th of January.) http://kylekeeton.com/2008/01/svet-sunday-holy http://kylekeeton.com/2008/01/russia-still-have- http://kylekeeton.com/2007/12/russia-holidays-a It is not over yet in Russia. One more New Year.and yes, one more Orthodox Christmas on the 7th of January ** (Technically Russians celebrate the Chinese New Year Tuesday, February 1 is the Chinese New Year 2022 also and technically that is coming up and and andParty time again) Dont take that tree down yet And get your proper food ready for the Orthodox New Year WtR Medicare's benefits will remain largely the same in 2022. As the new year begins, Congress is still debating several proposals that would change the face of Medicare, including adding a hearing benefit and several proposals to lower the price of prescription drugs, including capping out-of-pocket costs in Part D plans. But even if Congress adopts these changes, they wouldn't take effect this year. Largest Part B increase ever The monthly premium for Part B, which covers doctor visits and other outpatient services, such as diagnostic screenings and lab tests, will be $170.10 in 2022, up $21.60 from the 2021 monthly charge. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officials say this largest-ever dollar increase was necessary because of three factors: Rising health care prices, some of which were attributed to COVID-19 care. Because of the pandemic, Congress acted to significantly lower the planned 2021 Part B premium increase (something AARP fought hard for), but lawmakers directed CMS to begin paying back that reduced premium starting in 2022. CMS decided it needed to set aside money in its reserves in the event that Medicare covers Aduhelm, a new Alzheimer's drug. The annual price for Aduhelm was originally set at $56,000. But after CMS set the Part B premium, Biogen, the drug's manufacturer, cut the annual price to $28,200 under pressure from health advocates. Advocates have urged CMS to lower the Part B premium increase in the face of that price cut. The Part B premium increase will be somewhat offset by the 5.9 percent increase in Social Security's annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare have the premium deducted from their monthly check. However, not everyone enrolled in Medicare is getting Social Security benefits yet, and how much enrollees will end up seeing of the COLA increase will depend on the size of their monthly Social Security benefit. Deductibles also rising The annual Part B deductible will be $233 this year, an increase of $30. For Medicare Part A, which covers hospitalizations, hospice care and some nursing facility and home health services, the inpatient deductible that enrollees must pay for each hospital admission will be $1,556, an increase of $72 over 2021. The deductibles and copays and other charges beneficiaries must pay for prescriptions under the Part D prescription drug benefit will vary based on what plan they choose and where they live. But the federal government does cap the Part D annual deductible, and in 2022 it cannot exceed $480. More help with insulin costs This year, enrollees in every state will be able to sign up for a Part D "enhanced" plan that is participating in a CMS program that caps the cost of some insulins at $35 a month. The program began in 2021, but the number of plans available is expanding. This year, 2,159 Part D plans have agreed to participate. Beneficiaries who are enrolled in original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan can sign up for this program. Mental health coverage via telehealth improving Medicare continues to focus more attention on telehealth, especially during the pandemic. For 2022, the agency is increasing the availability of mental health services via telehealth. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the gaps in our current health care system and the need for new solutions to bring treatments to patients, wherever they are, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said in announcing these changes. This is especially true for people who need behavioral health services, and the improvements we are enacting will give people greater access to telehealth and other care delivery options. Fatimas Fusion Flavors, which opened Dec. 11 in Manchester, is a fusion-style halal restaurant, combining Indian and Bengali food and American food. The idea for the fusion came from owner Ahmed Jilu, a native of Bangladesh, who has always dreamed of opening a halal restaurant, and his wife Luthfa, and their American-born kids Tashfia, Tahsin, Tahira and Mahdi. Theres not much halal food around here. We wanted to make it easier for people to follow those guidelines, said Tashfia. But all of us [kids], we were born here. We dont want to eat Indian food all the time. Advertisement Both approaches have succeeded. The restaurant is just a couple of blocks away from the Bayt-Ul-Mamur mosque. People come before prayers, place their order and pick it up after prayers, Tashfia said. The most popular dish on the menu, though, is fusion comfort food, chicken tikka mac and cheese. Advertisement Fatimas Fusion Flavors, is at 180 Spruce St. in Manchester (Susan Dunne) Another popular dish is Ahmeds platters, which combine protein chicken, beef, lamb, chicken tikka or kebab with white rice, bell peppers and onions, with a drizzle of mild or hot sauce. Other Indian and Bengali foods are beef, shrimp, vegetable, chicken and goat biryani; beef, fish, chicken and goat curry; chicken and mutton palak; chicken and fish 65; chicken Manchurian; ginger chicken; samosa chat; chili chicken; Mughal paratha; chicken tikka; tandoori chicken; vegetable curries and a variety of nans. The American side of the menu offers Philly cheesesteaks; fish filet, tuna, chicken and turkey sandwiches; a cheeseburger; and an Impossible burger. Appetizers include salads, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, French fries, tater tots and onion rings. Fusion dishes, combining flavors of both cuisines, are a chicken tikka grinder, chicken tikka mac and cheese, shish kebab grinder, chicken tikka quesadilla and a kebab roll. The restaurant has 18 seats but is geared primarily for takeout. At Fatima's Fusion Flavors, platters combine protein chicken, beef, lamb, chicken tikka or kebab with white rice, bell peppers and onions, with a drizzle of mild or hot sauce. (Susan Dunne) Food & Drink Weekly Keep up with news from the Connecticut food scene, delicious recipes, and restaurant and bar reviews > Named after Ahmeds late mother, Fatimas is a family business; all of the Jilus work there. In a TikTok video, one of the kids writes that when the opportunity arrived to open the restaurant, the family encouraged Ahmed to follow his dream and through the hard work, their parents smiles have made it worth it. The Jilus keep contact with Ahmeds hometown, Moulvibazar, where two relatives still live. Fatimas collects tips in a jar, and send half of the money back home to be distributed to whoever needs it. The family does this to fulfill zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, to give to the poor. Advertisement We have always sent food packets during Ramadan. Now we do this, too, said Tahsin Jilu. Fatimas, at 180 Spruce St., Manchester, is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. The 3:30 to 5 p.m. breaks on weekends allow the workers to prep for dinner. On Fridays from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m., the restaurant is closed so Ahmed Jilu and Khokhar can go to the mosque for Friday prayers. See facebook.com/fatimasfusionflavors and instagram.com/fatimasfusionflavors for information. Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com. 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. A woman died at an apartment complex in northeast Albuquerque on Sunday morning and homicide detectives are investigating. Gilbert Gallegos, a police spokesman, said her body was discovered at the Dorado Apartments around 10 a.m. The woman was visiting a man who lived at the complex. He reported her unresponsive, and officers and Albuquerque Fire Rescue determined at the scene she was dead, Gallegos said in a news release. Crime Scene Specialist responded and observed details that initiated a homicide callout, Gallegos said. The apartment complex is off Montgomery between Tramway and Juan Tabo. Police didnt identify the woman or the man she was visiting. PHOENIX An Arizona appellate court has upheld a lower courts decision to deny a request for COVID-19-related medical records it said could include information that should be kept private. J.D. Ball of Scottsdale represented himself in a lawsuit initially filed in Maricopa County Superior Court against the Arizona Department of Health Services in 2020 after it refused to provide him with documents he requested concerning the coronavirus outbreak. Ball argued he needed the information for a book he was writing about COVID-19 so he could source the data because he believed there is no public health emergency in the state of Arizona. A telephone number registered to a J.D. Ball in metro Phoenix rang unanswered Friday. A message addressed to an email address associated with that name was not immediately returned. A three-judge Arizona Court of Appeals panel said in its decision Tuesday that in addition to death certificate data, Ball specifically requested data concerning confirmed cases, hospitalizations, laboratory testing, hospital bed usage and availability, ventilator usage and availability, and COVID-19 specific metrics.' The appellate court said that the broad categories Ball laid out include medical information that falls under the definition of medical records. It said that even if identifying data for patients were redacted as he suggested, a danger remains that patient identity could be inferred. The ruling also said Ball also demanded answers to administrative, political, and scientific questions that had nothing to do with the requesting of public records. Ball sued after the Arizona Department of Health Services denied his request for the records it used when preparing its publications about the disease, including an online dashboard. The state health agency said it could not divulge private medical information, communicable disease information, or death certificates. Ball countered that he didnt want personal health-related data, only public records proving that COVID-19 exists as a pandemic virus and is a communicable disease in Arizona. Arizona has reported over 1.3 million cases and more than 24,000 deaths from the coronavirus during the pandemic. On Friday, the state reported over 7,700 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, the most reported on a single day since last January. State officials said earlier this week that some daily reports of additional cases would be larger than normal because of reporting delays over the Christmas weekend. Fridays report of 7,720 additional cases is more than double Arizonas latest seven-day rolling average of daily new cases. That rolling average doesnt include cases reported Friday or the 5,687 on Thursday. The sex-trafficking trial of Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, ended with a guilty verdict, but that hasnt stopped the flow of false news that has swirled around the case. On Thursday, posts emerged falsely claiming that trial documents were sealed to protect Epstein who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex crimes and his influential friends. At the same time, previously debunked claims reemerged on social media, including assertions that there was no media coverage of the high-profile trial. Maxwell was found guilty on five of six counts at the conclusion of the monthlong trial where she was accused of helping Epstein sexually exploit teenage girls. Here are some of the claims that spread online, and the facts you need to know about them: ___ CLAIM: The judge in the Maxwell case ordered details of Epsteins network sealed after the jury found Maxwell guilty. THE FACTS: Posts online are claiming that U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan ordered details of Epsteins network sealed and that prosecutors made a deal to protect Maxwells contacts. But that doesnt track with what actually happened. Details of Epsteins network came out at trial in numerous ways, through multiple witnesses and exhibits, including flight logs and bank records. And almost nothing was sealed. Last June, Nathan even ruled that two 2016 depositions from a civil case involving Maxwell could be used in her criminal trial. And troves of additional materials detailing what went on at homes where Maxwell and Epstein resided have been unsealed in the last two years after federal appeals judges and a Manhattan judge agreed that once-sealed records in a civil case against Maxwell should be released publicly. Almost every exhibit in the Maxwell trial was released publicly, including pictures of Epstein and Maxwell together. However, the judge did find at the outset of the trial that only certain pages from Maxwells address book identifying victims with the word massage next to them could be marked into evidence. ___ CLAIM: The judge in the Ghislaine Maxwell case issued a media-wide gag order over the trial with no livestream to keep scandalous details from leaking out to the public. THE FACTS: Members of the media were allowed to watch Maxwells trial. But federal courts do not allow cameras like some state courts do, and the discrepancy fueled confusion and conspiracy theories on social media. Ahead of the trial, news that the case would not be livestreamed began circulating. Some compared it to the fully televised Kyle Rittenhouse trial, which took place in state court. At one point, posts falsely claimed the judge placed a media gag order on the case and banned the press from attending. But reporters and members of the public were able to watch the trial live, both in the courtroom, as well as in overflow rooms where it was streamed for those who didnt get a seat. Reporters for The Associated Press were among those who attended the trial and journalists could be seen waiting in line to enter the courthouse. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York confirmed in a statement that the press would be allowed to attend the trial, and that there would be no live feeds except those within the courthouse. ___ CLAIM: Documents unsealed before the trial began showed a list of defendants, including some celebrities, who were named as co-conspirators in the case. THE FACTS: The list of purported defendants was not part of the criminal case against Maxwell. It came from a lawsuit filed in August 2020 that was separate from the criminal trial and dismissed as frivolous in less than a month. Social media users circulated the list of names and companies as Maxwell prepared to face trial. The dismissed civil case named nearly 40 defendants, including Epstein, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kanye West, Disney and Universal Music Group. Maxwell was included as the 31st name on the list. The lead plaintiff alleged that over the course of 30 years, the defendants conspired to unlawfully surveil, drug and abduct them for sexual assault, sex trafficking, and other exploitative abuse and conspired to transact a purchase agreement to buy the plaintiff from their mother. U.S. District Judge Louis L. Stanton for the Southern District of New York dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that it did not have a legal or factual basis, and that the plaintiff, who did not appear to be an attorney, made claims on behalf of others, according to the dismissal order. ___ CLAIM: The CEOs of Twitter, Walmart and CNBC all resigned on the first day of the Ghislaine Maxwell trial. THE FACTS: Twitters CEO did step down on that Monday, but in his Nov. 29 announcement, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said he would remain on the board until his term expires in 2022. CNBC does not have a CEO and its chair did not resign. Nor did the CEO of Walmart, although the company said its chief financial officer would be stepping down but not leaving the company until 2023. ___ Associated Press writers Beatrice Dupuy and Larry Neumeister in New York, Sophia Tulp in Atlanta and Angelo Fichera in Philadelphia contributed to this report. ___ This is part of The Associated Press ongoing effort to fact-check misinformation that is shared widely online, including work with Facebook to identify and reduce the circulation of false stories on the platform. Heres more information on Facebooks fact-checking program: https://www.facebook.com/help/1952307158131536 CAPE TOWN, South Africa A major fire ripped through South Africas 138-year-old Parliament complex on Sunday, gutting offices and causing some ceilings to collapse at a site that has hosted some of the countrys pivotal moments. As firefighters struggled to tame the blaze, a dark plume of smoke and flames rose high into the air above the southern city of Cape Town. Around 70 firefighters were still battling the fire hours after it started in the early morning, Cape Towns Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jermaine Carelse said. Some were lifted up on a crane to spray water on the blaze from above. No injuries have been reported and Parliament itself had been closed for the holidays. Visiting the scene, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said a person was being held and is being questioned by police in connection with the blaze. Police later confirmed a 51-year-old man had been detained. The fire is currently in the National Assembly chambers, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille told reporters as smoke billowed behind her from the roof of the historic white building with grand entrance columns. This is a very sad day for democracy, for Parliament is the home of our democracy. We have not been able to contain the fire in the National Assembly, she added. Part of the ceilings have collapsed. Officials said the fire started in the Old Assembly building, which was built in 1884 and originally housed the South African Parliament but is now used for offices. It spread to the newer National Assembly building, built in the 1980s, which is where the Parliament now sits. Authorities feared extensive damage to both buildings, which have stark white facades, elaborate roof linings and majestic columns, now all obscured by flames and smoke. There were also fears that priceless artifacts inside, including a manuscript where the composer first wrote some lyrics for South Africas national anthem, would be lost forever. Carelse warned that both buildings were at risk of collapsing. The bitumen on the roof is even melting, an indication of the intense heat. There have been reports of some walls showing cracks, which could indicate a collapse, the News24 website quoted Carelse as saying. J.P. Smith, the Cape Town official in charge of safety and security, said at least one floor of the Old Assembly building was gutted and its entire roof had collapsed. The firefighters were now focusing efforts toward saving the National Assembly building, he said. While the Old Assembly building was closely connected to South Africas colonial and apartheid history, the National Assembly building was where former President F.W. de Klerk stood up at the opening of Parliament in 1990 and announced he was freeing Nelson Mandela from prison and effectively ending the apartheid system of white minority rule. The news electrified the country and reverberated around the world. Security guards first reported the fire at around 6 a.m. Sunday, Carelse said, and the 35 firefighters initially on the scene quickly called for reinforcements. Cape Town activated its Disaster Coordinating Team, which reacts to major emergencies. Police cordoned off the complex and closed nearby roads. De Lille said an investigation was underway into the cause of the blaze. Authorities were reviewing video camera footage and questioning the man arrested at the precinct. Parliament speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula cautioned against speculation that it was a deliberate attack on South Africas seat of democracy. Until such a time that a report has been furnished that there was arson, we have to be careful not to make suggestions that there was an attack, she said. Ramaphosa and many of South Africas top politicians were in Cape Town for the funeral Saturday of retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu at St. Georges Cathedral, about a block away from the Parliament. South Africans viewed the fire as a double blow on the first two days of the new year, after saying farewell to Tutu and then seeing their Parliament burn. Its just really a terrible setback, Ramaphosa said. The Arch (Tutu) wouldve been devastated as well. This is a place he supported and prayed for. South Africa has three capital cities. Cape Town is the legislative capital, as Parliament is located there. Pretoria is the administrative capital where government offices are and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital and hosts the Supreme Court. Cape Town has seen arson attacks before. A huge wildfire on the slopes of Cape Towns famed Table Mountain last year spread to buildings below and destroyed part of a historic library at the University of Cape Town as well as other structures. A report concluded that fire was started deliberately. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Maxine McNair, the last living parent of any of the four Black girls killed in a 1963 Alabama church bombing, died Sunday. She was 93. McNairs family announced her death in a press release. A cause of death was not given. McNairs daughter, 11-year-old Denise McNair, was the youngest girl killed in the bombing of Birminghams 16th Street Baptist Church, the deadliest single attack of the civil rights movement. Also killed were three 14-year-olds: Addie Mae Collins, Carole Rosamond Robertson and Cynthia Dionne Wesley. Three members of the Ku Klux Klan were eventually convicted in the case, the first in 1977 and two more in the early 2000s. Maxine McNair worked as a teacher for over three decades in Birmingham public schools. Her daughter, Lisa McNair, said she changed many lives through education and left a lasting legacy through the students she touched. Mrs. McNair was an amazing wife and mother and as a teacher of 33 years in the Birmingham public school system imparted knowledge in the lives of hundreds. We are going to miss her laughter and her humor. The family would appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers, the familys statement said. Maxine McNairs husband, Chris McNair, died in 2019 at the age of 93. He was one of the first Black members of the Alabama legislature since Reconstruction, and a Jefferson County commissioner. In 2013, Maxine McNair attended an Oval Office ceremony in which President Barack Obama awarded the four girls the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the countrys highest civilian honors. Funeral arrangements for a celebration of Maxine McNairs life are pending. Denise McNair was one of five girls who had gathered in a downstairs bathroom at the 16th Street Baptist Church on Sept. 15, 1963, when a timed bomb planted by KKK members went off outside under a set of stairs. The fifth girl and sister of Addie Mae Collins, Sarah Collins Rudolph, was blinded in one eye by the blast. She later provided testimony that helped lead to the convictions of the men accused of planting the bomb. The church bombing came during the height of the fight for Civil Rights in America, and as Birminghams public schools were being desegregated. The four girls became emblems of the racist hatred that emanated from much of the opposition to equal rights. WASHINGTON The late Sen. Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat who served as majority leader during a 30-year career in the Senate, will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda next week. The leaders of Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, said in a statement Sunday night that ceremonies honoring Reid at the Capitol will take place on Jan. 12. Events will include a formal arrival and departure ceremony. Details were to be announced later. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was being limited to invited guests only. Few dedicated their life and career to working for and delivering for working families like Harry Reid, and it will be an honor to pay tribute to him in the Capitol next week, Schumer said. Pelosi said it was her solemn honor to pay tribute to a legendary leader, a great American and my dear friend. Reid, 82, died last Tuesday at his home in Henderson, Nevada, after battling pancreatic cancer. A memorial service was planned for Saturday in Las Vegas. Beginning with his election to the U.S. House in 1982, Reid served in Congress longer than anyone in Nevada history. He retired from the Senate in 2016. WILMINGTON, Del. President Joe Biden conferred on Sunday with Ukraines leader over the Russian troop buildup near its border, promising that the U.S. and allies will act decisively if Russia further invades the Eastern European nation. Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyys call came as the U.S. and Western allies prepared for a series of diplomatic meetings to try to de-escalate a crisis that Moscow said could rupture ties with Washington. President Biden made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement following the call. Psaki added that Biden underscored his commitment to the principle of nothing about you without you, the tenet that it wont negotiate policy that impacts Europe without its allies input. Biden has spoken of hitting Russia with economy-jarring sanctions if it moves on Ukraines territory, but he said last month that U.S. military action is not on the table. The Kremlin has demanded that any further expansion of NATO exclude Ukraine and other former Soviet countries. The Russians have also demanded that the military alliance remove offensive weaponry from countries in the region. The White House has dismissed Russias demands on NATO as a non-starter. A key principle of the NATO alliance is that membership is open to any qualifying country. And no outsider has membership veto power. While theres little prospect that Ukraine would be invited into the alliance anytime soon, the U.S. and its allies wont rule it out. Zelenskyy said in a Twitter posting after Sundays call that keeping peace in Europe, preventing further escalation, reforms, deoligarchization were discussed. We appreciate the unwavering support, Zelenskyy said. The United States has made little progress in efforts to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease tensions. Senior U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to meet Jan. 9-10 in Geneva to discuss the situation. Those talks are to be followed by meetings at the NATO-Russia Council, and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Biden spoke with Putin for nearly an hour on Thursday. He told reporters the next day that he warned Putin that his economy would pay a heavy price if Russia, which has massed some 100,000 troops near the border, made further moves against Ukraine. Im not going to negotiate here in public, but we made it clear that he cannot I emphasize cannot move on Ukraine, Biden said Friday. Biden said he told Putin it was important for the Russians to take steps before those meetings toward easing the crisis. Putins foreign affairs adviser, in describing the presidents conversation this past week, said Bidens pursuit of sanctions could lead to a complete rupture of relations between our countries and Russia-West relations will be severely damaged. U.S. intelligence findings indicate Russia has made preparations for a potential invasion in early 2022. But White House officials say it remains unclear whether Putin has already made a decision to move forward with military action. Still, Biden said he remained hopeful for the upcoming talks. White House officials say they will consult closely with Western allies. I always expect if you negotiate you make progress, but well see, he said Friday. Well see. Past military incursions by Putin loom large as Biden weighs his next steps. In 2014, Russian troops marched into the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and seized the territory from Ukraine. Russias annexation of Crimea was one of the darker moments for President Barack Obama on the international stage. The U.S.-Russia relationship was badly damaged near the end of President George W. Bushs administration after Russias 2008 invasion of its neighbor Georgia after Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili ordered his troops into the breakaway region of South Ossetia. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Sunday he feared that Putin was intent on invading Ukraine and nothing other than a level of sanctions that Russia has never seen will deter him. Russia needs to understand we are united in this, Schiff told Face the Nation on CBS. I also think that a powerful deterrent is the understanding that if they do invade, it is going to bring (NATO) closer to Russia, not push it farther away. ___ Associated Press writer Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv contributed to this report. BOULDER, Colo. Investigators seeking the cause of the Colorado wildfire that destroyed nearly 1,000 buildings have narrowed their search to an area near Boulder, but it could be days or weeks before details are released, the sheriff said Monday. The search is focused on an area where a passer-by captured video of a burning shed on the day the fire began, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle told a news briefing. He said dozens of people have been interviewed thus far. Experts from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Forest Service were participating in the investigation, Pelle said. The sheriff declined to offer many more details on Monday, a day after saying that the fire originated somewhere in the neighborhood with the burning shed. Declaring that the stakes are huge, Pelle said he would not comment on the probe until he was ready to announce some progress perhaps that may be a week, perhaps that may be a month. Getting it right, he said, was more important than the urge for speed that a lot of folks are feeling right now. Experts say the winter fire was rare but that similar events will become more common as climate change warms the planet and suburbs grow in fire-prone areas. The inferno broke out unusually late in the year following months of drought that included a dry fall and a winter with hardly any snow so far. No downed power lines were found in the area being investigated, according to the countys Office of Emergency Management. Meanwhile, teams continued searching Monday for two people who were still missing, and survivors sorted through the charred remnants of their homes to find whatever was left. The Boulder County area known as Marshall Mesa is near the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills and overlooks the more heavily populated suburbs to the east that were devastated by the fast-moving fire, which was whipped up by furious winds blowing from the foothills. The area is surrounded by tinder-dry public open space and private grasslands. Over the weekend, authorities executed a search warrant, but the sheriff declined to elaborate and did not comment on whether he thought the fire was arson. A sheriffs official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that several properties were under investigation, including one in the Marshall Mesa area, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) west of the hard-hit town of Superior. A National Guard Humvee blocked access to the neighborhood on Monday. In the search for the missing, crews were looking for a woman in the town of Superior and a man from the nearby community of Marshall. Pelle said the crews were sifting debris by hand and using small tools. Louisville Police Chief Dave Hayes said authorities used cadaver dogs to re-check destroyed properties as a precaution. He said no one was reported missing in the heavily damaged city, but that doesnt mean we wont find something. Hayes told reporters after the briefing that he lost his own home and was wearing a change of clothes he asked someone to buy for him. Gov. Jared Polis told the briefing that it was remarkable that a fire of this speed and size resulted in only two people missing. Tens of thousands of people evacuated on Thursday, and Polis emphasized the importance of heeding evacuation orders. When you get a pre-evac or evacuation notice, hop to it. The residents did, and most of them are with us today, he said. While homes that burned to the foundations were still smoldering in some places, the blaze was no longer considered an immediate threat especially with frigid temperatures and a blanket of snow that fell Saturday. Most of the 991 buildings destroyed by the fire were homes. But the blaze also burned through eight businesses at a shopping center in Louisville, including a nail salon and a Subway restaurant. In neighboring Superior, 12 businesses were damaged, including a Target, a Chuck E. Cheese pizzeria, a Tesla car dealership, a hotel and the town hall. The two towns are about 20 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Denver and have a combined population of 34,000. Among the homes that were still intact, utility crews went door to door to check if natural gas and electricity could be safely restored. Is there toxic fumes? Are we OK to move back in? asked Nancy Alderson, who said she was worried about plastics and other materials consumed in the blaze. Over the weekend, authorities distributed thousands of space heaters to families who endured several days of freezing temperatures inside homes spared by the fire. What a relief, uttered Louisville resident Carl Johns as a utility worker turned on a gas valve and went inside Johns home of 21 years to make sure appliances were lighting up. He had been evacuated since Thursday, when police drove through the neighborhood and urged everyone by loudspeaker to leave the area. Some of his neighbors werent so lucky. Down the street stood a row of burned homes. That just blows me away, Johns said. The houses arent there, and you cant recognize your own block. The Boulder Valley School District, which serves the wildfire area, planned to resume classes as scheduled on Wednesday and to provide counseling services for students and staff affected by the flames. The University of Colorado in Boulder delayed in-person classes to Jan. 24, with remote learning starting Jan. 10. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/environment. The Connecticut Department of Public Health last Friday released new guidance for school districts regarding how long students should quarantine, when to test and when to return to school. The guidelines also give schools the option to discontinue contact tracing and instead focus on detecting symptomatic students and staff. Advertisement The departments update follows new guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which shortened the recommended isolation period for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to five days. Heres what you need to know. Advertisement What should my child do if they are exposed to COVID-19? Fully vaccinated students who have a close contact with a known COVID-19 case can continue going to school for in-person learning if they are asymptomatic, the Department of Public Health recommends. They should continue to wear a mask around others for 10 days, and should consider quarantining for five days from activities outside of school where the virus could be transmitted. The department recommends getting tested either at a testing site or with an at-home rapid test or a lab test. The guidelines are more strict for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students. The department is now recommending that these students stay home from school and quarantine for five days after their last exposure to COVID-19. Like fully vaccinated students, these students should also test for COVID-19 after five days and wear a mask around others for 10 days. What if my child develops symptoms? This also depends on vaccination status. Fully vaccinated students should isolate at home immediately after symptoms develop and access a test. If negative, they can return to regular activities 24 hours after symptoms significantly improve. If positive, students should isolate for a minimum of five days. They can return to regular activities as early as day six so long as symptoms are improved, but should continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days. Advertisement Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students with symptoms, if also notified of a close contact with COVID-19, must isolate for a minimum of five days regardless of test results. These students can return to regular activities after six days if symptoms significantly improve. If they are not notified of a known close contact with COVID-19, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students should follow the same guidance as fully vaccinated students. What if my child tests positive, but doesnt have any symptoms? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people isolate for five days after a positive test, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms and regardless of vaccination status. What about contact tracing? Five Things You Need To Know Daily We're providing the latest coronavirus coverage in Connecticut each weekday morning. > The Department of Public Health is recommending that schools discontinue contact tracing for cases that occur inside school, and focus instead on identifying symptomatic cases among students and staff. Contact tracing becomes less effective when community transmission levels are high, as they now are in Connecticut, the department noted, and the risk of in-school exposure is relatively low when robust safety and mitigation strategies are followed. Advertisement They also highlight the current wave of testing demand and shortened isolation guidelines from the CDC, which make it likely that many students would be outside of their quarantine period by the time contact tracing could be completed. What should schools do if they dont contact trace? Schools should continue to enforce universal masking inside of schools, barring medical exceptions, the department recommends. Periods of unmasking inside school, like lunch periods, should be brief and physically distanced. Schools should also continue to keep parents and guardians of students, as well as staff, appraised of the positive cases within the school population. Seamus McAvoy may be reached at smcavoy@courant.com WASHINGTON The first time Celeste Norris laid eyes on Ashli Babbitt, the future insurrectionist had just rammed her vehicle three times with an SUV and was pounding on the window, challenging her to a fight. Norris says the bad blood between them began in 2015, when Babbitt engaged in a monthslong extramarital affair with Norris longtime live-in boyfriend. When she learned of the relationship, Norris called Babbitts husband and told him she was cheating. She pulls up yelling and screaming, Norris said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, recounting the July 29, 2016, road-rage incident in Prince Frederick, Maryland. It took me a good 30 seconds to figure out who she was. Just all sorts of expletives, telling me to get out of the car, that she was going to beat my ass. Terrified and confused, Norris dialed 911 and waited for law enforcement. Babbitt was later charged with numerous misdemeanors. The attack on Norris is an example of erratic and sometimes threatening behavior by Babbitt, who was shot by a police officer while at the vanguard of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Former President Donald Trump and his supporters have sought to portray her as a righteous martyr who was unjustly killed. Trump has called her an incredible person and he even taped a posthumous birthday greeting to her in October. Trump has also demanded the Justice Department reinvestigate Babbitts death, though the officer who shot her was cleared of any wrongdoing by two prior federal investigations. But the life of the Air Force veteran from California, who died while wearing a Trump campaign flag wrapped around her shoulders like a cape, was far more complicated than the heroic portrait presented by Trump and his allies. In the months before her death, Babbitt had become consumed by pro-Trump conspiracy theories and posted angry screeds on social media. She also had a history of making violent threats. Babbitt, 35, was fatally shot while attempting to climb through the broken window of a barricaded door leading to the Speakers Lobby inside the Capitol, where police officers were evacuating members of Congress from the mob supporting Trumps false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. She was one of five people who died during or immediately after the riot, including a Capitol Police officer. On social media, Babbitt identified as a Libertarian and ardent supporter of the Second Amendment. Her posts included videos of profane rants against Democrats, COVID-19 mask mandates and illegal immigration. Her Twitter account, which was taken down after her death, was rife with references to the QAnon conspiracy theory, which centers on the baseless belief that Trump has secretly battled deep-state enemies and a cabal of Satan-worshiping cannibals that includes prominent Democrats who operate a child sex trafficking ring. Nothing will stop us, Babbitt tweeted Jan. 5. They can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours.dark to light! Among Q followers, The Storm refers to the predicted day Trump would finally unmask the pedophile cabal, arrest and execute those deemed traitors and restore America to greatness. Trump has repeatedly insisted Babbitt was murdered, and she has achieved martyr status among Trump supporters. Her name and likeness now appear on T-shirts and flags at pro-Trump rallies. A Maryland personal injury lawyer representing Babbitts husband, Aaron Babbitt, has raised $375,000 through a Christian crowdfunding site and has threatened to file a lawsuit against the Capitol Police. Key to that wrongful death claim is the contention that Babbitt, a former military police officer who was 5-foot-2 and weighed 115 pounds, would have peacefully surrendered had Capitol officers attempted to arrest her. Aaron Babbitt declined to comment in October when a reporter knocked on the door of the San Diego apartment he shared with Ashli and another woman. In a June interview with Tucker Carlson of Fox News, Babbitt said he has been sickened by some of what he has seen written about his deceased wife. Theres never been a person who Ashli ran across in her daily life that didnt love her, said Babbitt, 40. That is not how Norris felt about her. Court records involving the violent 2016 confrontation between Babbitt and Norris have previously been reported by media outlets, including the AP. But Norris, now 39, agreed to speak about it publicly for the first time in an interview with the AP and shared previously unreported details. She also provided documents and photos from the crash scene to support her account. Norris was in a six-year relationship with Aaron Babbitt when she said she learned he was cheating on her with a married co-worker from his job as a security guard at a nuclear power plant near the Chesapeake Bay. She eventually found out the other woman was Ashli McEntee, who at the time went by the last name of her then-husband. He was telling me about this foulmouthed chick thats on his shift, blah, blah, blah, Norris recounted. Come to find out a few months later they were basically having this relationship while they were at work. When she learned of the affair, she reached out to Babbitts husband, Timothy McEntee. You know, I was trying to keep my home life together, she said. Norris said she tried for a few months to salvage her relationship with Aaron Babbitt before finally deciding to move out of their house. Within days, Norris said, Ashli moved in. A few weeks later, Norris was waiting at a stop sign in Prince Frederick, about an hour southeast of Washington, D.C., when she says a white Ford Explorer passed her going the other direction. Norris saw the SUV pulling a U-turn before speeding up behind her. She recounts that the SUVs driver began swerving erratically, laying on the horn and attempting to pass a Chevrolet Suburban that was in between them on the narrow two-lane road. When the driver of the Chevy pulled over, Norris said the white Ford SUV accelerated and rammed into her rear bumper. She said the SUV rammed her a second time and then a third, all while the vehicles continued to roll down the road. After Norris dialed 911, an emergency dispatcher advised her to pull over to the shoulder and stop. As she waited for help, Babbitt got out of her vehicle and came up to Norris drivers-side window, banging on the glass. Norris said the force of the impact caused her seatbelt to lock tight, preventing her from getting out of her car. Within minutes, deputies arrived. A case report from the Calvert County Sheriffs Office obtained by the AP shows Ashli Babbitt was issued a criminal summons on charges of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor defined under Maryland law as engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another and punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. She was also charged with malicious destruction of property for the damage to Norris vehicle. Court records show those charges were later updated to include traffic offenses reckless driving, negligent driving and failure to control a vehicles speed to avoid a collision. Photos from the scene provided to the AP by Norris show Babbitts white Ford Explorer with its front bumper smashed in. The SUVs grill is also pushed in and the hood dented. The rear bumper of Norris Escape is pushed in on the passenger side, with the detached Maryland license plate from the front bumper of Babbitts SUV wedged into it. Following the altercation, Norris and a friend went to the courthouse in neighboring St. Marys County, where she lived at the time, and petitioned for a peace order, a type of restraining order, against Ashli Babbitt. The resulting judicial order barred Ashli Babbitt from attempting to contact Norris, committing further acts of violence against her and going to her home or workplace. A copy of the order, dated the same day as the altercation, contains Norris contemporaneous account of what occurred, as written down by her friend. Norris hands were still shaking so badly she couldnt write down what happened for herself, according to a note on the document. In the weeks after the incident, Norris said, Babbitt falsely claimed to authorities that the collisions had occurred when Norris repeatedly backed her vehicle into Babbitts SUV. But when the case went to trial, Norris said, Babbitt changed her story, admitting under oath that she had collided with Norris vehicle but portraying it as an accident. No transcript from the hearing was available, but Norris said the lawyer defending Babbitt made repeated references to her employment at the local nuclear power plant and years of military service, which included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Babbitt served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, and then in the reserves and the Air National Guard until 2016. A judge acquitted Babbitt on the criminal charges. In February 2017, records show Norris asked for and received a second peace order against Ashli Babbitt, citing ongoing harassment and stalking. In a handwritten petition, Norris says that Babbitt had recently followed her home from work and that she had also received repeated calls in the middle of the night from an unlisted number. I lived in fear because I didnt know what she was capable of, Norris told the AP. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. In 2019, Norris filed a personal injury lawsuit against Ashli Babbitt, seeking $74,500 in damages, and she said she settled out of court with Babbitts insurance carrier for an undisclosed sum. By then, Aaron and Ashli had moved to California, where she grew up and still had family. Timothy McEntee was granted a divorce in Maryland in May 2019. McEntee did not respond to voicemails and messages left at his home. Ashli posted on Facebook that she married Aaron Babbitt the following month. Records show the couple owned a pool cleaning service with Ashlis brother. When a reporter visited the business the day after her death, a large sign on the locked door declared the building to be Mask Free Autonomous Zone Better Known as America. In the year since Babbitts death, Trump and many Republicans in Congress have sought to recast the Jan. 6 insurrection as nonviolent a contention directly contradicted by hours of video footage and the public testimony of Capitol Police officers, 140 of whom were injured in the melee. In his video on Babbitts birthday, Trump also said: Together we grieve her terrible loss. There was no reason Ashli should have lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family, so on this solemn occasion as we celebrate her life, we renew our call for a fair and nonpartisan investigation into the death of Ashli Babbitt. Aaron Babbitts lawyer, Terrell Roberts III, did not respond to numerous phone messages and emails seeking comment. But in written statements to the media, he has said her shooting was tantamount to an execution without trial. Given her background as a 14-year veteran of the Air Force, it is likely that Ashli would have complied with simple verbal commands, thereby making the use of any force unnecessary, Roberts said. The Capitol Police officer who shot Babbitt, Lt. Michael Byrd, said in a televised interview in August that he fired as a last resort. When he pulled the trigger, he said, he had no idea whether the person jumping through the window was armed. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia cleared Byrd of wrongdoing in April, concluding that he acted in self-defense and in the defense of members of Congress. The U.S. Capitol Police announced in August that they had also cleared Byrd. I tried to wait as long as I could, Byrd said. I hoped and prayed no one tried to enter through those doors. But their failure to comply required me to take the appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers. ___ Associated Press correspondent Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP Investigative Reporter Michael Biesecker at http://twitter.com/mbieseck ___ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org. ___ This story has been corrected to show the interviewers surname is Carlson, not Carson. HONG KONG A group of lawmakers loyal to Chinas Communist Party were sworn in to Hong Kongs Legislature on Monday following an election without opposition candidates, as yet another pro-democracy news outlet announced it could no longer operate amid a growing crackdown on freedoms in the territory. The former British colony that was returned to China in 1997 was once known as a haven for dissent and freedoms of the press and expression not seen on the mainland. But the central government in Beijing has clamped down in the last year, leading to the closure of independent news outlets, the removal of monuments to dissent, and a poorly attended election swept by pro-Beijing politicians. The founders of news outlet Citizen News said the news site will stop publishing on Tuesday. While they have received no order to close, they said Monday that deteriorating media freedoms in the financial hub put them in an impossible position. We all love this place, deeply. Regrettably, what was ahead of us is not just pouring rains or blowing winds, but hurricanes and tsunamis, Citizen News said in a statement on Sunday, when it announced the closure. The outlet is the third to close in recent months, following the shuttering of the territorys last pro-democracy print newspaper, Apple Daily, and the online site Stand News. Citizen News was founded in 2017 by a group of veteran journalists. The small site focused on political news and analysis pieces, as well as investigations and in recent months became a refuge for many journalists who had lost their jobs when other outlets closed or faced other pressures. With Apple Dailys sudden closure in the past summer, the journalism majors who were originally supposed to intern with them, Citizen News made arrangements to take them in, so that students wouldnt lose this internship opportunity, said Vivian W.W. Tam, a senior lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kongs journalism school, in a public Facebook post. Tam declined to be interviewed. But a new sweeping National Security Law imposed on Hong Kong by Chinas central Legislature has made independent reporting increasingly dangerous. Journalists and political activists have been arrested under the law, and it has forced civil rights groups and unions to disband. Many more activists have fled. Meanwhile, new laws have changed how Hong Kongers vote for their representatives, including a requirement that any who seek office must be patriots, effectively bringing the body under Beijings control. What we understood about press freedom has changed a lot, said Chris Yeung, founder and chief writer at Citizen News. Yeung said at a news conference on Monday that the trigger for their decision to shut down was what happened to Stand News. Last week, authorities raided Stand News and arrested seven people including editors and former board members for allegedly conspiring to publish seditious material. Stand News announced on the same day that it would cease to operate. Two of Stand News former editors who were arrested were later formally charged with sedition. In the summer, authorities forced the closure of Apple Daily, the newspaper owned by media tycoon and democracy activist Jimmy Lai. Lai is currently in jail and was newly charged with sedition last week. I fear that this will turn Hong Kong into a black box, that no one will be informed, said Chung Ching Kwong, the project manager at the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong. She said that although Citizen News had not been contacted by authorities, she views the closure as forced. I think in general the closures are basically involuntarily because theres this fear that they cannot do real and genuine journalism in the current political environment in Hong Kong, said Kwong, an activist from Hong Kong who now lives in Germany. The Society of Publishers in Asia, a group based in Hong Kong that hosts an annual journalism award, also said Monday it is concerned about pressures against independent media in the city. The U.S. and other Western governments have condemned the limits on media and civil freedoms that Beijing promised to uphold for 50 years following Hong Kongs 1997 handover. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam last week defended the raid on Stand News, telling reporters that inciting other people could not be condoned under the guise of news reporting. The only remaining independent news media with reach in the city are Hong Kong Free Press, an English-language news outlet, and Initium, a Chinese-language news outlet which moved its headquarters to Singapore in August, but still has staff in the city. Citizen News likened itself to a small dinghy in rough waters. At the center of a brewing storm, we found (ourselves) in a critical situation. In the face of a crisis, we must ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who are on board, it said. ___ This story has been updated to correct that the National Security Law was passed in 2020, not 2019. ___ Wu reported from Taipei, Taiwan. WENN/Brian To Celebrity The recent legal trouble arrives amid the 57-year-old 'Anchorman' actor's preparation for his upcoming comedy tour, whic is set to kick off on January 6 in Rochester, New York. Jan 3, 2022 AceShowbiz - Former "The Office" star David Koechner faced a legal trouble on New Year's Eve. According to new reports, the actor was arrested on December 31, 2021 for a suspected DUI and hit-and-run in Simi Valley, California. TMZ was the first to report. The news outlet claimed that David, who is best known for his role as Todd Packer on the hit NBC comedy, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence at 3 P.M. He was allegedly booked at Ventura County Jail at 5:15 P.M. local time. The "Anchorman" star remained there until the next morning as he was released at 5:49 A.M. According to law enforcement sources, the authorities received a call for an erratic driver. When they arrived, David was quickly given a field sobriety test, which he failed. It was also said that his vehicle was towed shortly after. David is set to appear at court on March 30 in Ventura, Calif. The arrest arrives amid David's preparation for his upcoming comedy tour, which is set to kick off on January 6 in Rochester, New York. As he is scheduled to go on the tour through May 21, it is unknown if his recent legal trouble will affect the tour. That aside, David went through a major heartbreak last year as he split from his wife Leigh Koechner after nearly of 22 years of marriage. According to court documents obtained by Page Six in last January, the 57-year-old actor filed a petition for dissolution of marriage with minor children in California. The exes, who tied the knot in 1998, shares five children together, Charlie, Margot, Sargent, Audrey and Eve. The documents, however, didn't mention the reason for the split. On the same day when the news of the divorce broke out, Leigh took to Twitter to announce that she'd be launching a webinar about the different stages of divorce and "how to navigate them back to love, back to happiness." The "Messy Imperfect Life With Leigh" podcast host wrote at the time, "Divorce sucks, but we don't have to suffer." WENN/Avalon/C.Smith Movie Instead of apologizing for mistaking a childhood photo of Roberts for Watson, producers of HBO Max's 'Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts' applaud fans for spotting the blunder. Jan 3, 2022 AceShowbiz - "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts" owed fans an explanation after it featured a major blunder. The HBO Max special, which debuted on Saturday, January 1, mistakenly used a photo of Emma Roberts instead of Emma Watson. In the reunion special, Watson discussed her childhood memories of the magical franchise. The British actress recalled she was just a child whose parent was reading the "Harry Potter" books to her before she was cast for the first movie. "I think I probably wouldve been about 8 years old. I think that's probably when the first one came out. It became, like, our family thing," the Hermione Granger depicter told the cameras as a photo of young Roberts, instead of Watson, was shown. "My dad used to do all the voices, and my brother and i just became obsessed. We would just beg him to keep going." One eagle-eyed fan quickly spotted the mistake and brought it up on Twitter. "GUYS HELP ME THATS LITERALLY EMMA ROBERTS NOT EMMA WATSON," the fan posted along with screenshots of Roberts' photo in the special. A baffled user reacted, "Omg HOW does this happen." "How they gonna do Emma (Watson) dirty like that lol," a third joked. One viewer chimed in, "omg I literally thought of this while watching it!! I remember that photo making the rounds when they were filming DH pt 1 when Hermione uses obliviate on her parents and you see baby photos of Emma W - people were saying that this photo was 'exclusive' from the set." "I knew something didn't look right lmao!!! How did this happen," another fan also spotted the mistake. Someone else shared, "omfg they showed this photo and I was likethat doesnt look like her? Lol." One person joked, "Emma's multiverse." Some others blamed HBO Max and its employees for the mistake. "Sigh -all these Emmas look alike. Seriously, I can see making the mistake because this does look like it could be Emma W. What I don't get is not catching the mistake in quality control - say letting the actors or some family look at the kid pictures?" one wondered. Another critic remarked, "You had one job HBO max." Someone jokingly urged Roberts to "SUE THEM !!!!!" for using her picture. Another predicted, "some interns are gonna get fired." One other asked, "@hbomax everything all right!?" Producers of "Return to Hogwarts" have since noticed the complaints. In a statement to EW, they said, "Well spotted Harry Potter fans! You brought an editing mistake of a mislabeled photograph to our attention." They promised to edit the error, adding, "New version up shortly." The retrospective special also features Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton and more beloved stars of the franchise. CNN/ABC/Jeff Neira TV While ABC's 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve' includes performances by Journey, Ashanti and Ja Rule, the Bravo executive producer thinks that the lineup could have been better. Jan 3, 2022 AceShowbiz - Andy Cohen apparently wasn't impressed by ABC's New Year's Eve broadcast in Times Square. While hosting CNN's New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper on December 31, 2021, he made shady comments on Ryan Seacrest's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve". "If you look behind me, you'll see Ryan Seacrest's group of losers performing," the 53-year-old TV personality shared. "I'm sorry but if you're watching ABC, you're watching nothing." While the ABC broadcast included performances by Arnel Pineda-led Journey, Ashanti and Ja Rule, Andy thought that the lineup could have been better. "We were doused with confetti from fake Journey on ABC. If it's not Steve Perry, it doesn't count! You get it?" the Bravo executive producer said. "It's not Journey! It's propaganda! It's propaganda! It's not Journey! It's not Journey! No, that was not Journey. Steve Perry is Journey." Viewers quickly took to Twitter to weigh in on Andy's diss. "Andy Cohen calling Ryan Seacrest a loser might be the funniest thing I've seen on television this year," one person tweeted. Another comment read, "Andy Cohen calling Ryan Seacrest live (and wasted) on national TV a loser already won 2022 #CNNNYE." "CNN made the decision a long time ago that drunk Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, and Don Lemon was far more entertaining to people than Ryan Seacrest and company," someone else added. Ryan wasn't the only person that Andy slammed that night. The "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" host bashed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Watching Mayor de Blasio do his victory-lap dance after four years of the crappiest term as the mayor of New York - the only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been," Andy yelled. Anderson tried to stop him, saying, "Oh, don't go on a rant. Don't go on a rant!" However, Andy went on to say, "So, sayonara, sucka! 2022! It's a new year because guess what? I have a feeling I'm gonna be standing right here next year, and you know who I'm not going to be looking at dancing as the city comes apart? You!" Following the broadcast, the TV personality admitted that he was "a bit overserved." He made the confession on his Twitter account on Saturday, January 1, writing, "good morning! Um, I was a bit overserved last night." He added, "I was a hair over-served last night, but man did I have fun! I hope you did too. Happy New Year everybody." WENN/Instagram/Avalon Celebrity Just hours before going on a cozy dinner date with the 'Uncut Gems' actress, the 'Hurricane' spitter was spotted hanging out on a hotel balcony with a mystery woman. Jan 3, 2022 AceShowbiz - Kanye West is single and mingling. The rapper, who has been back into the dating scene following his split from Kim Kardashian nearly one year ago, has been hanging out with some models and most recently sparked dating rumors with actress Julia Fox. The "Gold Digger" spitter and the "Uncut Gems" star were caught on a date on Saturday night, January 1 in Miami. In one of pictures obtained by TMZ, the pair enjoyed a romantic candlelight dinner at the celeb hotspot Carbone. Another snap showed the two entering the establishment. Ye was seen gazing at Julia intently while the brunette beauty was all smiles. For the outing, the Yeezy designer bundled up in a black jacket, while the Breakthrough Actor Award winner at the 2019 Gotham Awards bared her cleavage in a sexy blue corset top and pants. The Atlanta native wore a black face mask, while the Italian-born actress did not. Though they seemed to enjoy each's other companion during their cozy dinner date, sources familiar with the situation tell the site that it was "nothing serious" and that Kanye is simply trying to enjoy his single life. Indeed, Ye has been having a lot of fun lately. Hours before the dinner date with Julia, the father of four was photographed hanging out with a mystery girl on a hotel balcony in Miami. In pictures obtained by Daily Mail, he was joined by the abs-baring brunette beauty as they leaned against the balcony railing with their attention elsewhere. Later, another scantily-clad woman was seen stepping out of the same room. The raven beauty flashed her abs and cleavage as she wore a very plunging black top. She ran her hair through her long locks. Meanwhile, Kanye was also spotted wearing his headphones in other pictures. These sightings arrive after Kanye was seen hanging out with Instagram models at J Mulan's birthday celebration in Houston following reports that he had called it quits with model Vinetria. Later, IG model Yasmine Lopez claimed that another social media personality, Michaela, slept with Kanye as they were feuding on social media. Both Yasmine and Michaela were spotted partying with Kanye at the birthday bash. Following their encounter that night, rumors swirled about the Atlanta spitter possibly linking up with Yasmine. However, sources told TMZ they are not dating. The two reportedly arrived separately and interacted, but they're not involved. Instagram Celebrity When denying the accusation that she's affiliated with the Makk Balla Brims gang based in Queens, New York, the 'Super Bass' hitmaker stresses that she and Kenneth Petty are not part of any gang. Jan 3, 2022 AceShowbiz - Nicki Minaj has shot down accusations of being gang affiliated. The "Super Bass" raptress has set the record straight on the claims made by her husband Kenneth Petty's rape accuser Jennifer Hough. During a court appearance, the 39-year-old rapper explained why she could have been mistaken for being affiliated with the Makk Balla Brims gang based in Queens, New York. "I was quickly surrounded by my fans, particularly in this instance because my pink Rolls Royce was in the direct sightline of apartment buildings across the street from where I had stopped," she shared. "While my husband and I recognized a few friends and acquaintances from the neighborhood that night, including Rico Danna, an artist whom I intend to sign to my label, none of them belong to any gang," Nicki stated. The Trinidadian rapper stressed further, "Neither I, my husband, nor anyone I knew made any 'gang' signs that night." Nicki continued, "I did not mention [Jennifer] or this case that night." The "Beez in the Trap" raptress concluded, "Nor did I hear anyone, including my husband, mention [Jennifer] or this case that night." Nicki's statement arrived after Tyrone A Blackburn, a lawyer for Jennifer, claimed that the married couple was affiliated with the Makk Balla Brims gang. "[Kenneth] Petty and Maraj were both in this district, in Jamaica, Queens, New York," the attorney told a judge. "As seen on an Instagram live video currently up on Maraj's Instagram page, both Maraj and Petty were seen associating with members of the Makk Ballers set of the Bloods Gang," Tyrone further claimed. "Petty and Maraj are both members of this gang." Tyrone then alleged that the members of the gang had harassed his client online. He said, "Shortly after Petty and Maraj are spotted with their gangster colleagues, a member of the gang posted a death threat to Ms. Hough on Twitter, stating, 'Jennifer if you see this, the Makks are coming to get you.' " Jennifer filed her lawsuit against Nicki and Kenneth back in August as she accused them of intentional infliction of emotional distress, harassment as well as witness intimidation. Jennifer claimed the "Anaconda" femcee sent her lawyers to her home to pressure her into withdrawing her rape allegations. Prior to that, the rapper reportedly tried to bribe Jennifer's brother through her assistants, but the attempts didn't work. As for Kenneth, he was convicted and placed on a sex offender list, but Nicki has always maintained her husband and Jennifer were dating at the time of the incident. However, the victim already denied the star's claims, telling Garcelle Beauvais and Adrienne Bailon on "The Real", "We both were 16, we were never in a relationship. I just felt woman to woman that was wrong of her." WENN/Instagram/Ivan Nikolov Celebrity After some digging, social media users manage to find the mystery lady in the 'Turn On the Lights' rapper's now-deleted post as she shares a similar picture on her own account. Jan 3, 2022 AceShowbiz - Future's mystery lady is not a mystery anymore. After he raised eyebrows with his quick post and delete featuring an unknown woman, the girl in the image has been identified, thanks to Internet sleuths. On Friday, December 31, the "Move That Dope" hitmaker shared several throwback photos on his Instagram Story as he reflected on some of his best moments in 2021. One of the images, interestingly, featured a girl posing with a bird on her hand as she squatted with the backdrop of the desert. The woman's face was mostly covered with only her eyes showing as she wore a wrap around her face and her hoodie on. It, however, didn't take too long for social media users to locate the woman in question as she posted a similar picture on her own feed. The woman wrote Drie as her name on her Instagram bio and listed "entrepreneur" and "store owner" as her job. While Future's picture of the woman was in black and white, hers was colorful. She also tagged Dubai desert as the location where the photo was taken, hinting that she and Future recently spent time together in United Arab Emirates. "Stay true to yourself, an original is worth more than a copy," she captioned her snaps, which also featured a breathtaking view of the sunset. Fans of Future have since greeted her in the comments section. "O hello we found you," one cheeky user wrote. Another claimed, "Found her." A third remarked, "Oh this you? thanks shaderoom," as someone else warned her, "Girlllll don't do it ! Save urself the break up after 2 months." Neither Future nor Drie has explained their relationship status as the rapper has quickly deleted the Story featuring her. The dating rumors aside, Future recently teamed up with Kanye West to throw a last-minute New Year's Eve party hosted by Justin LaBoy in Miami. Instagram Celebrity The actress portraying Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid' is seen sitting next to the 'Moonwalking in Calabasas' rapper at the event which is held in Caesar's Palace. Jan 3, 2022 AceShowbiz - Halle Bailey is seemingly enjoying her time with rapper DDG. "The Little Mermaid" actress has further fueled speculations that she's dating the "Moonwalking in Calabasas" spitter as they were caught attending Usher's concert together. On Saturday night, January 1, the duo was caught enjoying a good time together at Usher's Las Vegas Residency in Caesar's Palace. In the short clip uploaded by The Shade Room, the 21-year-old actress and her rumored boyfriend were seated next to each other. While enjoying Usher's performance, Halle was seen expressing surprise as she yelled, "Oh my god." She then adorably looked at DDG, whose real name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., while the 24-year-old rapper simply smiled while enjoying the show. Usher himself took to his Instagram Story to post a picture of him posing with the pair. Many of Halle's fans expressed their opinions on social media upon learning of her potential romance with DDG. "She looks so happy," one person wrote, while a protective fan added, "He betta not hurt that girl." A third gushed, "They look so cute together." While many fans were all in support of the two dating, the rumors didn't sit well with a few others. "He better stay the f**k away from her," one fan penned. Another person insisted that their relationship "doesn't even make sense." Meanwhile, a separate social media user exclaimed, "SHE BETTER LEAVE ASAPP." A fourth wrote, "He better do no weird s**t he be doing wit rubi." The negative response arose as DDG, who was dating Rubi Rose prior to his alleged romance with Halle, went through a messy and public break-up with the raptress. The two began taking jabs at each other after their split and things turned nasty shortly after. The beef between DDG and Rubi sparked after the "Hit Yo Dance" raptress tweeted, "My next n***a gotta be tall, I wanna wear heels." In response, DDG took to Twitter, writing, "My next girl gotta have less than 60 bodies." After facing backlash for body-shaming Rubi, DDG shared an Instagram Story to issue an apology. Over a black background, he wrote, "My tweet was petty and made up and I admit I took it too far, that's my bad. I'm sorry Rubster." Following the drama, Rubi stressed that she's not interested in dating fellow rappers anymore because she believed they're not faithful. "I wanna say no, 'cause mostly like rappers and n***as in this industry are just habitual cheaters," she said during her appearance on "99JAMZ" in last August. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Rankings reflect sales for the week ending Saturday, Dec. 25, which were reported on a confidential basis by vendors offering a wide range of general interest titles. Picture Book rankings include hardcover sales only. Series rankings include all print and e-book sales. Every week, thousands of diverse selling locations report their actual sales on hundreds of thousands of individual titles. The panel of reporting retailers is comprehensive and reflects sales in stores of all sizes and demographics across the United States. An asterisk (*) indicates that a books sales were barely distinguishable from those of the book above. A (b) indicates that some bookstores reported receiving bulk orders. Advertisement The New York Times Best Sellers are compiled and archived by The Best-Seller Lists Desk of The New York Times News Department, and are separate from the Culture, Advertising and Business sides of The New York Times Co. More information on rankings and methodology: www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/methodology. ___ Advertisement PICTURE 1. CHANGE SINGS, by Amanda Gorman. Illustrated by Loren Long. (Viking) A childrens anthem for change. (Ages 4 to 8) 2. DRAGONS LOVE TACOS, by Adam Rubin. Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. (Dial) What to serve your dragon-guests. (Ages 3 to 5) 3. 5 MORE SLEEPS TIL CHRISTMAS, by Jimmy Fallon. Illustrated by Rich Deas. (Feiwel & Friends) A young boy anticipates the arrival of Christmas. (Ages 3 to 6) 4. LITTLE RED SLEIGH, by Erin Guendelsberger. Illustrated by Elizaveta Tretyakova. (Sourcebooks Wonderland) Little Red Sleigh dreams of becoming Santas sleigh one day. (Ages 4 and up) 5. HOW TO CATCH AN ELF, by Adam Wallace. Illustrated by Andy Elkerton. (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky) A tiny narrator dodges traps while making the Christmas rounds. (Ages 3 to 6) 6. THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU WILL BE, by Emily Winfield Martin. (Random House) A celebration of future possibilities. (Ages 3 to 7) 7. CONSTRUCTION SITE ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT, by Sherri Duskey Rinker. Illustrated by A.G. Ford. (Chronicle) Construction vehicles build a firehouse in time for Christmas. (Ages 3 to 5) 8. THE 1619 PROJECT: BORN ON THE WATER, by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson. Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith. (Kokila) A young Black girl traces her ancestry for a school assignment. (Ages 7 to 10) Advertisement 9. GRUMPY MONKEY OH, NO! CHRISTMAS, by Suzanne Lang. Illustrated by Max Lang. (Random House) Jim Panzee tries to get into the Christmas spirit. (Ages 3 to 7) 10. HOW TO CATCH A UNICORN, by Adam Wallace. Illustrated by Andy Elkerton. (Sourcebooks Wonderland) Children attempt to capture the mythical creature. (Ages 4 to 8) ___ MIDDLE GRADE HARDCOVER 1. THE CHRISTMAS PIG, by J.K. Rowling. Illustrated by Jim Field. (Scholastic) When a young boys favorite toy goes missing, its Christmas Pig to the rescue! (Ages 8 to 12) 2. DAUGHTER OF THE DEEP, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion) Ana Dakkar faces the weekend trials at the Harding-Pencroft Academy. (Ages 9 to 12) 3. THE COMPLETE COOKBOOK FOR YOUNG CHEFS, by Americas Test Kitchen Kids. (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky) Over 100 kid-tested recipes from Americas Test Kitchen. (Ages 8 and up) Advertisement 4. THE ICKABOG, by J.K. Rowling. (Scholastic) A fearsome monster threatens the kingdom of Cornucopia. (Ages 8 to 18) 5. THE COMPLETE BAKING BOOK FOR YOUNG CHEFS, by Americas Test Kitchen Kids. (Sourcebooks Explore) One hundred plus kid-tested baking recipes. (Ages 8 to 12) 6. DUDE PERFECT 101 TRICKS, TIPS, AND COOL STUFF, by Dude Perfect with Travis Thrasher. (Thomas Nelson) Step-by-step instructions to do your own trick shots. (Ages 8 to 12) 7. STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME, by Jason Reynolds. Illustrated by Raul the Third. (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy) As a coping mechanism for his frets, a young boy creates a superhero alter ego. (Ages 7 to 12) 8. OUT OF MY HEART, by Sharon M. Draper. (Atheneum) In this sequel to Out of My Mind, Melody goes to summer camp. (Ages 10 and up) 9. PONY, by R.J. Palacio. (Knopf) A young boy sets out on a perilous journey across America to rescue his father. (Ages 10 and up) Advertisement 10. PAX, JOURNEY HOME, by Sara Pennypacker. Illustrated by Jon Klassen. (Balzer and Bray) A boy and his pet fox reunite after a year of separation. (Ages 8 to 12) ___ YOUNG ADULT HARDCOVER 1. ONE OF US IS LYING, by Karen M. McManus. (Delacorte) For five students, a detour into detention ends in murder. (Ages 14 and up) 2. YOULL BE THE DEATH OF ME, by Karen M. McManus. (Delacorte) Three friends skip school together and become involved in a murder. (Ages 14 to 17) 3. THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS, by Chloe Gong. (Margaret K. McElderry) A re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai. (Ages 14 to 18) 4. LORE, by Alexandra Bracken. (Disney-Hyperion) To get revenge for her familys murder, Lore must re-enter a hunt known as the Agon. (Ages 14 to 18) 5. FIREKEEPERS DAUGHTER, by Angeline Boulley. (Holt) Daunis investigates a deadly new drug being distributed in her tribal community. (Ages 14 to 18) Advertisement 6. THE COUSINS, by Karen M. McManus. (Delacorte) Three cousins learn about their familys dark past. (Ages 14 to 17) 7. OUR VIOLENT ENDS, by Chloe Gong. (Margaret K. McElderry) The White Flowers and the Scarlet Gang join forces against a common enemy. (Ages 14 and up) 8. THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. (Little, Brown) Avery and the four Hawthorne grandsons have a new family puzzle to solve. (Ages 12 to 18) 9. IRON WIDOW, by Xiran Jay Zhao. (Penguin Teen) Zetian becomes a Chrysalises pilot to battle the Hunduns but has an ulterior motive. (Ages 14 to 17) 10. GILDED, by Marissa Meyer. (Feiwel & Friends) A re-imagining of the Brothers Grimm tale Rumpelstiltskin. (Ages 12 to 18) ___ Advertisement SERIES 1. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Amulet) The travails and challenges of adolescence. (Ages 9 to 12) 2. HARRY POTTER, by J.K. Rowling. (Scholastic) A wizard hones his conjuring skills in the service of fighting evil. (Ages 10 and up) 3. A GOOD GIRLS GUIDE TO MURDER, by Holly Jackson. (Delacorte) Pippa Fitz-Amobi solves murderous crimes. (Ages 14 and up) Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news > 4. THE LAST KIDS ON EARTH, by Max Brallier. Illustrated by Douglas Holgate. (Viking) Jack and his friends fight for their lives through the zombie apocalypse. (Ages 8 to 12) 5. PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion) A boy battles mythological monsters. (Ages 9 to 12) 6. AWESOME FRIENDLY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Amulet) Rowley Jefferson chronicles his life story and adventures. (Ages 9 to 12) Advertisement 7. WINGS OF FIRE, by Tui T. Sutherland. (Scholastic) Only the five dragonets of destiny can unite the seven warring dragon tribes. (Ages 9 to 12) 8. CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey. (Scholastic) Boys and their principal fight evil. (Ages 7 to 10) 9. FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDYS: FAZBEAR FRIGHTS, by Scott Cawthon. (Scholastic) Short stories from the twisted, sinister world of Five Nights at Freddys. (Ages 12 to 18) 10. A TWISTED TALE, by Liz Braswell. (Disney-Hyperion) A twist on Disneys greatest tales. (Ages 12 and up) "There is no homeless shelter and not a lot of housing for them, in order to keep them warm and sheltered, we can provide a little bit of that, like tarps, blankets, clothing, and socks," Fisher said. Adgully is back with Week 19 of the Ad-Vantage Quiz with Rajiv Gopinath. Last week, participants engaged with questions related to a shoe brand that saw a whopping 7000%-plus growth in September 2021, the latest James Bond flick, an Indian apparel brand using Cannabis fibres, and other interesting questions. Being at the forefront of advertising and media news coverage for over a decade, Adgully has launched an engaging quiz contest to reward readers who closely follow developments in the Advertising and Marketing domain. Our quizmaster, Rajiv Gopinath, Chief Client Officer, Starcom, will share 10 topical questions every week on the latest developments in Business, Advertising and Brands. To win, participants need to answer all the questions correctly and at the earliest. The quiz is live from 11 am on Tuesday (December 07, 2021) to 11 pm on Saturday (December 11, 2021). Heres what you need to do to participate: Subscribe to Adgullys newsletter Take the quiz for Week 19 The winner of the quiz and the correct answers will be published every Tuesday. The winner will receive an Amazon Pay E-Gift Voucher worth Rs 1,000 via email. Sagar Jain got all the answers correct for this quiz. So, she is the winner for last weeks quiz. Here are the correct answers to Week 18 Quiz: Spicy fries + Spicy fried chicken + spicy Chicken burger + Nimbu Fizz + Vanilla flavored ice cream = ______________ Rashmika Meal from McD Name the Twitter-sponsored initiative which is aiming to build up an open decentralized standard for social media BlueSky Name the Internet services company which plans to offer bandwidth speeds of 1 GBPS and more through low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites that would be deployed at a distance of around 1,000 km from the earth. It was in the news in the last week of November. Starlink Which apparel brand from India offers Cannabis fibres stitched into clothes? B Label As a brand, we are Indias first inclusive and body-positive underwear company. All our models and influencers who represent the brand are real people having real bodies. Which brand? Tailor and Circus Which educational institution calls itself the first of its kind online business school focused on developing talent for the startup economy? Stoa School Name the person who was recently in the news in November. Virgil Abloh Name the company from the logo. The company was in the news in the last week of November. SastaSundar Name the brand from the logo. Fenty Which application is Created by writers. Specifically, Amit Gupta and James Yu? Sudowrite With the accelerated transition to Digital during the pandemic period, also come the concerns regarding cyber security. According to Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021 by IBM, the average total cost of a data breach increased by nearly 10% year over year, the largest single year cost increase in the last seven years. The report further states that Ransomware attacks cost an average of $4.62 million, more expensive than the average data breach ($4.24 million). As per news reports, taking cognizance of the growing threat of cyber attacks, the government is preparing to set up a unified national-level cyber security task force. In this article, Dr Robert Blumofe, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Akamai Technologies, highlights some of the key cyber security issues that are expected to dominate in 2022. APIs will be the biggest attack surface targeted by criminals, if theyre not already. The growth of APIs in all aspects of business, coupled with a lack of visibility into the attacks they face means that criminals can compromise organisations far easier and for far longer than better understood targets. Far too many organisations lack anything but the most basic visibility into their own APIs. In 2022, we will see criminals target this attack surface more regularly, and organisations will need to adjust their security posture to reduce these vulnerabilities. The impact of Ransomware will get much worse before it gets better Previously, cyber crime was dominated by two types of criminals: the hactivists, who were fairly unsophisticated and easy to protect against; and the nation states, who are very sophisticated and pretty much impossible to defend against. Now weve moved into an era dominated by financial motivation. Ransomware is the new face of organised crime, and in 2022 we will see these types of attacks get worse before they get better. While law enforcement is accelerating their efforts to combat Ransomware, it is a problem that cant be solved overnight. Better security practices, such as micro-segmentation, arent new, but properly implemented, they can help lessen the impact on your business. Hybrid workplaces will mean hybrid vulnerabilities Many organisations have embraced a hybrid working environment, where employees can work from home just as easily as the office. But this has created security complexity, increasing an organisations potential attack surface to include employees consumer devices like home WiFi routers and smart TVs. In 2022, organisations will be forced to address this complexity, and decide how to balance corporate security with employee satisfaction. Hyundai Motor India Ltd., Indias first smart mobility solutions provider and the largest exporter since inception, today announced the continuity of its market leadership position as Indias No.1 SUV brand in CY 2021. With the landmark achievement, Hyundai continues to be Indias most preferred SUV brand for 2 Years in succession. Commenting on the SUV leadership position, Mr. Tarun Garg, Director (Sales, Marketing & Service), Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, Our passion and commitment to deliver the most exclusive products for customers has led to Hyundai becoming Indias most preferred SUV brand for two years in succession. With the addition of ALCAZAR to our line-up, Hyundai now has five stellar brands across a spectrum of diverse choices for customer delight. Our most loved brands CRETA and VENUE have continued to delight new age customers, offering them experiences that go beyond the realms of mobility and translate into lifetime memories. In 2021 we sold 2 52 586 SUV units in India, that is a testament to Hyundais strong legacy and DNA in the SUV space. Going forward, we will continue to deliver exciting new products with focus on Intelligent Technology, Innovation and Sustainability. In 2021, All-new CRETA sustained its leadership position as Indias No.1 selling SUV, recording a sale of 1 25 437 units. Furthermore, since its launch in March 2020, All-new CRETA has sold over 2 15 000 units, showcasing Indias love for the most iconic Ultimate SUV. Launched in 2015, Hyundai CRETA has become a household name and is synonymous among customers for its robust and bold design, powerful performance and technology loaded feature package. Cumulatively, Hyundai CRETA has registered a sale of over 6 lakh units in the domestic market since its launch in 2015. With customers in India showcasing a strong affinity for SUVs, Hyundai has also been scripting the adoption of the SUV trend, selling over 8.34 lakh SUVs in the last five years. VENUE has also played a key role in Hyundais SUV success story, recording over 2.60 lakh unit sales since its launch in May, 2019. In 2021 alone, Hyundai VENUE has recorded a sale of over 1.08 lakh units, demonstrating strong customer love for Indias first connected SUV. The latest entrant to Hyundais stellar SUV line-up Hyundai ALCAZAR has also been well received by customers, recording a sale of over 17 700 units since its launch in June 2021. While every country is working towards immunizing its citizens from the new variants of the virus, a sense of panic is looming large. It is being repeatedly said that vaccination can help individuals and countries overcome this crisis. However, despite repeated appeals from the Government, close to 50% of the population in several districts of Maharashtra are yet to be vaccinated. With the media playing an equally important role as the Government, Network 18, Indias Largest news network, is committed towards accelerating the pace and also increasing the scope of vaccination throughout the country. The latest special campaign by News18 Lokmat called Get Vaccinated and Stay Safe spreads awareness about the importance of getting completely vaccinated, motivating Maharashtra residents to take their jabs as soon as possible. Get Vaccinated and Stay Safe initiative plays a crucial role in helping the Government and people of the state fight against the Covid-19 by dismissing the fake news, myths and erase vaccine hesitancy thoughts that many harbour. The Campaign kick-started on December 10 with special emphasis on districts like Solapur, Nanded, Ahmednagar, Nandurbar, Yevatmal, Latur, where the vaccination rates are quite low. Not just that, the programme will also highlight the stellar performances of other districts who have striven hard to achieve amazing vaccination numbers. The campaign also is a witness to celebrities, doctors, and experts, sharing their views on the importance of complete vaccination amid the pandemic. Take your jabs on time and stay safe is the mantra! Radico Khaitan Limited, Indias largest IMFL company, kicked off the new year festivities by launching a special edition Celebration Pack for Morpheus - Indias largest selling premium brandy. The limited-edition celebration pack will be available across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Pondicherry and Karnataka in the first week of 2022. With its glorious appearance and arty packaging, the pack is sure to shine among consumers. The celebration pack is also a tribute to the art and crafts community marking a decade of godly craftsmanship of the blend. Morpheus Premium Brandy, named after the winged Greek God of Dreams, was introduced in 2009 as a pilot to the companys premiumization drive. A market leader in the category with over 65% of Market Share, Radico subsequently launched a notch-up brand extension, Morpheus Blue XO Premium Brandy to expand the brand to the upper segment. Morpheus Blue was launched in 2013 as a higher variant, following the overwhelming success of Morpheus, the only premium Brandy available across India. A 360-degree campaign has also been rolled out to strengthen the launch of the Celebration Pack with Nidhhi Agerwal Superstar of South India Cinema who is also the official Brand Influencer for Morpheus XO Brandy and Morpheus Blue XO Premium Brandy for all its marketing initiatives. A host of offline and online initiatives are underway to amplify the launch of this special edition pack. Commenting on the launch, Amar Sinha, Chief Operating Officer, Radico Khaitan Limited said, Morpheus embodies the spirit of celebration. As you celebrate this winter holiday season with your loved ones, let us give you another reason to look forward to 2022 in style with this Celebratory Pack. He further added Morpheus is a hallmark brand for us, and the product's luxurious character allows a more heightened experience to the consumers. Morpheus Celebration Pack is one among the skew of innovative initiatives that are going to take the brand to another level in the years to come. It is a new year gift from us to our loyal consumer base and I am confident that this visual delight would leave a lasting impression on them. The pack will be available at the retail until March 2022. Paul Scherrer Institut Villigen, 03.01.2022 - PSI scientists have shed light on an important component of the eye: a protein in the rod cells of the retina which helps us see in dim light. Acting as an ion channel in the cell membrane, the protein is responsible for relaying the optical signal from the eye to the brain. If a genetic disorder disrupts the molecular function in a person, they will go blind. Scientists have deciphered the proteins three-dimensional structure, preparing the way for innovative medical treatments. The study is published in the scientific journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. "Its thanks to the rod cells in our eye that we can observe the stars in the night sky," explains Jacopo Marino, a biologist with PSIs Laboratory of Biomolecular Research. "These photo cells are so sensitive to light that they can detect even a single photon reaching us from a very remote part of the universe a truly incredible feat." The ability of our brain to eventually translate these light beams into a visual impression is partly down to the cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channels whose three-dimensional structure has now been illuminated by a PSI research group led by Jacopo Marino. The ion channel acts as a gatekeeper controlling whether specific particles are allowed through to the interior of the receptor cell. It is embedded in the protein-rich shell the cell membrane of the rod cells. In darkness, the ion channel, and thus the gate to the cell, is completely open. But when light hits the eye, it triggers a cascade of processes in the rod cells. This ultimately causes the gate to close, with the result that positively charged particles, such as calcium ions, can no longer enter into the cell. This electrochemical signal continues via the nerve cells into the brains visual cortex, where a visual impression such as a flash of light is created. "The idea of solving the structure of this channel dates back to nearly 20 years ago, when Gebhard Schertler and Benjamin Kaupp already collaborated on this topic," says Jacopo Marino. Both are co-authors of the new study. Endurance paid off PhD student Diane Barret first had to extract the channel protein from cows eyes supplied by an abattoir a complicated and arduous process. "This was a very challenging task, as the protein is extremely sensitive and decomposes very quickly. In addition, it is only available in tiny quantities in the source material," Barret explains. It took a whole two years to obtain enough protein to work with. "We were both too stubborn to simply give up," says Jacopo Marino, laughing. "But in the end that stubbornness paid off." The scientists then used cryo-electron microscopy to reveal the three-dimensional structure of the ion channel. "In contrast to previous studies on the structure of the ion channel, we investigated the native protein as it exists in the eye. We are therefore much closer to the real conditions that exist in living creatures," Diane Barret says. One of the reasons why a clearer understanding of the channel proteins natural structure is important is to advance the development of treatments for genetic disorders for which there is no known cure, such as retinitis pigmentosa. With this disease, photoreceptors gradually die off, leaving people blind. One possible cause is that the body is unable to correctly produce the CNG channel protein due to a genetic defect. As a result, the ion channel does not close completely when light hits the eye, disrupting the cells electrochemical balance and causing the cells to die. "If we could find molecules that affect the protein in such a way that the channel would completely close, we could prevent the cells from dying and thus stop people going blind," explains Jacopo Marino. Now that researchers have identified the precise structure of the protein they are able to search specifically for such molecules. Additional barrier The protein comprises four parts: three lots of subunit A, and one lot of subunit B. A correctly functioning ion channel is only possible in this combination. In their study, PSI scientists show why the B subunit seems to play such an important role: a side arm of the protein a single amino acid protrudes from the rest of the protein, like a barrier across a gateway. This narrows the passage in the channel to the point where no ions can pass through. "No one expected that it came as a total surprise," says Diane Barret. Other narrow places already exist in the A subunit like main gateways which were previously thought to be the only ones. It is interesting to note that the additional barrier is found not only in the protein from the cows eye, but seems to apply to all types of animal, as the scientists showed. Whether crocodiles, eagles or humans all living creatures with an ion channel in their eye have the same protruding amino acid at this position in the protein. As it has been preserved so consistently during evolution, it must be essential for the functioning of the channel. Text: Paul Scherrer Institute/Brigitte Osterath About PSI The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI develops, builds and operates large, complex research facilities and makes them available to the national and international research community. The institute's own key research priorities are in the fields of matter and materials, energy and environment and human health. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether PSI employs 2100 people, thus being the largest research institute in Switzerland. The annual budget amounts to approximately CHF 400 million. PSI is part of the ETH Domain, with the other members being the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne, as well as Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology), Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research). Original publication Diane C.A. Barret, Gebhard F.X. Schertler, U. Benjamin Kaupp, Jacopo Marino, 30 December 2021 (online)DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41594-021-00700-8 Address for enquiries Dr. Mirjam van Daalen Head of Communications Paul Scherrer Institute CH-5232 Villigen PSI Phone: +41 56 310 56 74 mirjam.vandaalen@psi.ch Publisher Paul Scherrer Institut An avian influenza vaccine that could offer improved protection to chickens recently was developed at the Pirbright Institute in the United Ki Bruce Carlton with his daughters Krista and Katie Carlton milking cows at Beaver Dam Farm. Courtesy of the Carlton family Burke Moeller has seen many acres of rural Virginia but he first set foot in King and Queen County in December to conduct interviews for Virginia Farm Bureaus Real Virginia television show. The video producer found few counties have seen such little development as sparsely populated King and Queen. Advertisement King and Queen County is very rural. Its obvious that the people who live there like it that way. They just recently had their first traffic light installed, he said. The segment to be aired on local channels in January looks at agriculture across the county. Advertisement The big thing to do in King and Queen was meet farmers and get a sense of the best type of agriculture, he said. Although King and Queen remains rural in nature, Moeller found farming is changing to adapt to the modern world. The sense I get is that they are diversifying, he said. Burke Moeller first set foot in King and Queen County in December to conduct interviews for Virginia Farm Bureaus Real Virginia television show. The video producer found few counties have seen such little development as sparsely populated King and Queen. Courtesy of Burke Moeller Moeller found this to be the case at Beaver Dam Farm, the only dairy farm in King and Queen. Brothers Bruce and Michael Carlton are third-generation dairy farmers. The work is grueling and they recently diversified, adding crops including corn, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat and barley on just under 1,000 acres at Beaver Dam. Its pretty tough. It requires a lot of dedication. Its every day of the year. Its all I have ever done in my whole life, said Bruce Carlton. His grandparents bought the farm in 1945 and started selling milk in 1947. Carlton started working at the farm in 1992 as soon as he finished school. Its tough as far as the work goes but it is still interesting, Carlton said, You do a lot of the same things but every day is different. The farm has 400 cattle of which 165 are being milked twice a day. Advertisement Its all run by the family. It takes a lot of dedication, said Carlton. We havent hired anybody who is out of the family for five years. Carlton wakes up at 3:45 a.m. and starts milking at 4:30 a.m. every day and again at 3 p.m. His daughters Krista, 17, and Katie, 16, also help on the farm. His wife Kim keeps the books and drives tractors. Carlton said running a dairy farm has become tougher financially in recent years but new technology has helped. Its only more difficult financially. The profit margins are getting thinner. But we are now able to do more volume of work with fewer people due to the advancement of technology, he said. County Farm Bureau President Howard Hill, who was also interviewed for the Real Virginia show, said he was pleased that the show featured agriculture in King and Queen County. The large agricultural counties like Augusta and Rockingham get a lot of publicity, he said. I was shocked that all these other counties got so much recognition. Advertisement Hill said the show will highlight the important role of agriculture in King and Queen County which is also embedded in schools. The county is very diverse. I spoke about agricultural programs at the schools, he said. We do a book reading with the kids as a Farm Bureau group. A lot of our kids know about agriculture. They see crops and equipment. Its kind of like a field trip to them every day when they go to school, he said. Their parents may not work in agriculture but the kids have a very good knowledge of agriculture. Hill said the county has retained its rural character while greater development has occurred in its neighbors. King and Queen has kept its rural look. Between Routes 360 and 33 its like a scene from The Waltons, he said. Hill said King and Queen County has a diverse agricultural scene which includes llama farmers and unknown treasures such as crabbing operations in the southern end. Moeller also took drone footage for the show, illustrating the large amount of tree cover in much of the county. Advertisement Forestry is a very big part of the county from an economic point of view, he said. He also conducted interviews at a state fish hatchery in Stevensville. He said the most recent Census of Agriculture in 2017 found King and Queen had a total of 151 farms on 48,246 acres. The market value of all agricultural products sold that year was more than $18.3 million. Crops account for 76% of all farm income in the county. Soybeans, corn and wheat are the most commonly grown crops. Commodities including livestock, poultry and other animal products make up the remaining 24%. The Chesterfield-based video producer has visited more than half of the counties in the commonwealth for the Real Virginia show since 2019. He has a way to go. We said it would take but four years to do every one, he said. The program airs nationwide at 3:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month on RFD-TV on Dish Network and DirecTV, and on selected cable outlets around the state. It airs weekly on WBRA digital channel 15.2, WHRO Norfolk, WVVA Bluefield, and WTKR Norfolk, and on the first and third weekends of each month on WVIR Charlottesville and WRLH Richmond. David Macaulay, davidmacaulayva@gmail.com GOOD MORNING! About twenty years ago I accompanied a very close friend on his first real trip to Israel. I say real trip because I do not believe being taken to Israel as a child and having some vague memories of making the requisite stop at the Wailing Wall, climbing Masada at dawn, and visiting the beach in Eilat qualify as a proper Israel experience. For the most part, a typical trip to Israel is usually one that is designed for tourists, one that checks off all the attractions in the Land of Israel (and there are many). But the Holy Land also offers a much more meaningful experience; the potential for a deep dive exploration into three thousand years of Jewish history that can transform how an individual relates to his own Judaism. You will probably not be surprised to learn that I planned the latter sort of trip for my friend, not the former. I felt confident in my tour guide credentials: Having lived in Jerusalem until the age of nine my first spoken language is Hebrew and my accent is pretty legit as long as the conversation doesnt require words that arent commonly found in a nine year olds vocabulary. Though, to be perfectly honest, speaking Hebrew as an Israeli only has a few benefits the most prominent being that you dont get taken for a ride by taxi drivers. Much more importantly, my parents had imbued in me a deep love for the history and spirituality of the Holy Land. Growing up there I felt deeply connected to Israel and it was this unique view that I wished to put on display for my friend. I hoped that by gaining a new perspective on the history and depth of Judaism he would become more connected with his faith. My friend invited along Mark, a very successful business associate of his who identified as a Jew in name only and had never been to Israel. We spent about a week exploring the Holy Land: celebrating Shabbat in the Old City of Jerusalem, attending a Hasidic masters gathering of thousands of adherents singing in an absolutely pitch dark hall, praying at sunrise services at the Wailing Wall, exploring the ruins of the Holy Temple, visiting the tombs of the Patriarchs, and traveling to the cities where our sages from Talmudic times lived (and are buried) it was quite a trip. At one point, I was sitting next to Mark in a cab riding on a highway somewhere between the mystical city of Safed and the remains of the ancient village of Katzrin. Mark looked at me and said, Rabbi can I ask you a question? I nodded. "So, you grew up here in Israel and Judaism is clearly imbedded in your soul. I nodded again. "But you spent the vast majority of your life in America and most of your family lives there. In fact, as you mentioned, your family has actually been there for four generations following the horrific pogroms of late 19th century Russia. "So tell me, where do your loyalties truly lie with the State of Israel, because you grew up here and are a committed Jew, or with America, a country that has given you and your family a home, a safe haven, and an opportunity to make a life for yourselves? His question stunned me speechless (an occurrence that my wife of many decades is still pining to experience). His thoughtful (and quite difficult) question suddenly brought to the fore something that I had never really considered. After a few moments of internal deliberation, I answered, I have incredible gratitude to America to the point that if I was called upon to defend her with my life I would wholeheartedly do so. I feel that being willing to give your life for your country is a sign of true loyalty. "But," I continued, I am a Jew, and ultimately my loyalties lie with the Jewish people and our destiny. The ultimate destiny of the Jewish people is inextricably tied to the Holy Land as it is the only true ancestral and future home of our people. This sudden recognition of how I self-defined who I was and what I ultimately cared about was an illuminating experience for me. In this week's Torah portion we see a very similar struggle raging within the hearts and minds of a very young Jewish nation. [] at midnight the Almighty struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon (12:29). The great medieval Biblical commentator Rashi (ad loc) wonders why the firstborn sons of the captives were also killed. After all, they werent even citizens of Egypt and had nothing to do with the enslavement of the Jewish people. Rashi offers two approaches, one of which is that the captives rejoiced that the Jews were being enslaved and abused and they would have happily participated had they been given an opportunity. This is akin to the Nazi soldiers who claimed to only be following orders, but in many pictures they can be seen laughing and jeering while terrorizing and abusing the German and Polish Jewish populace. The fact that Rashi has to explain why the first born children of the captives were included in the plague indicates that otherwise the first born children of the captives would not have died. This is difficult to understand. Moses specifically instructed the Jewish people to put the blood of the Paschal lamb on the door posts of their homes so that they would be protected and not fall victim to the tenth plague. Moses is therefore informing them that the first born sons of the Jewish nation would also die unless there was blood on the door posts. How is it possible that Jews would be more susceptible to the plague than the children of the captives being held in the Egyptian dungeons? There seems to be only one possible explanation: there was no decree of death from the plague on foreigners the tenth plague was only a decree on the Egyptians. That is why the children of the captives would have been excluded. But still, why were the children of the Jewish nation susceptible to this last plague? From here we can learn a remarkable lesson about human nature and gain insight into the quandary of self-definition facing the newly formed Jewish nation. The tenth plague culminated a year in which the Jewish people were relieved of their enslavement (slavery ended once the plagues began) and, according to our sages, they had even started to accumulate wealth. Because they werent affected by the plagues, the Jewish people had new economic opportunities: they sold water during the plague of blood, their livestock were not affected by the pestilence, their crops were not destroyed by the hail, etc. They were no longer perceived as the downtrodden class; rather, they became a critical element in Egyptian socio-economics. Their circumstances changed dramatically for the better. Suddenly, many Jews began to feel like privileged Egyptian citizens and they were faced with the quandary of self-definition are we Jews living in Egypt or rather Egyptians of Jewish descent? According to our sages, up to 80% of the Jews died during the plague of darkness (see Rashi 13:18), seemingly because they wouldnt have left Egypt even if given the opportunity to do so. In a very short time, the Jewish people began to feel that they had finally made it and were now members of the upper echelons of Egyptian society. Many preferred to self-identify as Egyptians, albeit of Jewish descent. This is why the Jewish people were included in the tenth plague it was a plague decreed on the Egyptian people and many Jews were vacillating between whether they considered themselves Jews first or Egyptians first. The tenth plague came to differentiate between the Jews and the Egyptians. Those Jews who felt they were Egyptian citizens first were judged as Egyptians. Moses gave the people the sign of how to define themselves: If youre an Egyptian Jew put the blood of the Paschal lamb on the doorpost and proudly declare I am a Jew. Those who were merely Jewish Egyptians met the same fate as the Egyptians. It is no coincidence, of course, that we place mezuzahs on the same place (as the blood of the Paschal lamb) to declare that the home is inhabited by Jews who are proud to be members of the Jewish nation. Unfortunately, nowadays the percentage of Jews who would choose to stay in America, given similar circumstances, might be even higher. If history has taught the Jewish people anything at all it should have taught us that, try as we might to blend into a host nation, they will always consider us Jews first and citizens of the state second. From ancient civilizations all the way to 20th century Europe they have made their opinion of us very clear. We must internalize this message and understand who we really are and where our allegiances must ultimately lie. Bo, Exodus 10:1 - 13:16 This week we conclude the ten plagues with the plagues of locusts, darkness, and the death of the first-born. The laws of Passover are presented, followed by the commandment to wear tefillin, consecrate the first-born animal, and redeem ones first born son. The Torah tells us that, at some time in the future, your son will ask you about these commandments and you will answer: With a show of power, God brought us out of Egypt, the place of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us leave, God killed all the first-born in Egypt, man and beast alike. I, therefore, offer to God all male first-born (animals) and redeem all the first-born of sons. And it shall be a sign upon your arm, and an ornament between your eyes (tefillin), for with a strong hand the Almighty removed us from Egypt (Exodus 13:15). http://www.aish.com/sh/c/ Be careful who you pretend to be you might forget who you really are. There's a famous saying often attributed to Edmund Burke: "If you are not a liberal at 25, you have no heart. If you are not a conservative at 35 you have no brain." Youth is attracted to liberalism because its ideals sound good they really do. You'd have to be some kind of monster not to want to save the planet, lift up the poor, correct past injustices, and share equally in Earth's bounty. The problem with liberals is not their ideals; it's their actions which never accomplish their intended purpose. That's because liberals are emotional, rather than rational, animals. They make decisions with their hormones, not their brains just like children. Try debating one, and you'll see. I've tried. It can't be done. You'll be treated to an endless word salad of leftist talking points, followed by anger and a personal insult. As one matures (not ages), one moves from emotion to wisdom. With that wisdom comes the realization that the laws of nature and economics do not bend to our will. The world is as it was created by our maker, not as we wish it to be. I've been on this earth for only about six decades. I don't claim to be a wise man, but I've learned a few truths along the way. 1. Science is never settled Scientists who claim that "the science is settled" are fools period. "Science" is our understanding of nature. It's the height of arrogance to presume that our understanding of nature is either complete or accurate. We've often thought it was, but history has proven us wrong time and again. We believed that the universe revolved around the Earth until we discovered that it didn't. Smart scientists know that there is always more to learn, and they avoid claims that their understanding is settled. But unfortunately, the evangelists of the weather cult have not achieved that level of wisdom. We were told that the evils of mankind would lead to a "global warming" death of the planet by 2000. In 2006, Al Gore changed the Earth's expiration date to 2016, because the science was more settled. In 2019, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez informed us that the world will actually be ending in 12 years because of "climate change," because the science is really, really settled now. We're three years into her prediction. The world has gone collectively insane, but the Earth itself seems to be doing just fine. The most unsettling of the settled science practitioners has to be Dr. Anthony Fauci. Masks don't work, but wear one anyway in fact, wear two. You need to wear those masks until you're vaccinated and then you should probably keep wearing them and get a few booster shots, too. In fact, just keep wearing masks on airplanes forever because, you know...Trump. What part of that science sounds settled? 2. Stimulus spending stimulates only government growth The economy is stimulated when people spend money. But before the government can dole out stimulus checks, it has to take the money from taxpayers. So taking money away from taxpayers and then giving some of it back is somehow supposed to give them more money to spend? Economic prosperity cannot be spurred by government spending. "Build Back Better" is a lie just as "Shovel Ready Projects" was before it. Every dollar the government takes from its citizens is one less dollar being spent to buy a product or hire an employee. Taking money from people who actually produce something, and then giving less of it back, does not create economic growth. It throttles it. The only thing that actually grows as a result of government stimulus spending is government itself. 3. Welfare spending doesn't cure poverty; it creates it Work and self-reliance are the only means to escape poverty. But that requires action by individuals, not the state. People have to choose to take responsibility for their own welfare. Unfortunately, providing unearned income trains sloth and makes people wards of the state, rather than the self-reliant creatures they are meant to be. It's counter to nature. "Wild" animals born and raised in captivity can rarely be returned to the wild. They lack the skills for survival. By allowing people to live without working, we are training them to forget their survival skills. Those skills include a will to survive, a craft to support themselves, a drive to excel, and the ability to cope with life's disappointments. Welfare is no longer a safety net. For far too many, it has become a way of life. It is the exact opposite of its intended purpose to help those who have fallen on hard time to get back on their feet. Now it allows people to choose poverty as a means to a life of leisure as long as their expectations aren't too high. An amazing number of people are willing to make that choice. 4. Racism cannot be eliminated with racism Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a world in which his children "will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." He gave us the key to eliminate racism strive for a colorblind society and we have ignored it. We've chosen the path of valuing diversity and perpetuating racism instead. With our "valuing diversity" programs, we are placing value on our differences in lieu of our similarities. We are making skin color a thing of value. In such a society, everyone will want his color to be the highest value. Just like that, we've triggered competition among the races for social standing based on the color of their skin. This has all led to the victim games, with each tribe competing for most oppressed status. The title comes with the greatest amount of preferential treatment that society can dole out. We used the period from the 1940s to the 1960s to desegregate. Then we got on the "valuing diversity" train in the 1980s, when Lewis Griggs coined the term. Now we're segregating again. "Valuing diversity" hasn't corrected racism; it has perpetuated it and made a lot of its proponents rich along the way. 5. Biological sex is not a choice God has granted us Men can't have babies period. Women can have babies, even if they imagine that they are men. It's a nature thing, having to do with the presence of XY or XX chromosomes. No amount of imagination can change one's genetic code. People who have undergone hormone or surgical treatment still have the chromosomes God (or Gaia if you prefer) endowed them with. That genetic code comes with inherent gifts and limitations. Wishing it were otherwise does not make it so. It only makes one unhappy in one's own body. Attempting to physically rather than psychologically correct that unhappiness results in a man breaking all of the records in women's swimming while we stand by and act as though we don't notice. We may choose to indulge a person with gender change fantasies, but that doesn't make his fantasy a fact. 6. Reality is not fungible Liberals don't understand that we cannot exchange our reality for another one. Understanding that truth comes from a recognition that we do not control the laws of nature or economics. Reality is not fungible. The laws of nature cannot be changed because they are inconvenient. Truth is fixed, and facts are hard. People do not have their own reality. If they perceive the world other than as it is, they are not enlightened; they are deranged or liberal, or both. Conservatism tends to accompany the acquisition of wisdom. Conservatives want the same outcomes as liberals but understand that simplistic solutions don't fix problems; they perpetuate them. Choosing to accept reality and live according to the laws of nature leads to a prosperous and happy life. Choosing to fight reality leads to a life of frustration and disappointment. Perhaps that explains why liberals live in a perpetual state of unhappiness. John Green is a political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He currently writes at the American Free News Network (afnn.us). He can be followed on Facebook or reached at greenjeg@gmail.com. Image via Pickpik. With the turn of the calendar to 2022, Republicans are not only looking to the 2022 midterm elections but to the prospect of Donald Trump running in 2024. Trump is hugely popular with the partys base and that popularity freezes the plans of other possible candidates for the 2024 nomination. Trumps hold on that nomination is brittle, however, because of his age. On election day in 2024 Donald Trump will be 78 years old. That is one year older than Ronald Reagans age when he left office in 1988. Looking at the 2024 contest from the other side of the race, there is no reason to expect that Joe Biden will get the nomination. He has been in office for less than one year, and only diehard Democrats believe that he is not suffering from incapacitating mental deficits. The only question is which foreign adversary will take advantage of his weakness: China, Russia or Iran. So the most likely scenario is for Bidens resignation in 2022 or early 2023. Trump may be popular now, but once the voters have been shocked by the disaster of one septuagenarian president why would they roll the dice on a 78-year-old Donald Trump holding office to age 82? Its a very bad bet, especially when there are younger, capable Republicans available. Ron DeSantis is at the top of the list of strong candidates for the presidency, but by 2023 we should have other governors and several senators eager to reach for the nomination. I believe the above makes a strong case that it would be unwise for Donald Trump to run for the presidency in 2024. That presents the big question: how to persuade Trump to play the role of kingmaker in late 2022 and step back from his own candidacy? I can think of two arguments, one that has a biblical theme and one based on the movie Patton. In Deuteronomy it was written that when the Jewish people were on the verge of entering the Promised Land (Israel), Moses was only allowed to view it from Mount Nebo and died before his people entered it. Why? One interpretation is that God was punishing him for the sin of pride when he took the credit from God for finding water for his people when they desperately needed it while wandering in the desert. The comparison to Moses would be instructive for Trump, if he were to realize that its not always about him. His egocentricity should not prevent him from seeing the larger issues involved in his political rise and fall. Trumps political victory in 2016 and loss in 2020 justifies a tragic view of history. You cant always get what you want to borrow a phrase from the song. His four years as President were remarkable. He accomplished so much that he could rightfully claim that he kept his campaign promises -- unlike most recent presidents. Trump delivered on deregulation, taxes, economic policies, relations with Americas allies and so much more. Imagine his frustration when he increased his vote total over 2016 by eight million votes only to lose five battleground states -- all of which had suspicious ballot counting procedures. The 2020 election was successfully rigged as Mollie Hemingway documents so well in her book of that name because Trumps campaign was one step behind the Democrats when they rewrote the election laws with collusive lawsuits and regulatory actions months before the election. The problem was aggravated when courts around the country, even the U.S. Supreme Court, refused to hear challenges to the unconstitutional changes both before and after the election, much less hold hearings for all the witnesses who could testify as to the election count irregularities. Donald Trump has shown the way for the Republican Party to end its capture by corporate elitists and Washington insiders. His America First policies are as threatening to their power as Reaganism was to the party poobahs in 1980, if not more so. The Republican Partys majority for the next few decades could be built on a base of blue-collar voters and Hispanic and Black voters, if the Anti-Trump faction of the party were to be pushed to the sidelines. Putting it differently, Trumpism could be larger than Donald Trump if he would let it. Governor Ron DeSantis in Florida, Congressman Jim Jordan in Ohio and others are ready to lead the party into the Promised Land of winning elections as frequently as a golden age from 1868 to 1916 when Grover Cleveland was the only Democrat to win the presidency. If the analogy to Moses is not sufficient to persuade Donald Trump to throw his support behind candidates to carry on his legacy, he might find appealing a comparison to General George S. Patton. Early in the movie Patton an aide pricked the great generals elation from a victory over the German Afrika Korps when he told him that Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was temporarily in Germany and not in North Africa. The aide softened the blow to Pattons ego when he pointed out that Patton had defeated Rommels war plan and thus demonstrated that he was the superior strategist. The inverse of this could be true in 2024, if Donald Trump would lead the way for Trumpism to prevail over his foes both within the Republican Party and among the socialist leftists in control of the Democrat Party. His brand of patriotic populism could be the decisive difference in bringing America back from the destructive anti-freedom and even anti-American policies of the Democrats. Trump in 2016-20 had the abrasiveness one would expect from a man from working-class Queens who pushed past the snobs of Manhattan to become a brand name in real estate development in New York City. A successful Republican candidate in 2024 would be someone carrying the Trump banner without the annoying tweets. Donald Trumps greatest legacy would be to transform the substance of Republican Party politics so successfully that it became a permanent and productive majority for several decades. All he has to do is sacrifice some of his ego to a greater cause, while claiming the credit for showing the way into a new promised land of an America restored to its place as the shining city on the hill to borrow from Ronald Reagan. He could be the most transformational one-term president in American history. Its his choice. Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls According to the mainstream media, print and digital, COVID is surging, omicron is deadly, and everyone with a scratchy throat runs to a testing center to see if he is "infected." It's madness on a grand scale. Most of them are not infected, but these thousands of hypochondriacs are waiting hours in line for a test that, even if negative, may be positive the next day. The clamor for more tests is ridiculous. Everyone has known since July that the PCR tests were faulty to the point of being entirely useless which the CDC finally now admits. The tests are a form of trickery, another tool in the government's fear campaign. Viewers who rely on the mainstream media for news have been illegitimately frightened into believing that the sniffles mean omicron and that omicron is serious. It's not. It's a cold. How can so many Americans born into this country that was "conceived in liberty" be so submissive to the state? Perhaps because for thirty years they've been lulled into obedience and have forgotten how to think for themselves. "Take these experimental vaccines they'll protect you from COVID." Oops! That is not true. "Take these vaccines, and you could still get COVID, but you won't end up in the hospital." Oops again. Not true. "Get the booster, and you will be protected." Another oops. Fauci and his partners in crime haven't a clue what their chemistry experiments can and cannot do. But they definitely want every American jabbed; it means big bucks for their corporate buddies and their fellow bureaucrats. One thing has become explicit: Fauci and his cohorts had been dying to experiment on us all for years and years. Their plan was all part of the Great Reset these self-appointed elites have long embraced. Their plan never included informing the public about prophylaxis or early treatment Vitamins D and C, zinc, quercetin, NAC, ivermectin, HCQ. No way. Those solutions had to be suppressed, censored. Any doctor, no matter how impressive his advanced degrees in epidemiology, virology, vaccinology etc., no matter how many patients he successfully treated with ivermectin or HCQ, had to be silenced, his career ruined. The mainstream media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram et al. were all on board to suppress any information or expert opinions that did not coincide with the government lies. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are ushering the gullible and uninformed into communism. Those who rely on those outlets for their news do what they're told by their media overlords. As for those self-appointed overlords, not one of them thinks for himself or has an original thought not Maddow, Stelter, Cuomo, Cooper, Stephanopoulos, Wallace, Tapper, or Todd. They are each and every one in service to the state. They seem to give no thought to the immorality of what they spew, to the consequences of their abject servility to a government-mandated position. Vermont, the most vaccinated state, has its hospitals overflowing with fully vaxxed people with no symptoms! Can we say mass hypnosis? Yes, because that is what is happening. We are, seemingly, a nation of wannabe sick people. It is as though a positive COVID test is a badge of honor, as well as a path to paid unemployment. This is proof of capitulation to authoritarianism. COVID did originate in a lab in Wuhan, China; it is a product of gain of function experimentation that Fauci funded with our taxpayer dollars. Was it released upon the world by accident or design? Someone knows, but not we. But know this: China is an evil entity, a plague on the civilized world determined to be the world power in short order. Biden's installation in the White House was and is part of their plan; they own Joe Biden. They made his family fabulously wealthy by corrupt and illegal means; they own him, and he is doing and will continue to do their bidding. It is a national tragedy that so many Americans have fallen victim to what increasingly seems to be a grand hoax. COVID is a serious illness for the elderly and those with comorbidities like obesity, diabetes, lung or heart disease. Those are the people who should have been quarantined, protected in isolation. The vaccines may actually be of use to those who fall into that category of the vulnerable. The public health officials, like the odious Fauci, should have been blasting the protocol for prevention loud and clear everywhere. But they kept what they knew to be effective treatment under wraps to push the vaccines. Tens of thousands of lives could have been saved had the public been informed about how to prevent and treat early those who became sick. These are not good people, the Faucis, Collinses, Birxes, the Bidens and the mandatory vaxxers in the media. They have systematically used and exploited the ignorance and vulnerability of the American people to perpetrate a crime against humanity experimental, emergency-approved vaccines without a clue about the eventual consequences. They have actively suppressed any and all information that contradicts their narrative. The vaccines may turn out to be a slow-motion killing machine. We must all hope this is not true, but given the numbers, the fact that there have been many more deaths after vaccines than before, and the fact is that far too many young athletes have died from heart damage after being vaxxed, the unthinkable may be true. One only has to consider the vengeance Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the MSM wreak upon any medical expert who dares to offer an opposing opinion, warnings, to realize how deadly serious the globalist left is about its dream of implementing the Great Reset, their dream of a one-world government, a reduced and controlled population on their knees. Let us hope their dream never comes true. Americans need to wake up, fight back, reclaim the independence they are entitled to, the freedoms our Founders fought and died for; the time is now. "One of the most traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism on a people has been by way of medicine. It's very easy to disguise a medical program as a humanitarian project." Ronald Reagan, 1961 Caricature by Donkey Hotey, CC BY 2.0 license. The National Weather Service anticipates the Historic Triangle will receive 1 to 3 inches in total snowfall. (Courtesy/National Weather Service) The National Weather Service predicts the Historic Triangle could see 1 to 3 inches of snow before the end of the day with 18 to 24 mph winds. Rain is anticipated before noon followed by rain mixed with snow between noon and 1 p.m. and then snow from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., according to the NWS. The NWS estimates the area will receive 1-3 inches of snow. Advertisement Wind gusts could reach as high as 31 mph before gradually declining to 6 to 11 mph late in the afternoon, the weather service said. The Virginia Department of Transportation recommends folks avoid travel unless necessary. It recommends motorists continue to monitor local forecasts and conditions and adjust travel accordingly. Advertisement According to NWS, the neighboring Tidewater region, consisting of New Kent, West Point, King William and King and Queen, will receive an estimated 3 to 5 inches of snow. The region should anticipate snow, possibly mixed with rain, before becoming all snow in the afternoon which could be heavy at times. The service anticipates winds between 15 to 17 mph with gusts as high as 26 mph. In the Historic Triangle, the NWS predicts conditions to clear by 7 p.m. In the Tidewater region, the NWS predicts conditions to clear by 3 p.m. Additionally, the agency encourages folks to keep their distance between snow plows and not to pass them. Motorists should keep at least five seconds behind vehicles in front and brake lightly to keep from slipping. The city of Williamsburg announced it will deploy its snowplow and salt spreader if necessary and will continue to monitor the roads. For more information on the latest road conditions, visit 511Virginia.org. Em Holter, emily.holter@virginiamedia.com, 757-256-6657, @EmHolterNews. A year ago, I got out of Twitter, committed to watching less cable news, and just tuned out a lot of media. In short, I just felt that there was more noise than news. It turns out that I was not alone. Check this out from John Rigolizzo: Multiple sources recently found that mainstream news outlets saw a massive decline in interest between 2020 and 2021. A report by the Nielsen company, cited by the Associated Press, found that weekday prime-time viewership at CNN dropped 38% between 2020 and 2021, along with a 34% decline at Fox News, and 25% at MSNBC. The same report found that individual evening news shows also saw less steep, but still double-digit declines in viewership: NBC "Nightly News" saw a 14% decline in nightly viewership, while both ABC's "World News Tonight" and the "CBS Evening News" saw 12% drops in viewership. The story points out the following: Hard news defined as a statement of facts, or on-the-spot reporting amounts to just 22.3% of all footage aired on cable news networks. That amounts to nine minutes, 15 seconds of hard news for every hour of broadcasting." Seriously, did you need a report to figure that out? This has been happening for some time. It was "we love Obama" and then "we hate Trump." The bottom line is that hard news went out the window the day the media fell in love with Obama and worked overtime to protect him from this and that. Then most of them jumped on the Trump hate train and did everything possible, including reporting from anonymous sources, to discredit the man's presidency. It was too much for me and apparently lots of other people, too. Can the media get their viewers back? I don't think so, because the damage was so severe. In other words, would I ever believe anything from CNN or MSNBC? I can't even watch those networks anymore. So how do we get the news? We will rely on some websites and radio news. I can't see myself getting back on the cable news carousel. I don't need the noise. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). Image: Blogtreperneur. According to Fox news this weekend, a former Trump staffer named Steve Cortes tweeted a picture of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sans mask in Florida having a drink with her boyfriend. Cortes, not to be confused with Cortez, wrote: "1. If leftists like AOC actually thought mandates and masking worked, they wouldn't be frolicking in free FL, 2. Her guy is showing his gross pale male feet in public (not at a pool/beach) with hideous sandals. 0 for 2..." Point 1 stands: Lil Sandy is a flaming ball of confusion and conceit that some low-I.Q. voters threw at us in a manner reminiscent of the Wicked Witch of the East lobbing fire at Scarecrow. Point 2 is just junior high stupid. He should have written "nyaa nyaa" and called it a big day for himself. How do I know all this useless garbage? AOC responded to stupid point 2, and that is always more newsworthy than what pork may be stuffed into forthcoming multi-trillion-dollar legislation. AOC snapped back, "If Republicans are mad they can't date me they can just say that instead of projecting their sexual frustrations onto my boyfriend's feet. Ya creepy weirdos." I'll admit that if Cortes wants to date Cortez, he should just say so, but somehow I doubt that is what he had in mind. But wait, there's more. A journalist named Eve Barlow responded, "When we weaponise our sexuality to defend our personhood it's just as easy for our sexuality to immediately be weaponised against us to deny our personhood." Now, there's a voice of reason and clarity, wouldn't you agree? The only thought that could possibly be distilled from her statement is that Barlow can't spell "weaponized." Perhaps her school of journalism was waiting for post-doctoral research on the matter. Now you and I know all about pale male feet, desiring AOC, and the existential threat of weaponised personhood. We just don't know what's in that big old bill they are gonna pass in a month or two. Thanks to the media, we are an informed electorate personified. Image: NRKBeta. Some people love to be scared. Mary Shelley knew that when she wrote Frankenstein, and genres of fiction and film exist mining that desire for innocent fun and profit. But when politics enters the fray and fears are stoked to scare people into accepting costly and harmful policies, it is important to push back. Two articles from last week illustrate the panic-mongering and the responsible citation of fact. Breitbart highlights a prophet of doom from Rolling Stone magazine, home of the University of Virginia rape hoax story: The massive Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica could "fall apart overnight" and raise sea levels by 10 feet, declares an article Thursday in Rolling Stone magazine. The essay by Jeff Goodell, titled "'The Fuse Has Been Blown,' and the Doomsday Glacier Is Coming for Us All," states that cracks and fissures in the Thwaites eastern ice shelf suggest the Florida-sized ice mass "could fracture like a shattered car window in as little as five years." The West Antarctic ice sheet "is one of the most important tipping points in the Earth's climate system," Goodell asserts. "If Thwaites Glacier collapses, it opens the door for the rest of the West Antarctic ice sheet to slide into the sea." Thwaites Glacier tongue on 2012. Photo credit: James Yungel, NASA ICE, CC BY 2.0 license. Cue the special effects crew for a Hollywood disaster film. Great visuals of a wall of water crushing Miami or New York City. Except that the relationship between glacier size and atmospheric CO2 is far from clear. And glaciers don't seem to be receding, as Wattsupwiththat chronicles: The cryosphere is failing to cooperate with the anthropogenic global warming narrative that says rising greenhouse gas emissions should be catastrophically melting Arctic ice. Scientists (O'Regan et al., 2021) report Ryder Glacier in north Greenland has advanced 2,881 m from 1948-2015 given its advancing rate of 43 m/yr-1. Its modern ice extent is about 50 km greater than 6,300 years ago. Nearby, the ~60 km-tongued Petermann Glacier, didn't even exist during the Roman Warm Period. (snip) Another glaciologist (Winker, 2021) asserts there is "no evidence" that Jostedalsbreen, a southern Norway glacier, even existed during the first several thousand years of the Holocene, or when CO2 hovered near 260 ppm. The glacier reached its maximum advanced phase during the Little Ice Age, which had CO2 concentrations in the 275 to 280 ppm range. (snip) Interestingly, after wasting away rapidly during the 1930s and 1940s, the glacier stabilized. From the 1950s to 1980s, there was a "slight overall advance" in ice extent. This corresponds to a similar melt pattern for the Nigardsbreen glacier. Arctic and Antarctic ice caps often don't grow or shrink in unison. But if CO2 were driving glaciers and ice caps, they would. There is a lot that we simply know or understand. Hat tip: Bill Schanefelt. Add Washington State to the list of jurisdictions that now mandate that criminals must be housed in prisons that reflect their "gender identity." It shouldn't surprise any sane person that criminals who target women claim to be women when the time comes for their own incarceration. A good example is Douglas Perry, a serial killer who murdered at least three women and as many as nine and is now housed in a women's prison. This is how much the Democrats, who claim to be the protectors of women's rights, love women. Over a four-month period in 1990, Douglas Perry murdered Yolanda Sapp, 26; Nicki Lowe, 34; and Kathleen Brisbois, 38, and then dumped their naked bodies near the Spokane River. He also claims to have murdered another six women, although their bodies have not been found. It would be another 22 years before DNA evidence led to Perry being tried and convicted. Halfway through that period, Perry went to Thailand for what's laughably called "gender reassignment surgery." We don't have details of the surgery, but he's still a man (of course), although he probably has fake boobs and may have had his penis severed. There's no indication he took hormones to lower his testosterone level. In other words, in addition to being a murderous psychopath, he's also got a mental illness that revolves around female sexuality. During the trial, the prosecution argued that Perry underwent these surgical changes to avoid the police hunt for the murders of Brisbois, Lowe, and Sapp. As part of his defense, though, Perry essentially claimed to be a split personality, with Doug having murdered the women and his new identity, Donna, being a reformed character. The media were entirely on board with Perry's purported "transition" and willingly called him a woman, complete with female pronouns. According to the 4W website, the media also published misinformation about the criminal tendencies of these murderous men who are "born again" as women: Media reports during Perry's sentencing uniformly referred to him as a "woman" and by "she/her" pronouns. Some also claimed that males who transition experience a "downturn in violence" after identifying as a woman a claim that was debunked by a peer-reviewed long-term study published by Swedish researchers in 2011 which found that trans-identified males who underwent a full surgical transition "retained a male pattern regarding criminality." It's been known since May 2021 that Perry was transferred to the Washington Corrections Center for Women and that another 150 men were in line to be transferred or already had been transferred. What we don't currently know is whether Perry has been assaulting women in the prison. However, what's new is that, according to 4W, these fake women are attacking the real women who have the misfortune to be locked up with them: In December 2021, a female former inmate at the WCCW anonymously came forward and reported that the institution had been experiencing a wave of sexual assaults on vulnerable female inmates by trans-identified males who received transfers to the facility after identifying as female. One such assault was committed by Princess Zoe Andromeda Love, a biological male with a criminal history that included the rape of a 12-year-old girl. Love sexually assaulted a developmentally disabled female inmate just prior to his release at which point he allegedly began identifying as male again. Image: Douglas, AKA "Donna," Perry. Spokane Police Mugshot. The so-called transgender movement constitutes a wholesale assault against women, whether it's on game shows, in prisons, in locker rooms, or on swim teams. These mentally ill men are denying women their chance to shine and assaulting women in places that should be safe havens and, as you may have noticed, the transgender movement is currently one of the top concerns on the left. In their effort to break down families, the backbone of Western society, and destroy children's bodily integrity, leftists are all in on this madness. Just look at the headlines from Women Are Human, a site that tracks the frequently deranged behavior of these allegedly "transgender" men, as well as the deranged behavior of Western societies that support this madness: At least in the 1950s, before women's lib, while women might have been subject to wolf whistles and lower salaries, they were protected from criminal madmen who steal women's identities in order to abuse them, all with the enthusiastic support of Western leftists. This is shaping up to be one of the most dangerous and demeaning times for women in American history. With the first anniversary of the January 6 protest almost upon us, the media are going overboard advertising their trauma and the incredible damage that January 6 allegedly caused to the American system of governance. However, polls show that this shrieking and rending of garments is having little effect on the American people, who, after almost a year of Biden's disastrous presidency, are not inclined to buy into this narrative. You don't need to look far to find examples of the media's emotional involvement with the January 6 narrative. The New York Times set the tone with its overwrought headline: In Opinion Our political life seems more or less normal these days, writes the editorial board. But peel back a layer, and things are far from normal. Jan. 6 is not in the past; it is every day. https://t.co/ozYWilGi6z The New York Times (@nytimes) January 1, 2022 Local papers, too, got swept into the self-involved drama: South Carolinians left their fingerprints all over the events surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, raising fortunes for some while leaving others on the brink of political peril or prison time.https://t.co/7R9G9R8PGR The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) January 2, 2022 On CNN, the usual hysterics all sounded as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez does when talking about the day. (You may recall that, although she was nowhere near the protest, she later boasted, "I thought I was going to die.") This was a peculiar stance, to say the least, given the Democrats' approval for 2020's political riots that lasted for days, killed over two dozen people, and burned down entire neighborhoods. As Tom Elliott tweeted, it was the Democrats' Normandy invasion, and they will forever be traumatized (keeping in mind that the only fatality was a woman whom a Capitol Police officer murdered): Watch how this Reliable Sources panel discusses covering 1/6 like it's the Normandy invasion. pic.twitter.com/32Cta4AEGS Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) January 2, 2022 By contrast, this is how CNN described the Jacob Blake riots, which lasted for days and destroyed large swaths of Kenosha: Image: CNN.com screen shot. The media and Democrats (but I repeat myself) had the same insouciant attitude to the seemingly endless violent and destructive protests in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis, and other Democrat cities. The media have also carefully ignored the strong evidence that the entire Capitol protest was a set-up that was intended to entrap ordinary people by encouraging them to enter the Capitol (where many were violently beaten by the police), even as unindicted actors erased newly erected signage that would have notified these same ordinary Americans that they were now illegally walking on land that was formerly open to the public. Going back farther in time, the media were also unmoved in 2018 by the massive protests and break-ins into the Capitol during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. It was just January 6 that triggered their adrenal glands. Image: Democrats clutching their pearls. Internet meme; creator unknown. While we cannot see into the media's and other Democrats' hearts and minds, their behavior since January 6 makes it seem as if whether January 6 reflected entrapment or a riot born of genuine citizen frustration they viewed the events on that day as their Reichstag fire that is, a theatrical-appearing event that they could use to destroy their political opposition, just as the Nazis used the Reichstag fire (which many believe the Nazis set) to destroy their communist opponents. It's not a coincidence that, since January 6, Republicans in Congress, always a sheeplike group, have become even more useless than before. With Democrats threatening to expel or criminally investigate them, all but a few brave Republicans have been utterly silent about this year's political madness and, worse, have done nothing to speak up for the prisoners in the January 6 gulag. I used the phrase "theatrical-appearing" above for a reason, though. While the Democrats just can't quit January 6, and congresscritters have been whipped into silence, the American public aren't buying the con. They know kabuki theater when they see it. Instead, over the last year, despite their uselessness, Republicans have risen in the public's estimation, while Democrats have suffered a serious collapse. This poll reflects that trend (hat tip: Twitchy): The Republican Partys Image Has Recovered From the Fallout of Jan. 6https://t.co/BZp4GxCIoG pic.twitter.com/SCcyIe02qu Catherine Rampell (@crampell) January 2, 2022 And while the GOP's image has improved over the past year to reach this level, during the same period, the Dem Party's image has declined. pic.twitter.com/s282xzWGco Catherine Rampell (@crampell) January 2, 2022 January 6, 2021 is in the rearview mirror and affected a proportion of Americans so infinitesimal that I can't do the math. What Americans have seen, and that they know will affect them at home and abroad, is the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the totalitarian mandates that haven't stemmed the virus at all, the open border, the broken economy, the rising gas prices, the end of American energy independence, the effort to sow racial discord, the attacks on women's rights, and the daily damage from a demented doddering old dodo in the Oval Office. Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin must hold firm on retaining the filibuster. That will prevent the Democrats from passing the "For the People Act," which would permanently enshrine voter fraud. Without that fraud-implementing act, November 2022 will be a rout in the House and maybe a win in the Senate and nothing the Democrats say about January 6 will stop that. The Moronic phenomenon (otherwise known by its anagram, omicron) is sending the country into a panic, just as they the American power brokers want. Long lines for testing, at the same time they again let us know of problems with the "old" PCR test, which can't distinguish between COVID and flu (hence no flu season last year) and may come up positive months after infection, so is close to useless. They've never touted a replacement that I've seen. But never mind there aren't enough tests anyway, because "President" Biden, after much-ballyhooed and oft-repeated campaign promises to make tests available to everyone, apparently neglected to order any when it was suggested he do so a few months ago. Have you ever heard a clear explanation of the symptoms of Moronic? No?! That's because there is very little interest in having you look closely at them. Search online you'll notice that just about every site that claims to explain them tells you very little. At most, you learn that the "primary" symptoms are fatigue and muscle aches, plus a runny nose and, maybe, a cough, but we don't actually know enough yet, despite almost a million cases. Really? Why is that? And, by the way, you should get your vaccine. Your booster. Because they "may" keep the symptoms milder. Do those symptoms sound familiar? That's kind of like asking does a bear s--- in the woods, isn't it? It's cold and flu season. Last year, we were all kept isolated. This year, not so much. I wonder...is it possible after so long in virtual isolation, people's immune systems have suffered from a lack of stimulation, so colds and cases of flu are rampant? And then there's the fact repressed, censored, but nevertheless undeniable according to multiple sources that the vaccine we've had forced upon us screws with our immune systems. Image: Three-card Monte by ZioDave (edited). CC BY-SA 2.0. Ninety-five percent of the cases of Moronic in Germany, where they look at such things, are among the vaccinated and triple-jabbed. Per Peter McCullough (his interview with Joe Rogan is well worth listening to, all three hours or so, and is still up on Spotify), delta was ten times more contagious than alpha, and Moronic is only four times more contagious than alpha. So the big community scare, as everyone and his aunt Betty is sick, doesn't follow logic, does it? We have our three cards: cold, flu, Moronic. We don't have enough tests available, and the tests aren't so hot, anyway. But be scared, please. It can't just be a common cold or the flu. It must be Moronic, and you should tremble! Just be sure to remember, in three-card Monte, the house always wins. I'm not the biggest fan of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the GOP congresswoman who just got banned on Twitter. She tends to speak a little wildly. The hard reality, though, is that she's better than any Democrat alternative. That doesn't seem to have gotten through to the GOP leadership in Congress, which ought to be stamping mad about the naked Twitter censorship that came of this ban, shutting down and silencing another fellow Republican. Any outrage? Based on what I've seen so far, they haven't said a thing. Here's the hostile New York Times report about the original event: Twitter suspended Ms. Greenes account after she tweeted on Saturday, falsely, about extremely high amounts of Covid vaccine deaths. She included a misleading chart that pulled information from a government database of unverified raw data called the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, a decades-old system that relies on self-reported cases from patients and health care providers. Twitter said that Ms. Greene had a fifth strike, which meant that her account will not be restored. The company had issued her a fourth strike in August after she falsely posted that the vaccines were failing. Ms. Greene was given a third strike less than a month before that when she had tweeted that Covid-19 was not dangerous and that vaccines should not be mandated. This doesn't sound like anything that isn't out there and being tweeted by huge numbers of people on Twitter. I know I've posted some of those things with no consequences, as have a lot of people. But I also know that I am partially shadowbanned so I don't have significant numbers of followers. Greene, however, likely did have a lot of followers, as well as a lot of opprobrium on the left. They've been gunning for her since the day she was elected congresswoman from Georgia, managing to persuade all Democrats and 11 Republicans to vote to take away her committee assignments, based on a past history of liking QAnon comments on social media, which was a stance she actually renounced. Too bad about Georgia voters and their interests, which Greene's committee assignments had represented. In any case, Victory Girls (Hat tip: Instapundit) makes a compelling case for the reality that what Greene tweeted wasn't wrong at all, it was well within normal discourse and inquiry. Worse still, these clowns are selective in their outrage, declining to yank a committee assignment from Rep. Ilhan Omar on the House Foreign Affairs committee, despite her history of nasty anti-Semitic statements, laced with crude, Jew-hating, tropes. Nor did they get out a condemnation of her for her rabid anti-Semitism, let alone an apology. The resolution they passed condemned all hate speech as if it all was equally prevalent, what with Omar spouting her disgusting tropes straight from the literature of a fourth-world bottom-of-the-barrel socialist hellhole. Everybody does it, you see. So now Twitter has decided to pick on Marjorie Taylor Greene, seeing that the GOP didn't do much for her when her committee assignments were taken away. Omar, fine, Greene, maximum punishment. And the Twits of Twitter saw the perfect opportunity. Where is the GOP to condemn this banning of one of its voices? President Trump has stood up for her, but House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy hasn't. Where is GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in this? She ought to be blasting this from the high heavens, this silencing of a popular GOP voice. What's missing here is that Georgia's voters elected Greene. If they don't like her, they and only they, have the right to replace her with someone else. All we are seeing from the left are aggressive (and actually sexist, truth be known) bullying and hazing of Greene, and the GOP standing around as if nothing is happening. Democrats circled their wagons to defend the hideous Omar. The GOP on the far-less-offensive Greene? Not so much. It's bad stuff because the GOP stands to win the 2022 midterms and is likely to retake power by early 2023. Everyone, including Twitter's bullying censors, knows this. The GOP can't do much now, but it can huff, puff, and threaten to blow Twitter's house down for this come 2023, and the Twitter punks know this. Twitter should be afraid of annoying them at this point, and this banning demonstrates that they aren't. What's wrong with this picture? Twitter should fear the GOP at this point, given that they have already banned the leader of the GOP, President Trump himself and are on record as manipulating the 2020 election results. They should be crapping their pants, actually, given that Article 230, which shields them from lawsuits newspapers aren't shielded from, stands to be yanked, vetoed by Joe Biden, and then overrode with this coming GOP Congress. Or so they say. Does Twitter believe them? Does Twitter have good reason to believe them? Well, they are still silencing and picking off GOP voices, one by one, brazenly demonstrating to the GOP who's boss, so draw your own conclusions. Don't think this will be the last of this slimy politically motivated bid to silence the GOP. They'll pick off others now that they've gotten away with banning her. Where is the GOP? Image: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0 Viagra is proving to be a miracle drug far beyond its ability to reinvigorate men's sex lives. The latest miracle Viagra apparently performed is pulling back from the brink of death a woman who had been in a 28-day long COVID coma. Viagra (AKA Sildenafil, its chemical name) was a 1989 Pfizer invention intended to treat heart-related chest pain. By 1998, both the United States and the European Union approved it for medical use. But nobody thinks of chest pain when he thinks of Viagra. What people think of is the fact that it is a miracle drug for men suffering from erectile dysfunction. That's not all that Viagra does, though. Because it works on the arterial system, it can also affect pulmonary arterial hypertension, Raynaud's phenomenon (a potentially dangerous circulatory problem), altitude sickness, and other types of heart disease. Some athletes also take it off-label, claiming that, because it expands their blood vessels, it adds to their aerobic capacity. There are also some indications that it helps women who experience sexual dysfunction. Image: Viagra tablet from Audrey disse. CC BY-SA 3.0. In addition to those useful functions, there are now indications that the little blue pill can help treat COVID. This makes sense, given that COVID has proven to attack the pulmonary arterial system. In England, Viagra may well have saved the life of an asthmatic nurse: A nurse who spent 28 days in a Covid coma fighting for her life has been saved after medics gave her Viagra as part of an experimental treatment regime . Double-jabbed asthmatic mother-of-two Monica Almeida, 37, from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, was admitted to hospital on November 9 after testing positive for coronavirus on October 31. She was moved to intensive care a week later before doctors put her into an induced coma on November 16. Mrs Almeida says they were just three days away from having her ventilator turned off when her condition started to improve and she woke up on December 14. When she woke up doctors at Lincoln County Hospital revealed they had given her a large dose of viagra as part of an experimental treatment regime that she agreed to before going into a coma. The erectile dysfunction drug enables greater blood flow to all areas of the body by relaxing the walls of blood vessels, and Mrs Almeida says it caused her condition to improve in just a week and the level of oxygen she needed to drop by half as it opened up her airways. Both our government and medical establishment, with their blind fealty to a vaccine that doesn't prevent COVID, are determined to block all treatments, especially early intervention. However, the fact remains that there are apparently a lot of ordinary medicines that can prevent COVID deaths. Now we can add Viagra to a list headed by hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. It sure would be nice if they were properly studied on patients in the early phases of COVID, long before the patients need extreme measures. What is a soul? Can it be touched? Does it have mass? These questions tormented Duncan MacDougall, a physician from Haverhill, Massachusetts, so much that he devised an experiment to determine whether souls have physical weight. The soul leaving the body by Luigi Schiavonetti, circa 1810. MacDougall postulated that the soul was material and therefore, there should be a measurable drop in the weight of a person when the soul departed the body. In 1901, MacDougall selected six terminally ill patients from a nursing home, four suffering from tuberculosis, one from diabetes, and one from unspecified causes. MacDougall specifically chose people who were suffering from conditions that caused physical exhaustion, as he needed the patients to remain still when they died to measure them accurately. MacDougall then rigged a special bed in his office that sat upon an industrial sized platform beam scale sensitive to two-tenths of an ounce, or about 5.6 grams. Upon this bed he placed, in succession, the six patients, and observed them before, during, and after their death, measuring any corresponding changes in weight. MacDougall meticulously recorded his observations: The patients comfort was looked after in every way, although he was practically moribund when placed upon the bed. He lost weight slowly at the rate of one ounce per hour due to evaporation of moisture in respiration and evaporation of sweat. During all three hours and forty minutes I kept the beam end slightly above balance near the upper limiting bar in order to make the test more decisive if it should come. At the end of three hours and forty minutes he expired and suddenly coincident with death the beam end dropped with an audible stroke hitting against the lower limiting bar and remaining there with no rebound. The loss was ascertained to be three-fourths of an ounce. This loss of weight could not be due to evaporation of respiratory moisture and sweat, because that had already been determined to go on, in his case, at the rate of one sixtieth of an ounce per minute, whereas this loss was sudden and large, three-fourths of an ounce in a few seconds. The bowels did not move; if they had moved the weight would still have remained upon the bed except for a slow loss by the evaporation of moisture depending, of course, upon the fluidity of the feces. The bladder evacuated one or two drams of urine. This remained upon the bed and could only have influenced the weight by slow gradual evaporation and therefore in no way could account for the sudden loss. There remained but one more channel of loss to explore, the expiration of all but the residual air in the lungs. Getting upon the bed myself, my colleague put the beam at actual balance. Inspiration and expiration of air as forcibly as possible by me had no effect upon the beam. My colleague got upon the bed and I placed the beam at balance. Forcible inspiration and expiration of air on his part had no effect. In this case we certainly have an inexplicable loss of weight of three-fourths of an ounce. Is it the soul substance? How other shall we explain it? MacDougall observed similar loss of weight in his other patients, but the results were not consistent. One of the patients lost weight but then put the weight back on, and two of the other patients registered a loss of weight at death which increased with the passage of time. Only one patient showed an immediate drop in weight amounting to three-fourths of an ounce, approximately 21.3 grams, coinciding with the time of death. MacDougall disregarded the results of the other two patients on the grounds the scales were not finely adjusted. MacDougall then repeated his experiment with fifteen dogs. None of them registered a significant drop in weight, which Macdougall took as corroborating evidence, in keeping with his religious doctrine, that animals have no souls. While Macdougall's human subjects were all terminally ill patients, there is no explanation of how he came to be in the possession of fifteen dying dogs in so short a span of time, which can only be presumed that the good doctor had poisoned fifteen healthy dogs for his little experiment. MacDougall did not publish his finding until six years later, citing that the experiment would have to be repeated many times before any conclusion could be obtained. It was published in 1907 in the Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research and the medical journal American Medicine. A story about the experiment also appeared in The New York Times. Following the publication of the experiment in American Medicine, a debate ensued between physician Augustus P. Clarke and Duncan MacDougall, who exchanged letters back and forth with the former denouncing the validity of the experiment and the other defending his position. Clarke noted that at the time of death there is a sudden rise in body temperature as the blood stops circulating through the lungs where its air-cooled. This rise in body temperature would increase sweating and moisture evaporation which could easily account for MacDougalls missing 21 grams. This would also explain why dogs didnt lose weight after death as dogs do not have sweat gland and cool themselves not by sweating but by panting. Macdougall rebutted that circulation ceases at the moment of death and so the skin wouldnt be heated by the rise in temperature. Augustus P. Clarke wasnt the only one to criticize MacDougalls experiments. The doctor was roundly derided by the scientific community as being flawed and even falsified. His experiments have been stated as an example of selective reporting, as MacDougall ignored the majority of the results. Popular science author Karl Kruszelnicki criticized the small sample size, and questioned how MacDougall was able to determine the exact moment when a person had died considering the technology available at the time. Because his experiments were not replicable and his results unreliable, MacDougalls 21 grams experiment was given little credence by scientists of the time. Duncan MacDougall. Undeterred by the skepticism, MacDougall moved on to the next phase of his experimentsphotographing the soul at the moment it left the body. In 1911, the New York Times: Dr. Duncan MacDougall of Haverhill, who has experimented much in the observation of death, in an interview published here to-day expressed doubt that the experiments with X rays about to be made at the University of Pennsylvania will be successful in picturing the human soul, because the X ray is in reality a shadow picture. He admits, however, that at the moment of death the soul substance might become so agitated as to reduce the obstruction that the bone of the skull offers ordinarily to the Roentgen ray and might therefore be shown on the plate as a lighter spot on the dark shadow of the bone.Dr. McDougall is convinced from a dozen experiments with dying people that the soul substance gives off a light resembling that of the interstellar ether. The weight of the soul he has determined to be from one-half ounce to nearly an ounce and a quarter. MacDougall did not have any more breakthroughs regarding his experiments with the human soul. His soul itself passed away into the other world in 1920. Despite its rejection as scientific fact, MacDougall's experiment popularized the idea that the soul weighs 21 grams, and this idea has appeared in novels, songs, and movies. The title of the 2003 movie 21 grams was taken from this belief. Omicron Scare: Tollywood Heading For A Closure:- Indian cinema is slowly recovering after two waves of coronavirus pandemic. Tollywood had an exceptional December 2021 and is all set for a grand January 2022. Movies like Akhanda, Pushpa and Shyam Singha Roy fared well at the box-office and they paved paths for many new releases. Then came the Omicron variant of coronavirus which is shattering the world. The sudden rise in the new cases made biggies like RRR walk out of the race. the governments of New Delhi, Haryana and West Bengal ordered the closure of theatres while the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka asked the theatres to operate with 50 percent occupancy. The makers of RRR revealed that it would be quite difficult to release the film in these alarming situations. The cases would reach the peaks by the mid of January as per the predictions and experts said that February and March would be crucial and alarming. Most of the announced films in January, February and March will not hit the screens as per the plan. Tollywood is heading for one more closure because of the third wave of coronavirus. This would be a huge loss for the filmmakers as the interests would be heaped up. Radhe Shyam makers are strict on their stand but their plans may get changed. Several films in Hindi and other languages too are pushed for now. U.S. ban on Xinjiang cotton to further disturb global supply chain, says expert Xinhua) 09:36, January 03, 2022 Amar Aziz drives a cotton picker in his own cotton field in Gezkum Town of Xayar County, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 25, 2021. Amar Aziz lives in Xayar County, Aksu Prefecture, which is an important cotton-producing area in Xinjiang. (Xinhua/Ma Kai) ISLAMABAD, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. ban on Xinjiang cotton will badly disturb the global supply chain, a Pakistani expert has said. All parts of China, including Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have witnessed profound economic development, but the United States chose to turn a blind eye to it and signed the so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act" into law as part of its scheme to use Xinjiang to contain China's development, Khalid Taimur Akram, executive director of the Center for Global and Strategic Studies in Islamabad, told Xinhua in a recent interview. "The bill had been criticized by many big companies," as it will only disturb the global supply chain and lead to a massive loss of revenues for those companies, he said. Lamenting the U.S. propaganda to portray Xinjiang as a subject of abysmal poverty and injustice, he said that all the allegations are merely manifestations of a politicized campaign against China. "Being an international expert and scholar, I have often visited China, especially the Xinjiang region. During my visits, I have witnessed that China has eliminated poverty and maintained sustainable development in Xinjiang. The employment level is stable and a large number of job opportunities have been created by the policies of the Chinese leadership," he added. According to the expert, all his visits to Xinjiang have allowed him to see that people there enjoy a happy and prosperous life, and modern infrastructure development along with technological advancement has transformed the region. "There is religious freedom and unity among people. Thus, fabricating a false narrative to disengage and restrict Xinjiang's cotton supply would be detrimental for the cotton availability in the international market," Akram added. Calling the bill a futile attempt by the United States to disturb peace and harmony in Xinjiang, he said that the United States is unscrupulous to launch smear campaigns against China and sow discord among the Chinese people, "but such attempts will fail miserably." He said that the prosperity in Xinjiang is indisputable evidence of how misleading the U.S. rhetoric against the region is. "China is a state that works for the well-being of its people, including ethnic minorities. The dynamic leadership of China has taken robust initiatives to enhance the living standard of the Xinjiang region." Questioning the U.S. track record of killing innocent people worldwide, he said that the country is trying to falsely accuse China of something that Washington has repeatedly done. "In the name of democracy, the United States has always meddled in the internal affairs of other countries. However, the world has witnessed the true vicious face of the country through its systematic ambiguity and failed democratic model," he said. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji) Vishakhapatanam: Veteran actor Manchu Mohan Babu on Sunday broke his silence on the ongoing controversy over the AP government drastically slashing cinema ticket rates. Though indirectly, he came out in support of differential pricing which the industry is asking. He said that it is difficult for big films to sustain with tickets priced at Rs 30 to Rs 50 and small budget films with ticket prices of Rs 300-Rs 350. The veteran actor came in for criticism for keeping mum though his son and a close relative of CM Jagan Mohan Reddy was recently elected as president of the Movie Artistes Association. Mohan Babu spoke on the issue on Twitter after a post by Chiranjeevi: I do not want to be the industrys head. The film industry is not the monopoly of anyone. It also doesnt mean four heroes, four producers, or four distributors. It is the dreams and lives of thousands of artists. We should also work together to explain our problems to the Chief Ministers of both the states, Mohan Babu said. The Producers Council was not reacting properly to this issue, Mohan Babu said, adding that everyone should work together to request the governments to lift the restrictions on the cinema ticket prices. People with different political parties or ideologies are in the film industry. Setting aside the party lines, we should respect Chief Ministers who are elected by the people. This has not happened so far while approaching the governments, Mohan Babu said while recalling the sops to the film industry by the late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. The global launch of the OnePlus 9RT has been confirmed by the company. This handset became official back in October last year, when it launched in China. It has been exclusive to OnePlus homeland since then. The OnePlus 9RT global launch teased, the device is coming to India soon Well, that will change soon. The company posted a video teaser via its OnePlus India Twitter handle, confirming that the phone is coming, essentially. OnePlus was quite coy, though, as it shared the news via morse code. In addition to the video, the company shared the following caption: Get ready to decode greatness. Coming soon!. Now, when the message gets decoded, it simply says OnePlus 9RT. Advertisement This is a rather clear confirmation of whats coming. Considering that this teaser got shared via the OnePlus India Twitter handle, its obvious that its coming to India. Were not sure if more markets will follow after that. Indian models do have the global software, essentially, so this is a global launch of the device no matter the way you slice it. Chances are that the phone wont change much compared to its China model, save for its software. This handset resembles the OnePlus 9 & 9 Pro The OnePlus 9RT does resemble OnePlus flagship, when it comes to design. It has a display camera hole in the top-left corner, and three cameras on the back. Even the rear camera module resembles the one on the OnePlus 9 series. Advertisement The device features a 6.62-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 888 fuels the device, and it includes 8GB/12GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB of storage. The phone also has stereo speakers, while it launched with Android 11 out of the box, along with ColorOS 12. It has two SIM card slots, and a 4,500mAh battery. 65W fast wired charging is also supported, along with a charger. 50, 16, and 2-megapixel cameras sit on the back, while a single 16-megapixel camera is included on the front of the device. Advertisement This phone is quite powerful, needless to say, as its not far from the OnePlus 9 flagship series in that regard. It will be interesting to see how much will it cost in India. PLEASE NOTE: ALL ONLINE PURCHASES ARE AUTOMATIC RENEWALS UNLESS YOU EMAIL JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM OR CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 256-235-9253.... Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM *NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY join with a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! AMEX is not accepted through this site. After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* There will be new business for Alabama legislators when they gather for the 2022 session next Tuesday. There will be old business. And there will be an ongoing crisis, flaring up again. Amid a surge in COVID cases in Alabama due to the omicron variant, legislative leaders and staffers will discuss potential safety measures for legislators and employees this week. It's a particular concern in the House of Representatives, where up to 105 legislators and many State House employees meet in a chamber the size of a small high school gymnasium. "I was watching the omicron numbers here the last four days, and to say the least I was not encouraged at all," said Jeff Woodard, the clerk of the House of Representatives, in a phone interview on Monday. "That may have some bearing when we get back together." Kids should stay in school during COVID spike, Cardona says The Biden administration wants to keep children in school, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said on Sunday, adding that theyve suffered enough in the pandemic. House leaders plan to discuss potential safety measures at a meeting with the Alabama Department of Public Health on Wednesday afternoon. Many House members are in high-risk COVID groups, either due to age or because of particular health conditions. Woodard said at a minimum, he would expect current guidance on masking to remain in place. "We're closely monitoring the rise in cases and will have a discussion about the best path forward after our meeting with the Department of Public Health on Wednesday," House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, said in a statement on Monday. Pat Harris, the Secretary of the Senate, said he expected any measures in the 35-member Senate chamber to be similar to past ones. Harris said there had been some breakthrough cases of omicron among vaccinated staffers, though he said none required hospitalization. "We recognize this is very serious and very dangerous," he said in a phone interview on Monday. Federal and state laws prevent legislative leaders from asking about the vaccination status of legislators and staffers. Woodard said before the passage of a state law last year preventing inquiries about vaccination status, about 85 percent of legislative staffers had received the COVID shot. COVID has killed more than 16,000 Alabamians since March 2020, with more than 913,000 infections reported during that time. The Alabama Department of Public Health reported the first omicron case in mid-December. Since then, ADPH's charts of new infections have gone vertical. The state reported more than 8,000 new COVID cases on Dec. 28. On Sunday, 994 Alabamians were hospitalized with COVID, the highest number since Oct. 11. Early research suggests omicron does less damage to the lungs than other COVID viruses, and the variant's hospitalization rates appear to be lower. But large numbers of omicron cases could mean significant numbers of people needing intensive care, and the delta variant of COVID which overwhelmed the state last summer remains present. Since the outbreak, officials have limited public access to the State House. In the 2021 session last spring, House members sat on the floor of the chamber; in public galleries and in overflow rooms, to allow some measure of social distancing. Members sitting off the floor used electronic tablets to vote. These measures were lifted for the two special sessions last fall. Staffers have also invested more in live streams of committee meetings. Harris said a new legislative website, scheduled to be unveiled on Tuesday, will have more live streaming options. The legislative session will begin with Gov. Kay Ivey's State of the State address, where she will lay out her agenda for 2022. COVID concerns last year led Ivey to forsake the traditional address to a joint legislative meeting and deliver it over a live stream. Gina Maiola, a spokeswoman for the governor, wrote in an email Monday that she was preparing to deliver the speech in person. "Governor Ivey looks forward to conveying her forward-thinking vision for the state and to emphasizing her top priorities like our student's education, public safety, our economy and more," Maiola wrote. (ANSA) - ROME, JAN 3 - The government is set to make the so-called Super Green Pass obligatory to access places of work, effectively banning people who are unvaccinated for COVID-19, Health Undersecretary Andrea Costa said on Monday. The Super Green Pass, which shows that a person is vaccinated for the coronavirus or has recovered from it in the last six months, is needed to do almost all leisure, social or sporting activities in Italy. But at the moment, only a base form of the health passport, which can be obtained by the unvaccinated by getting a negative test for COVID-19, is needed to access workplaces. A Green Pass obtained this way is only valid for a few days. Premier Mario Draghi's government is expected to decide on new measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. "The extension of the Super Green Pass to places of work can help convince the five million unvaccinated (in Italy)," Costa said. "There is an ongoing debate within the ruling majority, but I am confident that the premier will once again achieve consensus and the Super Green Pass will be extended. "This is needed to resolve a series of contradictions, such as the one that makes it necessary for a customer having a coffee to have the Super Green Pass, but not the people working in the cafe". (ANSA). DUBAI - Yemeni rebels confirmed they had seized an Emirati-flagged ship in the Red Sea, claiming it was carrying military supplies, after the Saudi-led coalition accused the insurgents of piracy. On Twitter, rebel military spokesman Yahya Saree said the ship entered Yemeni waters without authorisation and was carrying out hostile acts. Previously, the Saudi-led military coalition active in the war in Yemen accused the Yemeni rebels of having seized an Emirati-flagged vessel in the Red Sea. The coalition said in a statement cited by the official Saudi agency SPA that the Houthi rebels are "responsible for this criminal act" against a boat carrying medical supplies. The boat was seized off the coast of the port province of Hodeidah, in the country's west. A leading trade union has accused the Government of failing to ensure the HS2 rail project is using steel produced in the UK. Unite said it was alarmed at information revealed in a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Labour MP Mick Whitely. His initial question was: To ask the secretary of state for transport, whether his department has targets for the use of UK steel on the HS2 projects throughout the projects lifetime? Unite said the answer was that the Department for Transport (DfT) has not set any target. A further question by Mr Whitely said: What proportion of steel used in the construction of HS2 was produced in the UK as of November 30 2021? The answer was: HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport are committed to working with the UK steel industry to ensure it is engaged, informed and prepared to seize the contract opportunities that will be generated by HS2. Unite said the DfTs answers tally with concerns that UK steel producers have raised with the union, claiming there is little or no effective effort being made to ensure the contractors who are engaged to build HS2 purchase UK steel. This is resulting in much of the steel in the project being bought from overseas suppliers, said the union. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: The Government must immediately develop clear targets on UK steel usage on publicly-funded construction projects. In the case of HS2, UK producers should have a paramount place in producing steel for the project. Surely that is economic common sense? Unite is dedicated to defending the jobs, pay and conditions of its members. So, this failure of the Governments procurement policies will be challenged by my union. You could not make it up. Unite national officer for steel Harish Patel said: Steel is a key foundation industry and it is absolutely essential that it receives practical support from the Government. That should start with ensuring that Government-funded projects always purchase UK steel whenever possible. Steel workers throughout the UK, many of whom live in so-called red wall seats, will be alarmed and fearful with the Governments inaction. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: HS2 is a once-in-a-generation investment in the UKs transport infrastructure and we expect it to have a lasting impact on jobs, skills and businesses here in the UK. The Government and HS2 Ltd have engaged extensively with the British steel industry over the last five years to ensure that it is in the best possible position to compete for contracts. The UK has dropped several positions in a global league table of governments that rely most on property taxes. A new list from Altus Group shows that South Korea, Canada and the US now get a larger proportion of their funds from property taxes than the UK. In Britain, about 1 in every 8.50 collected by the Government last year came from property taxes. It is a drop from 12.4% to 11.8% of the countrys overall tax take, Altus said. Whilst support measures around business rates have undoubtedly had a massive impact upon property tax revenues and helped certain sectors, tens of thousands of businesses that didnt qualify were being let down by the failure to resolve challenges to their tax liabilities in a timely fashion, said Altuss UK president, Robert Hayton. He added: The below target performance was forcing hard-pressed firms to continue to suffer artificially high property tax bills whilst also being denied the return of years of overpayments. In 2020, the UKs take was the highest in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Altus said. The property taxes include council tax, business rates, stamp duty land tax and, in Scotland, land and buildings transaction tax. But, last year, Korea relied most on property taxes of OECD countries. It got 14.2% of its tax take from property taxes, followed by Canada, at 12.1%, and the US at 11.9%. The taxman in the UK took 81.4 billion from property taxes in 2021, compared to 90.3 billion the previous financial year, Altus said. The drop was largely because of Government support measures that were designed to help the economy during the Covid pandemic. Business rates, for instance, were slashed when the virus started decimating the economy. A legal document the Duke of Yorks lawyer believes will stop the civil sex lawsuit against the royal has been released. The 2009 settlement agreement was reached between Virginia Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts, and Andrews former friend and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The 12-page document which was unsealed and made public by a New York court on Monday afternoon revealed the terms of a 500,000 US dollars (370,000) payout from Epstein to Ms Giuffre. The document details Ms Giuffre agreed to release, acquit, satisfy, and forever discharge Epstein and any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant. Virginia Giuffre (Crime + investigation/PA) The document continues: It is further agreed that this Settlement Agreement represents a final resolution of a disputed claim and is intended to avoid litigation. This settlement agreement shall not be construed to be an admission of liability or fault by any party. The parties further confirm and acknowledge that this Settlement Agreement is being entered into without any duress or undue influence, and that they have had a full and complete opportunity to discuss the terms of the Settlement Agreement with their own attorneys. Andrew B Brettler, who represents Andrew, has argued that Ms Giuffre, who is suing the Queens son for alleged sexual assault, had entered into a settlement agreement that would end her lawsuit. He previously told a New York hearing the agreement releases Prince Andrew and others from any purported liability arising from the claims Ms Giuffre asserted against Prince Andrew here. US District Judge Lewis A Kaplan, who is presiding over the civil case, is due to hold a video teleconference on Tuesday when a request by the dukes legal team to dismiss the case will be heard. Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein (US Department of Justice/PA) Ms Giuffre is suing the Queens son for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. She is seeking unspecified damages, but there is speculation the sum could be in the millions of dollars. She claims she was trafficked by disgraced financier Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was aged 17 and a minor under US law. Andrew has denied all the allegations. Judge Kaplan last week denied a motion from Andrews lawyers to halt the civil proceedings while the issue of where Ms Giuffre lives is dealt with. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend and Andrews friend, faces the rest of her life in jail after she was convicted last week of helping to procure teenage girls for the disgraced financier to sexually abuse. From Emma Watson's love of Tom Felton to Rupert Grint thinking he could only play Ron Weasley, here's what we learned from the HBO Max 'Harry Potter' reunion. (Photo: Getty) The best way to ring in the new year? With secrets from the wizarding world, of course. The Harry Potter reunion special, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, dropped on HBO Max on Jan. 1, and brought together the cast and crew of the iconic fantasy franchise. Based on J.K. Rowlings books about a boy who learns he has an extraordinary legacy in a hidden, often dangerous, and always exciting magical world, the special reviewed the experiences of bringing that world to life, from the people behind it. The film franchise spanned a full decade meaning there was plenty of behind-the-scenes secrets for the Harry Potter cast to unveil. Here are the most surprising moments from the special. Emma Watson loved Tom Felton While the brilliant Hermione and bully Draco never fell in love onscreen (just in the head cannon of many a Dramione fan) Watson always felt a deep affection for her co-star and it stemmed from watching him do an assignment for an on-set tutor. "The assignment that had been given was to draw what you thought God looked like, and Tom had drawn a girl with a backward cap on a skateboard, Watson recalled. And I just dont know how to say it I just fell in love with him." Fun fact: In 2018, a backward-cap wearing Watson went skateboarding with Felton, and its all documented on Instagram. Video: Emma Watson recalls moment she 'fell in love' with Tom Felton J.K. Rowling doesnt make an appearance Author Rowling who recently came under fire for making multiple comments that many people, including many Harry Potter fans, consider transphobic does not make an appearance in the new special alongside the cast. Instead, shes featured via older interviews. Watson was a huge fan of the books Watson, who was around 8 when the first Harry Potter book came out in 1998, said she was a huge fan of the books prior to being cast as Hermione. She explained in the special, My dad used to do all the voices [while reading the book.] He would finish one chapter and we would go One more, one more. Chris Columbus found Daniel Radcliffe Columbus, who made the first two Harry Potter films, found Radcliffe while watching the BBCs version of David Coppefield. Columbus thought that the young Radcliffe would be the ideal choice for the boy wizard, but Radcliffes parents werent so sure they wanted him to participate. I think the deal was to sign on for seven films and it would be filmed in LA, Radcliffe recalled. They were like, No, thats a huge disruptor to his life. Eventually, a producer convinced the actors dad to audition and the rest is history. The movies ended up shooting in the U.K. Jason Isaac accidentally hit Tom Felton on set Isaac, who portrayed Dracos Death Eater father Lucius Malfoy, shared how, in the very first scene he filmed for the movies, he accidentally hit his onscreen son with a cane. Draco touched something, and I used this cane [to hit him away], he recalled. I didnt know how sharp the teeth were, and they went right into little Toms hands. He looked up to me, eyes welled with tears, and I said Tom, Im sorry, I didnt realize how sharp and how it heavy it was. And he went, Its alright, its good for the scene. Felton joked, He was a real Jeckyl and Hyde, he was. Alfonso Cuaron assigned the cast homework Cuaron, who directed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, told Rupert Grint, Watson, and Radcliffe to write essays in character as preparation for shooting. While Grint didnt turn in anything because he thought Ron wouldnt do it, and Radcliffe wrote a single page, Watson penned 12 pages a classic Hermione move. Daniel Radcliffe sent Helena Bonham Carter a sweet note While their characters had no love for one another on set, Radcliffe and Carter who played the villainous Bellatrix Lastrange shared a sweet moment in the reunion special. Carter had Radcliffe read a note he gave her on set, in which he joked about constantly having to hold her coffee and wishing he was born 10 years earlier lest he had a chance with the actress. Emma Watson almost backed out of the franchise Prior to filming Order of the Phoenix, Watson shared that she almost walked away from the franchise, explaining that she started feeling lonely in her fame. In conversation with Grint, she recalled feeling like her fame had reached a tipping point, and she realized her life as Hermione was forever now. The fame thing kind of hit me in a big way, she remembered. Ultimately, it was the encouragement of the fans and her cast and crew that made her realize she wanted to continue on in the wizarding journey. Emma Watson had a pet hamster on set. Watson was able to have a pet on set something that Radcliffe admitted he was jealous of. Tragically, Millie the hamster died and the carpentry department made Watson a small coffin to bury her beloved friend in. It had velvet on the inside of it, and it had her name engraved, Watson said. I was beside myself. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson struggled with their onscreen kiss The franchises ultimate will-they-or-wont-they couple finally kissed in the seventh film but it took a lot of effort on the part of the actors to get there. It was meant to be this dramatic makeout, but we just kept laughing, Watson said. I didnt think we were going to get it. Radcliffe admitted that he was an absolute dick about the kiss, because he kept joking with his already nervous friends that he was going to come on set and watch you guys kiss. Watson admitted that the kiss felt wrong on every level, because Dan, Rupert and I are so much siblings. Rupert Grint had a hard time moving on from Ron I feel like I lost track of who I was and who the character was. I didn't really know where they ended or began," Grint said in the special. "Even my name didn't feel like my name. I felt I only knew how to do one thing. I knew how to play Ron." Video courtesy of NBCUniversal. For more, check out NBC.com. WASHINGTON (AP) Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday he has tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing mild symptoms while quarantining at home. In a statement Sunday night, Austin said he plans to attend key meetings and discussions virtually in the coming week to the degree possible. He said Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks would represent him in appropriate matters. I have informed my leadership team of my positive test result, as well as the President, Austin said. My staff has begun contact tracing and testing of all those with whom I have come into contact over the last week. Austin, 68, said he was fully vaccinated and received a booster in October. He said he requested a test Sunday morning after experiencing symptoms while at home on leave and, given the result, planned to remain in quarantine for five days, per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccines work and will remain a military medical requirement for our workforce. I continue to encourage everyone eligible for a booster shot to get one. This remains a readiness issue, he said. In October, another member of President Joe Biden's Cabinet, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, tested positive for COVID-19. Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh finance minister Buggana Rajendranath alleged that Telugu Desam (TD) misled people by making false propaganda over the state finances and clarified that the state was heading towards double-digit growth. He said the states growth rate increased after the YSR Congress assumed power in 2019-20 but later the Corona crisis had a huge impact which was a national and international phenomenon. He stated that the government had detailed accounts for every loan and expenditure. Rajendranath said in 2020-21, the world saw the biggest health crisis of the century in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic and no region, national, state or local government in the world had been able to avert a catastrophic loss to humanity and the economy. He said we must all remember the fact that economic activities were disrupted by the Covid-19 at a time when the joint Andhra Pradesh state was struggling with unscientific, unjust and partition challenges. Rajendranath said during the last year of the TDP government in 2018-19, there were no external difficulties for the economy but Andhra Pradesh GSDP growth rate slowed sharply from 10.09 per cent in 2017-18 to 4.88 per cent in 2018-19, the lowest among other major states in the country due to TDP government failures. He alleged that TDP leader Yanamala Ramakrishna despite serving as finance minister for many years was trying to mislead people by calculating economic growth at current prices against the actual GSDP figures of 2020-21. The finance minister explained that under Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government, the GSDP growth rate had increased to 7.23 per cent in 2019-20, making Andhra Pradesh the fourth largest in the country. He said despite severe Covid difficulties, the AP government had narrowed the GSDP deficit to 2.58 per cent in 2020-21, which was better than many states like Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Rajendranath said the per capita income growth rate of Andhra Pradesh had declined from 14.6 per cent in 2017-18 to 10.11 per cent in 2018-19 under the previous TDP government. In 2019-20, under the Jagan Mohan Reddy government, the per capita income growth rate took an attractive turn with 10.63 per cent which was the 3rd fastest growth rate in the country. He further said when the Corona epidemic devastated the world in 2020-21, the PCI growth rate was minus -4 per cent nationally, while Andhra Pradesh was able to contain it to 1.03 per cent. Rajendranath said tax revenue stood at Rs 57,378 crore at the end of this financial year due to effective governance by the government which was just 4 per cent lower than in 2019-20. He stated that state tax revenues recorded an attractive growth rate of 34 per cent from April-November 2020 to April-November 2021. The finance minister said the increase in state tax revenues would not only continue in 2021-22 but would accelerate further. The finance minister said the present government of Andhra Pradesh had borrowed money in the manner allowed by the Centre to overcome the Covid-19 crisis and will show calculations of every rupee. Mask requirements are returning in some school districts that had dropped them. Some are planning to vastly ramp up virus testing among students and staff. And a small number of school systems are switching to remote learning for just a short while, educators hope. With coronavirus infections soaring, the return from schools winter break will be different than planned for some as administrators again tweak protocols and make real-time adjustments in response to the shifting pandemic. All are signaling a need to stay flexible. Change has been the only constant in this fight, Newark Schools Superintendent Roger Leon wrote in a notice to parents before break. He announced Thursday that students will learn remotely for at least the first two weeks of the new year. The virus, Leon said, continues to be a brutal, relentless and ruthless virus that rears its ugly head at inopportune times. Long after the widespread closures in the pandemic's early days, school and elected leaders say they are using the lessons and tools of the past two years to try to navigate the latest surge without long-term shutdowns, which had woeful effects on learning and students' well-being. Still, pressure from parents and teachers unions has added to the urgency surrounding safety measures as the omicron-fueled surge sends up caseloads and puts children in the hospital in close to record numbers. They say kids do well (if infected), but who's to say my kid is not going to be that one, said Rebecca Caldwell, who is considering petitioning her Charleston, Illinois, district for a remote option that would let her keep her four sons, ages 17, 10, 7 and 5, home through the winter. The first half of the school year brought Caldwell's family three scares from exposures. One, from a family member, kept the whole family in quarantine for 10 days. Her 17-year-old and 10-year-old saw classmates infected, and each underwent a nerve-wracking series of COVID-19 tests as part of a more recent test-to-stay policy. It's really scary because you worry about the domino effect, too, said Caldwell, whose own health issues led her to leave her restaurant job more than a year ago to lessen her risk. In the nation's largest school system, New York City, 2 million at-home test kits provided by the state will be used to increase testing following the break, officials announced this week. Students whose classmates test positive can keep coming to school as long as their at-home tests are negative and they dont have symptoms. Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, which represents New York City educators, questioned whether the new testing initiatives will be available in every school by the time schools reopen Monday. We are moving closer to a safe reopening of school next week. But we are not there yet, he said. In Chicago, the nation's third-largest school district, officials announced the purchase of 100,000 laptops over the holidays in case they are needed for remote learning in January, though district leaders said they hope to avoid a system-wide closure. The Chicago Teachers Union has proposed pausing in-person learning unless new safety measures are introduced, including negative COVID tests for returning students. Los Angeles health officials last week announced tightened testing and masking rules for all employees and students when LA County public and private schools return to campuses on Monday. Concerned by a spike of the Omicron variant, the county health department mandated that teachers must wear medical grade masks in class and students and staff must wear masks outdoors in crowded spaces. Schools will have two weeks to comply. To help keep as many students in school as possible, the Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona endorsed test-to-stay in December as an alternative to the previously recommended 10-day quarantines. Hundreds of schools have adopted test-to-stay policies for students who have had contact with an infected classmate. The goal remains to keep all schools open for in-person learning five days a week throughout the 2021-22 school year and beyond, Cardona said in a message to schools marking the halfway point of the academic year. He said 99% of schools were open in-person in December, compared with 46% last January. Out of more than 13,000 school districts nationwide, relatively few have announced plans to start remotely after winter break. Like Newark, those districts generally plan to resume in-person instruction within a couple weeks. They include Cleveland, Ohio; Prince Georges County, Maryland; Mount Vernon, New York; Taos, New Mexico; Chester County, South Carolina; and several New Jersey school systems. Citing the city's high infection rate, Detroit Superintendent Nikolai Vitti on Friday extended the winter break for nearly 50,000 students through at least Jan. 5 and urged them to get tested through the district. Tests are required for employees. Ronald Taylor, superintendent of the South Orange-Maplewood School District in New Jersey, said a spike in cases and subsequent quarantining heading into the break had disrupted operations by forcing consolidation of classes where there werent enough staff. He said the district would be remote the first week back. Like many other school districts, we have seen a consistent trend, after each of our school breaks, both Thanksgiving and our fall break in early November, there has been a sharp increase in our student/staff population of COVID cases, he said. Masks also will make a return in some districts after break, including Hopkinton High School, the first Massachusetts public school to lift the mandate, in October. It was reinstated just before break. In Floridas Miami-Dade County, where one in four people was testing positive for the virus, the school system announced Thursday that all employees, volunteers and visitors will be required to wear face coverings at schools and facilities, and students will be strongly encouraged to wear them. A state law prevents school districts from imposing mask mandates for students. Some school systems are moving toward requiring vaccinations for students, but not anytime soon. In the Los Angeles school district, which was among the first to announce mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for students, a Jan. 10 deadline for students 12 and older was postponed until fall of 2022. Officials said the earlier date would have barred about 27,000 unvaccinated students from campuses. The District of Columbia on Dec. 22 said all students, whether in public, private or charter schools, must be fully vaccinated by March 1. Much about the omicron coronavirus variant remains unknown, including whether it causes more or less severe illness. Scientists say omicron spreads even easier than other coronavirus strains, including delta, and it is expected to become dominant in the U.S. by early 2022. In Ohio, where hospitalizations for COVID-19 hit a record high this week, the Ohio Hospital Association is asking schools statewide to consider mandatory mask wearing as cases continue to spike. The patchwork of responses also includes Woodbury, New Jersey's plans to bring students in for half days for the first week, sending them home with lunch so they don't have to remove masks in the building to eat. ROCHESTER, N.Y. Brighton Central School District Superintendent Kevin McGowan is defending a primary school's decision to drop secular holiday classic Jingle Bells from its curriculum. On Dec. 23, the Rochester Beacon reported on the move to stop using and teaching the song, based in part on an article by professor Kyna Hamill, director of Boston Universitys Core Curriculum, stating that the first public performance of "Jingle Bells" may have occurred in 1857 at a minstrel show in Boston. The story quoted the primary school, Council Rock, principal Matt Tappon as saying the song had been replaced with other songs that didnt have the potential to be controversial or offensive. When told by the Beacon of schools decision, Hamill expressed shock, saying she does not connect its first performance by white actors in blackface with the current Christmas tradition of singing the song, that she in no way recommended it stop being sung by children and that she thinks it should very much be sung and enjoyed and perhaps discussed. The Beacon story went viral, sparking widespread social media backlash. In response, on Tuesday, McGowan posted a statement to the districts website fully supporting the change, which was not based on a complaint, but as part of an effort to review curriculum with a diversity/equity lens. Christmas tragedy: 3-year-old North Carolina girl who accidentally shot herself on Christmas dies How stars celebrated Christmas: Britney Spears, Sofia Vergara and Gabrielle Union 'Not an attempt to push an agenda' In his message to the Brighton school community, he wrote that it may seem silly to some, but the fact that Jingle Bells was first performed in minstrel shows where white actors performed in blackface does actually matter when it comes to questions of what we use as material in school. Im glad that our staff paused when learning of this, reflected, and decided to use different material to accomplish the same objective in class. McGowan also noted that the song is closely tied to Christmas, a religious holiday that is not celebrated by everyone in the community, so it was not likely a song that we would have wanted as part of the school curriculum in the first place. Our staff found that their simple objective could be accomplished by singing any one of many songs in class and therefore they chose to simply choose other songs. Brighton Central School District Superintendent Kevin McGowan "This wasn't 'liberalism gone amok or cancel culture at its finest as some have suggested, he continued. Nobody has said you shouldnt sing Jingle Bells or ever in any way suggested that to your children. I can assure you that this situation is not an attempt to push an agenda. He said Council Rock teachers are not discussing politics about the song or anything regarding its history with the schools students, who are in kindergarten through second grade. This is not a political situation, it was a simple, thoughtful curricular decision, he said. Finally, McGowan asked, if there is ever a question as to whether or not something might be experienced differently by someone else, shouldnt we be respectful of that? If many, many songs are available to accomplish the same objective, then why wouldnt we use those songs? I think our teachers answered that question very thoughtfully and Im proud of their work. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: School bans 'Jingle Bells' song, superintendent speaks out WASHINGTON (AP) Verizon and AT&T have rejected a request by the U.S. government to delay the rollout of next-generation wireless technology. A joint letter Sunday from the telecommunications giants to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Steve Dickson, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, sought to dismiss concerns brought by U.S. airlines that a new 5G wireless service could harm aviation. But Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon Communications, and John Stankey, CEO of AT&T, also wrote that they were willing to accept some temporary measures over the next six months to limit the service around certain airport runways. Airlines had asked the Federal Communications Commission to delay this weeks scheduled 5G rollout, saying the service, set to launch Wednesday, could interfere with electronics that pilots rely on. Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. passenger and cargo carriers, said in an emergency filing that the FCC has failed to adequately consider the harm that 5G service could do to the industry. The group wants more time for the FCC and the FAA, which regulates airlines, to resolve issues around aviation safety. Those are related to a type of 5G service that relies on chunks of radio spectrum called C-Band, which wireless carriers spent billions of dollars to buy up last year. Siding in part with airlines, Buttigieg and Dickson wrote late Friday to the CEOs of AT&T and Verizon to propose a delay in activating 5G C-band service near an undetermined number of priority airports while the FAA studies the potential for interference with aircraft operations. AT&T and Verizon previously agreed to a one-month delay in 5G, which provides faster speeds when mobile devices connect to their networks and allows users to connect many devices to the internet without slowing it down. But the telecommunications executives said Sunday that further delays requested by the government would harm their customers. Agreeing to your proposal would not only be an unprecedented and unwarranted circumvention of the due process and checks and balances carefully crafted in the structure of our democracy, but an irresponsible abdication of the operating control required to deploy world-class and globally competitive communications networks that are every bit as essential to our countrys economic vitality, public safety and national interests as the airline industry," the executives wrote. - This story has been corrected to show that the scheduled service would start Wednesday, not Tuesday. Feature Your News Online $25.00 / for 30 days Highlight your business' news for just $25! We'll feature your content on our News From Local Business section & our Marketplace front page to give it maximum exposure for the next 30 days. Online Access for Print Subscribers. Do you have a print subscription with the Argus-Press? If yes, then click here to enjoy complimentary access to our Online Content! YEREVAN, JANUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. The size of pensions and benefits has increased in Armenia starting January 1. Minimum pensions, child care benefits (up to 2 years of age), old age pensions, disability and loss of breadwinner pensions have increased. The minimum pension is set at 28,600 drams instead of the previous 26,500. Disability pensions for Members of the Armed Forces (Privates) of Mandatory Enlistment were also increased Category A 43,000 drams instead of 40,000 drams, Category B 33,000 drams instead of 30,000 drams, Category C 30,000 drams instead of 27,000 drams. If a family member of a killed serviceman (Private) loses the breadwinner they will receive a military pension of 30,000 drams instead of 27,000 drams. Child disability pensions grew from 26,500 to 37,000 drams. Child care benefits increased from 26,500 to 28,600 drams. YEREVAN, JANUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of Armenia in Greece says it is aware of the process around Sevan Nisanyan, the prominent Istanbul-Armenian scholar and writer who is a citizen of Armenia, and is taking all possible measures to resolve the matter. The writer was living under a temporary permit in Greece after fleeing a Turkish prison in 2017. The 66-year-old is now facing deportation because his residency permit was not renewed and he was placed into custody in Samos, his wife said. Greece is about to make a decision to deport Armenian citizen Sevan Nishanyan to Turkey. Nisanyans wife Ira Tzourou said on social media. A Samos court on Jan. 3 is to decide whether he will be deported to Turkey or Armenia, she said. Nisanyan had been jailed in Turkey in 2014 on charges of illegal construction, a case he claims was punishment for his outspoken views about restrictions on freedom of expression in the country. YEREVAN, JANUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. A law banning retailers and restaurants from publicly displaying cigarettes and other tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) to the general public has entered into force January 1. Ruling Civil Contract party lawmaker and former Minister of Healthcare Arsen Torosyan said in a statement that this law passed parliament back in early 2020 in a move aimed at preventing and reducing the health hazards from smoking. The full implementation of these regulations will gradually, significantly reduce tobacco use in our country, which will significantly improve our populations health and economic development, Torosyan said, warning businesses to strictly adhere to the law and calling on inspection agencies to supervise. There cant be a strong economy without a healthy society, Torosyan said, reminding that a smoking ban in restaurants and other public food facilities (both indoor and outdoor) will enter force from March 15. YEREVAN, JANUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenian health authorities are still working on a coronavirus health pass which would require people to produce either a recent negative PCR test result or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate upon entering restaurants or other leisure venues. The Ministry of Healthcare initially planned to mandate the health pass starting January 1, but the timeframes were delayed. The Ministry of Healthcare told ARMENPRESS that they have received the Ministry of Justices opinion on the matter and are now finalizing the document. The order will be issued after passing confirmation. YEREVAN, JANUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. During the telephone conversation on January 3 between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi on January 3, reference was made to the processes taking place in the region. ARMENPRESS reports according to the statement issued by the Iranian Presidents Office Ebrahim Raisi called on to continue the dialogue between the two countries at different level. The sensitivity of the situation in the Caucasus region requires that the countries of the region regularly discuss regional and bilateral issues. One of the key directions of the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the countries. In this sense, Tehran supports Armenia's sovereignty over all roads passing through that country," he said. It is noted that Tehran welcomes the progress in the negotiation process between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Iranian President expressed hope that the problems between the two countries will be resolved peacefully on the basis of international principles. "We support the unblocking of roads," Raisi said. HYDERABAD: The arrest of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Telangana unit president Bandi Sanjay Kumar was highly condemnable and it amounted to the murder of democracy, said national president J.P. Nadda. He said Sanjay Kumar was peacefully staging a protest following all Covid-19 protocols in his office when the police forcibly entered his office and manhandled him. Nadda said the K. Chandrashekar Rao government had gone mad seeing BJP's victory in recent bypolls and the support that their party was receiving in Telangana. The BJP chief said, "We will take all legal and democratic recourse against the police action." In a statement issued here on Monday, Nadda said, "The BJP leaders and workers firmly resolved to continue with their fight and struggle against the anti-people policies of the KCR government with full strength and vigour. The BJP will continue its fight in a democratic manner and will rest only after uprooting the aggressive and undemocratic KCR government. The KCR government was highly perturbed and worried over the growing popularity and acceptability of the BJP in the state, Nadda claimed. He further said out of desperation, the KCR government was resorting to such inhuman and unconstitutional activities by targeting the BJP leaders and workers. The BJP and its leaders were not scared by derogatory and unconstitutional acts of the Telangana government, Nadda said. According to news published by the "REPUBLICWORLD" website on January 1, 2022, India has started the deployment of the new Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system at an airbase in Punjab. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link An S-400 air defense missile system battery consists of four transporter erector launchers (TELs), four launch tubes per TEL, in addition to target acquisition and engagement (fire control) radar systems, and a command post. (Picture source VPK) Citing the "REPUBLICWORLD" website, the Indian Air Force has started the deployment process of the s-400 air defense missile system and it will take at least six more weeks to complete. According to the Russian company Almaz Antey, a sufficient number of the Indian armed forces underwent training to operate the S-400. Punjab is bordered by Pakistan's Punjab province on the west, Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Himachal Pradesh on the northeast, and Haryana and Rajasthan on the south. The S-400 is deployed in Punjab to provide air defense protection against possible airstrikes from China or Pakistan. Military sources confirm that the S-400 air defense missile system has been deployed at one of the five IAF bases in the state, which borders Pakistan. The system is already available with China, which deployed it along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh amid the border standoff. The LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. In October 2018, India has signed a $5.43 billion contract with Russia for the purchase of five regiment sets of S-400 air defense missile systems. In November 2021, the Russian press agency TASS has announced, thta Russia has begun the deliveries of S-400 air defense systems to India. All the materials of the vehicle of the S-400 regiment set were delivered to India at the end of 2021. Immediately after the New Year, Russian specialists arrived in India for the equipment transfer at the sites where they will be deployed. The S-400 is an air defense missile system fully designed and developed in India by the company Almas Antey. It is a long and medium-range surface-to-surface air defense missile that entered into service with the Russian armed forces in 2007. The S-400 is designed to destroy strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and hypersonic weapons. It can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming. The standard S-400 battery consists of four Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs), four launch tubes per TEL, in addition to target acquisition and engagement (fire control) radar systems 64N6E, 96L6E/40V6MD, and 76N6 and a command post 54K6E. With an additional fire control radar system, a battery can consist of up to 12 TELs. Two batteries make up an S-400 battalion, whereas an S-400 regiment consists of two battalions. According to several experts, being exposed to Omicron builds up antibodies that counter the Delta or other past strains As the new year 2022 dawns, the far more transmissive Covid-19 strain christened Omicron is lurking in India and ravaging several nations in the West. Alongside this persisting challenge, with global economic consequences, a number of geopolitical friction points are also looming. What then does the new year really augur? The geopolitical friction points are -- the Russian threat to Ukraine, the Iranian nuclear programme and Israeli red lines and Chinese jingoism over Taiwan and its territorial claims. But the more immediate danger is from the new Covid variant Omicron. The medical consensus is building around a few points. Data from nations already hit by it constitutes the initial evidence. For one, it is highly transmissible. Also, so far it appears to be less lethal than the Delta variant. Further, according to several experts, being exposed to Omicron builds up antibodies that counter the Delta or other past strains. Finally, the storm of infection, as distinct from the waves in the past, comes quickly, runs through a community community and drops off equally fast. In India, we are at the beginning of this possible steep up and down infection curve. The effect of this new tsunami will vary from one nation to another. China presents an interesting example. In Xian, 13 million people have been forced indoors and restricted to their homes. This kind of draconian methodology China has so far used to very effectively contain Covid breakouts. But this time the foe is different. Many experts feel that Omicron will escape any quarantine as it is highly transmissible. If that happens, China will face a very serious problem as its vaccines are not very effective and the population has not been exposed to any wide surge. Thus, community level immunity may not have developed. China faces two additional problems. At the beginning of February its annual spring vacation begins, when normally there is a huge movement of people internally. Also, the 2022 Winter Olympics is due to kick off on February 4. Already the United States and a number of Western nations have announced a boycott due to the gross breach of human rights in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Quarantining athletes for a fortnight on arrival would not work as it hampers their fitness. Other nations like Australia and New Zealand also face similar challenges as they used quarantine to stymie the pandemic, and not vaccines and community exposure. India is better prepared this time and a combination of increased testing, home quarantine of asymptotic or non-seriously symptomatic infected should help get over the surge. But the dislocation of normal life and a recovering economy is inevitable. The other major issue will be the fate of liberal democracies in 2022. The Summit for Democracy called by US President Joe Biden on December 9-10 last year received mixed reviews. First was the controversy over the list of invitees. With Poland in and Hungary out, the question asked was -- how do you grade regressing democracies? Moreover, after the damage done to Americas global image by former President Donald Trump and the ongoing tinkering with electoral rules and gerrymandering in Republican-controlled states casts further aspersions on US democracy. That is why it was easier for China and Russia to debunk the summit and even question the quality of US democracy. The ambassadors of both nations penned a joint op-ed in a major US publication to decry the Cold War thinking. The Chinese foreign ministry even alleged that the US was turning democracy into a weapon of mass destruction to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. China convened a rival gathering of 120 nations, that it named the International Forum on Democracy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Mr Bidens virtual summit and described it as a timely platform for furthering cooperation among democracies. Pakistan, which was invited but Sri Lanka was not, decided to skip it to make common cause with China. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman instantly described Pakistan as a real iron brother. But the issue before India will be the growing gap between the actions of the BJP at home and the governments liberal posturing abroad. This may not continue to be ignored by the United States as President Biden is planning an in-person summit to follow up on the cause of democracy later this year. Even if one discounts the BJPs electoral need to polarise when facing extremely vital state elections in Uttar Pradesh and four other states, the attack on churches and the fulminations by religious leaders to eliminate Islam at Haridwar, including by the use of violence, are condemnable. This twin attack on Islam and Christianity can alienate opinion in a wide swathe of nations, even if the governments largely ignore it for political and diplomatic reasons. This bid by the BJP to systematically implement its Hindutva agenda will face resistance at home as the Opposition consolidates around issues of poor governance. Supplanting a constitutional model on which the nation has been governed for 75 years will not be easy. It is a reminder of Rome in AD 384 when supporters of surging Christianity removed the pagan Altar of Victory from the Roman Senate, after four centuries of it being there. The New York Times, in a piece on Christianitys decline as an organising principle for Western civilisation, notes the views of pagan Roman philosopher Symmachus. He rejected the dogmatic claims of the new religion to truth with the injunction that there cannot be only one path toward such great mystery. This is the question before proponents of Hindutva as they try to constrict the Ganga-like openness and flow of traditional Hinduism. Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who provided the moral moorings for his nation during and after the apartheid era, has just passed away. He argued that anger at apartheid was natural, but it must not be allowed to turn into hatred. He correctly noted that Whites, in being those who oppress others, dehumanised themselves. This is a lesson that Mahatma Gandhi also espoused. Can the BJP also abide by it and neutralise elements, aligned to it, that feed on real and imagined historical hurts and religious prejudices. Hopefully, the people of the five states would vote sensibly and endorse the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and Archbishop Tutu. The last batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of Covaxin was supplied to Afghanistan on January 1 Earlier last month, India delivered 1.6 tons of medical assistance to Afghanistan through the World Health Organization (WHO). (ANI) New Delhi: Bharat Biotech on Monday informed that India has supplied another batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin to Afghanistan. Taking to Twitter, Bharat Biotech said, "Today, India supplied the next batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of COVID vaccine (COVAXIN) to Afghanistan. The same was handed over to Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kabul." It also informed that another batch of additional 5,00,000 doses would be supplied in the coming weeks. The last batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of Covaxin was supplied to Afghanistan on January 1. India has committed to provide to Afghan people humanitarian assistance consisting of food grains, one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and essential life-saving drugs. Earlier last month, India delivered 1.6 tons of medical assistance to Afghanistan through the World Health Organization (WHO). The Taliban took over control of Kabul on August 15 and following this the country has been battered by deepening economic, humanitarian and security crises. A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the Taliban have plunged a country already suffering from high poverty levels into a full-blown economic crisis. Supreme Court switch to virtual hearings for two weeks New Delhi: Alarmed over a 21 per cent jump in Indias Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday reiterated that the mantra of Test, Track, Treat, Vaccinate, and Covid-appropriate behaviour, was the only way to deal with the resurgent virus and to check its further spread. With 27,553 fresh cases and 284 new fatalities reported in the last 24 hours, Indias Covid-19 tally and death count due to the virus has jumped to 3,48,89,132 and 4,81,770 respectively. As many as 1,621 Omicron cases have also been detected across 23 states and Union territories, with Maharashtra seeing a maximum of 510 cases, followed by Delhi at 351, Kerala 152 and Gujarat 136. The Omicron cases are less than two per cent of Indias total Covid-19 cases. On the vaccination front, all children aged between 15 and 18 years will get their first Covid-19 vaccine from Monday. Of around 75 million children in this age group, about 6.35 lakh have registered themselves on the CoWIN app for their first jab. The health minister has asked the states and UTs to take the necessary measures, including setting up of separate vaccination centres, to avoid mixing-up of Covid-19 vaccines during administration of shots to the 15-18 age group. So far, Covaxin is the only Covid-19 vaccine approved for children. Mumbai and Delhi are now reporting the most Covid-19 cases among the major metropolises. Mumbai on Sunday reported 8,063 fresh Covid-19 cases, up from 6,347 on Saturday. Delhi also logged 3,194 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day rise since May 20, and one death. The positivity rate in the city has gone up to 4.59 per cent. The city has 8,397 active Covid-19 cases -- the highest in seven months. Under the Graded Response Action Plan, approved by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, if the positivity rate is over five per cent for two consecutive days, a red alert can be sounded, which would lead to a total curfew and a halt to most economic activities. On Friday and Thursday, 1,796 and 1,313 cases were recorded, with a positivity rate of 1.73 per cent and 2.44 per cent respectively. The huge spike in fresh cases in the past few days in Delhi is being recorded amid a significant jump in Omicron cases in the city. Sundays tally of Covid-19 cases in Delhi is 17 per cent higher than the 2,716 infections registered a day before. Delhi had reported 3,231 cases on May 20 last year, with a positivity rate of 5.50 per cent. As many as 233 deaths were recorded on that day. In view of the sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, the Supreme Court has decided to conduct all hearings in virtual mode for two weeks from Monday. The court administration issued a circular announcing this on Sunday evening. It said an earlier circular prescribing the standard operating procedure (SOP) for physical hearings (hybrid hearings) will remain suspended for the time being. The Centre will hold a series of webinars from January 5 to 19 on clinical management of Covid-19 cases in collaboration with Delhis AIIMS to minimise the mortality rate due to the virus. Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan has urged all state-level Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and doctors in public and private district-level Covid-19 health facilities along with CDMOs and in-charges of treatment facilities to attend these webinars. On vaccinations for the adult population, they are being administered Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V. To ensure smooth implementation of the guidelines, Mr Mandaviya held an online interaction with the health ministers and principal secretaries and additional chief secretaries for health of states and UTs. He advised them to ensure the orientation of vaccinators and vaccination teams for the inoculation exercise for children and for identification of dedicated vaccination session sites for them. Mr Mandaviya said: To avoid the mixing-up of vaccines, separate Covid vaccination centres (CVCs), separate session sites, separate queues (if at the same session where adult vaccination is going on) and separate vaccination teams (if at the same session site) are to be strived for. Delegation includes several governors from the Russian Far East provinces; more pacts likely New Delhi: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustins planned visit to India next week at the head of a large Russian delegation that will include several governors from the Russian Far East provinces is expected to provide a further impetus to the time-tested ties between Moscow and New Delhi. The Russian PMs visit for the coming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) from January 10 to 12 in Gandhinagar -- that is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- will come about a month after Russian President Vladimir Putins brief but successful visit to New Delhi on December 6 for the annual bilateral summit that took place between the both countries. India is expected to further step up its economic engagement with the Russian Far East region and the Gujarat summit is expected to play a crucial role towards that. Discussions on enhancing trade, connectivity and energy cooperation in the form of importing crude oil and petrochemicals between the two countries has been going on. Economic cooperation in the Russian Far East has also been discussed along with connectivity projects like the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor. During President Putins visit to Delhi last month, both nations had decided to strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and had signed 28 pacts in defence, trade, energy, culture, space and other fields. The crucial S-400 missile supplies from Russia to India have already begun. Four defence pacts had been inked between India and Russia, including one for manufacture of over six lakh AK-203 assault rifles at Amethi, UP, and an agreement on programme for military technical cooperation from 2021-2031. New Delhi is hoping that the worldwide Omicron scare does not cast a shadow on physical participation at the Gandhinagar meet, which may also see the participation of some more heads of government as well despite the Omicron scare. It also remains to be seen whether the Omicron scare will cast a shadow on the Republic Day celebrations later this month in New Delhi. India has already invited the heads of five Central Asian republics -- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan -- to be the chief guests at the Republic Day parade but New Delhi has so far not officially confirmed their participation. by Steve Suwannarat About 6,000 people have already crossed the border into Thailand due to increased fighting in Myanmar. The Thai Human Rights Commission asks the government to assist refugees and Thai citizens in the Mae Hong Son and Tak areas. Bangkok (AsiaNews) - The number of Burmese migrants on Thailand's western border is increasing. The Thai government is increasingly urged to open its doors to at least some refugees fleeing bombings and round-ups by the military junta, in power in Myanmar since February 1, 2021. However, refugees are also fleeing the fighting that now also involves the People's Defense Forces and ethnic militias, as the conflict escalates and increasingly affects the civilian population. There are more than 300,000 internally displaced persons, especially in the areas inhabited by minorities in the north and east of Myanmar. In the Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Shan and Karen States there is also a concentration of Christians. Especially ethnic Karen are the thousands of fugitives who are pressing to seek refuge in Thailand: about 6 thousand have already crossed the border with Thailand under the pressure of clashes between the military and Karen fighters. A situation that inevitably involves Thais close to the border and risks exposing them to war. Requests for intervention to protect the civilian population have come from many quarters. The latest is from the Thai Commission for Human Rights, which has asked the Bangkok government to urgently launch initiatives to support refugees and Thai citizens in the areas of Mae Hong Son and Tak. The Commission was established in 1992, and has always been limited in its action, even more so since the May 2014 coup. Recalling Thailand's long experience in hosting refugees from the Indochinese conflict and repressions in neighboring countries against minorities or opponents, the body urged the authorities to provide adequate assistance and care also in reference to the Covid-19 pandemic, which if on the Thai side of the border causes concern, on the Burmese side it seems to have been out of control for some time. For this reason, after having urged "the agencies involved to ensure the safety of Thai citizens living on the border through the construction of essential facilities, contingency plans and awareness," the Commission expressed the hope that the "priority of all parties in this crisis is the assistance of victims in line with the principles of human rights protection". Change must start in families, churches, mosques, schools and the media. Differences must be preserved and values such as "love, tolerance and forgiveness" must be strengthened. Extremists exploit religion for political and economic ends. The fragmentation and dispersion of society must be fought. Baghdad (AsiaNews) Card Louis Raphael Sako, primate of the Chaldean Church, released his New Year message to Iraqi Christians and Diaspora communities who still maintain strong ties with their homeland. In it he called on the faithful to go beyond the divisions and tensions that affect the country and the Middle East so as to "change reality with confidence". This can be done by working hard to reform education, health and infrastructures. Change begins with education at home, schools, churches and mosques, and the media, he explained. What is more, for the prelate, despite differences, real happiness entails loving and respecting each other as brothers and sisters. Since Christians and Muslims share the same "homeland and history", it is everyone's duty to preserve it and work for its prosperity by maintaining its diversity, starting with essential values like love, tolerance and forgiveness. Card Sako noted that the first day of the new year is always dedicated to peace and hope, especially for renaissance after a troubled period characterised by conflict, tensions, disease (COVID-19), hunger and thirst that are leading people towards a slow death. Peace is achieved when it is part of personal behaviour. This requires the ability to practice tolerance, forgiveness, solidarity and collaboration, as Pope Francis said in his message. Peace, Card Sako points out, is a human, religious and national requirement for everyone. For the cardinal, Iraq has been through very difficult circumstances, not only after the fall of [Saddam Hussein's] regime but throughout our history, with challenges and struggles, but now the time has come to get out of this deadly situation. The Chaldean patriarchs message comes at time of serious concerns over Iraqs fate. On 21 December, the Chaldean Church held a day of fasting and prayer for a country seeking "a new balance" and a future of "development and security". The cardinals message is not addressed only to Christians, but to everyone who holds the Arab country in their heart, Muslims included, at a time of political and institutional uncertainty following last Octobers parliamentary elections. In late December, Card Sako took part in a talk sponsored by Iraqs Ministry of Culture, moderated by Saad Salloum, an academic, during which he said that violence and extremism are not linked to religion" but to its "understanding" and interpretation. The exploitation of religion by extremists for "political or economic ends is the main issue. It is sad to note that killings still continue today under the cloak of God and religion while "Frustration and silence reinforce corruption, extremism and violence". From a perspective of peace and tolerance, the media play a fundamental role since they should carry messages and create a "culture and awareness, and not engage in provocations. In closing, he stressed the importance of "spiritual education in mosques and churches", which represent a point of reference amid fragmentation and dispersion in our society. Religious leaders "must re-read" matters of faith in a positive way, highlighting the richness of the various communities. Such a healthy spiritual relationship will facilitate coexistence in a multi-religious country. by Mathias Hariyadi Worried that possible domestic shortages might cause blackouts, the Indonesian government banned coal export for 2022. Businesses complain that will have huge costs. Jakarta (AsiaNews) The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN[*]) and the Indonesia Coal Mining Association (APBI[]) have criticised the government for its recent decision to ban coal exports starting on 1 January 2022 for a year out of concern for domestic supplies. Ridwan Djamaluddin, head of the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said that a rise in demand for electricity could lead to widespread blackouts across the country, leaving at least 10 million people in the dark. Indonesia is one of the largest coal exporters in the world with about 400 million tonnes exported in 2020. The ministry explained that the new ban is part of Indonesian domestic market obligation, whereby coal producers must supply 25 per cent of their annual production to Persero, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara, (State Electricity Company), for a top price of US$ 70 per tonne, which is well below the market price. According to coal producers and exporters, the governments decision is disproportionate to the problem. Both urge the ministry to reconsider its policy. For KADIN president Arsjad Rasjid, without the business sector, a recovery of the countrys economy will not be possible. The coal export ban should have been first discussed (with us) before it was adopted, he said. Businesses will discuss the issue in coming days, he added. APBI chief Pandu Sjahrir also expressed concerns about the new policy, calling on the authorities to lift the ban. This regulation will seriously impact the coal mining industry, he said. With production reduced by 38-40 million tonnes, Indonesia will lose at least US$ 3 billion a month. Shipping companies will also be impacted, unless the policy is changed. "Indonesian coal exporters will be charged between US$ 420 and $ 440 thousand per day per ship in demurrage fees[]. [*] Kamar Dagang dan Industri Indonesia [] Asosiasi Pertambangan Batubara Indonesia [] Charges that charterers pay to ship owners for delayed operations of loading/unloading. Other victims of government action include an Association for tuberculosis patients and Oxfam, which denounces: humanitarian interventions for the Covid-19 emergency are at risk. The government of Orissa is offering economic aid to the Missionaries of Charity, who tell us from Bhubaneswar: "We are not worried, the Father will take care of our needs. New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The Indian governments stop to foreign funding is not limited to the Missionaries of Charity: as of January 1, almost 6,000 Indian NGOs can no longer access funds from foreign countries. The news - offering a broader picture of the problem that has come to the fore precisely at the time of Christmas in India - was broken by The Hindu newspaper which cites official documents of the Ministry of Interior in New Delhi. To be precise, 5933 organizations have lost the status required by the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, the legislation that regulates the possibility for Indian organizations to receive funding from abroad. One figure is enoughto give an idea of the impact of what is happening: until December 31, 2021, there were 22,762 active licenses, today there are 16,829. In just a few days, therefore, they have been quartered. Together with the Missionaries of Charity, there are other high profile victims of this obstacle: Oxfam India, the local branch of one of the best-known international NGOs, released a note on Sunday, January 2, in which it confirms that it is in the same situation and explains that the non-renewal of its license jeopardizes its humanitarian interventions, including assistance on the Covid-19 emergency front currently offered in 16 Indian states. This is a particularly sensitive issue at a time when the Omicron variant is making a comeback with rapidly growing cases of infection in Delhi and Mumbai. Other organizations affected by the blockade on foreign funding, according to The Hindu, include Tuberculosis Association of India - an organization founded in colonial times by the British crown for the assistance of tuberculosis patients and now under the patronage of the Indian presidency - and an important network of educational facilities such as the Indian Youth Centres Trust. The same goes for Jamia Millia Islamia, a historic Muslim university active since the days of Mahatma Gandhi, which has come under the crosshairs, probably for having been at the heart of the protests against the disputed citizenship law in 2019. It should be added that the situation remains very opaque and confused: the Ministry of Interior has issued a circular saying that the licenses for access to foreign contributions are extended to March 31, 2022. But the document specifies that the extension does not apply to organizations that have already had their applications rejected, as happened for example to the Missionaries of Charity. In any case, the political intent of this restriction, which is part of the nationalist agenda imposed on the country by the Modi government and which will be paid for above all by the poorest sectors of the country, seems evident. This is one of the reasons why the application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act is becoming a matter of conflict in Indian politics. After the recent tweet by Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister of West Bengal, the government of Orissa has also intervened in support of the structures of the Missionaries of Charity. The head of the local government Naven Patnaik on December 30 sent an order asking local governments to make sure that the orphanages and homes for lepers of the Sisters of Mother Teresa are not in difficulty. "Where necessary," he wrote, "resources from the Prime Minister's emergency fund may be used. In Orissa there are 13 centers of the Missionaries of Charity that offer help to a total of about 2 thousand people." Speaking from Bhubaneswar Sr. Stany Rose commented on behalf of the Missionaries of Charity saying: "We are not worried: God the Father will take care of our needs. We are grateful to the head of government for the announcement of his support but above all we are indebted to the people of Orissa for the affection and help they have given us all these years." (Nirmala Carvalho contributed) by Shafique Khokhar Archbishop Sebastian Shaw and Aid to the Church in Need have helped Christians released from prison start their own small businesses. They were accused of killing two Muslims after the 2015 Easter attacks. For Fr Francis Gulzar, Those who received this help are called to promote harmony by helping others in their time of need. Lahore (AsiaNews) Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore has helped 20 former Christian inmates open their own businesses. Thanks to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Mgr Shaw was able for a second time to help the rehabilitation of Christians accused of involvement in the murder of two Muslims during a protest that followed the Easter suicide bombings on 15 March 2015. On that day, two churches St John's Catholic church and Christ Church (Protestant) Youhanabad (Lahore) were attacked, leaving 27 people dead with more than 70 injured. Despite a lack of evidence, scores of people were arrested in connection with the two deaths that occurred during the protest that followed the attacks. Two (inmates) died in prison but some were released after long negotiations, the archbishop said. "We thought about helping them start a business after their release so they could earn some money and support their families. Our people were praying when the terrorist attacks took place, Archbishop Shaw explained. At least 1,500 people were in the church for Mass and one, Akash Bashir, who was on duty as part of the security detail, sacrificed his life for others. Since the 2015 attack, two Christian defendants have died in prison. For its part, the National Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan paid for the legal costs of 12 defendants, including a Muslim. Last year, another 20 or so former inmates received the same kind of assistance from the archdiocese and ACN. This help shows that God also provides for people on the margins," said Shakar Habib, one of the beneficiaries. On 28 December, he took over a small business and wanted to thank ACN for the support given to the Christian community. Fr Francis Gulzar, priest at St John parish in Youhanabad and vicar general of the archdiocese of Lahore, was also grateful. Those who received this help are called to promote harmony by helping others in their time of need, he said. Hyderabad: Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy on Monday informed that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Reddy tweeted, "I have tested positive for covid with mild symptoms. Those who came in contact with me over the last few days, kindly take necessary precautions." He recently participated in two programmes where thousands of the public including Congress leaders and supporters participated. by Vladimir Rozanskij Moscow (AsiaNews) - The National Assembly of the (unrecognized) republic of Nagorno-Karabakh has approved a motion declaring its opposition to the positions of the Prime Minister of Yerevan, Nikol Pasinyan, regarding the consequences of the conflict with Azerbaijan last year. Added to this is the very harsh statement of Araik Arutjunyan, president of Karabakh, which sounds like a distancing of the separatist republic from Armenia. The small republic, called "Artsakh" in Armenian language, has about 150 thousand inhabitants and a territory of about 3000 km2. As a matter of fact it is an enclave in the territory of Azerbaijan, at least partially controlled by local Armenians; it can communicate with the homeland through the narrow mountain corridor of Lain, three kilometers long and nine meters wide, protected by the peace forces of the Russian Federation. Pasinyan's participation in the summit of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States in St. Petersburg on December 28 provoked a reaction from Karabakh Armenians. The day before, during a press conference, the Armenian premier had blamed his predecessors for the defeat in the separatist territory. Pasinyan's position has also been criticized in Yerevan by the opposition, especially by former president Robert Kocaryan, who on December 29 openly accused the prime minister of betrayal of national interests. Another former president, Serz Sargsyan, has also announced a public meeting in January on the issue, which will most likely be equally merciless towards Pasinyan. In all of this, Arutjunyan wanted to reiterate that "only Artsakh authorities have the right to speak on behalf of the local population." Arutjunyan stressed that their main goal is the international recognition of Artsakh's independence, and that no form of autonomy within Azerbaijan will be acceptable, such as those to which the Armenian premier seems to be leaving room for negotiation. The Armenians of Karabakh maintain that there is no possibility of peaceful coexistence with the Azeris, and their territory must be returned to the borders of 1991, when the conflict with Baku over the mountainous area began. For Arutjunyan, Russian troops deployed in the area should facilitate the establishment of a local Artsakh army, staying as long as necessary, and this should be Pasinyan's goal in negotiations with Putin. The Parliament of Stepanakert - the capital of the separatist republic - has reiterated its president's positions, declaring inadmissible the pronouncements of any politician or party that casts doubt on the Armenian future of Artsakh, especially lashing out at Pasinyan's statements, deeming them too ambiguous and dangerous. The premier had assured that the status of Nagorno Karabakh would remain on the negotiating table, and that "the legal and political bases of Armenian independence in the area are not in contradiction with the positions of the mediators and international structures dealing with the matter". Karabakh Armenians fear being victims of diplomatic games, and do not want to give up their sovereignty even at the cost of going against Yerevan. The speaker of Stepanakert's parliament, Asot Gulyan, compared Pasinyan's words to the "style of 1937," when Stalin first annexed Karabakh to Azerbaijan, starting the mountain feud of the two Caucasian peoples, who have always been divided by language, culture and religion. Carbondale resident Jason Winokur collects COVID-19 test samples from Sandra and Lucya at the free testing site at the Aspen Airport cellphone lot on Thursday afternoon. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Born in the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) hangars close to five decades ago, the F-15 is one of the most present fighter planes in the skies of the world, with over 1,100 of them being deployed at the moment in several variants.The F-15C, a family the plane we have in the main pic of this piece is part of, is of the battle-tested variety, having been deployed, among others, during Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s, being responsible for 34 of the 37 air-to-air wins against Iraqi forces.For them to be able to achieve this, pilots need to be properly trained, of course, and thats partially the job of the USAF Weapons School. Based at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and assigned to the 57th Wing, the unit teaches graduate-level instructor courses.The F-15C we have here, depicted at it was taking off from one of the runways of the said airbase, afterburners burning hot to the point they make a mess of the air behind, was on its way to conduct its final defensive counter air vul during Weapons School Integration at the beginning of December.According to the military branch, this class marks the final F-15C Weapons Instructor Course to be taught at the United States Air Force Weapons School, making this image one of the last to show the plane on such a mission.At the time of writing, the American military is pondering the retirement of the F-15, with no direct successor planned. Word is the USAF will instead focus on using the F-16, which provides pretty much the same capabilities, but costs less to operate.As usual when it comes to military hardware, phasing out the plane will probably take years, so expect to see more of these in action in the near future. Tiffany is a 2016 construction. It was built by Adam Lehman as the first-ever tiny of his brand new tiny company, A New Beginning Tiny Homes, based in Orlando, Florida. Lehman had been working in construction and home remodeling for over 15 years when he decided to give the tiny house movement a try by putting his own spin on it. He was able to do that right off the bat with his first product, Tiffany.A New Beginning Tiny Homes is no longer open for business, as Lehman relocated to Colorado, but Tiffany still stands. And its just as impressive today as it was almost six years ago, if not more so.In early 2017, Lehman sold Tiffany to Tim Davidson, a Floridian who had just been informed he was to immediately vacate his parents vacation home. Though Lehman was asking between $72,000 and $85,000, Davidson got Tiffany for under $70,000, and he completed payment on it in mid-2021. He is no longer living in it because its been turned into an Airbnb, but its in an excellent location and in equally fine company: Tiffany now lives on a small private island in Sarasota, Florida, called Shellmate Island, together with another tiny.Tiffany offers just 270 square feet (25 square meters) of living area, but whatever it lacks in space, it makes up for in personality . Despite the minuscule footprint, it is very homey, thanks to beautiful touches of classic inspiration, like stained glass, lighting fixtures by Louis Comfort Tiffany, custom cabinetry, and a slightly domed wooden ceiling.In fact, its the light fixtures that helped named the tiny : throughout, from the kitchen to the bathroom and the master bedroom up in one of the lofts, you will find these vintage-looking light sconces, which perfectly match the stained-glass on the door and some of the windows. The layout of Tiffany isnt new: it has separate kitchen and bathroom areas at each end, with a living squeezed in between, and two lofts. One loft is for sleeping the master bedroom , while the other was initially meant to be a second bedroom but has since been converted into a storage room.The kitchen is almost full-size , though it offers little space to move about. It has a sink and a four-burner stove, with plenty of cooking surface and a generous fridge/freezer. Suspended custom cabinetry offers storage for tableware and a decent pantry.The living room is a dining, office, and entertaining area. Theres a custom-made sofa to one side, with twin ottomans with folding legs hidden underneath. The ottomans are also the seats for the fold-down table on the opposite wall and can double as a sofa extension for a makeshift bed. To the side, right by the refrigerator, is a ladder to the smaller loft, which can fit a twin-size mattress or serve as a storage room.The bathroom is a beauty, especially by tiny house standards. The marble shower features a removable tub made of reclaimed cedar, which is light enough to be lifted with one hand. Theres also a compost toilet, and a vanity with sink, and more space and storage than youd expect in a home this small. A wooden pocket door with matching stained glass separates it from the rest of the living area.Tiffany comes with an LG mini-split, an on-demand water heater, a washer and dryer, and an oscillating roof fan.The main bedroom is over the bathroom and, while you cant stand up in it, at least you can sit up in bed thanks to the 44 inches (112 cm) of clearance. Here too, you get wraparound windows and deep cabinetry for storage, reading lights, and enough space to make you feel comfortable.Like many other famous tinies , Tiffany has her own website and has received plenty of coverage in the U.S. media. Tiffany is a star, so, in a way, it doesnt come as a huge surprise that Davidson was able to buy his own private island (for $200,000) to place it on after just two years or that, in early 2021, he also bought an apartment nearby so he could turn the whole place into a business all the while touting the benefits of downsizing.This would strike some as an irony or downright hypocrisy, but Davidson says that for him, downsizing is about living intentionally and saving money. And hes been doing that, thanks to Tiffany, an elegant and very small house that he called home for years. Now, hes offering the chance to experience it to others in the middle of a tropical paradise surrounded by homegrown fruit. EV More specifically, HERE will provide Scania with connected navigation software that will be installed on fleets offered globally, including in China, Japan, and South Korea.Because it relies on the HERE SDK mapping software, the infotainment upgrade can provide drivers with relevant information thats specifically optimized for their vehicles.In fact, this is whats making using a navigation solution in a truck so challenging. Google, for example, isnt offering a truck mode in Google Maps , so the navigation app can end up sending drivers on roads where the vehicles dont actually fit.This wont be the case in trucks powered by HEREs software. All the provided information takes into account the dimensions of the vehicles, so drivers are getting accurate road information, points of interest, and speed limit data for each truck type.HERE says the partnership is already prepared for the electrification of Scania trucks, as its software can also provide additional capabilities, including dedicatedrouting and other features that make sense in a zero-emission vehicle.And last but not least, HERE and Scania say theyll work together on a new mobile companion application whose purpose is to provide drivers with access to certain capabilities even when theyre not in the vehicle. The app will be powered by the HERE SDK, though at this point, its not known when its supposed to launch.At the end of the day, the partnership shows not only that HERE is one of the biggest names in this side of the software and navigation solution market but also that services aimed at trucks are a niche that just keeps growing.And of course, it also shows that Google itself is missing a huge opportunity here. The lack of a truck mode in Google Maps means some drivers need to switch to alternative products, and right now, Google really doesnt seem to be very interested in shipping such an update for its app. As soon as people learned about the Light Show feature in the V11 software update, the Internet was flooded with videos demonstrating the futility of this new entry in the cars infotainment menu. Its not entirely new, as folks with a Tesla Model X have boasted it for years, but the latest update bringing it to the other models in the lineup means more than two million Tesla owners get to play with the Light Show if they so choose.And they did, even though things were not entirely smooth for some of them. People reported the headlights stopped working after the Light Show performance . It was not like the performer was tired after the show, because the glitch in the Matrix meant the headlights could still keep the show going. It was just that their normal functionality to light the road at night was not available anymore. We hope this was an isolated case only, as the Facebook post complaining about this disappeared in the meantime.Nevertheless, people were not being put off by the mishap. New videos show Tesla owners gathered in droves in many places around the world to perform the Light Show. New Years Eve was indeed a good opportunity to put the new feature to work.No less than 23 Tesla owners in Quebec (Canada) decided to mark the New Year with a wonderful mass Light Show performance. The car orchestra was, naturally, directed by a Model X, with its original Light Show feature. The video below shows some professional skills, even involving a drone for aerial footage.It was supposed to be the largest group Light Show ever, but it was later revealed some guys in Switzerland put it to shame . Even though their video is not as good and sometimes you can barely see whats happening, we must give them credit for the (as of now) largest Light Show performance. Not to mention that the 40 Tesla cars gathering in Kemptthal, Switzerland, performed the Light Show on December 27.We hope no car suffered headlight damages during those Light Show gatherings. Nevertheless, the trend was started and now the sky is the limit, with possible Guinness records in sight. The question is not how many cars will perform the next monstrous Light Show, but how far can they spread them to be still considered as part of the same group. For those who love the thrill of the road, a new year means a new season of exciting adventures. So, why not travel in style while enjoying the perfect comfort of a cottage home away from home? Newmars Kountry Star has it all, so let the new road trip season begin! 11 photos The Corolla nameplate has been with us for generations, proving an incredible success for the Japanese carmaker. The journey started 55 years ago, with the humble first-generation Corolla E10, a car that put Toyota on track to become the reputable carmaker that it continues to be to this day. Generation after generation, Corolla proved to be one of the most reliable cars ever built. This prestige also helped it become a bestseller end eventually THE best selling car in the world.Toyota released the Corolla 50 Million Edition to celebrate this milestone, featuring all three body styles currently on sale the four-door sedan, the five-door hatchback , and the wagon. There is nothing quite special about these cars except for the badging and the color options, so well not insist on them, especially as they are sold exclusively in Japan.Not content with this badgemania celebration, Toyota felt the need to push the pedal a little deeper and came up with a manga strip highlighting the key moments in Corollas history. The comics images are inspired by photos submitted by current and former Corolla owners and are drawn respecting the illustration style popular at the time.The comics start with the 1960s era, depicting a father coming home in its first-generation Corolla E10 to take his family out for a drive. Moving on in the 1970s, a father and his son appear to have a tense conversation while traveling in an E20 model. For the next manga, we find ourselves in the 80s next to the rear-wheel-drive Corolla AE86. A decade later, the manga shows a family going out for ice cream in an E100 Corolla.The comics series skips two decades to get to our complicated 2020s and focus on modern technologies like the Corolla infotainment system and social media integration. This is a little ironic, considering Toyota was quite reluctant to adopt Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.Regardless, Toyota Corolla hitting the 50 million mark is no small feat. The car is sold in 150 countries and there are 16 plants around the world building them. One in five Toyota cars wears a Corolla badge, while the Japanese carmaker sells one every 15 seconds. The authorities will collaborate TCC with TMC and penalise over-speeding drivers with concrete evidence including photographs and CCTV cameras present at the inter-changes. (Representational Image/ DC) Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), in coordination with the traffic police, will teach basic arithmetic speed = distance time to commuters travelling on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Several motorists have been noticed driving over the 100 kmph speed limit at locations where there are no speed guns. The HMDA along with the traffic police, in their bid to regulate the average speed at the overall 158 km stretch, have decided not only to install more speed guns to catch speeding motorists but also to monitor the average speed maintained from one point to the next point. The authorities are chalking out plans to deduct the penalty amount directly from the FASTags. As per the annual reports submitted by Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissionerates, with 60 persons having lost their lives, the ORR saw a 35 per cent spike in fatal road mishaps in 2021 when compared to 2020. In Cyberabad alone, 39 persons had died in 33 accidents while in Rachakonda limits, 19 persons were killed in 41 accidents. Police personnel identified that only a few motorists were following the maximum speed limit only at 10 designated locations where speed guns were installed. They were driving at high speeds in the stretches where there were no speed guns. In this backdrop, the traffic police decided to seek the help of HMDA, where the toll management system (TMS) is already in place. The TMS has helped HMDA monitor the vehicles and classify them with the computer operated sensors installed at every inter-change. The system has helped the municipal authority enhance accountability and ensure transparency pertaining to toll collection. And now the authorities are to add an extra feature to TMS to monitor the average speed maintained by vehicles at every entry and exit points (inter-changes) by using basic math formula. There are 19 inter-changes on the ORR, a main traffic control centre (TCC) at Nanakramguda inter-change and sub-TCC at Ghatkesar inter-change. The authorities will collaborate TCC with TMC and penalise over-speeding drivers with concrete evidence including photographs and CCTV cameras present at the inter-changes. If the motorists cross the maximum speed limit, the penal amount of Rs 1,000 will be deducted from fastags. If the vehicle owner does not maintain sufficient amount in fastag, the individual has to pay double the penal amount in cash. A senior official told Deccan Chronicle that this is in the conceptualisation stage and authorities have been discussing its practical implementation. He said they have been preparing a foolproof mechanism, where evidence of traffic violation could be shown to the vehicle owner. The official said this mechanism is scientifically possible but they should check its practical implementation. He said that if everything goes according to plan, a check on over-speeding will be implemented very soon. Palmdale, CA (93550) Today Sunny. Becoming windy late. High 82F. W winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight A mostly clear sky. Low 53F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. A federal judge on Thursday denied motions to dismiss lawsuits over Georgia's voting law that restricts voter across the state. Why it matters: Legal challenges emerged from several civil rights groups and the Department of Justice after Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed the state's election law in March. The Georgia law imposes new ID requirements, limits the use of ballot drop boxes, changes early voting hours and more. The big picture: U.S. District Judge Jean-Paul "J.P." Boulee ordered Thursday for the lawsuits to move forward after the state of Georgia challenged the cases claiming that they should've been thrown out. Boulee found that the lawsuits will be determined after facts and evidence are presented. What they're saying: As the litigation proceeds, we believe it will become even clearer how S.B. 202 was based on a false and dangerous narrative about past elections, erects unlawful barriers to voting, and places undue burdens on Georgians," said Poy Winichakul, staff attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Biden administration brought 36 migrants back to the U.S. for court hearings on Monday under the reimposed Remain in Mexico program and expanded its enforcement of that program into San Diego, even as it continues efforts to end the policy, administration officials told reporters on a call. The big picture: The administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene to allow them to end what's formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), which forces asylum seekers at the southern border to wait in Mexico while their cases are heard. More than 200 migrants have been already returned to Mexico since a court forced the policy's reimplementation last month. Officials highlighted attempts to make the program more humanitarian compared to when it was first enforced under President Trump, including providing better access to legal counsel both before being sent back to Mexico and ahead of court hearings. Migrants will now be provided transportation directly to shelters after returning to Mexico, facilities have better WiFi and the Mexican government has committed to providing enhanced security at shelters. By the numbers: As of the end of 2021, just over 200 single male adults had been returned via the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez border crossing under MPP, a spokesperson for International Organization for Migration in Mexico told Axios. Tonoyan warned that he must not be made a scapegoat for Armenias defeat in the six-week war. A visible desire to find the scapegoat is hovering, so to speak, in the political scene, but I think that there will be surprises in this regard, he said in written comments to the press circulated by his lawyers. One thing is clear: we are witnessing a fanatical desire to discredit me and the defense system. Tonoyan, two generals and an arms dealer were arrested by the National Security Service (NSS) in September in a criminal investigation into supplies of allegedly outdated rockets to Armenias armed forces. The NSS charged them with fraud and embezzlement that cost the state almost 2.3 billion drams ($4.7 million). All four suspects deny any wrongdoing. The NSS said in September that a private intermediary delivered the rockets to Armenia in 2011 and that the Defense Ministry refused to buy them after discovering that they are unusable. Seyran Ohanian, Armenias defense minister from 2008 to 2016, confirmed afterwards that 70 percent of them were not accepted by the military during his tenure. The rebuff forced the supplier to store the rockets at a Defense Ministry arms depot, he said. Tonoyan insisted on Monday that the ammunition did not go past its expiration and was successfully used during the Karabakh war. He complained that the NSS cancelled a planned test-firing of those rockets during the probe described by him as not objective. One of Tonoyans lawyers, Sergey Hovannisian, also slammed the NSS investigators for not carrying out the forensic tests. He said they would have proved that the rockets are usable and the investigators would have had no choice but to close the criminal case. The NSS declined to comment on that. In an October 11 statement, Tonoyans legal team noted that he possesses a great deal of information about defense issues but is not publicizing it to disprove the accusations because he places Armenias national security above his personal interests. Asked whether he thus sent a warning to Armenias political leadership, the former minister said: Up until now I have maintained restraint in terms of getting involved in political processes There will still be occasions to present to the public my clarifications about the 44-day war through an investigative commission to be formed [by the Armenian parliament,] provided that it works objectively and impartially. As I said in my November 20 statement, I am ready to bear my share of responsibility. But only for what I did, and not for what I did not do. Tonoyan stopped short of openly accusing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of ordering the criminal proceedings against him. He blamed instead other, unnamed officials for what he considers baseless charges. Pashinian appointed Tonoyan as defense minister just days after coming to power in May 2018. The latter was sacked in November 2020 less than two weeks after a Russian-brokered agreement stopped the devastating war. Some senior pro-Pashinian parliamentarians blamed Tonoyan for Armenias defeat in the six-week war. The prime minister faced angry opposition demonstrations at the time. The Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) is confining crews and officials to ships coming from abroad in view of the scare over the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant of the Coronavirus. (Representatonal Photo: PTI) Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) is confining crews and officials to ships coming from abroad in view of the scare over the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant of the Coronavirus. On an average, five ships arrive at the port with cargo from various countries. We are not allowing any crew member or official to enter the port premises. They are being confined to their vessels till the handling is completed. We are sending medical teams to screen them and conducting RT-PCR tests on suspected cases, said VPA chairman K. Ramamohan Rao. He told Deccan Chronicle on Monday that local officials boarding foreign ships were being screened. Four vessels had arrived at the Visakhapatnam Port from South Africa, an at-risk country, since December 1, health officials of the port said. They said the RT-PCR test was conducted on 133 suspect cases and all of them tested negative. Similar protocols were maintained during the two earlier phases of Covid-19, a port official added. You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @idesai98 on Twitter. Less than two years since the Jefferson County Democratic Party elected its youngest leader in recent memory, its seeing another change up. However this time, its not the only party in the region on a course for change. Jefferson County Republican Party Chair Judy Nichols will not be seeking reelection to the seat and, unless a successful write-in campaign is launched, Republican Joe Evans is expected to take the reins from her in June. Former interim Jefferson County Democratic Party Chair Ava Graves already has taken over for outgoing chair Joseph Trahan. While they may elect to take the local parties in different directions, neither Graves nor Evans are strangers to leadership. Evans, general manager at Beaumont Occupational Services, is the chairman for the Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County, sits on the board of directors for Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Southeast Texas and was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Alzheimers Commission. Nichols, said Evans, a widowed father of three daughters, would be the first African American Jefferson County Chairman in recent memory. And drawing a diverse group of people into the Republican Party already is one of Evans biggest priorities. He wants to see people of every race, gender, age, religion, culture and socioeconomic standing. He wants to build a coalition across industries to include unionized workers and business people. A self-proclaimed anomaly in the party, Evans himself was not always a Republican, but almost a decade ago, a series of conversations and personal reflection led him to join the party. One of Evans dreams was to run for office, so he went first to the Democratic party. Related: List: Few Jefferson Co. candidates facing March primaries I didnt identify myself as clearly a Republican or a Democrat, he said. I was more independent, but being Black, you know, you tend to for me, at least you know, you think youre a Democrat. Even if you dont, you think you have to identify yourself as a Democrat. So he met with the Democratic party leaders, and he still says he has friends in that party, but as he assessed his region of the state, he felt the Democrats, who historically have had a stronghold in Southeast Texas, had fallen short. From his perspective, there was racial division, and the values the party held conflicted with some of the principles of his faith and his vision for his family. I looked at the history of the county, and I didnt like the direction the county was going in, so I looked back at the leadership. And what I noticed was a trend, a pattern of Democratic leaders only, he said, which led him to meet with the Republican Party chairman. We talked about history, and we talked about the current state of affairs, and he was so warm and welcoming to me. It felt like a good decision internally. I feel like this is a better place. He acknowledges the damage done to the Republican image because of former President Donald Trumps politics. Walking a moderate ground is one of Evans priorities moving forward. Common sense will always lie somewhere in the middle, he said. One of the things I do want to make sure that we are looking at is those independent voters who have shunned the Republican Party because weve been so far to the right of things that weve alienated people. We do care about people and we do care about the community. Should he be successfully elected as party chairman, he plans to focus on building relationships with the local industrial workforce and making sure that local officials are cognizant of what the community needs. He also wants to focus on increasing literacy as well as job creation and training. He has seen firsthand what happens when people are not well-educated or employed. I mentor everyday at the Minnie Rogers Juvenile Detention Center. I see all the young Black males day in and day out, and it breaks my heart, Evans said. Here in Jefferson County, Black males make up 95 to 97% of the juvenile population, but only 12% of the whole state. The same thing can be said about abortion. We abort a lot of our babies from a disproportionate standpoint. That bothers me. Related: Jefferson County Democratic chair announces resignation Evans said he has been labeled a sell out, a social experiment and has not been warmly received by many people because of his affiliation with the Republican Party. Regardless, his priority is to do what is best for the community. Im here to work with everybody and to build some strong relationships throughout the county, Evans said. While Evans largely is expected to take over the party in June, its still unclear how long Graves term will last as local Democratic Party Chair. Her position will expire in June 2022, at which point the executive committee comprised of precinct chairs will nominate and vote on who will be in office for the next two years. But shes been in a similar position before. Graves was elected interim party chair in 2019 when then-Chair Cade Bernsen resigned from the position. At that time, she won the election of precinct chairs, but after serving in the interim role, she ultimately lost the primary election to Trahan. That previous experience, however, means she already knows how to do the job. You work the position continuously, she said. Technically, it could be a part-time position, but in actuality its a job that does not cease. Im absolutely open to continuing to serve, Graves said. As our precinct chairs and party has discussed, stability is a great concern for our party. Chairman Trahan has brought us a long way. Because were moving into an election, we want to continue to have stable leadership. Graves also serves on the boards of the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Beaumont Cultural Arts District. She is a retired chaplain who worked for two hospice facilities in Beaumont, and her husband of nearly 25 years is a United Methodist pastor. Together, they love and support their religious community. Related: Locked out ExxonMobil workers make noise at world petroleum conference My faith is my life. I live my life by faith, Graves said. I am a Christian, I believe in the Holy Trinity, and I make my decisions based on how I feel that it aligns with my faith, with my family and with my service to the community. For her, this means articulating to everybody that the Democratic party is the party for all people. We believe in equality and justice for all. We believe in the right to vote. We believe in the right to choose. We believe in fair taxation, she said. Healthcare is of great concern. Equitable education. Graves couldnt say that she was always a Democrat. She was largely uninvolved in politics until the last 15 or 20 years. She remembers being an African American child and realizing that her mother did not get the right to vote until Graves was in the sixth grade, even though the Voting Rights Act already had been enacted. As she grew up and got involved with the concerns of her community, she found herself aligning more with the Democratic Party, just as her family before her had been. Though firmly committed to her party, she also believes they have things they can work on. The room for improvement is the biggest room in the house, Graves said. Were always seeking strategies for creating and developing winning candidates (and) future leadership, in addition to retaining those that we have now. Particular causes she would like to see her party champion are providing resources to underserved communities food deserts, those without broadband or whats needed to lead a healthy lifestyle. She said she wants them to do what they can for the environment as they consider all of the factories and refineries in the county while also supporting unionized workers. I want each of the 146,646 Jefferson County registered voters to know that they have advocates promoting equitable leadership, leadership which continually seizes every opportunity for securing the best life for them and their families, including the 650 employees who ExxonMobil has locked out, she said. I want all our residents to know that their voices are valued and that all votes count. rachel.kersey@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/ontheREKord Development will soon begin on a new medical campus in Orange. NexCore Group and Christus Southeast Texas Health System plan to break ground this month for the development of the Gisela Houseman Medical Campus. A grand opening is anticipated for Spring 2023. NexCore is excited to provide quality and convenience to the citizens of Orange and surrounding communities through this critical health care development, NexCores Chief Development Officer Todd Varney said in an announcement. The Gisela Houseman Medical Campus will become the epicenter of healthcare in Orange and provide an essential and convenient mini-campus venue for physicians to practice medicine and minimize the need to patients to travel 30 minutes or more for care. The first phase of the project will be for a 55,000-square-foot building, which will be constructed on a 5.5-acre piece of the 20-acre parcel. The medical campus is strategically located with an entryway and exit from Interstate 10 East and Texas 62, a news release from the health system said. It will be designed to maximize campus connectivity, patient satisfaction and provider efficiency, the release said The first floor of the two-story building will be leased to Christus, which made the announcement on Thursday. Christus will provide a 24/7 emergency hospital and key outpatient diagnostic services. The remaining space will be leased to independent physicians, including Dr. Marty Rutledge, of Orange Medical Surgical Associates. The longstanding primary care physician in Orange and 30-year pioneer in the county has been the driving force behind the project, the release said. Denver-based NexCore Group is a national healthcare, life sciences and senior housing real estate developer NexCore officials said the mini-medical campus will fill the community need for healthcare services following the closure of Baptist Hospital Orange. At a glance What: Gisela Houseman Medical Campus Who: NexCore Group and Christus Southeast Texas Health System Where: Interstate 10 and Texas 62 in Orange Leasing information: Contact Stacey Hall at (832) 637-3773 or stacey.hall@nexcoregroup.com Grand opening: Spring 2023 See More Collapse Planned services and amenities at GHMC include an emergency department/emergency hospital, imaging and diagnostic services, lab, primary care and specialty care clinics, collaboration/community education areas and facilities support, the release said. It is fortuitous we get to announce the project during this season of giving, Varney said. This development is a result of a large group effort to give back to Orange and the surrounding communities and has been enabled through many avenues of generosity, including the City, County, and private citizens. Together, NexCore, Christus Southeast Texas Health System, Ms. Houseman, Dr. Rutledge and the City and County of Orange are able to gift access to much needed healthcare services to the community, he continued. The land was contributed by Gisela Houseman, the release said. The campus is large enough to provide future growth, Varney said. The Orange Economic Development Corporation has committed to bring infrastructure to the site and the County and City of Orange has also committed to a reduction in property taxes that will directly benefit the medical tenants through reducing their occupancy costs. Everyone has come together for the good of this community this holiday season. Christus, a Catholic, not-for-profit health care system, has served Beaumont, Port Arthur, Mid-County, Jasper and others for more than 120 years. The health care system said it continues to adapt and change to meet the needs of the communities it serves. Christus said in the release this significant investment into the Orange community serves to affirm the mission and the systems commitment to its fellow neighbors. We are pleased to announce that Christus Southeast Texas is making a major investment in the community and surrounding areas of Orange, Paul Trevino, President and CEO of Christus Southeast Texas Health System and CEO of Christus Ochsner Southwest Louisiana, said. Throughout our history, our ministry has been available to answer the call to fill a critical need to alleviate suffering, wherever possible, he said. Our participation in this project exemplifies this philosophy, as we have partnered with the key stakeholders in Orange at their invitation to make this happen. The support of the community from the beginning of this process has been striking, and a key reason we decided to participate. We look forward to working closely with the community and our other partners to make this vision a reality. From a population standpoint, the release said Orange County is the largest in Texas without hospital-based emergency healthcare services. The region is cut off by water from Beaumont to the west and Lake Charles to the east, forcing residents and employees in Orange to travel across bridges to access most of their healthcare needs. This can often be a logistical issue with traffic and natural disasters, primarily hurricanes and tropical storms that frequently occur in the region, the release said. The service area of more than 98,000 patients has a need for more than 95 full-time providers. meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/megzmagpie ORANGE On the first day of 2022, pastors, politicians and leaders in Southeast Texas came together in Orange for the inaugural Orange County Texas Unity Fest an evening of prayer and worship for the city and the region. The event took place at the riverfront boardwalk in Orange. It was organized by Johnny Asevedo, pastor of the newly formed Destiny Church, which opened its doors in 2020 right before the pandemic took over the world. In a time when the country has been strained and polarized, he hosted this event to call people to come together. Many churches and Christian outreach groups were represented in the gathering, including Restoration Church, Life Church, The Sound Church, Grace Community Church, Community Church, The Hub and others. Were contending for our region, Asevedo said. The church talks about breaking down walls and stuff but they do nothing about it. Our heart has always been to actively go after it. That means partnering, that means reaching out, that means connecting and being active. Asevedo climbed onto the platform at the start of the meeting and encouraged everyone in attendance to be the ecclesia and koininia in this new year. Both are Greek words that mean gathering of those summoned, and Christian fellowship, respectively. He called for Christians to put aside denominational differences to meet the needs of the people in the communities so nobody goes without. His church, though new, has been doing this already. They prayed and felt God telling them to open a food pantry right outside their building. Since doing that, multiple people have come to tell them that their pantry fed them and their whole family as they faced layoffs from work and other challenging life circumstances. We always say you can either go to church or you can be the church, Asevedo said. We want to kick off January 1, 2022 with restoration, unity and declaring Gods heart over our city. Orange Mayor Larry Spears Jr., made some remarks as well, emphasizing that in all things, he tries to put Christ first in his leadership of the city. He urged people to do as Jesus did in an early account in the gospel of Luke, when he broke away from his parents and stayed behind in the temple. Depending upon the translation, the scripture could read that Jesus was in his Fathers house or that Jesus was doing his Fathers business. So theres a time to be in your Fathers house and theres a time to be about our Fathers business, Spears told the audience. Thats what this is all about. Spears prayed over the gathering, asking for blessings, protection from storms and inclement weather, and provision for children, schools, and leaders in the area. Jonathan Petty, a worship leader at Destiny Church, took the stage with his acoustic guitar and led the motley congregation in song. They sang contemporary classics such as How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin, which bled into traditional hymns like Carl Bobergs How Great Thou Art. Spontaneously, some people would pray aloud. Others prayed in silence. Rhonda Peveto, who attends Destiny Church, came specifically to pray against racism. She said that she is from this area and moved away, but when she came back and was looking for a church in the Yellow Pages, there were listings for all-white churches and all-Black churches. That shouldnt be, Peveto said. Even now, she has friends who say they are going to take their white children out of a school with mostly Black children. Derek and Becky Evers, founders of The Hub, a Saratoga-based organization which exists to equip the church for service, traveled to Orange to support Asevedo and pray specific blessings over the area in regards to findingand beingthe solution to a problem that troubles them nationwide. The biggest problem that we have in America is single-parent homes and its having a negative impact on society, Derek said. The church were sons of the greatest Father in the world and its not just an idea. Its an experience with a real Father. I think if we can reveal that Father in the way that we serve a community to heal a lot of the needs, itll take care of a lot of the crime, it will take care of a lot of the poverty mindset. Becky grew up in a home without her father, she said, and even now as mother of an eleven year old, it is something she is still working through with the help of God, her Father, who showed her that though she did not have her biological father with her, she still had the wisdom and mentorship of other godly men in her life. God created us to be interdependent, she said, bringing up the idea of mentoring to change not just behaviors but also mindsets. Thats my heart for the body of Christ at large, that we actually come into harmony with one another and with the heartbeat of heaven. rachel.kersey@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/ontheREKord VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will leave for Delhi on Monday. It is learned that he has already got the appointment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. Jagan will leave for Delhi from Gannavaram Airport at 10.50 am and reach by afternoon. The Chief Minister has an appointment with Modi at 4 pm hence he will meet the Prime Minister first and later visit Amit Shah. The CM has got an appointment with Modi only and is likely to get Amit Shahs appointment on Monday. Jagan Mohan Reddy will discuss key issues with the Prime Minister, including economic issues in the state and the Amaravati issue. He is likely to hold talks with Modi over the revised estimates for the Polavaram project, water disputes, and other political issues. The ministers and authorities made representations before the Centre urging it to relax the debt ceiling. However, the permission was not granted. It may be recalled that Jagan Mohan Reddy had withdrawn the Three Capitals Bill and it is stated that the YSRC government will reintroduce it with amendments to avoid legal hurdles. Sources informed that only two years remained for the CM to go for elections and there was no progress in three capitals, and the YSRC government flinched from the battlefield by withdrawing the Bill. Sources said before the withdrawal of the crucial Three Capitals Bill, Jagan Mohan Reddy got suggestions from prominent leaders including Amit Shah. The BJP-led Union government did not object to the three capitals decision of the YSRC government and filed an affidavit in the court clearly mentioning the state government had full powers in the capital establishment issue. According to the sources, Jagan Mohan Reddy will discuss Polavaram project funds, water disputes, bifurcation assurances and Special Category Status to AP. The Polavaram project would be completed if the union government sanctions Rs 47,000 crore funds by next year and if the funds are reduced, then the relief and rehabilitation of the project would be affected. Earlier YSRC alleged large-scale corruption in the Polavaram project but after coming into power, it is asking for the revised estimates hence the union government was showing reluctance. Jagan, during his earlier tours had explained the increase of the Polavaram project cost but in vain hence now the Chief Minister is once going to convince Modi in the meeting. The time frame of 10 years for the distribution of assets between Telangana and AP is going to cease in two years but still, there are a lot of disputes on asset distribution. The assets belonging to AP would go to Telangana if the distribution of the assets fails to complete in the stipulated 10 years of time. So Jagan Mohan Reddy is going to ask the Central government to complete assets distribution under the AP Reorganisation act, sources said. Bangladeshis hold photos of their missing relatives during a rally in Dhaka marking the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Aug. 30, 2021. Bangladesh saw a nearly ninefold increase in cases filed under the Digital Security Act in 2021 for perceived online criticism of officials including the prime minister and the countrys founder, compared with 2020, a leading human rights organization said in its annual report. As many as 1,134 cases were lodged last year against journalists and alleged government critics under the online security law, according Ain-O-Salish Kendra (ASK). By comparison, 130 cases were filed in 2020 and 63 cases in 2019. The DSA was used to curb peoples rights of freedom of expression including when writer Mushtaq Ahmed, who was arrested in a DSA case, died in jail, ASK said in releasing its report on Dec. 31. Ahmed was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital in Gazipur on Feb. 25, 2021, after losing consciousness while in custody at the Kashimpur High-Security Prison. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a notorious police unit, had arrested Mushtaq at his home in Dhaka on May 5, 2020, over his alleged involvement in spreading disinformation against the government on social media. Last month, the United States Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions against RAB and six current and former officers from the Bangladeshi force over alleged serious human rights abuses. The U.S. move placed RAB among some of the worst rights abusers in the world, including those involved in the racial profiling and mass detention of ethnic Uyghurs in China and the slaughter of civilians in post-coup Myanmar. The year 2021, meanwhile, marked the 50th anniversary of the war in which Bangladesh broke free from Pakistan and became its own nation. Throughout the golden jubilee year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government celebrated the memory of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladeshs founding leader who was assassinated in 1975, with programs and public art works across the country. Apart from the Digital Security Act, the country has a strict law by which people can be arrested and prosecuted for acts or speech seen as defaming Mujiburs name or memory. The ASK report did not detail how many of the 1,134 cases had been prosecuted. The country witnessed many sensational events involving rights violations including communal unrest, enforced disappearances, rapes, border killings, the killing of a Rohingya leader and extrajudicial killings, the report also said, dubbing 2021 as the year of human rights violations. The ASK released its findings a day after Law Minister Anisul Huq said that the government would amend the DSA, which was passed in 2018, if necessary. The law has been abused and misused in some cases, he told reporters at the National Press Club in Dhaka. On Monday, Huq clarified the governments stance. The government is very cautious about the use of the DSA. We are working to ensure the best practice of the law, he told BenarNews. A team has been formed comprising representatives from the law, information and communication technology, and home ministries. On Friday, Transparency International Bangladesh issued a statement requesting representatives from media and civil society be included in efforts to review and amend the act. Though Law Minister Anisul Huq admitted the misuse of the Digital Security Act TIB cautiously welcomes his statement, a press release said. A name that creates fear Meanwhile, Faruq Faisal, regional director of ARTICLE 19, a London-based NGO that monitors freedom of speech violations against journalists, called on Bangladeshs government to amend the law as soon as possible. He said the country was facing an image crisis worldwide because of rights violations. The government should maintain the global standard of human rights as well as freedom of expression and it must amend the DSA immediately, he told BenarNews. A large number of journalists were arrested and landed in jail in DSA cases mainly for criticizing government, ministers and other powerful people. Among those is photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol, who faces three cases related to DSA violations. This DSA has become the main weapon of stopping people from voicing calls for human rights. The law should be dropped and all cases filed under it should be suspended, he told BenarNews. DSA is a name that creates fear for all types of people, mostly for journalists. Activists stage a rally in Dhaka demanding the repeal of Bangladeshs Digital Security Act, Feb. 26, 2021, a day after writer Mushtaq Ahmed died after being held in police custody. [BenarNews] Report details In 2021, ASK data showed, six of seven people who went missing after crossing paths with law enforcement agencies were produced in court. A year earlier, six people disappeared while four were produced in court and two are still missing. ASK said Imam Mahadi Hasan Dollar from Mymensingh district, who was picked up on Nov. 6, 2021, and is still missing, was detained by a group of people riding two motorcycles and in a microbus. His wife told an ASK representative that law enforcement agency members picked up her husband, businessman Dollar, the report said. In addition, ASK said at least 80 people were victims of extrajudicial killings in 2021. Of the 80 victims, as many as 51 were killed in gunfights or crossfire with law enforcing agencies, while eight died while under the custody of law enforcers, ASK general secretary Nur Khan Liton said. We are demanding an independent commission to investigate every case of extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearance, he told BenarNews. He said at least 210 journalists were targeted by attacks, threats or harassment from law enforcers, government officials and other influential people in 2021. Other ASK findings include reports that at least 1,321 women were victims of rape and gang rape across the country in 2021. In addition, at least 113 people died and more than 7,000 were injured in 627 incidents of electoral violence across the country. Huq, the law minister, challenged the reports findings. There are no incidents of extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearance in Bangladesh. If any such incident takes place, the government is taking action, he told BenarNews. The law is equal for all. I am suggesting all go to court or concerned police stations to file complaints if they become victims of any incident, he said. Coal barges queue up to be pulled along the Mahakam River in Samarinda, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, Aug. 31, 2019. Coal mine operators in Indonesia on Monday protested the governments January export ban, saying it would bring up prices for the fuel and dent importers confidence in one of the worlds largest suppliers of thermal coal. The government took a necessary step last week to halt coal exports because local producers had failed to supply the required 25 percent of their output for domestic use, analysts said. They added that the state should pay the market price for the coal it buys, instead of U.S. $20 below the global rate. The Indonesian Coal Company Association urged the government to lift the ban, saying companies would quickly meet the required quota for supplying coal to PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (the State Electricity Company), which operates coal-fired power plants. The policy was taken hastily and without being discussed with companies. We conveyed our objections and asked the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to withdraw the decision immediately, said Pandu Sjahrir, chairman of the association (APBI). Indonesia exported 29 million tons of coal in January 2021, slightly down from 32 million tons in January 2020. Almost 32 percent of Indonesias total coal production of 405 million tons went to China in 2020. Other top buyers included India, the Philippines, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea none of them have commented on their potential imports being affected. Last week, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stopped coal companies exports for January, saying they had failed in their obligation to supply at least a quarter of their output for domestic needs. PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara, the state utility, secures its coal supply 20 days before using it to generate power. The ministry added that the shortfall could affect nearly 20 power plants, which generate electricity for 10 million consumers. When the domestic supply has been fulfilled, exports can be resumed. We would re-evaluate the policy after Jan. 5, Ridwan Djamaluddin, the ministrys director general of Mineral and Coal, said in a statement Saturday. APBI said that temporarily stopping exports would make coal prices shoot up and result in up to U.S. $3 billion in lost revenue for January. Ripple effects from the ban would also cause losses for the shipping industry, whose vessels are already headed to Indonesia to load coal. This will [also] result in Indonesias reputation and reliability as a global coal supplier, Pandu said. Hendra Sinadia, the executive director of APBI, told local media that the government and businessmen were having intense discussions about the policy, and said the coal mining firms would seek a quick solution to supply the state utilitys coal needs. The temporary ban was unfair, said the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noting that not all coal mining companies had failed in fulfilling their domestic obligations. We hope that the government implements a fair and consistent reward and punishment system, not a sweeping ban for all coal companies, Arsjad Rasjid said in a statement. Finance minister: No free options Meanwhile on Monday, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that the temporary ban prioritized the needs of the people and encouraged coal companies to comply with what are known as Domestic Market Obligations (DMO). There must be sacrifices because there are no free options. The government picked [the option that has a] minimum impact on the people, Sri Mulyani told reporters. We see that there are issues of coal prices, DMO decisions, and domestic electricity. We are forced to choose in a rapidly changing situation. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, it had reminded companies several times to fulfill their commitments in supplying the State Electricity Company. However, as of Jan. 1 this year, the companies only met less than 1 percent, or around 35 metric tons, of the target of 5.1 million metric tons required for domestic needs. If strategic steps are not taken immediately, power outages will occur widely, Ridwan, the senior official at the energy ministry, said. Mamit Setiawan, executive director of Energy Watch, a think-tank which focuses on the energy sector in Jakarta, said the ban on coal exports was appropriate because power outages would eventually disrupt the economy. Electricity is a basic need for the residents maintaining domestic economic sustainability is important because, after almost two years of the pandemic, the economy has started to revive again. If it slows down due to coal supplies, it will be regrettable, he told BenarNews. This policy should serve as a warning for the companies to be committed to national interests, he added. This is a firm step for the government and an opportunity to prove that the state is present in meeting the energy needs of the community, he said. Meanwhile, the Institute for Essential Services Reform, a local NGO that advocates for using natural resources to support human development, said the government needed to review the policy on Domestic Market Obligations. In his view, the policy sets coal sale prices too low compared to the global market. Why are coal miners reluctant? Because the market price disparity with DMO is far, they are not wrong to seek profit, Fabby Tumiwa, the institutes executive director, said in a written statement to BenarNews. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has set the DMO price for coal at $70 per ton since 2018, while coal miners say the price should follow market dynamics, where coal currently sells at around $90 per ton. Police take position behind a parked vehicle during a raid that left six dead in Pikit, Cotabato province, southern Philippines, Dec. 29, 2021. A human rights group on Monday questioned the accuracy of an official account about a police and military raid that killed six people last week in a southern Philippine town controlled by ex-rebels as part of an autonomous Muslim region. Five suspects and a female bystander died during a gunbattle on Dec. 29 as the raid unfolded in Pikit, a town in Cotabato province, said Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, the regional police chief. In addition, three police were injured, the state-run Philippine News Agency reported. However, the chairman of the Moro Consensus Group, an NGO monitoring the human rights of Muslims in the area, alleged the incident was not a legitimate counter-militancy operation but a rubout. According to residents in the village, the victims did not resist arrest and the motorcycles were not stolen but pawned with proper documents, Drieza Lininding said in a statement, adding that the victims had produced permits to show they were paying taxes. Lininding said he did not identify the residents who spoke out because they feared retribution, but noted they had personal knowledge of what happened. We condole with the families of victims. We condemn this barbaric act, and we demand justice, he said, calling for an investigation by an independent rights body. Recounting the incident, Tagum said authorities were about to serve an arrest warrant against Joel Manampan (also known as Maula Manampan) at his hideout when the suspects, identified as former guerrillas, began shooting. Manampan is included on the governments list of most wanted persons. The suspect escaped taking advantage of the darkness, while five armed suspects were fatally shot, Tagum told BenarNews on Monday. During clearing operations, the operating unit discovered more than 400 units of assorted motorcycles hidden inside a makeshift warehouse and assorted improvised explosive device (IED) components. Lt. Col. Rommel Mundala, commander of the armys 90th Infantry Battalion which supported police in the operation, said the firefight started when the suspects fired on the approaching government troops. Those killed were taken to a local hospital but were declared dead upon arrival by the attending physician, Mundala said on Monday. At the weekend, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the former separatist group that controls the autonomous region under a 2014 peace agreement with Manila, identified the five slain suspects as ex-MILF guerrillas. The woman was identified as Arbaya Dalid, 31, a mother of three. Authorities did not say if she was related to Manampans group. Police inspect weapons and ammunition seized in Pikit, Cotabato province, southern Philippines, Dec. 29, 2021. [Philippine National Police handout] MILF: Operation failed to adhere In a statement on Dec. 31, the MILF said the operation appeared to be legitimate, but it failed to adhere to the Ceasefire Protocols of the Peace Process, according to its Ad Hoc Joint Action Group that monitors violations of a truce under the peace deal. The village where the incident occurred is one of the 63 under the jurisdiction of the MILF-led regional government. Under agreed protocols, the Philippine police and military must coordinate any operation with local leaders first. Members of the ad hoc group retrieved the bodies and pacified the tension in the village, the MILF statement said. Military and police operations in MILF-controlled areas have been a sore point in relations between both sides. In January 2015, 44 police commandos were killed during a firefight with MILF forces when they entered a rebel-held territory in a raid to neutralize a Malaysian terrorist. While police killed the terror suspect, Zulkifli bin Hir (also known as Marwan), the commandos were killed in the shootout with MILF members who were not aware of the operation. The onus on Revanth Reddy was clear-to take on both the TRS and BJP by effectively cornering them. DC Image Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A. Revanth Reddy is gradually gaining the upper hand in party affairs although initially some senior leaders had opposed his leadership. Either through consultations or with the help of party high command, he has managed to move ahead to implement party programmes. In a significant development, some of those who were against him occupying the top post are now extending their support to Revanth Reddy who secured the key post despite being a newcomer in the Congress. In the running for the post were veteran Congress leaders like Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, T. Jeevan Reddy, D. Sridhar Babu, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, T. Jayaprakash Jagga Reddy, among others. Revanth Reddy pipped them to the post when the party high command zeroed in on him. Factors going his way were social equations and the requirements of the party. The onus on Revanth Reddy was clear-to take on both the TRS and BJP by effectively cornering them. As part of his leadership agenda, Revanth Reddy appointed a political affairs committee (PAC) comprising senior leaders headed by former minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir. It was a welcome change as normally the TPCC president is the automatic convener of PAC, but Reddy preferred Shabbir Ali in the post as he could strengthen the bond between the party cadre and senior leaders. Presently, Bhatti, Jeevan Reddy, MPs N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Venkat Reddy and other leaders are coordinating with the TPCC chief over party programmes. Working president and in-charge for organisations B. Mahesh Kumar Goud is playing a part in the smooth functioning of party affairs. Following the complaints from some Mahila Congress leaders, the TPCC chief entrusted MLA Seethakka the responsibility to resolve the problems. By giving the party ticket to NSUI state president Balmuri Venkat in the recent Huzurabad by-election, Revanth Reddy boosted the morale of the party's student wing and Youth Congress leaders. Currently, Reddy has embarked on a digital membership drive especially involving leaders at the booth level. It is believed that this drive will reveal the sincerity of leaders towards bolstering the party prospects. On the other hand, Jagga Reddy is the lone voice against Revanth Reddy finalising party programmes. Reportedly, the TPCC disciplinary committee and other senior leaders are trying to work out a patch-up between the two. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High near 55F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 46F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass. Property owners say that though construction and financing of the project has been delayed during the pandemic, they believe they can break ground this spring and open the new hotel by May 2023. A day after the House speaker gave voice to the idea of spending additional federal relief money to address the omicron-fueled surge in COVID-19 activity and the overwhelming demand for testing, Sen. Adam Hinds said he plans to work with legislative leaders to "immediately move the resources needed for this emergency." You are the owner of this article. Remote work brought on by the pandemic and projections that some of it will be permanent is reshaping Michigan downtowns and traditional office spaces. Workers who continue to work from home are still going out into the community and making use of alternative workspaces at coffee shops and libraries, said Richard Florida, an economic analysis and policy professor at the University of Toronto. Already, collaborative spaces in Michigan libraries are seeing higher traffic as people seek a place to work, said Deborah Mikula, the executive director of the Michigan Library Association. What we are seeing is a new love of libraries, Mikula said. Libraries are not just about books they are places for individuals who are working remotely. Each of the 396 public library systems in the state has private study rooms available for community members to use, Mikula said. More people are taking advantage of these workspaces in centrally located libraries that are often in business districts. Although traffic has increased, libraries around the state are pleased and prepared for this library revival, Mikula said. The Detroit Regional Chamber estimates 20% of post-pandemic working days will be remote. And that has a significant impact on downtown real estate. For those returning to in-person work, office use will evolve, said Christopher Moyer, the director of communications at the Detroit Regional Chamber. The chamber is studying the likelihood of moving away from cubicles and towards collaborative spaces, an idea Florida recently endorsed at the Mackinac Policy Conference. Florida said traditional office space is dead. He calls for a reimagining of what brings people downtown. In place of central business districts, he envisions that post-pandemic downtowns will instead have what he calls essential connectivity districts. Long before COVID-19, organizations created authentic and successful downtown community spaces, said Michelle Parkkonen, the managing director of technical assistance programs at the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC). But the pandemic fostered urgency in addressing what downtowns ought to look like, Parkkonen said. Those downtown businesses and public spaces can become that third place, that new office for remote workers to alleviate some of those (work-from-home) challenges, Parkkonen said. Michigan Main Street is a program through the MEDC that helps 24 communities revitalize and preserve historic downtowns. It works to create the sort of high vibrancy businesses people want, Parkkonen said. Even if people move away from traditional office space, they will still need a space to meet and work together, Moyer said. We anticipate a continued strong economic recovery in Michigan, which will lead to and engender office spaces being used for increased collaboration, but also the expansion of mixed-use commercial and public spaces, Moyer said. India always had the best combination of smart minds and able workforce. What was lacking, in some sectors, could be attributed to governmental policies, which have been rectified to a large extent, in the recent past. The pandemic played the role of a catalyst to solidify the countrys prowess as a global manufacturing hub. It has pushed India into optimising the latent capabilities it possesses across the public and private sector by promoting indigenous development and manufacturing particularly in the space of diagnostics and medical devices. Triggered by the governments initiative to develop new medical devices parks and the huge investments by the industry, indigenous diagnostic and medical technology capabilities will continue to be ramped up into 2022 as well. The last few months have forced the life sciences industry to move beyond its traditional methods of operating, thereby setting new trends in the form of strengthening API manufacturing, building diagnostic and medtech capabilities, increasing collaboration, enhancing drug development and adopting digital transformation. India remains highly dependent on imports for many types of medical devices, particularly higher end equipment such as cancer diagnostics, medical imaging, ultrasonic scans, and PCR technologies. Imports have been growing rapidly as world-class hospital groups such as Max, Hinduja Group, Fortis, and Apollo build high-end infrastructure. However, India is gradually embracing a glocal approach by upskilling local talent and delivering global standards in the manufacturing space across many sectors. A recent example of this was seen during the governments announcement of a plot and shed scheme for northern Indias first medical device park to be established near Noida International airport. With a proposed investment of Rs 15000 crore, the park is being envisaged as a hub of manufacturing medical devices such as ventilators, X-ray machines, blood pressure monitors, etc. On the other hand, 7 new companies have kick-started their operations in the medical devices park in Telangana recently. Launched in 2017, the park has 50 companies setting up their manufacturing and R&D units with an overall investment of Rs 1424 crore and total employment of around 7000 direct jobs and 14000 indirect jobs. The Telangana government is aiming to make this park as not just a global factory for the world but a global medtech innovation ecosystem with its roots in India. India is now also home to the first integrated cell therapy development and manufacturing facility, opened by Immuneel Therapeutics in Bengaluru. Playing a role as the central anchor for cell and gene therapy in India, the facility is focusing on autologous cell therapies including CAR-T cell therapy for lymphomas and leukaemias (haeme malignancies), and other forms of solid tumors. Likewise, many international firms are planning to make India their new destination by setting up manufacturing units here. For instance, Ireland headquartered medtech company Medtronic has opened its R&D centre in Hyderabad with an investment of Rs 1200 crore planned over 5 years to cement Hyderabads position as the medical devices hub in India and to create several job opportunities. Wipro GE Healthcare has also enhanced its local capability to manufacture a wide range of Versana products in India. With this new local manufacturing, the company plans to cut down the imports of the Versana range by half. The ultrasound range is part of the companys affordable product portfolio and will be manufactured at its state-of-the-art facility in Kadugodi, Bengaluru. Another development was recently marked by UK-based Holborn Wells by establishing an in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) business unit in India as a joint venture with Dwarka-based SpeedBio India. Both companies are expected to invest a total of Rs 7.5 crore over the coming months to establish the Holborn SpeedBio brand as a leading IVD provider for the market. The newly formed joint venture intends to launch and manufacture a portfolio of over 150 IVD products to market within 2022. With the aim to strengthen the medical cold chain infrastructure in the country, Luxembourg-based B Medical Systems has signed an agreement with the Gujarat Government, under which Rs 100 crore will be invested for the manufacturing of medical and cold chain equipment. This initiative is intended towards making India the vaccine cold chain capital of the world and offer the best medical cold chain equipment to hospitals, immunisation programs, laboratories, hospitals and other clinical and research institutions. Several other initiatives are being taken on the pharma front as well, to not only scale the manufacturing capacity in India but also to create more employment opportunities. Mumbai-based supplier ACG has signed an agreement with the Government of Maharashtra to set up Asias largest manufacturing plant cum R&D centre at Aurangabad with an investment of Rs 600 crore, to produce 40 billion capsules a year. The plant will serve both Indian and international pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies. When ready by 2023, it will create around 1000 direct and indirect jobs in the region. Pitching a similar investment of Rs 602 crore, German firm SCHOTT is expanding its Indian tubing site Gujarat in support of the government's vision of India becoming a global pharmaceutical hub. The expansion is expected to create new jobs for around 225 employees and is part of a more than $1 billion strategic investment programme of SCHOTT through 2025. A thriving manufacturing sector across various industries could potentially be the most critical building block for Indias economic growth and prosperity in the coming years. Coordinated action between the government and the industry to help create globally competitive manufacturing companies, and shifting focus from cost advantage to building capabilities through workforce skilling, innovation, quality, and sustainability are likely to be the key mantras for growth in 2022 and beyond. With new opportunities and potential to unlock in the new year, heres a peek into what the industry has in store for 2022. Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) The opening of this facility will lead to the creation of more jobs Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will be set up a manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh (AP). Dilip Shangvi, Founder, Sun Pharma, and his team met with the Chief Minister (CM) of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to discuss the progress of the pharmaceutical sector and the setting up an end-to-end manufacturing facility in the state. Shangvi said I am pleased with the Chief Ministers understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the state," and added that the integrated development of the state was becoming clear as part of the Chief Ministers policy. The CM explained to the team that the steps being taken by the government are for industrial progress and invited them to take advantage of this opportunity and invest in the state. The CM also explained the steps being taken with the aim of integrated development in mind; highly transparent policies are being employed in industries. The state government is determined to make quality human resources available by making skills development/training accessible to all in the state. The opening of this facility will lead to the creation of more jobs and will contribute to the enhancement of the industrial sector in the state. Post the meeting, it was revealed that enhancing the states manufacturing capacity and the state governments ongoing consultations with the relevant authorities, will lead to the company successfully establishing a new industry. The CM told the team that the state would cooperate and support the industries. With the increasing relevance of the pharmaceutical industry, worldwide, as well as domestically, developments in regulation and policy pertaining to the industry are being keenly watched. We explore the expectations of a few opportunities and challenges that are projected for this industry in the coming year. Indias pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest in the world, as it currently ranks at No. 3 worldwide for pharmaceutical production by volume and No. 14 by value. Notably, India is also stated to be the largest provider of generic drugs globally, which majorly attributes to the status that the country commands as the Pharmacy of the World. Currently, the Indian pharmaceutical sector contributes to 1.72 per cent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Greater Focus on Domestic Production In the backdrop of the pandemic highlighting the need for a robust Indian manufacturing base of pharmaceutical products, and finding its roots in the current governments Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India policies, the pharmaceutical industry (among others) has been a focus of multiple schemes relating to domestic production-linked incentives (PLI Schemes). PLI Schemes primarily focus on making the Indian pharmaceutical industry self-reliant and to reduce dependency on other countries for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The first PLI Scheme, announced on July 21, 2020, focused on the promotion of domestic manufacturing of Key Starting Materials (KSMs) or Drug Intermediates (DIs), and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and was initiated with a financial outlay of Rs 6,940 crore. This was followed by a more extensive and broader PLI Scheme, announced on March 3, 2021, with a total sanctioned amount of Rs 15,000 crore, under which 55 of 278 applicants were recently selected by the government. It is imperative for the Indian pharmaceutical industry to grow adequately, particularly in view of the pandemic situation in India and the impending threat of disruption due to the new Omicron variant of the virus. This suggests that the policy push towards consolidating Indias domestic pharmaceutical industry is likely to continue, and 2022 may bring in further grants in the form of additional PLI Scheme(s) or similar initiatives for the pharmaceutical industry. This was further highlighted by Prime Minister Modis statements at the recent Global Innovation Summit, stating that Indias healthcare sector has been called the pharmacy of the world, and that the focus on developing indigenous manufacturing abilities should continue, including for key ingredients for vaccines and medicines. This may be seen as an opportunity especially for Indian players and should be duly capitalised upon in the coming year. Collaborations between Indian and Foreign Players The governments continuing, and potentially growing focus on incentivising domestic manufacturing by the pharmaceutical industry would not only benefit Indian players but would also provide an opportunity to foreign pharmaceutical players to collaborate with Indian companies. The potential lies in collaboration between foreign players with established Indian manufacturers, as well as the various healthcare startups in India, by way of joint ventures, investments, technology transfer agreements, among others. India has historically seen various successful collaborations between domestic and foreign players, such as Bayer-Cadila, Pfizer-Biocon, AstraZeneca-Torrent Pharma, among various others. The coming year may, similarly, bring with it opportunities and avenues for collaborations between Indian and foreign partners, in all shapes, sizes, and forms. These ventures should aid domestic players in terms of receiving foreign investment and/or technology and know-how, while also potentially allowing foreign players to capitalise on the governments efforts to promote the domestic industry. New Drugs, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices Bill One of the most significant regulatory changes to the Indian regulatory landscape expected relating to the pharmaceutical industry is an overhaul and revamp of the current legal framework. The Government of India has recently constituted an eight-member panel, chaired by Dr V G Somani, Drugs Controller General of India, to frame a new draft law for drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices (New D&C Law). The current legal framework pertaining to drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices is centred around the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and various rules and regulations thereunder, including in relation to medical devices. The existing framework has often been criticised as being an aging and complex set of rules and regulations, with multiple piecemeal amendments made over time to keep up with developments in the pharmaceutical industry. There is thus a need for a holistic revamp to tackle the same, and to focus on more nuanced issues within the law. In view of the same, the New D&C Law is expected to play a significant role in revamping the regulatory framework relating to the pharmaceutical industry. Certain key aspects that the New D&C Law should ideally incorporate are, among others: (i) Streamlining and Restructuring the Regulatory Structure: The New D&C Law should aim to simplify and streamline the regulations around the pharmaceutical industry, putting an end to the piecemeal manner in which various aspects are currently governed and regulated. This may also include revamping the various functionaries established under the law, and clearly defining their roles in ensuring that uniformity in regulation and enforcement is achieved across the country, to the greatest extent possible. (ii) Medical Devices: In view of the growing relevance of medical devices within the pharmaceutical industry and the functioning of any robust medical system, a key aspect to tackle the regulatory framework for medical devices, which are currently regulated as drugs within the existing legal framework. The New D&C Law should have a separate and holistic framework for the regulation of medical devices, and should ideally not be linked fully to the regulation of drugs, given the significant differences between drugs and medical devices. (iii) Online Pharmacies: While there are many online pharmacy websites in India, the current framework does not duly address the various aspects of such websites and portals. The New D&C Law should aim to provide for a specific framework around online pharmacies as well, taking into account the nuances and differences between online pharmacies and brick and mortar pharmacies (which the current regulations primarily focus to govern). The New D&C Law, once submitted by the panel and which may potentially come into force in the course of 2022, may provide for a significant collection of opportunities and challenges for the pharmaceutical industry, depending on how effective it is at meeting the expectations of the industry participants. Road ahead The year almost gone by has been quite challenging and tumultuous for the Indian market in general, including especially the pharmaceutical industry, which faced its fair share of challenges. The industry, with the support of the Government, has made many efforts and taken various steps to tackle the challenges previously faced. In this backdrop, 2022 should come with its own set of opportunities and challenges for the Indian pharmaceutical industry, which are likely to be focused largely on the Governments concerted efforts to promote and consolidate the domestic pharmaceutical industry. Further, the New D&C Law (if enacted in 2022) may have its own collection of regulatory opportunities and challenges for the industry. Upendra N Sharma, Partner, J Sagar Associates, Gurugram (co-author- Akshath Mithal, Associate, J Sagar Associates) Stephanus van der Westhuyzen, a structural engineer at Zutari, has carried out a research study on the economic viability of multi-storey mass timber buildings in South Africa, focusing on a development cost comparison between mass timber frame and reinforced concrete frame building. Source: Supplied Importing mass timber products Stephanus van der Westhuyzen, structural engineer, Zutari Developing a multi-storey mass timber building market Sawmilling South Africa (SSA) and the Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA) have both proposed that timber be designated a construction material of choice. This will assist in alleviating the housing crisis in densely populated informal settlements that have been hardest-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, where quality accommodation needs to be built as quickly and as cost-effectively as possible.Timber as a building material can substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the building sector, in addition to reducing the waste, pollution and costs associated with construction, and thereby contribute to a more physically, psychologically and aesthetically healthy built environment.Van der Westhuyzens research focuses on whether or not South African plantations can provide sustainable volumes of high-grade (S7, S10) timber to sustain a multi-storey mass timber building market. This was followed by the design of two eight-storey commercial buildings consisting of a mass timber frame and a reinforced concrete frame respectively.A focus-group workshop conducted with industry professionals assisted with developing the construction schedules, while a financial model was used to determine the overall development cost and financial feasibility of the two approaches. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of certain variables on the overall profitability of the mass timber frame option in particular.The research revealed that mass timber products would need to be imported to satisfy the rapid growth in the multi-storey mass timber building market in South Africa, as current timber supplies (S5, S7, S10) are oversubscribed. Studies suggest that future log resources could be added to the market through the development of new plantations. However, these plantations will only become available after 24 to 30 years.The focus group workshop identified that construction of the reinforced concrete frame building and mass timber frame building will take 42 weeks and 21 weeks respectively. Furthermore, the total capital investment required for the mass timber frame building is 10% more than that of the reinforced concrete frame option. A five-year internal rate of return (IRR) of 20.9% and 25.7% was calculated for the mass timber frame and reinforced concrete frame options respectively.Notably, the five-year IRR of both options is above the 15% minimum acceptable rate of return (MARR), indicating that they are both financially feasible. A significant finding of the sensitivity analysis was that the mass timber frame building proved to generate a higher five-year IRR than that of the reinforced concrete frame once the mass timber building achieved a rental premium of 7.8% or more. The sensitivity analyses further revealed that importing mass timber elements is an expensive option at a 16.4% five-year IRR.The research study highlighted a number of aspects in the manufacturing sector that can be addressed to develop a sustainable multi-storey mass timber building market. This includes improving the sourcing of high-grade structural timber (S7, S10) and investing in equipment to enable the large-scale production of large beams and columns typically required in multi-storey mass timber structures.Due to the sturdy and resilient qualities of timber and the relative ease of construction, timber-frame construction is one of the oldest known building methods, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the South African Forestry Company SOC Limited (SAFCOL). While timber construction in South Africa can be traced back to the 1800s, it only became a bona fide building method over the last 30 years.This resulted in the formation of the Timber Frame Builders Association in the early 1980s, with SABS 082 amended in 1988 to include standards for timber construction in particular. The Institute of Timber Frame Builders (ITFB) and the ITC were aligned in August 2014, with the ITC-SA established to promote and sustain timber engineered products in South Africa.Read the full thesis by Stephanus van der Westhuyzen here Trade between China's Guizhou and RCEP members up 22.7 pct in first 11 months Xinhua) 11:08, January 03, 2022 GUIYANG, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Trade between southwest China's Guizhou Province and the member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) totaled 16.14 billion yuan (about 2.5 billion U.S. dollars) in the first 11 months of this year, a year-on-year growth of 22.7 percent, according to local customs authorities. Main exports included fertilizers and tires, and the main imports were metal minerals and rubber, Guiyang Customs said, noting that Guizhou's trade with RCEP member countries contributed approximately 30 percent of its total foreign trade. The RCEP agreement, came into force on Saturday, is the world's largest free trade agreement. It was signed on Nov. 15, 2020, by 15 Asia-Pacific countries -- 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Australia and New Zealand -- after eight years of negotiations that started in 2012. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji) Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. A Manitoba Dysautonomia group is looking to expand the support network for those living with chronic illness. Advertisement Advertise With Us A Manitoba Dysautonomia group is looking to expand the support network for those living with chronic illness. Dysautonomia is challenging because there can be a huge variety of health issues created by the illness, said Brandon-based Carol-Lynn Nother. She added those living with the illness can have some overlapping symptoms and management of their health, but the experiences of patients widely vary. SUBMITTED Dysautonomia Manitoba support group member Brianne Curtis. "Its hard because we look so normal, but Im medicated up to my gills to be here sitting with you," Nother said. "Im already starting to get dizzy. Im already starting to get the whooshing in my ears, and that is medicated with heavy-duty medication." According to Dysautonomia International, the illness creates several different medical conditions causing malfunctions of the autonomic nervous system affecting heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, dilation and constriction of the pupils, kidney function and temperature control. Dysautonomia Manitoba support group member Brianne Curtis added this wide array of issues makes receiving treatment difficult because patients are often met with the accusation "you dont look sick." The Manitoba Chapter of Dysautonomia Support Group launched in October 2020 to help those living with the illness navigate the health system. It has grown to include around 45 members. Curtis said the number of people diagnosed with Dysautonomia will only grow given reports of long COVID. The pressures created by COVID-19 long haulers will only increase the wait times already in place for those looking for help with the management of their illness. "Were just going to see more and more people with it," Curtis said. "We need more assistance for people who already have it, and we know theres going to be a lot more people that are going to need help post-COVID symptom wise." The goal of the Manitoba Dysautonomia support group is to help grow awareness and assistance in the province and Canada in general, Curtis said. Dysautonomia affects every part of a persons body, requiring them to go see specialists for each individual symptom. Specialists will work with one specific area, forcing patients to visit a plethora of medical care professionals to manage their illness. "We dont actually have one doctor who can put all of those pieces together," Curtis said. "Were Band-Aiding up all these different parts because were trying to just fix the symptoms of all these different areas that are going wrong rather than having a coherent piece that we can put it all together." She noted in her experience, Manitoba does not have anyone who specializes specifically in autonomic conditions, making it a disheartening experience seeking medical aid. This lack of medical support makes it hard to know where to go for treatment and which doctors to approach. SUBMITTED Brandon-based group member Rylee Galiz. As a local Dysautonomia support group, members can recommend health-care professionals to work with to help get the ball rolling. "It would have been really nice to have a group that was local that maybe could have helped me through that process I wanted to be able to help other people going through the same thing," Curtis said. One of the most critical aspects to helping people receive a Dysautonomia diagnosis is conducting orthostatic vitals, said Brandon-based group member Rylee Galiz. Orthostatic vitals are one of the most important tests for those living with the illness, but in many cases, doctors are unfamiliar with how to conduct the medical procedure. "Its quite simple you lay a person down for five minutes and you get a baseline, so you check your heart rate and your blood pressure you check it at a minute, three minutes, five minutes and 10 minutes," Galiz said. "That will give you a decent picture of if someone has it or not." It is critical for more physicians to start doing these tests because it can help take the burden off of specialists and establish a diagnosis quicker. Galiz added the test is also free to conduct so it does not create an additional financial strain on the medical system. "It feels like your whole body is falling apart and you dont know where to start," Curtis said. "We really need someone who can specialize and put all those pieces together for us." Galiz said even as they were first starting the group, it was clear working with the health-care system as a person with Dysautonomia was a demanding journey. She had her first echocardiogram at age 12, but was diagnosed with the illness years later. "Im lucky I found help before COVID," Galiz said. She explained she went out to Calgary after being diagnosed with the illness in 2008 to visit a doctor she found through Dysautonomia International. The diagnostic process went smoothly, she said, and her illness was identified quickly in comparison to most people living with Dysautonomia. She was able to manage the illness for a while, but once it got bad, she did not know what to do because in her experience there were no doctors in the province who specialized in Dysautonomia. She added there is a doctor in St. Boniface that some patients see. But given the different ways the illness manifests, it can be tricky for patients to receive the support they need. "Were hoping this will change as we keep trying to get our message across," Galiz said. "Its very frustrating for some. Some [people] will go years and years just trying to get a diagnosis." While she can manage the illness, Galiz is now on disability. She doubts she will ever be able to work again because at age 46, she assumes she has progressive Dysautonomia. "Theres no cure," Galiz said, but managing symptoms can make a significant improvement to a persons life. In many cases, finding the fix takes trial and error to discover the best way to treat symptoms. Galiz takes 20 pills a day to manage her symptoms. Nother has been exhibiting Dysautonomia symptoms since she was two years old. She began looking for a diagnosis to explain what was happening to her body when she was 15. "I always failed those tests at school where you had to measure your heart rate after doing a certain number of pushups, but none of my teachers went to check to make sure I wasnt having a heart rate of 124. They just marked me as wrong," Nother said. "They always assumed I was out of shape, but I was always so skinny its because my heart rate was so high, it was burning through calories and it had nothing left to give me." Nother underwent tests with six cardiologists, met with other specialists and medical professionals running basic tests to discover she was living with Dysautonomia. In many cases, there would be an assumption her abnormal heart rate was the result of anxiety a common experience shared by others in the Manitoba support group. Nother said she has connected with a great group of health-care workers now to help manage her Dysautonomia, but they remain unable to address the big picture of what is wrong with her body. They can put "Band-Aids" on specific symptoms, but she needs to see specialists to understand what is causing specific issues. "Im falling apart because the doctors here dont know how to treat me and more symptoms are going wrong," Nother said. She now has a disability placard because she is unable to leave the house without a cane, walker or wheelchair. Curtis noted in the support group, one of the most important and consistent conversations is highlighting how they should never compare or measure against each other because it is such a vast condition and everyone experiences it differently. "Were in it together, but were all going to have a slightly different experience were all on the same boat, but our water is going to feel a little different," Nother said. As a chronic condition, it will take work to manage, she said, but patients can have improvements. For more information on local Dysautonomia support groups, visit dysautonomiainternational.org. ckemp@brandonsun.com Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp A family that escaped a garage fire on Thursday night say they are grateful for all the help and support they have been receiving. Advertisement Advertise With Us A family that escaped a garage fire on Thursday night say they are grateful for all the help and support they have been receiving. The Moraveks father Earl, son Austin, 17 and daughter Paris, 22 are picking up the pieces from the fire that engulfed the garage of the home they were leasing on Princess Avenue in Brandon. The fire destroyed two of their cars, as well as a cache of auto repair tools, fuels, lubricants and chemicals they used for the upkeep of their cars. Earl says despite everything that has happened, they know they are lucky thanks to the quick thinking of his son and response from Brandon Fire and Emergency Services. "The fire department saved our house, the police took care of us during the fire. Everyone has been super," he said on Sunday. Austin was the first to notice smoke pouring out of the garage on their homes security camera monitor at around 11:45 p.m. while he was sitting at his desk. "I grabbed my keys, and as soon as I got out the back door, I heard this explosion and I saw the garage door had been blown off," he said. "I started to see this huge, orange glow, like a sunset. Thats when I yelled at my dad and sister there was a fire, grabbed the cat, and headed outside." He called 911, and within minutes fire trucks were outside the house dousing the garage. The family sat in a police car while fire crews went to work on the fire. Within a few hours, the fire was out and the family was allowed back in their home. They were able to get the fire under control before it could reach their house, but it completely consumed everything inside the garage. Earl said a fire inspector finished his investigation and concluded it was not arson and likely caused by an electrical issue, noting the fire burned very hot, fed by the fuels in the cars, as well as solvents and lubricants kept in the garage. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign and posted pictures and video of their ordeal on social media to document the familys ordeal, as well as the quick action of fire and police. SUBMITTED This image taken from Snapchat shows the inside of the garage of the Moravek home on Princess Avenue after it was gutted by fire on Thursday night, consuming everything including two cars, tools and an assortment of fuels and chemicals. This fire is a major setback for the family as they do not have renters insurance. They had been leasing the home for about seven years and Earl said he wanted to get insurance, but it became one more thing he had to put off as other expenses popped up. "We put it off because we were never that well off, financially, to begin with, unfortunately," Earl said. The family had been doing most of their own car repairs to save money. Earl said he used to run his own courier service in Brandon until he needed surgery to remove a spinal tumour in 2000, which caused him to become a paraplegic. He has regained some mobility, but needs help getting around. Even with his limited mobility, he and Austin did all their own repair work and hadnt been to a mechanic for years. The greatest loss were the tools, Earl said. Some had sentimental value as they belonged to his father and others they bought themselves and were valuable in helping them repair their cars, saving the family a lot of money. They cant afford new cars, they buy older and used ones as they are more affordable and do upkeep themselves. There is some good news. The cars were insured and will be replaced, and the landlord has said he will rebuild the garage in the spring. They have received some financial support since Paris put up videos she took of the fire on social media and their GoFundMe page. "Theres been some nasty comments and victim-blaming, but most have been very supportive and sympathetic," she said. In the meantime, they have expenses that have to be covered. Earl said he feels worse for his children, including his other daughter, Madison, 20, who was visiting from university at the time and storing her car in the garage. He loaned her his truck to get around Brandon. He also praised the immediate support they received from his landlord, who arrived on the scene shortly after emergency crews, as well as all the services, like Westman Communications Group, for getting their lives back to relative normalcy. "Most of my family died years ago, but sometimes you dont need family when you have help like that," he said. To donate and see photos and videos, go to linktr.ee/Moravek. kmckinley@brandonsun.com Twitter: @karenleighmck1 Brandons New Years Baby was born in the early hours of Jan. 1. Advertisement Advertise With Us Brandons New Years Baby was born in the early hours of Jan. 1. Sofia Rusiaieva was born at 3:01 a.m. on Saturday at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, weighing in at 10 pounds, two ounces and measuring 22 inches in height. SUBMITTED Nataliia and Oleksandr Rusiaieva from Binscarth hold their newborn baby daughter, Sofia. Proud first-time parents are Nataliia and Oleksandr Rusiaieva are from Binscarth. Nataliia said her due date was expected to be was Dec. 30. As the family drove in from Binscarth on Friday evening, she said, the contractions started to come closer together. She was relieved when they made it to the hospital in time. The couple has already had virtual visits with their families back in Ukraine to show off their new baby. Baby Sofia and her parents were presented with a gift basket donated by the Brandon Regional Health Centre Auxiliary Gift Shop and a lovely bouquet of flowers from Brandon Florist. The Brandon Sun At about 12:45 a.m. Saturday, a traffic stop resulted in a 42-year-old man being issued an immediate roadside prohibition from driving. Advertisement Advertise With Us At about 12:45 a.m. Saturday, a traffic stop resulted in a 42-year-old man being issued an immediate roadside prohibition from driving. Approximately four hours later, the same man showed up at Brandon Police Service headquarters and began a protest, parading around the front entranceway outside. Police spoke with him regularly, and he denied offers to take him home. After about an hour, his speech was making less sense and he was becoming agitated, so he was arrested for his own safety as it appeared he was unable to care for himself in the cold. He was released once sober enough that it could be done safely. The Brandon Sun DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Yemens Houthi rebels seized a ship in the Red Sea, armed drones targeted Baghdad's international airport, and hackers hit a major Israeli newspaper Monday a string of assaults that showed the reach of Iran-allied militias on the second anniversary of Americas killing of a top Iranian general. Supporters and members of the Popular Mobilization Forces hold posters of a powerful Iranian general and a top Iraqi militia leader in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Hundreds rally in Baghdad on Soleimani assassination anniversary, chanting anti-American slogans, hundreds of people rallied in in the Iraqi capital on the first day of the year Saturday to mark the anniversary of the killing of a powerful Iranian general and a top Iraqi militia leader in a U.S. drone strike. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Yemens Houthi rebels seized a ship in the Red Sea, armed drones targeted Baghdad's international airport, and hackers hit a major Israeli newspaper Monday a string of assaults that showed the reach of Iran-allied militias on the second anniversary of Americas killing of a top Iranian general. All three coincided with a massive memorial in Tehran for Qassem Soleimani, the general killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2020 in Iraq. Iran's hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi demanded former U.S. President Donald Trump be prosecuted and killed. "If not, Im telling all American leaders, dont doubt that the hand of revenge will come out of the sleeves of ummah," Raisi said, referring to the worldwide community of Muslims. Monday's events highlight tensions in the Middle East, which has been roiled by Trump's 2018 decision to unilaterally withdraw America from a deal aimed at limiting Tehran's nuclear program. As talks continue in Vienna to try to resuscitate the accord, Iran remains able to apply pressure from outside of the negotiations even as it is squeezed by sanctions and a shadow war with Israel. The taking of the Emirati ship Rwabee marks the latest assault in the Red Sea, a crucial route for international trade and energy shipments. The Iranian-backed Houthis acknowledged the seizure off the coast of Hodeida, a long-contested prize of the grinding war in Yemen between the rebels and a Saudi-led coalition that includes the United Arab Emirates. First word of the Rwabees seizure came from the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which only said an attack targeted an unnamed vessel around midnight. The coordinates it offered corresponded to the Rwabee, which has rarely given its location via tracking data in recent months unlike most commercial traffic in the region, according to the website MarineTraffic.com. A statement from the Saudi-led coalition, carried by state media in the kingdom, acknowledged the attack hours later, saying the Houthis had committed an act of armed piracy involving the vessel. The coalition asserted the ship carried medical equipment from a dismantled Saudi field hospital in the distant island of Socotra, without offering evidence. The militia must promptly release the ship or the coalition forces will undertake all necessary measures and procedures to handle this violation, including the use of force if necessary, Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki said in a statement. The wreckage of a drone is seen at Baghdad airport, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Two armed drones were shot down at the Baghdad airport on Monday, a U.S.-led coalition official said, an attack that coincides with the anniversary of the 2020 U.S. killing of a top Iranian general. (International Coalition via AP) The Houthis later aired footage from the Rwabee on their Al-Masirah satellite news channel. It showed military-style inflatable rafts, trucks and other vehicles on the vessel, a landing craft that lowers a ramp to allow equipment to roll on and off. One brief clip showed what appeared to be a collection of rifles inside a container. It is completely obvious today that the information that this ship was carrying a civilian field hospital is not correct," said Yahia Sarei, a Houthi military spokesman. "This is clearly military equipment. Saudi state television alleged the Houthis transferred the weapons onto the ship. An employee at the vessels owners, Abu Dhabi-based Liwa Marine Services, told The Associated Press in a telephone call that the Rwabee appeared to have been the target but said they had no other information. The employee declined to comment further and hung up before giving their name. A similar assault happened in 2016 involving the Emirati vessel SWIFT-1, which had been sailing back and forth in the Red Sea between an Emirati troop base in Eritrea and Yemen. The vessel came under attack by Houthi forces in 2016. The Emirati government asserted the SWIFT-1 had carried humanitarian aid; U.N. experts later said of the claim that they were unconvinced of its veracity. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the hacking of the Jerusalem Post's website. The hackers replaced the Posts homepage with an image depicting a missile coming from a fist bearing a ring long associated with Soleimani. The image also depicted an exploding target used during a recent Iranian military drill that was designed to look like the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center near the Israeli city of Dimona. The facility is home to decades-old underground laboratories that reprocess spent rods from a nuclear reactor to obtain weapons-grade plutonium for Israels nuclear bomb program. Under its policy of nuclear ambiguity, Israel neither confirms nor denies having atomic weapons. In a tweet, the Post acknowledged being the target of hackers. We are aware of the apparent hacking of our website, alongside a direct threat to Israel, the English-language newspaper wrote. The newspaper later restored its site. It noted Iran-supporting hackers previously targeted its homepage in 2020. The hack came after Israels former military intelligence chief in late December publicly acknowledged his country was involved in Soleimani's killing. The U.S. drone killed the general as he was leaving Baghdad's international airport. In Iraq on Monday, troops shot down two so-called suicide drones at that same airport, American and Iraqi officials said. No group immediately claimed the attack, though one of the drones' wings had the words Soleimani's revenge painted on it in Arabic. Militias backed by Iran have been suspected in similar assaults. No injuries or damage were reported. As the head of the elite Quds, or Jerusalem, Force of the Revolutionary Guard, Soleimani led all of its expeditionary forces and frequently shuttled among Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. Quds Force members have deployed in Syria to support President Bashar Assad in that country's long war, as well as in Iraq in the wake of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, a longtime foe of Tehran. Soleimani rose to prominence by advising forces fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and in Syria on behalf of the embattled Assad. U.S. officials say the Guard under Soleimani taught Iraqi militants how to manufacture and use especially deadly roadside bombs against U.S. troops. Iran has denied that. ___ Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report. ___ Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP. JEFFERSON CITY With the nation facing the possibility of gas prices heading into the $4 per gallon range next year, at least three Missouri lawmakers want to repeal a recent hike in the states motor fuel tax rate. Rep. Sara Walsh, R-Ashland; Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove; and Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, have filed legislation to strike down the increase that went into effect in October. For Walsh and Moon, the effort could provide a talking point in their respective bids for Congress, with Walsh seeking to replace U.S. Rep. Vicki Hartzler and Moon trying to take over for U.S. Rep. Billy Long. Both Hartzler and Long are running for U.S. Senate. While repealing the gas tax may be red meat on the campaign trail, it faces significant roadblocks under the Capitol dome. In the Senate, the sponsor of the increase was Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, who plays a major role in what legislation gets to be debated in the upper chamber. And the tax hike was heavily backed by Gov. Mike Parson, who said last week that he stands behind the increase, which will boost the tax 2.5 cents in each of the next five years to raise money for road and bridge construction. We believe that is the right way for Missouri to do it, Parson said at a news conference Wednesday. The increase in the states 17-cents-per-gallon tax was Missouris first since 1996. By mid-2025, the fuel tax will have risen a total of 12.5 cents to 29.5 cents per gallon, putting Missouri closer to the middle of the pack among states gas tax rates. Motorists may recoup the new taxes if they can remember to save their receipts. The fuel tax is expected to raise more than $77 million in the current fiscal year, according to a nonpartisan analysis by legislative researchers. In fiscal year 2023, analysts said, the tax could generate $206 million. By fiscal year 2027, when the tax is fully in place, the analysis said the increase could raise more than $500 million. The increase in Missouri hit just as gas prices began to rise nationally. And according to GasBuddy, prices at the pump will peak at a monthly average of $3.79 in May before finally retreating below current levels of about $3.29 per gallon by late 2022. That prediction is not shared by government forecasters. Earlier this month, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said the national average will likely drop to $3.01 a gallon in January and fall to $2.88 for 2022. Parson on Wednesday shrugged off the proposed repeals and did not address whether he would use his veto pen if they reached his desk, saying a lot can happen during the upcoming legislative session, which begins next week and runs through mid-May. It is way too early I think to predict what the legislative actions are going to be, Parson said. The legislation is House Bill 1594, Senate Bill 782 and Senate Bill 811. On the count of three, well all jump into the water, my new backpacker friend said to me as we stood on an old boat in Vietnam. I was in my early 20s and travelling solo in Asia and had joined other young backpackers from Britain. As the daughter of migrant parents who settled in Sydneys west, swimming did not come naturally to Antoinette Lattouf. One of the men saw my face drop and body freeze. I cant swim, I whispered. As if you cant swim! he laughed. Everyone turned around. What do you mean she cant swim? Shes Aussie right? You guys are born with fins, a young, sunburnt woman said. More than a decade later, I still cant swim. Research released last week found that one in four adults were either weak swimmers or cant swim at all. At first, I was comforted by the fact that Im not alone. But admitting that I am one of the one-in-four, even for someone who is about as private as a public pool change room, is pretty embarrassing. Fewer Queenslanders are being tested for COVID-19 at the moment than during the record-breaking pathology response amid the last lockdown in August, when there were only 17 daily cases. Queensland recorded 4249 new cases on Monday, and a Gold Coast man in his 30s died due to probable COVID-19. The state also has 10 patients in ICU and a man in his 80s on a ventilator. But people who needed a test during the festive season have faced draining queues to be swabbed, followed by delays of up to six days in getting the results. Swimmers and surfers have been ignoring the advice of surf lifesavers and venturing into waters off the south-east Queensland coast during rough seas generated by ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth. The Premier and Police Commissioner issued stern warnings as significant four-metre waves were recorded at Brisbane and Tweed offshore buoys on Monday. The cyclone formed off the coast of Mackay on Friday as a category 2 before moving south and downgrading to a category 1, and then again downgrading to a sub-tropical low by Monday. The system was forecast to take a west-to-northwesterly track, approaching Queenslands coast in coming days, causing increasing seas and swell. Victoria recorded another record day of 8577 daily cases on Monday; almost one in five people taking a PCR test are getting a positive result. Of the people in hospital, 56 were active cases in intensive care, 24 of whom were on ventilators. There were 48 people in intensive care having had COVID-19 but who were no longer classed as active cases. Mr Foley said authorities expected COVID-19 case numbers to increase exponentially. He warned that modelling discussed at national cabinet in December which predicted 200,000 cases a day in Australia by late January or early February, without low or medium restrictions, could even be conservative in terms of the infectivity rates that were starting to see with Omicron. He was very concerned that all of our emergency departments are facing unprecedented demand that grows every day in the face of this global pandemic. The head of Monash Universitys epidemiological modelling unit, James Trauer, believes Victoria and NSW are heading towards another lockdown. He said the Australian Open was no longer safe to go ahead at full crowd capacity, and much more needed to be done to bring the Omicron wave under control, including distributing high-quality masks to the public and better targeting those over 70 for their third vaccine dose. There is still a lot more we can do before we pull out the lockdown card ... but it looks like we are heading in that direction, he said. Associate Professor Trauer said that due to a lag between people testing positive and falling sick, Victoria was already locked into much higher numbers of COVID-19 patients in hospital, even if the outbreak started to abate soon. The notification numbers that we see are the best way of getting a sense of where the epidemics going. Even when we have problems with testing ... you get a sense of whether we have things under control or we dont. And clearly, we dont. Patients in NSW with COVID-19 have surpassed 1200, nearing parity with the peak of the earlier Delta wave. But NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said that data might overstate the rate of illness because it included people with COVID-19 who had been admitted to hospital for other reasons, including births and heart attacks. The hospital data could be similarly misleading in Victoria, with Mr Foley confirming that someone admitted for a car accident or cancer treatment, for example, would also be reported as a COVID-19 hospital case if they tested positive. Deakin University epidemiology chair Professor Catherine Bennett said these cases were still an impost on the hospital system because of the infection-control measures required, but she argued such cases were not a justification for COVID-19 shutdowns. On Monday, the Victorian government moved to reduce the number of healthcare workers deemed close contacts, social or workplace contacts currently sitting at 1700 by allowing them to continue to work if they cleared daily rapid tests and showed no symptoms. Professor Nancy Baxter, head of the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, said if hospitals were overwhelmed in NSW and Victoria, another lockdown could not be ruled out. I am very concerned that the healthcare system is not going to bear this weight, she said noting the Omicron outbreak had not yet reached its peak. And then because we havent done things like have density restrictions that might have mitigated spread I am really concerned we might have to do something more drastic. Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Victorian chair Mya Cubitt said emergency clinicians were dealing with the twofold blow of a surge in people requiring urgent care over the traditionally busy summer period as well as rising numbers of COVID-positive patients, including significant numbers of people with COVID-19 who require medical attention but do not need admission. She stressed that this was a gap in the healthcare system that must be addressed. It is very important that this significant cohort of patients, and the resources required to provide appropriate care, are factored into ongoing healthcare system planning and responses to COVID-19, Dr Cubitt said. The director of emergency medicine at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Associate Professor Mark Putland, said about 30 people infected with coronavirus were arriving in the hospitals emergency department every day, up from just five a day during a short lull in September and October. Now, the number of people we are seeing with coronavirus each day is just going up and up, he said. Among them were a growing number of vaccinated people with flu-like symptoms who were coming to the emergency department after returning a positive result to COVID-19 on a rapid antigen test at home and were not sick enough to require admission. They are coming in asking staff, What do I do next? he said. Associate Professor Putland estimated only about a quarter of people arriving at the Royal Melbourne Hospital emergency department with the virus were being admitted at present, compared with about half at the height of the Delta wave last year, when vaccination rates were still lagging. Now, the vast majority of those admitted were being sent to general coronavirus wards rather than intensive care units. But emergency doctor Stephen Parnis said some people were arriving at emergency departments with the coronavirus as well as chronic and serious health issues that had been exacerbated by the virus, including worsening heart or kidney failure and diabetes. He said that on top of a surge of coronavirus patients, emergency doctors were seeing increasing numbers of trauma or alcohol-related injuries including a rise in assaults. Loading Some emergency departments had been unable to open their short-stay units (wards used for people requiring urgent medical care and brief hospitalisation) for almost a week now because there were not enough nursing staff rostered on, Dr Parnis said. He also had concerns about delays in people infected with coronavirus being able to be tested in a timely manner around the state. In one case last week at a health service he works at, he said a man collapsed in a testing line after waiting hours to be swabbed for the virus. Professor Putland urged anyone who returned a positive rapid antigen test at home to self-assess before going to hospital. If you are only mildly ill and youre breathing feels OK there is no need to rush to a hospital and you can make a telehealth appointment with your GP and get some sensible advice about what to do next, he said. Washington: Florida business owner Robert Palmer cheered on the violence at the US Capitol on January 6 before he joined the fray. Screaming obscenities, he hurled a wooden plank and a fire extinguisher at police officers trying to ward off the mob. Nearly a year later, Palmer fought back tears when he faced the federal judge who sentenced him to more than five years in prison. He said he was horrified, absolutely devastated by what he had done. Im just so ashamed that I was a part of that, Palmer told US District Judge Tanya Chutkan on December 17 before she gave him the longest prison term for any rioter so far. Many rioters have said they lost jobs and friends after their mob of Donald Trump loyalists disrupted the certification of Joe Bidens presidential victory. Credit:Getty Judges are hearing tearful expressions of remorse and a litany of excuses from rioters paying a price for joining the January 6 insurrection, even as others try to play down the deadly attack on a seat of American democracy. New York: A 2009 settlement agreement between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre provided a release from liability for any other person or entity who could have been a defendant against claims by Giuffre. In a court filing unsealed on Tuesday morning (AEDT), the deal was made public as part of Giuffres civil lawsuit accusing Britains Prince Andrew of sexual abuse. The court documents reveal that Epstein settled the lawsuit with Giuffre for $US500,000 ($693,000). Prince Andrew is accused of sexual abuse. Credit:AP Andrews lawyers are using Giuffres Epstein settlement to argue that the case against the senior royal should be dismissed because the Epstein agreement barred Giuffre from taking future legal action against some Epstein associates. US District Judge Lewis Kaplan will now have to decide whether the exclusion clause blocks Giuffres lawsuit against Andrew. Hinduja flagship firm on Monday reported a 2 per cent decline in total commercial vehicle sales to 12,518 units in December 2021. The company had sold 12,760 units in the same month in 2020, said in a statement. Domestic sales were down 3 per cent at 11,493 units in the month under review, as against 11,855 units in December 2020, it added. However, medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales were up 9 per cent at 6,752 units in December 2021, compared to 6,173 units in the year-ago month. Sales of light commercial vehicles in the domestic market were down 17 per cent at 4,741 units, as against 5,682 units in December 2020, the company said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) and AT&T have rejected a request by the US government to delay the rollout of next-generation wireless technology. A joint letter Sunday from the telecommunications giants to US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Steve Dickson, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, sought to dismiss concerns brought by US airlines that a new 5G wireless service could harm aviation. But Hans Vestberg, CEO of Communications, and John Stankey, CEO of AT&T, also wrote that they were willing to accept some temporary measures over the next six months to limit the service around certain airport runways. Airlines had asked the Federal Communications Commission to delay this week's scheduled 5G rollout, saying the service, set to launch Wednesday, could interfere with electronics that pilots rely on. Airlines for America, a trade group for large US passenger and cargo carriers, said in an emergency filing that the FCC has failed to adequately consider the harm that 5G service could do to the industry. The group wants more time for the FCC and the FAA, which regulates airlines, to resolve issues around aviation safety. Those are related to a type of 5G service that relies on chunks of radio spectrum called C-Band, which wireless carriers spent billions of dollars to buy up last year. Siding in part with airlines, Buttigieg and Dickson wrote late Friday to the CEOs of AT&T and to propose a delay in activating 5G C-band service near an undetermined number of priority airports while the FAA studies the potential for interference with aircraft operations. AT&T and Verizon previously agreed to a one-month delay in 5G, which provides faster speeds when mobile devices connect to their networks and allows users to connect many devices to the internet without slowing it down. But the telecommunications executives said Sunday that further delays requested by the government would harm their customers. Agreeing to your proposal would not only be an unprecedented and unwarranted circumvention of the due process and checks and balances carefully crafted in the structure of our democracy, but an irresponsible abdication of the operating control required to deploy world-class and globally competitive communications networks that are every bit as essential to our country's economic vitality, public safety and national interests as the airline industry," the executives wrote. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Monday moved the seeking a direction to the arbitration tribunal, which is adjudicating Amazon's objections against their deal with Reliance, to decide their application seeking termination of arbitral proceedings before moving any further. Justice Amit Bansal said he would pass an order on petitions by Future Coupons Pvt Ltd (FCPL) and Future Retail Ltd (FRL) on Tuesday and refused to interfere with a case management hearing in the matter which was scheduled for later in the day. Arguments heard. List for pronouncement at 4:30 tomorrow," said the judge. and Future have been locked in a bitter legal tussle after the US e-commerce giant dragged to arbitration at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) in October 2020, arguing that FRL had violated their contract by entering into the deal for the sale of its assets to billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail on a slump sale basis for Rs 24,500 crore. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for FCPL, argued before the high court that a three-member arbitration tribunal was acting perversely by not deciding the issue of termination of the ongoing arbitration on a priority basis. He argued that the ongoing proceedings were a pursuit in illegality and ought to be terminated in view of the anti-trust regulator holding that the approval granted to for its agreement with FCPL, which formed the basis of the arbitration, was facilitated by fraud. The senior lawyer informed the court that in December last year, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) suspended its more than two-year-old approval for Amazon's deal to acquire a 49 per cent stake in FCPL, FRL's promoter, and also imposed a Rs 202 crore penalty on the e-commerce major for fraudulent misrepresentation. He claimed that since the agreement between FCPL and ceased to have any legal effect due to the CCI order, nothing survived in the arbitration proceedings. I am not asking for injunctive relief or saying that you decide the future of the arbitration (proceedings). There is a Section 32 (of Arbitration Act) application before the tribunal I want the tribunal to decide it. The tribunal is not deciding it. They are putting the cart before the horse, senior lawyer Rohatgi stated. I can't be asked to go into the merit of the case (when I'm seeking the termination of proceedings). I want the court to compel the tribunal to decide the application at the earliest, he added. Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for FRL, submitted that the tribunal, which is scheduled to hear issues concerning damages from January 5-7, should instead first take up the termination application and defer proceedings on other issues. He also claimed that the arbitral tribunal has shown scant regard to Indian law and highlighted that half of the legal team was down with COVID-19. Senior advocates Gopal Subramanium and Amit Sibal, appearing for Amazon, argued that there was no denial of equal treatment by the tribunal which has scheduled the termination application for hearing on January 8 and contended that the tribunal has the discretion to conduct its own proceedings. The senior lawyers explained that the majority of proceedings were over and the dates of January 5-7 were fixed in October last year after keeping in mind the availability of experts who are expected to join the proceedings. Subramanium said that an arbitration clause does not perish even if the main agreement perishes and informed the court that a complaint to CCI with regard to grant of approval was made by FCPL itself. Amazon is objecting to the sell-off plans, accusing of breaching its 2019 investment pact. Future Coupons was founded in 2008 and is engaged in the business of marketing and distribution of gift cards, loyalty cards, and other reward programmes to corporate customers. In October last year, the high court had refused to stay the arbitration tribunal order refusing to interfere with the Emergency Award (EA) which restrained Future Group from going ahead the deal with Reliance. Several issues arising from the Amazon-Future legal battle are pending before the Supreme Court. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The freedom to fix interest rates has encouraged a few MFIs to jack up rates on Day One. It will take a while for ... Ram Charan the little-known Chennai-based chemicals trader which, of late, has been developing technologies and equipment to convert industrial and municipal waste into energy that leave no residues is investing Rs 15,000 crore to set up two such manufacturing plants in and Guajrat, a top company official has said. While the unit will come up in the Rameshwaram district on a 70-acre land which will be acquired by the end of the month, the plant will come on a similar sized plot in the Kutch district and the land for the same should be acquired by the end of the month or early next month. Both the plants will see an of Rs 7,500 crore each and will be up and running in the third quarter of 2022, Kaushik Palicha, a director of the company, and the third generation of the founding family, told PTI from Chennai. Palichas father had hailed from the Kutch region of and had moved into Keralas Alleppey in the early part of the last century and then moved onto Madras (now Chennai) in the 1950s where they began chemicals trading in 1965. Before entering deep-tech research in 2016 they had set up a joint venture with Japanese firm Shinji Kato in Baroda to manufacture speciality plastic components. Ram Charan's R&D is focused on developing end-of-life chemicals converting unsegregated waste into energy and manufacturing new-generation energy storage devices the primary reason for the American fund TFCC International to go for such a high valuation and equity partnership for $4.14 billion. Its waste-to-energy products and services are delivered under the brand name 'Entity One' and does not leave any residual waste, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Monday said Sanjeev Churiwala has joined the company as its new Chief Financial Officer. Ramesh Subramanyam, the erstwhile CFO, will be moving into a new role within the Tata Group, the company said in a statement. Churiwala has more than 27 years of corporate experience spanning across the financial services sector. He was previously with Diageo as the Regional Finance Director-APAC and Global Travel Retail. He has also worked with Holcim's Indian listed subsidiary Ambuja Cements. "We welcome Sanjeev to the family. He brings with him vast experience in financial management along with strong strategic capabilities. His vast Indian and global experience will be valuable to us as we accelerate towards the next phase of profitable and sustainable growth," CEO and MD Praveer Sinha said. Churiwala holds an Executive MBA degree from the London Business School and is a fellow member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India, and Institute of Cost Accountants of India. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 38 personnel of the CRPF's jungle warfare unit CoBRA tested positive for coronavirus in Chhattisgarh's Naxal-hit district on Monday following which they were quarantined in their camp, officials said. The personnel belong to the 202nd battalion of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), they said. As many as 75 personnel posted in the Temelwada camp of the district were subjected to rapid antigen test. Of them, 38 tested positive for the infection following which they were quarantined in their camp," Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) CV Bansod said. Swab samples of remaining jawans were sent for RT-PCR tests to Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar district, he said, adding contact tracing has been undertaken for coronavirus positive CoBRA personnel. Superintendent of Police Sunil Sharma said these troops from the CoBRA' 202nd battalion, who hail from different parts of the country, had reached Sukma on Sunday to report to duty at their unit's camp in Temelwada. As per COVID-19-related protocols, they were subjected to tests for the infection, he added. The infected jawans were placed under isolation within the camp, Sharma added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. "On observing the symptoms of COVID-19 infection, I got my COVID-19 test done in Raipur this evening, in which my report has come positive. Right now, my health is fine and as per the instructions of the doctors, I am taking treatment and am staying in home isolation," Deo said in a tweet in Hindi. The health minister requested all to follow COVID appropriate behaviour in view of the increasing cases. "I request that all of you who have been in contact with me in the past, please get your COVID-19 test conducted. All the residents of the state are urged to follow the appropriate behaviour of COVID-19 in view of the increasing cases of COVID-19 and stay at home unless necessary," he tweeted. As COVID cases resurge across the nation, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said that there is no need for panic and assured that the state government has made necessary arrangements. While addressing the media here, Baghel said, "COVID cases are rising in a few cities like Raigarh and Raipur of Chhattisgarh. Since many samples have been sent to our genome sequencing centre at Odisha for Omicron, it's taking some time. No need to panic, all arrangements done by the state government." Notably, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi spoke to Baghel on Sunday to take stock of COVID-19 and the Omicron situation in the state. Chhattisgarh reported 290 new COVID-19 cases and no fatality in the last 24 hours, as per the medical bulletin released on Sunday. Meanwhile, India reported 27,553 new COVID-19 cases and 284 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Monday informed that India has supplied another batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin to . Taking to Twitter, said, "Today, India supplied the next batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of COVID vaccine (COVAXIN) to . The same was handed over to Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kabul." It also informed that another batch of additional 5,00,000 doses would be supplied in the coming weeks. The last batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of Covaxin was supplied to on January 1. India has committed to provide to Afghan people humanitarian assistance consisting of food grains, one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and essential life-saving drugs. Earlier last month, India delivered 1.6 tons of medical assistance to Afghanistan through the World Health Organization (WHO). The took over control of Kabul on August 15 and following this the country has been battered by deepening economic, humanitarian and security crises. A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the have plunged a country already suffering from high poverty levels into a full-blown economic crisis. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, including the Omicron variant, the civic body on Monday decided to shut schools of all mediums for classes 1 to 9 and also 11 till January 31, while over 6,100 children were inoculated on first day of vaccination for the 15-18 age group in the metropolis. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said students of classes 10 and 12 are excluded from this decision which means they can attend schools in-person. However, students of classes 9 and 11 will be allowed to visit schools for receiving vaccine doses as part of the inoculation drive for the 15-18 age group, an official said. Classes for students of 1 to 9 and 11 will continue in online mode as directed earlier, it said. Meanwhile, on the first day of vaccination drive for those aged 15 to 18 years, 6,115 children were administered the vaccine against COVID-19 in Mumbai, as per a BMC bulletin. Of these, 4,806 teenagers were inoculated at BMC-run centres, 148 at government facilities and 1,161 at private centres, the bulletin said. The vaccine option for this age group is only Covaxin, according to guidelines issued by the Union health ministry on December 27. With this, the number of inoculated citizens in reached 1,80,72,902, of which 80,97,064 have taken both doses. Later in the day, Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner, told the media that students of classes 9 and 11 will be allowed to visit schools for vaccination though schools will be shut for in-person learning. Explaining the reasons behind shutting down schools, Kakani said it is necessary to follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour to contain the spread of the virus, but schoolchildren often tend to ignore norms and gather together in educational premises. He said they have decided to allow 10th and 12th class students to attend physical schools as their practice sessions and preliminary exams are on. Kakani said the number of daily cases and positivity rate have been increasing in the city, but the BMC is working on preventive measures and was ready to handle any crisis. Out of 30,500 hospital beds in Mumbai, only 3,500 beds are currently occupied. Also, adequate oxygen supply, medicines, ventilators, ICU facility and hospital beds are available, the civic officer said. He said presently 90 per cent of the patients are asymptomatic and only 4 to 5 per cent patients are being admitted to hospitals and the number of serious cases is negligible. Kakani said as compared to the previous two waves of COVID-19, there has been no significant surge in the infection among children so far. "Though the numbers are within limit, they have kept hospital beds and other things ready," he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar's active caseload on Monday climbed to 1,385 on account of 344 fresh COVID-19 cases which included visitors at a programme of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. According to the health department, Patna district is bearing the brunt of the current spike in cases. Altogether 160 people here tested positive for the infection, six of whom were citizens who had come to attend Janata Ke Durbar Mein Mukhyamantri, besides a staff member involved in catering services at the chief minister's secretariat. The district now accounts for 698 active cases, more than half of the state's figure. Patna is followed by Gaya which has an active caseload of 365 and where the number of fresh cases was 88, including former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and 17 of his family members and personal staff. On the brighter side, the state has not reported any COVID death for about a week. Altogether 7,27,872 people have caught the contagion to date, out of whom 7,14,391 have recovered while 12,096 have died. A high testing rate has been maintained by way of abundant caution. The number of samples examined in the last 24 hours is more than one lakh. The day also saw the state's first genome sequencing facility getting operational at the IGIMS hospital which is expected to help timely detection of Omicron. The state has so far reported only one Omicron case - a 26-year-old resident of Patna who travelled to Delhi about a fortnight ago and caught the infection from a relative based abroad. The day also saw the launch of vaccination for adolescents aged 15 years and above. According to Chandrashekhar Singh, District Magistrate, Patna, 7,269 boys and girls of the aforementioned age group received the shots at 87 vaccination centres. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sixteen-year-old Nima Mariums family in Chennai was in double mind on whether she should take the Covid19 vaccine as the innoculation drive for teenagers took off on Monday. Its been a long wait for those below 18 years after the adult vaccination started early last year. Even so, Nimas father John Jacob decided to wait a bit more, mainly for safety reasons. Well wait for a few days If the government distributes it through schools, will definitely prefer that," he said. The government opened up vaccination for those between 15 and 18 years starting Monday with only Bharat Biotechs Covaxin permitted for this category. By end of the day, 4 million had been jabbed across the country, making it a lukewarm first-day show. The total number eligible in this age bracket is around 75 million. Walk-ins were not popular either. The total number who registered was pegged at almost 5 million. Some students put off their date with vaccine to another day though many bravehearts went ahead and took the jab. "I am not apprehensive and, in fact, wish to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible but some of my classmates are a bit wary. Hopefully, they might get convinced soon as I think this is the right move," said Maurya Shah, a student at MK School in Ahmedabad. While NTAGI (National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) chief NK Arora said that India is witnessing the third wave of infections, concerns over shelf life extension of Covaxin kept social media buzzing through the day. The had to step in to state that shelf life of vaccines is extended by the national regulator based on comprehensive analysis and examination of stability study data furnished by vaccine manufacturers. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited the vaccination site at Delhis Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. He said in a tweet, I urge my young friends to get vaccinated at the earliest and further strengthen the worlds largest vaccination drive. Hospitals expect the pace to pick up in the coming days. It started on a good note today. There were no adverse reactions and as people return from their new year holidays, the footfall will also increase, Bishnu Panigrahi, Group Head, Medical Strategy and Operations, Fortis Healthcare, said. Health workers claimed that there was palpable excitement among students as they lined up for the jab. Mumbai is targeting to inoculate over 900,000 teenagers in the city with a single dose in 28 days. Mumbais civic body BMC is providing vaccines to nine centers across the city. At the Bandra Kurla Complex Covid19 center, state environment minister Aditya Thackeray was scheduled to be present, but he attended the event virtually to minimise crowding. "We have created separate entry and exit paths and have separate cubicles for vaccination of the 15-17 age group. We have also kept books on motivational subjects which the teenagers can read after getting their dose," said Rajesh Dere, dean of BKC Covid Center. There was disappointment as well. At two of the government centers in Medavakkam and Kelambakkam, Chennai, that Business Standard visited on Monday, vaccination for teenagers was yet to start. Giridharan, a student of Avichi Higher Secondary School, who came to enquire about the vaccines, was told it would take a couple of more days to start. "We are allowing vaccination for kids through camps at schools and also through existing vaccination centers. If at all there are any glitches, we will be addressing it in a day or two," said TN health secretary J Radhakrishnan. In neighbouring Kerala, where 1.54 million children were eligible to get the first dose, there was comparatively more interest among the age group with several students not getting their eligible vaccines. West Bengal state family welfare officer Ashim Das Malakar, however, said, the response has been good. About 4.8 million teens are eligible for the vaccine in West Bengal and 6 million Covaxin doses are available. Around 338 hospitals will administer the vaccines for teens in the state. Schools will be closed for the academic session but the vaccination programme will continue, said Ajay Chakraborty, West Bengals Director Health Services. Private schools in Kolkata are also gearing up to vaccinate their students. For instance, South Point High School has organized a vaccination camp in collaboration with Apollo Clinic from January 4 to January 8. Around 3,000 students are eligible to receive the vaccine. Uttar Pradesh, which tops the India tally among states by administering 200 million Covid vaccine doses, claimed enough vaccine stock had been provided to hospitals. About 2,150 vaccination booths, including 39 in Lucknow, have been set up across 75 districts for vaccinating teenagers. (With inputs from Sohini Das, Ruchika Chitravanshi, Shine Jacob, Ishita Ayan Dutt, Vinay Umarji, Virendra Singh Rawat & Aneesh Phadnis) The U.K. government has been making contingency plans in case hospitals, schools and other workplaces are hit by major staff shortages amid the country's record-breaking spike in infections. Public sector workplaces have been preparing for staff absences ranging from 10per cent to 25per cent as COVID-19 sickens more people or forces them to isolate, the Cabinet Office said. The highly transmissible variant has caused Britain's daily new caseload to soar over Christmas and the New Year, with a new daily high of 189,000 on Dec. 31. A further 137,583 infections and 73 deaths were added for England and Wales only on Sunday, with numbers for Scotland and Northern Ireland to be announced after the holiday weekend. About 1 in 25 people in England or about 2 million people had COVID-19 in the week before Christmas, the Office of National Statistics estimated. In London, the figure was 1 in 15. Cabinet Office Minister Stephen Barclay said there had already been significant absences and the government was preparing for every eventuality. It's important that those contingency plans are refreshed and that we take measures to mitigate those impacts, Barclay said. Ministers have cited increased support for more virus testing, better ventilation in schools and workplaces, and drafting former teachers or even volunteers to prevent absences from having a serious impact on schools. Devolved authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have imposed limits on events and social gatherings in the face of the fast-spreading . But Health Secretary Sajid Javid says adding new restrictions is a last resort for England, despite the climbing daily infection rate. Barclay backed this strategy again Sunday, arguing the reintroduction of light restrictions in December as began to take hold had brought about a "significant behaviour change" with people reducing their social contacts. The public had been advised to test themselves ahead of joining any New Year's celebrations. National Health Service leaders say absences have already added to the heavy pressures on U.K. hospitals, even though the overall number of people being treated for COVID-19 remains much lower than last winter. NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said staff have been working flat out and the early days of 2022 would be crucial in showing whether further measures are needed. Secondary school students in England will be required to wear face masks when they return to classes after the Christmas holidays. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the move was an attempt to minimise disruption and prevent teachers and pupils from being forced to stay at home. The U.K. Health Security Agency has maintained its support for the seven-day isolation period for those who have contracted the virus and are fully vaccinated. But Paul Hunter, a professor of health protection at the University of East Anglia, told ITV that the requirement should be reduced to five days as studies had shown people were very unlikely to be infectious after this point. The number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospital treatment across Britain has increased much more slowly than new infections, but in the last week reached its highest level since February 2021. The government's push to deliver COVID-19 boosters has now seen over 50per cent of the population receive a third dose. Overall, the U.K. has reported more than 13.1 million infections and more than 149,000 deaths linked to COVID-19, the second highest death toll in Europe behind Russia. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi air was toxic on Monday as a state monitoring system predicted the pollution to get worse until Tuesday due to firecracker emissions and the cold. The citys Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 366 --'very poor'-- at 8 am, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecast agency SAFAR. Readings below 50 are considered safe, while anything above 300 is considered hazardous or 'severe'. On Sunday, Delhis 24-hour average AQI was 404. Scientists at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that Sundays AQI spike was due to accumulated pollutants over the last two days, caused by combination of low temperatures and crackers on New Years Eve and January 1, 'Hindustan Times' reported. Officials at the department said temperatures in Delhi are expected to rise from Monday, bringing the city respite from the high pollution, Delhi this morning was the world's third most polluted city with an AQI of 283, said IQAir, a website that tracks air quality worldwide. Preliminary data from a month-long experiment has shown that indoor levels were nearly half of the outdoor levels in Delhi-NCR during November-December so far. costs Indian businesses $95 billion or roughly 3 per cent of its GDP every year, according to U.K.-based non-profit Clean Air Fund and the Confederation of Indian Industry, Bloomberg has reported. Deputy Chief Minister on Monday introduced a bill for the Teachers University on the first day of the two-day session of the Assembly. While presenting the bill in the assembly, Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, said the university will set standards like IIT, IIM, AIIMS and IIMC have in the past, and will be renowned for its unique curriculum. "In the past seven years, many historic decisions have been taken for setting up the Delhi education model. The Arvind Kejriwal government has been providing 25 per cent of its annual budget to education every year," he said. Mentioning the need of the teachers university in Delhi, Sisodia said that teachers are the real change makers in the evolving Delhi education model. "We gave global exposure to our teachers by sending them to international universities and they completely changed the education system in schools. Now there is a need to prepare a force of teachers who can provide quality education of international standards to our students," he said. The deputy chief minister said that there are talented teachers in the country but there is a shortage of training institutes. "Delhi Teachers University will work to fill this gap and every year thousands of professional teachers will emerge from here who will work to strengthen the education system," he said. The minister said that the has prepared the blueprint of the Delhi Teachers University on the basis of the vision of the new Education Policy. "And it is a matter of great pride that the Delhi Teachers University will be the first university in the country to meet the requirements of teacher training given in the Education Policy," Sisodia added. He shared that every year the seats in the Delhi Teachers University will be increased keeping in view the needs of teachers. Along with regular teacher education programmes, an one-year diploma programme will also be introduced here for those professionals who have passion for teaching but are not able to pursue this as a profession due to degree restrictions, Sisodia said. He said that there is a shortage of teachers in 3 lakh schools in the country and there is a shortage of about 11 lakh teachers in the entire country. In the context of the capital, the has constructed thousands of new classrooms in the last few years, and has created posts of about 15,000 teachers, Sisodia said. Through the Delhi Teachers University, the aim of the Delhi government is also to meet the shortage of teachers, he said. The Delhi Teachers' University will be spread over 12 acres of land. It will have lecture halls, digital labs, and a library with world class facilities for 5000 students. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Sunday reported 11,877 fresh COVID-19 cases, 2,707 more than the day before, and 50 Omicron infections, the state health department said in a bulletin. The state reported nine fatalities, which increased the overall COVID-19 toll to 1,41,542. is now left with 42,024 active cases, the bulletin said. Of the new 11,877 cases, 7,792 are from Mumbai, it said. However, as per the civic body, the number of new cases detected in the city on Sunday was 8,063. The region including satellite cities and neighbouring districts reported 10,394 infections nearly 90 per cent of the total cases in the state. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data showed the city had reported 809 cases on December 27, which meant the tally jumped by almost 10 times as on Sunday. On Saturday, had reported 9,170 cases. More than ten ministers and at least 20 MLAs in Maharashtra have tested positive for so far, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had said on Saturday. Of the 50 new Omicron infections, 36 patients are from Pune Municipal Corporation areas, eight from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation limits, two each from Pune rural and Sangli, and one each from and Thane. Maharashtra has so far reported 510 such cases of which 193 patients recovered. The bulletin said 1,22,975 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative tests conducted in Maharashtra to 6,92,59,618. Until a day before, the state had conducted a total of 6,91,36,643 tests. With 2,069 more patients being discharged, the overall count of recoveries in Maharashtra went up to 65,12,610, it said. The Mumbai civic body conducted 47,410 tests in the last 24 hours, as per the bulletin. With the spike in cases in Mumbai, city civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal on Sunday sought to allay apprehensions, saying 89 per cent of the infections are asymptomatic. He also said that 90 per cent of beds are lying vacant. He urged people to strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocols. Mask is mandatory in the public domain and citizens should refrain from going to crowded places. All of us must join hands to tide over this new wave of the COVID pandemic, he stressed. Today 8,063 new COVID cases have been detected in Mumbai out of which 89 per cent were found to be totally asymptomatic and total number of active cases in Mumbai are now 29,819. However, out of 8,063 new cases today, only 503 have been hospitalised out of which 56 cases have been put on oxygenated beds. As of today, 90 per cent of hospital beds in Mumbai are vacant, he said in a statement. Mumbai did not see any COVID-19 fatality during the day, keeping the toll unchanged at 16,377, the bulletin said, adding that 89 per cent of the cases reported, or 7,176, are asymptomatic. There is no reason to panic but at the same time all of us have to be extremely cautious and exercise extreme Covid appropriate behaviour, Chahal said. As per the bulletin, 578 persons were discharged in Mumbai in the last 24 hours, taking the recovery count to 7,50,736, which is 94 per cent of the overall tally, while 503 people are hospitalised, including 56 on oxygen support. Of the 30,565 beds available for the treatment of the infection, only 3,059 are occupied, it said. The Mumbai data showed that the caseload doubling time was 183 days, the growth rate in cases between December 26 and January 1 stood at 0.38 per cent. The civic body has sealed 203 buildings. There are nine containment zones. In the rest of Maharashtra, the Pune region recorded 931 cases, Nagpur 112, Kolhapur 75, Latur 67, Aurangabad 50, and Akola 31. Nashik, Kolhapur, Latur, Nagpur, Akola, Aurangabad regions did not report any death. The Pune region recorded eight fatalities and Mumbai region one. Maharashtra's COVID-19 figures: Fresh cases 11,877; Total cases 66,99,868; Deaths nine; Total fatalities 1,41,542; Active case 42,024; tests conducted 1,22,975; cumulative tests 6,92,59,618. Meanwhile, Maharashtra CMO tweeted that COVID-19 vaccination for children in the age group of 15-18 years will be launched at nine dedicated centres in Mumbai along with the national drive for this age group. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the state stands on the threshold of a 'third wave' of Covid-19, lakhs of school and junior college children in the 15-18 age enthusiastically thronged vaccination centres to get their jabs in Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra, officials said here on Monday. As per the Centre's policy, the government launched the inoculation drive for the 15-18 age groups and over 8,00,000 have already registered for their dose in the past few days. Since dawn, the children, many sporting their school uniforms, lugging school bags, clutching their I-cards and other necessary documents, made a beeline at the vaccination centres in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and other cities, towns and villages. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray exhorted children to go for their doses, while at many centres there were VIPs waiting to welcome the kids, like Health Minister Rajesh Tope in Jalna, Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray and Mayor Kishori Pednekar in Mumbai, other ministers in other districts, parliamentarians or legislators in different areas. Some big schools in the urban centres have decided to arrange the vaccination drive at their own campuses to ensure all the children in the 15-18 age group are covered. At several centres, excited and giggling young boys and girls arrived either with their families or neighbours or friends, eagerly awaiting the experience of a Covid-19 dose, and they urged their reluctant pals or classmates to join them. "There is apprehension among us as the Covid-19 and Omicron cases have suddenly increased... We all have taken our parents' and teachers' advice to register and take the precautionary jab when called," said Manthan Joshi, an SSC student of Gokhale High School in Borivali. In Mumbai, the doses are being administered at the 9 Jumbo vaccination centres across the city and suburbs. They are the Richardson & Cruddas, Byculla and Mulund, Somaiya Grounds, Sion, NSCI Dome, Crompton & Greaves, Kanjurmarg, Worli, NESCO Centre Goregaon, Malad Centre, Malad, and Dahisar Centre, Dahisar. --IANS qn/dpb (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said his government will take a slew of measures including night curfew, odd-even rule for vehicles and restrictions on public gatherings from January 5 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Sangma said details of the measures will be announced by officials later. We as a government feel that it is very important for citizens and the government to take precautions. Though the past one year has been very difficult for all of us, we still need to be very careful in the coming days, the chief minister told mediapersons here. The government has decided to come up with certain restrictions in the next few days but it will be ensured that their impact on economic activities is bare minimum, Sangma said after a meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in the state. There will be restrictions on movement of private vehicles. It will be different in different regions but in Shillong city and most of East Khasi Hills district, we will have an odd-even system coming up, he said. Under the odd-even scheme, cars can be driven only on alternate days, depending on the last digit (odd or even) of their registration number. It was decided at the meeting that those entering the state will have to be tested if they fail to produce a Covid negative test report not older than 72 hours. Urging the people to follow Covid safety protocols, Sangma said, We need to ensure not to let our guards down to keep COVID-19 in check. on Monday registered two new cases, taking the tally to 84,849. The death toll remained unchanged at 1,484. The chief minister said there is a huge hesitancy factor among the citizens when it comes to taking the Covid-19 vaccines. He said Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is also in charge of the health department, launched the vaccination drive for the 15-18 year age group in the state capital and the response is good. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday termed the Omicron variant of the a "common viral fever", but said exercising caution is important even then. Speaking to reporters here after inspecting the COVID-19 vaccination programme for children in the age group of 15-18 years, Adityanath said, "It is true that Omicron spreads rapidly, but it is also true that as compared to the second wave (of the pandemic), the Omicron variant is quite weak. This is only a common viral fever, but caution and precautions are necessary in any disease. There is no need to panic." He said it took 15-25 days to recover for those who were infected with the Delta variant of the virus in March-April last year and even after recuperating, they complained about a number of problems. "But that is not the case for Omicron till now. The virus has weakened. But those suffering from some other diseases have to remain cautious. The government has imposed a night curfew as a precautionary measure," the chief minister added. He said eight Omicron cases have so far been reported in Uttar Pradesh and of the patients, three have recovered and the others are in home isolation. Referring to the Covid vaccination programme for children in the 15-18 age group, Adityanath said 1.4 crore beneficiaries will be administered the vaccine doses under the drive and 2,150 booths have been set up across the state for the purpose, including 39 in Lucknow. He also said more than 20.25 crore Covid vaccine doses have so far been administered to the beneficiaries in the age group of 18 years and above, including over 12.84 crore people who have got the first dose and over 7.4 crore people who have got both doses of the vaccines. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested one more farmer in connection with the alleged lynching of three workers during the violence that took place in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3 last year. Lakhimpur Kheri police and senior prosecution officer (SPO) S.P. Yadav said that Gurpreet Singh, 22, had been absconding since the SIT released pictures of the suspects nearly two months ago. Seven farmers have been arrested so far in connection with the lynching case. The SIT had earlier arrested Vichitra Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Avtaar Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Kamaljeet Singh and Kawaljeet Singh after they were identified as suspects. An FIR with charges of murder and rioting was initially registered against 'unidentified farmers' based on the complaint of worker Sumit Jaiswal, who is a co-accused along with Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni's son, Ashish Mishra, in connection with the deaths of four farmers and a journalist during the violence. The FIR filed by Sumit did not mention the deaths of the farmers and the journalist, who were allegedly mowed down by Ashish's convoy. The first FIR related to the violence was lodged by police on the basis of a complaint by farmers against Ashish and others. The SIT has arrested 13 people in that case and has termed the incident as 'planned'. In November, the Supreme Court had reconstituted the SIT and added new members, IPS officers S.B. Shiradkar, Preetinder Singh and Padmaja Chauhan, along with retired judge of Punjab and Haryana high court Rakesh Kumar Jain, to probe the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. The SIT is expected to file a chargesheet in both the cases within the next two days as the deadline of 90 days for the investigation will end on Tuesday. --IANS amita/ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister on Monday paid tributes to Rani Velu Nachiyar, the Sivaganga queen in who waged war against the British, on her birth anniversary. Her strong commitment to fight colonialism was remarkable, and she personifies the spirit of our "Nari Shakti" (women power), the prime minister tweeted. Born in 1730, she is hailed for her campaign against the East India Company. "Remembering the brave Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary. Her indomitable courage shall keep motivating the coming generations. Her strong commitment to fight colonialism was remarkable. She personifies the spirit of our Nari Shakti," Modi tweeted. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven persons - six of them citizens of who came here to meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday at a public interaction programme and were at the same premises have tested positive for COVID 19. The chief minister told reporters after the programme that a staff member involved in catering arrangements tested positive for and hinted that the state might go in for restrictive measures to contain the spread of the disease. "It is a matter of concern, indicative of the incredible rate at which the number of cases are rising", Kumar said. All those who visit the chief minister's secretariat every Monday for his outreach programme 'Janata Ke Durbar Mein Mukhyamantri' undergo the mandatory tests. The VVIP establishment went into a tizzy when the reports of the swab sample tests came in. "The existing guidelines will remain in force till January 5. But tomorrow when officials will meet to review the situation they will definitely take into consideration the sudden rise and come out with orders accordingly", Kumar said. He iterated that he will visit Gaya on Tuesday as part of his 'Samaj Sudhar Abhiyan' and decision will be taken about events scheduled thereafter in due course. Asked whether he was of the view that assembly polls in five states, including in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, ought to be deferred in view of the fresh wave, Kumar said "It is for the states concerned to decide. Though if we go by precedence, Kerala went to polls while reporting high number of daily cases. too was not in a very good shape when elections were held here". Kerala state election was held in April 2021 and in it was held in October-Novemer 2020, Assembly poll is due in Goa, Punjab, Manipur and Uttarakhand, besides Uttar Pradesh between February to March in 2022. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has approached the seeking to quash the disinvestment process and set aside the approvals given to it by authorities. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh is scheduled to hear the petition on Tuesday. Swamy, a Rajya Sabha MP, has sought to set aside and revoke any action or decision or grant of any further approvals, permissions or permits by the authorities with respect to the present disinvestment process. Swamy, through advocate Satya Sabarwal, has also sought for a CBI investigation into the role and functioning of authorities and submission of a detailed report to the court. In October last year, the central government accepted the highest bid made by a Tata Sons company for 100 per cent equity shares of and Air India Express along with its 50 per cent stake in ground-handling company AISATS -- the first privatisation in 20 years. On October 25 last year, the government had signed the share purchase agreement with Tata Sons for the sale of carrier Air India for Rs 18,000 crore. Tatas would pay Rs 2,700 crore cash and takeover Rs 13,500 crore of the airline's debt. Tatas beat the Rs 15,100 crore offer by a consortium led by Spicejet promoter Ajay Singh and the reserve price of Rs 12,906 crore set by the government for the sale of its 100 per cent stake in the loss-making carrier. As of August 31, 2021, Air India had a total debt of Rs 61,562 crore. 75 per cent of this debt or Rs 46,262 crore will be transferred to a special purpose vehicle AIAHL before handing over the airline to the Tata group. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A large chunk of cases in India have been reported from big cities, the head of the country's vaccine task force told a television (TV) channel on Monday, adding the third wave is upon us. Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata have a combined 75 per cent share of infections of the highly transmissible variant of coronavirus that was first detected in South Africa in November, said N K Arora, chairman, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. He has also been closely involved with the roll-out of vaccines from the very onset. "Look at whatever variants have been genome sequenced. We got our first virus right in the first week of December. Last week, 12 per cent of the variants identified were and the week prior, it had increased to 28 per cent. It is rapidly increasing as a proportion of all the Covid infections in the country. In Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi, in particular, it is over 75 per cent of all the isolates now," he said. Showing all signs of Omicron becoming the dominant coronavirus strain in India, Delhis Health Minister Satyendra Kumar Jain said on Monday that 81.28 per cent of all the Covid samples tested in the national Capital are of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Of the 187 genome sequencing reports of December 30-31, 152 people in the Capital were found Omicron-positive, Jain told the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Indias daily count has been spiralling, with more than 33,750 cases reported in a single day as on Monday morning, and daily test positivity rate crossing 3.84 per cent. Delhi has seen fourfold rise in daily cases in the last week, entering the red alert category with 6.46 per cent positivity rate and over 4,000 cases and one death on Monday evening. In what seems to be a case of New Year but old habits dying hard, worrying scenes of a milling crowd at Goa's Baga Beach had the state administration implement strict restrictions to contain Omicron. Authorities in the state issued directives to hotels, restaurants, and casinos to only allow guests with valid vaccination certificates or proof of a negative test result. Too little too late, especially when the coastal states positivity rate increased beyond 10 per cent. Omicron is yet to fully supplant Delta. It will ascend in the big cities before becoming dominant elsewhere, said Anurag Agarwal, scientist, Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). E Sreekumar, chief scientific officer, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, said Omicron will replace Delta as the dominant variant, given that it is a more transmissive variant of Sars-CoV-2. "During the second wave, the Delta variant took four to five months to displace the existing variant in circulation. In the case of Omicron, this could be quicker. More so, in places where there is overcrowding," said Sreekumar. Sreekumar also felt it is likely that Omicron is affecting the Delta-naive population here. If that is the case, the run of Omicron could be short-lived, given that many in India have been exposed to the Delta variant. "The crazy Omicron surge could peak soon, but the virus is unpredictable and the wave will ebb just as quickly," he added. For those reinfected, there is no proper analysis whether they had been infected with Delta or some other variant, he added. Rising positivity is one of the factors being considered for stricter restrictions on public movement. The other two being cumulative new positive cases and the average oxygenated bed occupancy. The graded response action plan at the level of over 5 per cent positivity for two consecutive days, according to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, will involve the closure of shops, malls, restaurants, weekly markets, banquet halls, salons, spas, and gyms. The delivery of essential items and takeaways from restaurants, however, will be allowed. However, Delhi has still not sounded the amber alert because of low levels of hospitalisation and serious cases. But the Department of Personnel & Training is taking no chances. It tweeted on Monday saying, "Keeping in view the rise in #Covid cases in the last few days, the biometric attendance for government officials and employees is being suspended with immediate effect, till further orders." Omicron, considered three to four times more transmissible than Delta, has become the dominant strain in many countries in Europe and the US. In the UK, for instance, as on December 27, more than 59 per cent cases (seven-day rolling average) genome sequenced were of the Omicron lineage, displaying significant growth advantage over Delta. The same number for South Africa was much higher at 96 per cent. Closer home, officials have insisted that Delta is still the dominant strain, even while stating that the recent spike in cases could be due to a possible spurt of Omicron infections. The data on the overall percentage of Omicron cases - as part of the total samples sequenced - has not been made available by the yet. As on Monday morning, there were 1,700 cases of Omicron detected in the country, most of which were in Maharashtra, followed by Delhi. Iqbal Singh Chahal, commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, said around 80 per cent of the cases in Mumbai is due to the Omicron variant, as reported by task force doctors. "This may touch 90 per cent in the next few days," he said on TV. Addressing a media briefing last Thursday, Lav Agarwal, joint secretary, health ministry, said, The dominant strain in India today is the Delta. INSACOG is conducting genome sequencing, and we have seen Omicron cases on the rise. There is now clear experimental and clinical data supporting the very high immune escape potential of Omicron, which appears to be the major component of its growth advantage over Delta, according to INSACOG. Vice President M on Monday stressed the need for improving among the masses and urged professionals like Chartered Accountants to work in this direction by explaining financial rules and regulations in simple and easy language for the larger benefit of the public. Naidu, while laying the foundation stone for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) here, said the government was trying its best to improve the business environment in the country. "Accountancy, finance and audit are subjects in which one has to deal a lot with numbers and a maze of rules and regulations. There are many people in our society who find it difficult to understand these areas. Therefore, it's my appeal to all Chartered Accountants that you should try to explain these subjects in simple and easy language for the benefit of the people. and its members and students should also work for spreading among the masses," Naidu said. Naidu said the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has revolutionised the corporate resolution processes in the country, while the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has turned out to be a grand success as evidenced by the increasing Indirect Tax Collections. Naidu said the post covid scenario looks bright and India could demonstrate a new saga of enterprise attracting the whole world with multiple strengths. "Our economy today is recovering fast from the unexpected setback caused by COVID-19. FDI inflows are steadily on the increase. Once the fear of the pandemic subsides, it is expected that travel and tourism, a major Foreign Exchange earnings and a source of employment for millions in a State like yours, will also wake up with new vigour," he said. Earlier in the day, Naidu attended an event organised to mark the 150th death anniversary of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a spiritual leader and social reformer from the Kerala Catholic community, at Mannanam near Kottayam. The Vice President also visited the tomb of Saint Chavara at Mannanam. Naidu returned from Lakshadweep on Sunday morning. He was accompanied by his wife Usha and other family members. After the event, the Vice President left for New Delhi from here. Naidu, who reached Kerala on December 31, flew to Lakshadweep the same day. He attended various programmes in the island for two days, including the inauguration of two Colleges of Arts & Sciences in Kadmat and Androth islands. He also attended a few events in Kochi and visited the IAC Vikrant. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As lakhs of teenagers got their first COVID-19 vaccine jabs across the country at the start of the inoculation drive for the 15-18 age group on Monday, many of the beneficiaries and their parents said they were eagerly waiting for it and feel a sense of relief, especially in the backdrop of the fresh rise in cases. From setting up attractive selfie points to putting up imaginative posters and colourful balloons, the designated vaccination centres, mostly schools and educational institutes, were decked up to welcome the youngsters. The students, some of whom were dressed in school uniforms and others in casuals, were greeted with flowers and gifted pens at some places after receiving the vaccine. Over 39.88 lakh youngsters had registered on CoWIN portal till Monday afternoon after the process began on Saturday for this category and over 12.3 lakh children had received the jab by 3 PM. An estimated 7.4 crore children are there in this age group. The vaccination campaign started on January 16 last year in a staggered manner, and many youngsters like Harmanjot Singh said they were keen to get the jab as soon as it was allowed for their age group. "I was waiting for the day to get my dose of the vaccine as the pandemic forced us to stay back at our homes most of the time. We want to get back to regular school and other activities as soon as possible," said Singh, a student of class 11 at a private school in Jammu. In the national capital, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited a COVID-19 vaccination site for children at RML hospital and interacted with some of the beneficiaries. With the drive starting mostly from schools, many principals and other officials said they received a positive response from students and their families. Whenever schools reopened in the midst of the pandemic, I was hesitant to send my son. It will be a relief now that he has received the vaccine, said Savita Devi, whose son was waiting to get the jab at a Delhi government school. Some students referred to restrictions on travelling and said they did not want to miss out on activities because they are not vaccinated. This was long-awaited. The third wave is already here and considering how aggressive the second wave was, we were all afraid, said Ritesh Ghosh, a 17-year-old student. Echoing similar sentiments, Reema Dutta, 15, said there is a sense of relief among people of her age group and they are looking forward to resuming their normal activities once vaccinated against the . We can go outdoors while following COVID protocols once we have received the vaccination. The omicron is already scaring us, she said. But there were some like Diksha Patel, 17, from Raipur in Chhattisgarh who required some counselling from her family and friends to overcome hesitancy. "On Sunday, our class teacher posted a message on our Whatsapp group about coming to school and getting vaccinated. I was worried as many of my family members fell ill after taking the vaccine during the second wave in April and May last year," Patel, a Class XI student of JR Dani Government High School, said. "However, my mother and other family members spoke to me about the benefits of vaccination, especially in view of rising cases and a possible third wave," she told PTI. Reflecting the urgency in the country as it stares at a possible third COVID-19 wave, leaders on Monday called for taking up the drive on a war footing, while Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope suggested that those in the 12-15 age bracket should also be allowed to get inoculated. On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the inclusion of the 15 to 18 age group in the nationwide COVID immunisation programme from January 3. The vaccine option for this age group would only be Covaxin, according to guidelines issued by the Union health ministry on December 27. India's COVID-19 tally rose to 3,49,22,882 with 33,750 fresh cases, while the active cases increased to 1,45,582, according to the data updated at 8 AM on Monday. "I did not have any fear of vaccination. I will encourage my other friends to come and get themselves vaccinated as soon as possible," said 17-year-old girl Poorvi Nakar in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. In Mumbai, a girl student was the first to receive the vaccine dose at a jumbo COVID-19 centre in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), where the drive was virtually launched by Maharashtra Tourism and Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray. Mumbai has witnessed a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases since the second half of last month. The city's civic body said vaccines will be given free of cost to children of all schools. In neighbouring Pune, the vaccination campaign for children commenced at 40 centres on Monday, the city civic body's chief immunisation officer Dr Suryakant Devkar said. "The beneficiary children were offered a rose, a pen and a mask after the vaccination," Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol said. Parents accompanied their children to the vaccination centres and the teenagers appeared happy and excited to take to jabs against the viral infection, he said. Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha launched the drive at a government school in Jammu. "In the coming week, the targeted population (8.33 lakh) will be vaccinated," he told reporters. As many as 822 vaccination sites have been set up across 20 districts for the vaccination of the children, officials said, appealing to the youngsters to come forward and get themselves vaccinated. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin urged people to diligently follow precautions as the country entered the next phase of vaccination. "I do not wish to cause trepidation. Experts say the Omicron variant, which has emerged as a new threat, is highly transmissible though its impact is less severe compared to previous COVID variants. So, face-mask and vaccine against would serve as a shield to protect us now," the chief minister said starting the drive. Tamil Nadu hopes to administer the jabs to about 33.46 lakh school children in a month's time Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal, Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh were among the states and Union territories that began the drive on Monday. We have to hold the vaccination drive on a war footing. Crisis management committees, MPs, MLAs, social workers, volunteers, religious leaders, all are requested to appeal to the children to get vaccinated, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. In Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the drive at a school in Koba area of the state capital Gandhinagar. The Gujarat health department has prepared around 3,500 centres across the state for the special vaccination campaign, and has said it will extend the daily timings of the drive from the current schedule of 9 AM to 6 PM. Starting the drive from Dimapur District Hospital, Nagaland Health Minister S Pangyu Phom appealed to the beneficiaries to come forward and get inoculated. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur commenced the campaign from Mandi at the Government Vijay Senior Secondary School (Boys). About 3.57 lakh youngsters in the age group of 15-18 years are eligible for vaccination in the hill state and 4,259 educational institutions would be covered under this campaign. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Commerce and Industry Minister on Monday said India was trying to expand its bilateral trade relations with several nations and hopes to rapidly launch trade negotiations with over the next two-three months. We are looking at a free trade agreement and comprehensive economic partnership with the UAE, which is close to finalisation. We are also at an advanced stage with Australia on concluding interim agreement, which will include our large area of interest, particularly about oriented sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, footwear, leather and agricultural products, Goyal said. Talks with the UK are expected to be launched later this month and an interim agreement could be in place by March. exported goods worth $37.29 billion in December, the highest ever in a month, as demand for items such as engineering products, petroleum items, and gems and jewellery continued to soar, the preliminary data released by the commerce and industry ministry showed. Indias merchandise exports in April-December were nearly $300 billion, up 48.85 per cent year-on-year and 26 per cent against the same period in 2019. This translates into achieving three-fourths of its annual export target of $400 billion in the first nine months of FY22. The number has exceeded the exports of 2020-21, which were at $290 billion. With $300 billion in the first nine months of 2021-22 we are on track to achieve our target, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters on Monday. If we look at the data from 2016 to December 2021, the export of every month from April to December 2021 is historical. Exports worth $103 billion have been seen in the three months of October, November, and December, the highest to date, Goyal said. The data further showed the top 10 major commodity groups, constituting 80 per cent of exports, had grown by 41 per cent year-on-year, with each recording growth. Engineering goods, which constitute 26 per cent of exports, have grown 37 per cent over last year. Similarly, gems and jewellery exports, which comprise 8 per cent of the kitty, grew 15.8 per cent year-on-year. Indias merchandise imports were $59.27 billion in December, up 38.06 per cent year-on-year and 49.7 per cent against December 2019. The trade deficit was $21.99 billion as compared to $15.75 billion a year ago. Services exports are expected to be $179 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. We are well on track to go up to $230 billion or upwards, which will also be a historic high in terms of services exports, the minister said. As far as the threat from the Omicron variant is concerned, the minister does not expect any immediate supply chain disruption. While there could be some short-term disruption, industrial activity is expected to continue, the minister said. Omicron has been rapidly spreading across various developed nations such as the US, European nations as well as West Asia. While we remain cautiously optimistic the Omicron worry is real and it could play major spoilsport. Our key markets in Europe and North America are witnessing a very high number of infections and that could impact the order pipeline. As of now we have not seen any impact but in the next few weeks we will have a clear picture, Engineering and Export Promotion Council of Chairman Mahesh Desai said. The Delhi High Court Monday extended the time for filing replies by Facebook and to two notices issued to them by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) which has ordered a probe into the instant messaging app's new policy. and Facebook have challenged the CCI's June 4 and 8, 2021, notices respectively, asking them to furnish certain information for the purpose of inquiry conducted by it. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh noted that the Data Protection bill is yet to be finalised and, therefore, adjourned the proceedings to March 30. The court was hearing the appeals of Facebook and challenging its single-judge order dismissing their pleas against the probe ordered by the CCI into WhatsApp's new policy. Till then the time to file replies to the June 4 and June 8, last year, notices issued by CCI to the appellants (Facebook and WhatsApp) is extended, the bench said. The court had earlier granted time to the social media platforms to file replies to notices and thereafter, the time was further extended. Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing WhatsApp, submitted that the Data Protection bill was tabled in the Parliament and the court had earlier granted time to file replies to the notices till October 11, 2021, but it could not be extended thereafter as the matter was not taken up. Additional Solicitor General Aman Lekhi, appearing for CCI, contended that Data Protection bill is irrelevant to this controversy and that the case does not deal with privacy' but with the provisions of Competition Act relating to abuse of dominant position and inquiry into certain agreements and dominant position of an enterprise. Meanwhile, the counsel for Facebook India submitted that he has filed an application seeking to be impleaded as a party to the case. However, the court asked him to file a fresh petition. The case relates to the appeals of Facebook and WhatsApp against a single judge order dismissing their pleas against the probe CCI ordered into the instant messaging app's new policy. The division bench of the high court had on May 6, 2021, issued notices on the appeals and asked the Centre to respond to it. The single judge on April 22 last year, had said though it would have been "prudent" for the CCI to await the outcome of petitions in the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court against WhatsApp's new privacy policy, not doing so would not make the regulator's order "perverse" or "wanting of jurisdiction". The court had said it saw no merit in the petitions of Facebook and WhatsApp to interdict the investigation directed by the CCI. The CCI had contended before the single judge that it was not examining the alleged violation of individuals' privacy which was being looked into by the Supreme Court. It had argued before the court that the new privacy policy of WhatsApp would lead to excessive data collection and "stalking" of consumers for targeted advertising to bring in more users and is therefore an alleged abuse of dominant position. WhatsApp and Facebook had challenged the CCI's March 24, 2021, order directing a probe into the new privacy policy. In January last year, the CCI on its own decided to look into WhatsApp's new privacy policy on the basis of reports regarding the same. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister on Monday introduced a bill for Delhi Teachers University on the first day of the two-day session of the Delhi Assembly. Sisodia, who also holds the portfolio, said for the last seven years, historical decisions were taken by the AAP government, including expenditure of 25 per cent budget in the field of . This is not a romanticism formula. We are doing it considering as the most fundamental requirement. The credit for the education revolution goes mostly to the teachers, he said in the House. The minister had also visited an under construction campus of the Delhi Teachers University in Bakkarwala on January 1. He had asked officials to expedite the construction work so that the session could be started as soon as possible. The university will offer teacher education programmes such as BA-BEd and BSc-BEd to create a new generation of teachers. In this initiative, students will collaborate with Delhi government schools for the duration of their courses and get hands-on experience with focus on research. The Delhi Teachers University will spread over 12 acres of land and have lecture halls, digital labs, and a library with world-class facilities. Sisodia further said at this university, students will be given an opportunity to engage with teachers from across the world during conferences and interactive sessions. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of the Assembly polls, the internal rift in Punjab has widened with state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu attacking his own government and ministers, including Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. According to sources, party leaders in Delhi are unhappy with the state of affairs in Punjab and have asked the state leaders to put up a united front and refrain from speaking against each other. Sidhu has been critical of state Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who reportedly has offered to quit his portfolio, for not arresting SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a drug case. The leaders have been saying the government will take action against him but only an FIR has been lodged. Former Akali minister and brother-in-law of Sukhbir Badal, Bikram Singh Majithia was booked on December 21, under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. As per the FIR, Majihtia was booked for allowing drug smuggling through use of his property or conveyance, financing the distribution or sale of drugs and hatching a criminal conspiracy for smuggling. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi had said last month that his government won't allow any drug trafficker to go scot-free and that the law will take its own course in Majithia's case. Channi had reiterated his government's firm commitment to completely eradicate the menace of drugs. But a restless is demanding an immediate action against Majithia and has accused the home minister of "complacency" adding to the troubles in the state unit. Though the leadership in Delhi is trying to fix internal problems of the states going to polls but there seems to be no end to the toubles as after Punjab, problems erupted in Uttarakhand. Now Punjab, Goa, Manipur units are witnessing exodus of MLAs. --IANS miz/shb/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister will visit Ferozepur, on 5th January 2022 and at around 1 pm will lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 42,750 crore, informed the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Monday. According to the PMO, these projects include the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway; four laning of Amritsar - Una section; Mukerian - Talwara New Broad Gauge railway line; PGI Satellite Centre at Ferozepur and two new medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur. The consistent endeavour of the Prime Minister to improve connectivity all across the country has led to multiple national highway development initiatives being taken up in the state of . It has resulted in more than doubling the total length of National Highways in the state from about 1700 kilometres in 2014 to more than 4100 kilometres in 2021, said the PMO. In continuation of such efforts, the foundation stone of two major road corridors will be laid in . This will also be a step towards fulfilling the Prime Minister's vision to enhance accessibility to major religious centres, it added. As per the PMO, the 669-kilometre long Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway will be developed at a total cost of about Rs 39,500 crore. It will halve travel time from Delhi to Amritsar and Delhi to Katra. The Greenfield Expressway will connect key Sikh religious sites at Sultanpur Lodhi, Goindwal Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, Tarn Taran and the holy Hindu shrine of Vaishno Devi in Katra. The expressway will also connect key economic centres like Ambala Chandigarh, Mohali, Sangrur, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Kathua and Samba in the three states/UTs of Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The four-laning of the Amritsar - Una section will be done at the cost of around 1700 crore. The 77-kilometre long section is part of the larger Amritsar to Bhota corridor spanning across the longitudinal expanse of Northern Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, connecting four major national highways, namely Amritsar-Bhatinda-Jamnagar Economic Corridor, Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, North-South Corridor and Kangra-Hamirpur-Bilaspur-Shimla Corridor, stated the PMO. It will help in improving the connectivity of religious sites at Ghoman, Shri Hargobindpur and Pulpukta Town (home to the famous Gurudwara Pulpukta Sahib). The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of a new Broad Gauge railway line between Mukerian and Talwara of around 27 Km in length, to be built at a cost of over Rs 410 crore. The railway line will be an extension of the Nangal Dam-Daulatpur Chowk railway section. It will provide an all-weathered means of transportation in the area. This project also holds strategic importance as it will serve as an alternative route to Jammu and Kashmir, joining the existing Jalandhar-Jammu Railway line at Mukerian. The project will prove especially beneficial for the people of Hoshiarpur in Punjab and Una in Himachal Pradesh. It will give a boost to tourism in the region, and provide ease of connectivity to hill stations as well as to places of religious importance. In line with the Prime Minister's endeavour to provide world-class medical facilities in all parts of the country, the foundation stone of new medical infrastructure in three towns of Punjab will be laid. The 100 Bedded PGI Satellite Centre at Ferozepur, will be built at a cost of more than Rs 490 crore. It will provide services in 10 specialities including Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT and Psychiatry-Drug De-addiction. The satellite centre will provide world-class medical facilities at Ferozepur and the nearby areas. Two Medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur will be developed at a cost of around Rs 325 crore each and with a capacity of about 100 seats. These colleges have been approved in Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with district/ referral hospitals. A total of three Medical Colleges have been approved for Punjab under this Scheme. The college approved at SAS Nagar in Phase-I is already functional. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rift in became evident once again as state Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Monday said that Pradesh Committee chief is upset with him ever since he became the Home Minister of . Addressing a press conference here, Randhawa said, "Sidhu has some problem. I share old relations with his family. But ever since I have become the home minister of Punjab, he is upset with me. If he wants the Home Ministry, I will leave and offer it to him." Further commenting on the allegation by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Punjab government is not arresting Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Bikram Singh Majithia in a drug case, the Home Minister said that the pictures and videos that surfaced of him offering prayers at Golden Temple in Amritsar is fake and he will be arrested as soon as he is seen anywhere in Punjab. "As per my information, Bikram Singh Majithia is not in Punjab. These are fake videos and pictures. If Vikram Singh Majithia is seen anywhere in Punjab, we will immediately arrest him. Our teams are searching him. He is inside the country because he does not have the security of any of the governments. So saying that the police has the information is false. The charges slapped against him are very grave," he said. Majithia, who previously served as a minister in the Punjab government, has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at SAS Nagar Police Station on the basis of a 2018 report submitted by the anti-drug Special Task Force (STF). A lookout circular, which prevents a person from leaving the country, had been issued against Majithia in December 2021. Following the rejection of Majithia's anticipatory bail plea by a Mohali court, he had moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Just six days after joining the BJP, MLA Balwinder Singh Laddi has parted ways with the saffron party and rejoined the . Laddi on Monday said he returned to the fold here on Sunday night in the presence of AICC in-charge of affairs Harish Chaudhary and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. Laddi, the legislator from Sri Hargobindpur, along with Qadian MLA Fatehjang Singh Bajwa, had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on December 28 in New Delhi. The two lawmakers had joined the in the presence of Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is the in-charge of the party. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) leader on Sunday said women of Punjab would repose their faith in her party which has "always safeguarded" their aspirations and defeat the "conspiracies to weaken" it. Addressing a gathering of women in the border belt area, she asserted that conspiracies to weaken the SAD were nothing new and were always done ahead of elections in Punjab. "You have today proven that when women decide to take a stand no one can come in the way. It is now clear that just like West Bengal, where women played a big role in Mamata Banerjee's victory, the women of Punjab will also be instrumental in the victory of the SAD-BSP alliance in the forthcoming assembly elections," Badal said. "In 2012, you witnessed the formation of the People's Party of Punjab (PPP) which was dissolved after the polls and became a part of the Congress party," the former union minister said. Now again, the Congress and the BJP were trying their best to target the SAD, she alleged. "The Congress has politicised the sacrilege issue for five years. It is now refusing to take action in the case of recent sacrilege incidents committed at the Sri Darbar Sahib. The BJP is directly interfering in the internal matters of the Sikh community," Badal said. She alleged that Congressmen had committed the "biggest sacrilege" when they joined hands with Amarinder Singh to take a false oath on the eve of the 2017 elections. The BJP had used former Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee president Manjinder Singh Sirsa to take over control of the Sikh institution, Badal claimed. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Customers of will be able to receive remittance money sent from overseas as it has been granted approval by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to offer the international money transfer service. Fino Bank has received the approval to commence the international remittance business under the Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS), the bank said on Monday. The lender will undertake inward cross-border money transfer activities in association with an overseas principal, the details of which are being worked out. The customer segment of Fino Bank at the middle of the pyramid is targeted to families of many of the people working in foreign countries, Fino Bank said. The money remitted by family members abroad can now be directly withdrawn at the nearest micro-ATM or Aadhaar-enabled payment services (AEPS)-enabled Fino Bank's neighbourhood merchant point. "Continuous product innovation is one of the core pillars of our model. International remittance further enhances our transaction-based product offerings. "We will be ready to offer the inward remittance services to our customers by Q1 FY23. In sync with our digital strategy to enhance customer experience, we will also look at having this product on our mobile application as well," Chief Operating Officer Major Ashish Ahuja said. Fino merchants provide services such as new account opening, cash deposit, money transfer, cash withdrawal via micro-ATMs or AEPS mechanisms, collect cash on behalf of various institutional clients, among . As a new offering, the international remittance will help augment the income of merchants and the bank leading to the strengthening of Fino's robust distribution network. Ahuja said there is a major inward remittance corridor in states like Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "We already have scaled up our merchant presence in all these geographies. We are therefore confident that the new offering will gain traction quickly. "We also expect to shore up more subscription-based saving accounts due to this initiative as customers would prefer to park the remitted money in a Fino Bank account itself," he added. The payments bank said that going forward, it will be open to partnering with more leading money transfer operators (MTOs) to widen its horizon across different countries. The bank said it also has plans to commence outward remittance services soon. Fino Bank's network of over eight lakh merchants across the country, as of September 30, 2021, provides convenience to access domestic as well as cross border remittances, it said. Fino cited a recent World Bank report that said India is expected to be the largest recipient of remittances globally in 2021 with an expected receipt of USD 87 billion. This is expected to grow by three per cent in 2022 to USD 89.6 billion as a large number of workers are expected to return to the Gulf countries, as per the World Bank. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) is still learning the lessons from the collapse of the Soviet Union that happened in December 1991 to prevent the disintegration of the communist rule country under Xi Jinping. Dr Laksiri Fernando writing in the Sri Lankan paper Sunday Island questioned What happened 30 years ago in the Soviet Union? Will it happen in The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has written thousands of internal papers, held study sessions and even produced a documentary about the downfall of its former rival and ideological cousin, wrote Rebecca Armitage in ABC News. The Chinese Communist Party, already one of the longest-ruling political parties (72 years) in the world, is determined to avoid the scrap heap of history. "Why did the Soviet Union disintegrate?" Chinese leader Xi Jinping asked party officials in a leaked speech in 2012. The CCP has made a bid to outlive the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. has learnt three lessons from the Soviet Union collapse - Embrace capitalism with Chinese characteristics; Avoid Glasnost and Watch the periphery. By embracing capitalism, China has undoubtedly been able to develop the economy and lift millions of people out of poverty. However, it appears that the younger generations are different, reported Sunday Island. Because of these economic developments, income gaps have widened and a rich business class, with connections to the communist party, has emerged. Corruption, perhaps surpassing that of the Soviet Union before its collapse, is also a major ailment in China. China is also allowing big companies, including state companies, to exploit and cheat small and poor countries in Asia and Africa. Sri Lanka probably is one victim. These must be the Chinese characteristics of capitalism! said Fernando. Many Chinese leaders consider Glasnost as the main reason for the Soviet collapse. After decades of censorship and secrecy, Gorbachev said the time had come for increased government transparency and freedom of expression, said Armitage. People who were in power, particularly in the name of 'one party, one class,' conveniently went for secrecy and censorship. China should learn that lesson, not the opposite. It is that opposite that China is now implementing in Hong Kong where there were freedoms and democracy before. This effort can easily boomerang on China, said Fernando. Chinese leaders today strictly control the circulation of information in China. State laws and technology are used for this purpose with a 'Great Firewall.' The COVID-19 pandemic is also used for this purpose. The third consideration is the periphery. At its peak, the Soviet Union was the world's largest country, making up nearly one-seventh of the Earth's land surface. However, within the behemoth nation were 15 dramatically different republics, dozens of ethnicities, languages and cultures, reported ABC News. China is very sensitive about the situation. In the case of China, the centralised thinking is far beyond the Soviet Union, given the country's Asiatic despotic history. In contrast, has tried to keep regions on the periphery -- Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet -- under increasingly tight control, said Armitage. Huge protests in Hong Kong in 2019 were derided by a top official as having "'obvious characteristics of a colour revolution". The contrast between the Soviet Union in its dying days and modern China could not be starker. China can be considered more 'homogeneous,' compared to the Soviet Union. In the Soviet Union, the diversity was enormous. But Tibet and Xinjiang are different. Taiwan and Hong Kong are more different in a different manner. This is disregarding differences between Cantonese and Mandarin speakers, said Fernando. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An unnamed 48-year-old man has been arrested on charges of theft and arson after a part of the South African Parliament building in was gutted on Sunday. municipal authorities said that the third floor of the building and the roof had collapsed completely as fire-fighters from six stations across the city battled for hours until they managed to contain the fire by late afternoon. They had responded within six minutes after the fire was reported at about six am. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia De Lille confirmed at a media briefing on Sunday that the matter had been handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), popularly known as the Hawks. Hawks spokesperson Brig Nomthandazo Mbambo said the man had gained entrance through a back window after jumping over a fence. "He was found with some items which were believed to have been stolen from inside the Parliament, Mbambo told the news channel ENCA, adding that although he was not a member of Parliament, he disclosed during interrogation that he had some issues which had led to him committing the alleged acts. President Cyril Ramaphosa also gave a media briefing earlier in the day after he was not allowed to go near the building due to safety concerns. This is a national key asset and we are going to go into what caused the fire. How (it) started in the Old Assembly house and then moved to the National Assembly is something that will still be investigated, Ramaphosa said. We need to go a little deeper into how this type of event can take place and what measures we will need to take going forward, Ramaphosa added as opposition parties called for heads to roll amid reports that the fire sprinkler systems had not been operational. De Lille said someone had shut off a valve supplying water to the system. The report that I received is that there (previously) was a fire drill, which is a standard maintenance to test whether the fire sprinklers are working and everything was in order. What was discovered this morning was that somebody had closed off one of the valves and so there was no water to trigger that automatic sprinkler system coming on, De Lille said. De Lille said another briefing will be held on Monday so that Parliament can give an update on the actual damage caused by the fire. With Ramaphosa's Annual State of the Nation address due to be held next week, officials said moving it to another building would be considered. They also said it could be held virtually or in a hybrid form, as was the case during the COVID-19 lockdown last year. This was the second fire at the Parliamentary buildings since last year, causing members of Parliament to express concern about both their safety and the possibility that important documents might have bene destroyed in this blaze. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) remains unresponsive after sent a message about an unidentified person having crossed the eastern inter-Korean border over the weekend, Seoul's Defence Ministry said on Monday. On Sunday, sent the message through a western military communication line "in light of protecting our citizen", though it has yet to verify details about the person who crossed the heavily fortified border on Saturday night, reports Yonhap News Agency. The fate of the person was not immediately confirmed amid reports the North has a "shoot-to-kill" policy in place as part of tougher border control measures against Covid-19. "We have sent the message in light of protecting our national, and we have not received a reply from yet," Boo Seung-chan, the Ministry spokesperson, told a press briefing. South Korea's military is trying to verify whether the person in question is a South Korean citizen or a North Korean defector. Also unknown is whether the person is a civilian or a military personnel. "We are currently in the process of identifying the unknown person under cooperation with related authorities," Col. Kim Jun-rak, the spokesperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also told reporters. Kim added no unusual North Korean military movements have been detected. The latest incident has called into doubt South Korea's front-line defence despite its military's earlier pledge to bolster defence with high-tech surveillance system. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Omicron is producing a more hopeful pattern to the previously dominant Delta variant of COVID-19 in terms of numbers of people needing ventilators and length of time spent in intensive care units (ICUs), a senior UK Cabinet minister said on Monday. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the government is closely monitoring the hospitalisation data as more over-50s are now among those being infected by the Omicron variant. However, this group is also among those almost 90 per cent boosted with top-up third vaccine doses, which should protect against severe disease. On the whole, we are not seeing the same pattern as with Delta, where we had much greater numbers of people on ventilators, said Zahawi. "And there seems to be a shorter period of time with people in ICU as well, and those who are being admitted with COVID rather than for COVID is also about a third of that number," he said. The minister echoed some of his other Cabinet colleagues in expressing the hope that further lockdown restrictions may not be required even though COVID-19 infections remain high, as the Omicron spread in England showed some signs of slowing down with 137,583 infections recorded on Sunday, lower than Saturday's 162,572. "The number of people in hospital with have begun to rise in the over-50s, which we are concerned about, but on the whole, actually the number of people in ICU (intensive care) has come down, which is good news," Zahawi told Sky News'. "If we see more leakage of infection in the over-50s because most of the surge in infections from the Omicron variant has been in the under-50s then that is more likely that those people end up with severe infection and hospitalisation. But the good news is obviously that 90 per cent of those people over 50 have had the booster jab that is the real protection against severe infection and hospitalisation, he said. "So, at the moment there's nothing in the data to suggest we need to go further but of course, we will look at the Wednesday review and then beyond that keep monitoring the data very carefully," he added. The education minister also vowed that the move towards compulsory face masks in secondary schools as term begins later this week will not be in place "for a day longer than we need it". It was announced over the weekend that pupils returning to school after Christmas break will be required to wear face masks in class and also undergo on-site rapid antigen lateral flow tests. What we're saying is, look, with Omicron, because it's so infectious, we want to make sure that we give you as many tools to be able to make sure that education is open," he said. The government is set to review the data in full on Wednesday to evaluate any changes to the current Plan B measures, which require compulsory face coverings, work from home and COVID vaccination passes for large venues, echoes the views of other Cabinet ministers in recent days. The devolved regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all following similar restrictions but in most cases have gone even further than England and imposed restrictions on crowd sizes and banned nightclubs. Chris Hopson, CEO of NHS Providers behind staffing levels at the state-funded National Health Service (NHS), said that the number of hospitalisations has "dropped significantly" in London the first region to be hit hard by Omicron as its epicentre. That could mean the number of hospitalisations in the British capital is now matching an earlier peak in cases, with regions beyond London now beginning to feel the pressure. Rest of country now under pressure. Some trusts declaring critical incidents to manage staff absences. Recent London data, fact that London/NHS currently coping' and absence of large numbers of seriously ill offer grounds for optimism. But future still uncertain, he tweeted. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Emporia, KS (66801) Today Rain this morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 61F. Winds E at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Higher wind gusts possible. The money from the US government for the Afghan war ensured billions of dollars for military contractors which provided the impetus to the US defeat in as the conflict became a business. A monopoly of smaller companies also made billions of dollars with efforts including training Afghan police officers, building roads, setting up schools and providing security to Western diplomats, according to Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The WSJ said the military outsourcing meant the US Department of Defense spent USD14 trillion for the wars in and Iraq that began after September 11, 2001. Meanwhile, the large amounts of money being spent on the war effort and on rebuilding after years of conflict strained the US government's ability to vet contractors and ensure the money was spent as intended, according to WSJ. The report also quoted some US military officials who said that outsourcing to contractors was essential for operations. When fighting a war with an all-volunteer military smaller than in past conflicts, and without a draft, "you have to outsource so much to contractors to do your operations," said Christopher Miller, acting Defense Secretary of the Trump administration as quoted by the WSJ. "Dedicated support offered by many thousands of contractors to US military missions in Afghanistan served many important roles to include freeing up uniformed forces for vital war fighting efforts," Rob Lodewick, a Pentagon spokesman told the WSJ. Taliban reacted to the report and said that despite pouring a large amount of money into Afghanistan, the country has not been rebuilt. "A lot of money was injected into Afghanistan but was not used for development. The former government was very weak," said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman of the Taliban. The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction in a survey found that only 15 percent of the USD 7.8 billion which was earmarked for development projects was spent. Finally, "one-third to half of" USD 14 trillion of the cost of war in Afghanistan and Iran "went to contractors". American use of military contractors stretches back to the Revolutionary War, when the Continental Army relied on private firms. During World War II, for every seven service members, one contractor served the war effort, according to the Congressional Budget Office. In 2008, US had 187,900 troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the peak of it's deployment, and 203,660 contractor personnel, according to WSJ. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Soon after talks with US President over phone, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said that Kiev and Washington share relations of a "special" kind. "The first talk of the year with @POTUS proves the special nature of our relations. Joint actions of Ukraine, US and partners in keeping peace in Europe, preventing further escalation, reforms, deoligarchization were discussed. We appreciate the unwavering support of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in a tweet. US President and his Ukrainian counterpart held a talk on Sunday (US time). Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the and its allies will "respond decisively" if Russia invades Ukraine, according to White House. During a call with leader, President Biden expressed support for diplomatic efforts, starting next week with the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue. "President Biden made clear that the and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades . The leaders expressed support for diplomatic efforts, starting next week with the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue, at NATO through the NATO-Russia Council, and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Sunday (local time). The call comes days before Russian and US officials are set to meet in person in Geneva on January 10 amid a Russian military buildup on the border and ongoing tensions. Zelenskyy spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ahead of the call earlier this week. On Thursday (local time), Biden held a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the escalating tensions over Ukraine and European security. The call between Biden and Putin comes at a time when the US continues to pressure Russia to draw down its large military presence near Ukraine's borders. US intelligence officials have warned Ukraine and its allies that Russia could be planning to launch an attack as soon as January. The US and NATO have voiced concerns over Russia's alleged preparations for invading Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations, saying that Russia has the right to relocate the troops within its territory at its own discretion, while NATO's military activity near Russian borders poses a threat to its security. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President on Sunday (local time) told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the and its allies will "respond decisively" if invades Ukraine, according to White House. During a call with leader, President Biden expressed support for diplomatic efforts, starting next week with the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue. "President Biden made clear that the and its allies and partners will respond decisively if further invades . The leaders expressed support for diplomatic efforts, starting next week with the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue, at NATO through the NATO- Council, and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Sunday (local time). The call comes days before Russian and US officials are set to meet in person in Geneva on January 10 amid a Russian military buildup on the border and ongoing tensions. Zelensky spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ahead of the call earlier this week. White House Press Secretary in the statement added that Biden underscored Washington's commitment to the principle of "nothing about you without you." Biden also "reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also expressed support for confidence-building measures to de-escalate tensions in Donbas and active diplomacy to advance the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, in support of the Normandy Format," Psaki said. On Thursday (local time), Biden held a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the escalating tensions over Ukraine and European security. The call between Biden and Putin comes at a time when the US continues to pressure Russia to draw down its large military presence near Ukraine's borders. US intelligence officials have warned Ukraine and its allies that Russia could be planning to launch an attack as soon as January. The US and NATO have voiced concerns over Russia's alleged preparations for invading Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations, saying that Russia has the right to relocate the troops within its territory at its own discretion, while NATO's military activity near Russian borders poses a threat to its security. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) scaled a six-week high before it gave up gains to trade flat on Monday, as safe-haven buying fuelled by an Omicron-driven surge in COVID-19 infections countered pressure from higher U.S. Treasury yields. Spot XAU= was little changed at $1,826.58 per ounce by 0313 GMT, after hitting it highest since Nov. 22 at $1,831.49 earlier in the session. U.S. futures GCv1 were down 0.1% to $1,826.70. "Gold prices would not free-fall as real rates and real yields would remain very close to zero until the coast is all clear from the strains of COVID-19," Phillip Futures analyst Avtar Sandu said in a note. Continued focus on the Ukraine border with Russia had brought investors' interest back to gold as a safe haven, and a weaker dollar provided further support to the metal, he added. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasuries ended 2021 with the largest yield increase since 2013. Higher yields raise the opportunity cost of holding non-interest paying gold. US/ The U.S. dollar index .DXY held close to one-month lows touched last Friday, boosting gold's demand by making the metal cheaper for buyers holding other currencies. USD/ Over 4,000 flights were cancelled around the world on Sunday, with more than half of them U.S. flights, adding to the toll of holiday week travel disruptions due to adverse weather and the surge in COVID-19 cases. (Full Story) (Full Story) U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the United States and its allies would "respond decisively" if Russia further invades Ukraine, the White House said in a statement. (Full Story) Spot gold faces a resistance at $1,830 per ounce, and it may hover around this level or retrace towards a support at $1,815, according to Reuters' technical analyst Wang Tao. TECH/C Spot silver XAG= shed 0.5% to $23.15 an ounce, platinum XPT= gained 0.4% to $966.00, and palladium XPD= rose 0.4% to $1,899.81. (Reporting by Asha Sistla in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V) (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The key benchmark indices are likely to start trade on a tepid note amid subdued overseas cues. Auto, airlines and realty shares are likely to be in focus given the flow around these sectors. At 08:05 AM, the SGX Nifty January futures were quoted at 17,412 as against the spot Nifty close of 17,354 on Friday. Meanwhile, here are the for trade on Monday. PayTm: The proposed buyout of general insurance company RahejaQBE by Insuretech has not found favour with IRDAI. The rejection of the deal will hamper the investment plans of several domestic and multinational insurance companies like Swiss Re that are hoping to expand their presence in Indias fast-growing general insurance business. READ MORE DMart: Avenue Supermarts, the parent company of DMart, has informed BSE, that its standalone revenue from operations for the quarter ended December 2021 jumped by 22 per cent on a YoY basis to Rs 9,065.02 crore when compared with Rs 7,432.69 crore in December 2020 quarter. Realty sector: CRISIL expects residential real estate sales to dart up 30-35 per cent to about 190-200 msf in fiscal 2022, after declining a 17-22 per cent in fiscal 2021. It should surpass the pre-Covid-19 levels of 170-180 msf. READ MORE Stocks from the aviation sector will be in focus as several states have announced fresh crubs and travel related restrictions amid rising cases of Coivd-19. The West Bengal government on Sunday has restricted flights from Mumbai and Delhi to twice a week from January 5. Colgate: After Hindustan Unilever, distributors have decided to stop supplying products of Colgate Palmolive India (Colgate India) in Maharashtra in phases from January 1 owing to the issue of price disparities between the traditional trade and organised channel, which includes players like Jiomart, Metro Cash & Carry, and commerce B2B companies like Udaan, and Elastic Run. READ MORE Zomato: Food delivery platforms Swiggy and saw a spike in orders on New Years Eve (NYE) with cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai placing curbs on celebrations amid new Covid variant. Both the foodtech unicorns said around 9 pm on Friday that they had crossed 2 million orders for the day. saw 6,000 orders per minute at around 7pm--its highest ever--on Friday and it expected the number to shoot up further and peak at 8:30 PM, according to Founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal. READ MORE Reliance Industries: Reliance New Energy Solar (RNESL), an arm of Reliance Industries, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 per cent stake in UK-based Faradion Limited for an enterprise value of GBP 100 million. Faradion is one of the leading global battery technology companies and has a competitively superior, strategic, wide-reaching and extensive IP portfolio covering several aspects of sodium-ion technology, said RNESL in a press release on Friday. The Reliance arm will also be investing another GBP 25 million into the entity as growth capital to accelerate commercial roll out. READ MORE Cement sector: With the onset of a busy construction season, brokerages are optimistic of a demand and price recovery in the domestic cement sector in the coming months. Brokerages see capacities and existing utilization levels of the domestic cement industry on a rise in coming years. Given the strong demand outlook of 9 percent CAGR over FY22-24 and limited supply growth of about 13 percent over FY22-24, we believe utilisations will continue to rise going ahead, said JM Financial in its report. READ MORE NTPC: The state-run power giant NTPC is mulling to acquire a 5 per cent equity stake in Power Exchange of India (PXIL) that provides various electricity trading options, a senior official said. PXIL is India's first institutionally promoted power exchange, which has been providing various electricity trading solutions and connecting buyers as well sellers since 2008. READ MORE Eicher Motors: The auto maker reported a steady 7 per cent rise in monthly sales on the back of sharp jump in exports in December 2021. The company sold 73,739 units in the last month, as against 68,995 units sold in December 2020. Exports soared by 144 per cent to 8,552 units versus 3,503 units in the same period. Maruti Suzuki: The car maker reported a 4.4 per cent drop in monthly sales to 153,149 units sold in December 2021 when compared with 160,226 units sold in December 2020. Exports, however, more than doubled to 22,280 units from 9,938 units in the same period. Tata Motors: The companys domestic sales jumped sharply by 24 per cent to 66,307 units sold in December 2021 as against 53,430 units sold in December 2020. Exports were up marginally by5 per cent at 3,143 units. Hero MotoCorp: The two-wheeler major reported a sharp 11.8 per cent YoY drop in December 2021 sales to 394,773 units sold versus 447,335 units sold in December 2020. TVS Motors: The company reported a 7.8 per cent YoY drop in two-wheeler sales in December 2021 to 250,933 units sold as against 272,084 units sold in December 2020. Natco Pharma: The drug maker has completed acquisition of New Jersey-based Dash Pharmaceuticals, and the acquisition amount of $18 million has been paid. The latter is expected to have sales of $15 million for the year 2021. Stove Kraft: The company will be entering the electric switches and accessories segment through acquisition of business of SKAVA Electric for a slump sale of Rs 4 crore. The latter had recorded a business of Rs 10 crore in FY21. The target market size of electric switches is Rs 12,000 crore. Stocks in F&O ban: There is not a single stock in the F&O ban period today. Shares of textile companies continued their northward movement on improved outlook. Vardhman and Sangam India hit their respective record highs, while Cantabil Retail touched a 52-week high on the BSE in Mondays intra-day trade. In the past one month, Vardhman Textiles, Trident, Alok Industries, Himatsingka Seide and Cantabil Retail have seen their market price risen between 20 per cent and 25 per cent. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 2 per cent during the same period. According to rating agency CRISIL, the domestic textile industry, which had seen demand slump in fiscal 2021 owing to onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, is firmly on course to recover in fiscal 2022 on the back of reopening of businesses, educational institutions and retail outlets with increase in the vaccinated population. Sanctions on Chinese have boosted Indian textile exports as well. Government announcements such as the Production Linked Incentive scheme, setting up of mega textile parks, and extension of the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies scheme are also supporting the sector, the rating agency said. CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT Meanwhile, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Friday decided to defer the hike in tax rate on from 5 per cent to 12 per cent. "The Indian Textile and Apparel (T&A) production market is $106 billion as of FY21 with around 70 per cent of the demand being driven by the domestic market. Indias T&A exports, which were steady at $36-38bn since FY15, are anticipated to reach an all-time high of $44bn in FY22 a source of excitement of late for the sector. We believe the sector can grow at 16 per cent CAGR over the next 5 years led by higher exports and stable domestic market demand", analysts at Spark Capital said in an initiate coverage report of the sector. The Covid pandemic has altered the global T&A supply chain with several apparel brands preferring more than one sourcing destination. Further, the US-China trade war and the subsequent imposition of additional duties on Chinese T&A imports have led to importers in USA scouting for other destinations such as India. We observe that Made-ups sale in India has been a huge beneficiary of this trend and has witnessed robust offtakes over the past 18 months, the analysts said. Based on conversations with players across the spectrum, they said that there is an ambiguity over whether the current cotton prices and the subsequent yarn-cotton spreads are sustainable, prompting several buyers to be cautious during the current cotton harvest season. "With export demand set to prevail and supply increase being limited, we believe that cotton prices can hold firm over the near-term", an analyst added. Around 2,000 flights have been cancelled in the as of Sunday morning (local time), amid the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. Citing FlightAware, The Hill reported that a total of 1,956 flights within, into or out of the US were cancelled as of 8:30 am ET today. While another 870 flights within, into or out of the US had been delayed, it added. According to The Hill, Southwest recorded 264 cancellations today, JetBlue reported 169 cancelled flights, and Delta followed with 161 cancellations. Americans cancelled 136 flights today, and United called off 94 trips, as per the media outlet. The US has seen a large number of flight cancellations within recent days, driven largely by the nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases. During the past 10 days, including Sunday and Christmas Eve, have cancelled more than 14,000 flights in the US, according to a CNN tally of FlightAware statistics. The Hill reported that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned on Thursday that more travel delays are likely in the coming days because of COVID-19 infections among FAA employees and "weather and heavy seasonal traffic. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The company's total auto sales in December 2021 stood at 362,470 units, down by 3% from 3,72,532 units sold in December 2020. On a sequential basis, the total auto sales declined by 4.4% as compared with 379,276 units sold in November 2021. The company's total domestic sales rose 5% to 1,45,979 units while export sales fell 7% to 2,16,491 units in December 2021 as compared with the same period last year. The company's total 2-wheeler sales declined 6% Y-o-Y (year-on-year) to 3,18,769 units during the month of December 2021. Total commercial vehicle (CV) sales, however, recorded a growth of 29% Y-o-Y to 43,701 units in December 2021. Shares of Bajaj Auto were trading 0.56% higher at Rs 3,269.05 on BSE. Bajaj Auto is the world's third largest manufacturer of motorcycles and the largest manufacturer of three wheelers. It has its manufacturing facilities located at Chakan near Pune, Waluj near Aurangabad, and at Pantnagar in Uttarakhand. The company's consolidated net profit jumped 70.8% to Rs 2,039.86 crore on a 19.1% surge in net sales to Rs 8,385.78 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britannia Industries Ltd is quoting at Rs 3613.1, up 0.2% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 1.69% in last one year as compared to a 24.34% jump in NIFTY and a 8.87% jump in the Nifty FMCG. Britannia Industries Ltd is up for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 3613.1, up 0.2% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 1.26% on the day, quoting at 17573.4. The Sensex is at 59008.62, up 1.3%. Britannia Industries Ltd has gained around 3.34% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty FMCG index of which Britannia Industries Ltd is a constituent, has gained around 2.36% in last one month and is currently quoting at 37579.95, up 0.29% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 82039 shares today, compared to the daily average of 2.17 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark January futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 3632, up 0.18% on the day. Britannia Industries Ltd is up 1.69% in last one year as compared to a 24.34% jump in NIFTY and a 8.87% jump in the Nifty FMCG index. The PE of the stock is 53.79 based on TTM earnings ending September 21. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coal India advanced 4.52% to Rs 152.65 after the state-run coal major's offtake stood at 60.7 million tonnes (MT) in December 2021, growing 15.7% as compared with 52.5 MT recorded in the same month last year. The company's coal production rose 3.3% to 60.2 million tonnes (MT) in December 2021 from 58.3 MT in December 2020. On a sequential basis, the production jumped 11.89% while offtake rose 6.86% in December 2021 as compared to November 2021. On a consolidated basis, the PSU coal major's net profit fell 0.6% to Rs 2,932.73 crore on 9.3% increase in net sales to Rs 21,292.50 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21. Coal India is a coal mining company engaged in the production and sale of coal. As of 30 September 2021, the Government of India held 66.21% stake while Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India held 11.01% stake in the company. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arizona cattle rustling, money laundering accusations explode with defamation lawsuits By Rachel Alexander web posted January 3, 2022 What started out as accusations of cattle rustling in Arizona has risen to accusations of money laundering, which has become so contentious there are now multiple defamation lawsuits. The cowboys accused of illegal activity, including theft, have filed lawsuits against other cowboys who they believed spread information about their alleged involvement. But the accused state that they did not disseminate the information, it was the accusers own associates who did so. Now the situation has gotten so contentious no one dares to investigate the allegations of cattle theft and money laundering, and no one will talk on the record. It has rocked the cattle industry in Arizona and turned people in the industry against each other. Since it is a relatively small industry compared to others in the state, it hasnt gotten much attention either. The controversy over cattle rustling escalated when the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) hired a man named Wesley Dutton as a confidential informant to delve into the allegations of cattle theft and money laundering in 2019, something Judicial Watch was also looking into. Dutton produced an investigative report that became known as the Dutton report, which contained allegations of thousands of heads of cattle stolen, political corruption, mafia involvement and unlicensed behavior. The report named 40 suspected cattle thieves. The Arizona Cattle Growers Association (ACGA) held a meeting to discuss the report. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) also requested to see the report. The report was then disseminated throughout the Arizona cattle industry, prompting the defamation lawsuits. Someone else turned it over to the FBI. The money laundering accusations arose on July 1 when then-executive director of the ACGA, Jacqueline Hughes, sent an email to all 350-400 members of the ACGA expressing concern about seeing $11 million come through the organizations bank account then disappear. She based this on Duttons suspicions that a very large Arizona corporation wanted to pay off powerful people in the water industry, so they laundered the money through the ACGA and its related entity, the Arizona Cattlemens Association, in order not to show the money coming directly from them. Dutton believes there were more incidents like this in the past. Clay and Karen Parsons, who own Marana Stockyard and were named in the report, filed lawsuits last January against the ACGA, various officials who run the organization, and Dutton. The Parsons accused them of spreading false information about them. The members of ACGA who were sued denied this in their answers. The accusations centered around a law enforcement meeting held to discuss the report. Two members of the ACGA executive committee and a Cochise County deputy sheriff delivered the report to the ADA and the DPS on July 8, 2020. It was reportedly transferred from there to a law enforcement meeting at a ranch on August 27, 2020 by Suzanne Menges, who was high up in leadership within the ACGA. Several sheriffs were there to view it, including Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, Graham County Sheriff Preston Allred and Greenberg County Sheriff Tim Sumner. However, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels said it wasnt trustworthy, so the sheriffs never actually looked at it. According to inside sources, Manny Angulo, lead investigator for the ADA, told those in attendance that Dutton was a confidential informant for them. This has now become an issue in the lawsuit since the Parsons are trying to discredit Dutton by pointing out that he has no credentials since hes not a licensed private investigator. They also accuse him of violating Arizona law prohibiting someone from presenting themselves as a private investigator if not registered as one. Dutton said he has an email from the DPS confirming his position as a confidential informant. Inside sources say the truth is that on November 1, 2020, someone in the ACGA who is not listed as a defendant, who others can identify, emailed the report to multiple people, it wasnt the ACGA officials named in the lawsuit who did. The Parsons lawsuit also names ACGA officials Menges, Billy Elkins, Jay Whetten, Mike Wear, John Ladd and Jack Mann as defendants responsible for disseminating the report. In addition to defamation, the Parsons are alleging negligence, invasion of privacy, emotional distress and other accusations, and asking for punitive damages. They said the defendants have an evil mind and spreading the report has hurt their business. The lawsuits are becoming high-profile, dragging in officials from the ADA. The Parsons are deposing the head of the ADA, Mark Killian, Angulo, and Kilians second in command, Jerome Rosa. Insiders who dont dare speak up due to fear of being sued say they have no seen no evidence produced by the Parsons that they have been harmed, and they dont understand the lawsuits since its clear who disseminated the Dutton report. They believe if the FBI or another investigative agency would get involved, the truth would all come out. But no law enforcement agency seems to be doing anything about it, and it may be because of the politics involved the ADA appears to be full of people with too many connections who want to avoid the controversy. And as a member of the Phoenix FBI told me several years ago when I tried to file a complaint against the Maricopa County Supervisors, We dont like to get into too many battles with other local government agencies since we have to work with them regularly, you realize. Additionally, who wants to stick their neck out if the mafia is possibly involved and you could get sued? Judicial Watch is no longer investigating, possibly due to how litigious the situation has become. But if law enforcement never gets to the bottom of it, how is a judge or jury to determine whether the report is false or not? Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative . She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. See also: Money laundering, mafia and drug cartel accusations in Arizonas cattle theft scandal (July 12, 2021) Arizona reverting to the wild west as cattle rustling allowed to thrive (June 14, 2021) Home The PSU miner's iron order production rose 2.33% to 3.95 MT in December 2021 as against 3.86 MT in December 2020. Meanwhile, provisional iron ore sales aggregated to 3.4 MT in December 2021 as against 3.54 MT in December 2020, down by 4% year on year. On a consolidated basis, the net profit of NMDC surged 202.7% to Rs 2,338.63 crore on 204.7% increase in net sales to Rs 6,793.51 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21. Shares of NMDC were trading 0.45% higher at Rs 134 on BSE. NMDC is India's single largest iron ore producer, presently producing about 35 million tonnes of iron ore from 3 fully mechanized mines, two located in Chhattisgarh and one in Karnataka. As of 30 September 2021, the Government of India held 60.79% stake while Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India held 14.16% stake in the company. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The domestic equities extended gains in morning trade, supported by auto, IT and bank stocks. At 10:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, jumped 581.44 points or 1% at 58,835.26. The Nifty 50 index surged 164.65 points or 0.95% at 17,518.70. In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.78% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 1.08%. The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,597 shares rose and 733 shares fell. A total of 123 shares were unchanged. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 575.39 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net buyers to the tune of Rs 1,165.62 crore in the Indian equity market on 31 December 2021, provisional data showed. Economy: The central government's fiscal deficit at the end of November 2021 narrowed down to Rs 6.96 lakh crore ($93.7 billion) or 46.2% of the annual budget target for the FY2021-22 as a result of an improvement in the revenue collection, according to official data released on Friday, 31 December 2021. The deficit figures in the current financial year till November 2021 were better than the previous financial year when it had soared to 135.1% of the estimates mainly on account of a jump in expenditure to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. In April-November, net tax receipts were at Rs 11.35 trillion while the total expenditure stood at Rs 20.75 trillion, the data showed. In actual terms, the deficit stood at Rs 6,95,614 crore at the end of November 2021 against the annual estimate of Rs 15.06 lakh crore, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA). For the current financial year, the government expects the deficit at 6.8% of GDP or Rs 15,06,812 crore. As per RBI's official press release, India's forex reserves decreased by $587 million to $635.08 billion for the week ended 24 December 2021. In the previous week ended 17 December 2021, the overall reserves had decreased by $160 million to $635.667 billion. GST Collection for December 2021: The GST revenue collected in December 2021 was Rs 1,29,780 crore, or 13% higher than the same month last year, the Finance Ministry said on Saturday, 1 January 2022. Though the collection was lower than Rs 1.31 lakh crore mopped up in November 2021, the December month was the sixth month in a row when revenue from goods sold and services rendered stood at over Rs 1 lakh crore. The gross GST revenue collected in the month of December 2021 stood over Rs 1.29 lakh crore, of which CGST was Rs 22,578 crore, SGST was Rs 28,658 crore, IGST was Rs 69,155 crore (including Rs 37,527 crore collected on import of goods) and cess was Rs 9,389 crore (including Rs 614 crore collected on import of goods). Buzzing Index: The Nifty Auto index rose 1.11% to 11,057.90. The index added 2.81% in two trading sessions. Tube Investments of India (up 4.12%), Eicher Motors (up 1.35%), Ashok Leyland (up 1.27%), Tata Motors (up 1.22%) and Bharat Forge (up 1.16%) were the top gainers in the Auto segment. Maruti Suzuki India rose 1.14%. Maruti Suzuki India recorded total sales of 1,53,149 units in December 2021, down 4% as against 1,60,226 units sold in December 2020. On a sequential basis, however, the company's total sales have improved by 10%. The auto maker had sold 1,39,184 units in November 2021. While domestic sales fell by 13% to 1,30,869 units, exports jumped more than twofold to 22,280 units in December 2021 over December 2020. Tata Motors gained 1.22%. The automobile manufacturer said that its sales in the domestic & international market in Q3 FY22 stood at 1,99,633 vehicles, up 26% as against 1,58,218 units in Q3 FY21. The company sold 66,307 vehicles (up 24% Y-o-Y) in the domestic market in the month of December 2021. Total domestic sales were 1,89,531 units in Q3 FY22, up by 26% from 1,50,961 units sold in Q3 FY21. Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) lost 0.27%. M&M's overall auto sales for the month of December 2021 stood at 39,157 vehicles, up by 11% from 35,187 vehicles sold in December 2020. The passenger vehicles segment (which includes UVs, Cars and Vans) sold 17,722 vehicles in December 2021. In the commercial vehicles segment, Mahindra sold 15,938 vehicles in December 2021 with growth of 14%. The exports for the month of December 2021 were at 3,017 vehicles. Hero MotoCorp added 0.64%. The two-wheel manufacturer sold a total of 3,94,773 units of motorcycles and scooters in December 2021, which is lower by 12% as compared with 4,47,335 units sold in December 2020. However, the company's total motorcycle and scooter sales have risen by 13% over the month of November 2021 when it had sold 3,49,393 units. While domestic sales fell by 12% to 3,74,485 units, exports declined by 9% to 20,288 units in December 2021 over December 2020. The company said that it continues to monitor the on-ground situation, although localized restrictions imposed by certain states in the wake of rising Omicron cases will continue to restrict the customer movement. Eicher Motors rose 1.35%. Eicher Motors' subsidiary, VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) sold 6,154 units of commercial vehicles in December 2021, registering a growth of 25.8% on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis from 4,892 units in December 2020. VECV, the unlisted subsidiary of Eicher Motors, had sold 4,085 units of commercial vehicles in November 2021. Escorts slipped 0.07%. The company said that its Escorts Agri Machinery (EAM) in December 2021 sold 4,695 tractors as against 7,733 tractors sold in December 2020, a drop of 39.3% year-on-year (Y-o-Y). On a sequential basis, Escorts recorded a 34.02% decline in total tractor sales in December 2021 from 7,116 units sold in November 2021. The company's domestic tractor sales in December 2021 stood at 4,080 units as against 7,230 units in December 2020, registering a decline of 43.57% Y-o-Y. SML Isuzu soared 9.91%. SML Isuzu's total sales grew 38% to 701 units in December 2021 as compared with 509 units sold in December 2020. Sequentially, the company's total sales surged 33.67% in December 2021 from 2,723 units sold in November 2021. VST Tillers & Tractor rallied 4.20%. VST Tillers & Tractors' total sales jumped 28.53% to 3,640 units in December 2021 from 2,832 units sold in December 2020. On a sequential basis, total sales jumped 16.25% from 603 units sold in November 2021. TVS Motor Company fell 0.42%. TVS Motor Company said that it had registered sales of 2,50,933 units in December 2021, which is lower by 8% as compared with sales of 2,72,084 units in the month of December 2020. While the total two-wheeler sales fell by 9% to 2,35,392 units, three-wheeler sales rose by 12% to 15,541 units in December 2021 over December 2020. Ashok Leyland advanced 1.27%. The company's sequential sales grew 19.4% to 12,518 units in December 2021 from 10,480 units sold in November 2021. Meanwhile, total commercial vehicle (CV) sales fell 2% year on year in December 2021 from 12,760 units sold in December 2020. While the total sales of medium & heavy commercial vehicles (M&HCV) rose 11% to 7,619 units, sales of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) declined 17% to 4,899 units in December 2021 over December 2020. Bajaj Auto added 0.62%. The company's total auto sales in December 2021 stood at 362,470 units, down by 3% from 3,72,532 units sold in December 2020. On a sequential basis, the total auto sales declined by 4.4% as compared with 379,276 units sold in November 2021. The company's total domestic sales rose 5% to 1,45,979 units while export sales fell 7% to 2,16,491 units in December 2021 as compared with the same period last year. Steel Strips Wheels (SSWL) skid 1.02%. The firm said that it had achieved net turnover of Rs 234.54 crore in December 2021 as against Rs 187.59 crore in December 2020, recording a growth of 25.03% Y-o-Y. The company's gross turnover increased by 24.43% to Rs 285.19 crore in December 2021 from Rs 229.19 crore in December 2020. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stove Kraft rose 3% to Rs 1002.80 after the company announced its plan to enter branded modular kitchen segment with its factory made Ready to Assemble (RTA) kitchen. Stove Kraft currently enjoys a pan-India presence in the cookware and kitchen appliances segment through its flagship brand Pigeon. The company said that the addressable market for branded modular kitchen industry in India is currently estimated to be around Rs 12,000 crore and expected to grow at a CAGR of 20%. However, the penetration is predominately limited to large cities and a large portion of the segment is still unorganized/unbranded comprising of local carpenters/contractors/builders, small retail operators and architects, it added. Stove Kraft said that its RTA kitchen will be a standard offering catering to majority of the kitchen shapes, with dedicated modules of wall cabinets, floor cabinets and tall units along with multiple colour options, both in contemporary & classic. "In addition to this, Stove Kraft will also create a seamless IT based CRM system which will offer customers a delightful experience right from design to installation from the comforts of their home," it said in a statement. A Pigeon RTA kitchen with plywood kitchen cabinets, granite top, kitchen sink, chimney, cooktop & accessories shall be available to the customer from April 2022 at an all delivered starting price of Rs 69,990. In a separate announcement, Stove Kraft said that it will foray into the business of manufacturing low voltage switchgear solutions like electrical switches, sockets, distribution boxes, switch boards, M.C.B, bulb holders, etc. The firm will acquire the business and IPR rights from SKAVA Electric on a slump sale basis for total consideration of Rs 4 crore in cash which is subject to due diligence and regulatory approvals. As part of this acquisition, founder of SKAVA will be appointed as a business head of this segment and will be associated with Stove Kraft for a period of at-least 4 years to ensure smooth transition as well as support future business growth. In addition, Stove Kraft will also absorb the design, operation & manufacturing team from SKAVA Electric to kickstart the production. Further, Stove Kraft also plans to incur additional capex of Rs 5 crore over next 3-4 years on moulds and machines to increase the production capacity. Stove Kraft is a kitchen solutions and an emerging home solutions brand. It is is also engaged in the manufacturing and retail of a wide and diverse suite of home and kitchen solutions under the Pigeon and Gilma brands and propose to commence manufacturing of home and kitchen solutions under the BLACK + DECKER brand, covering the entire range of value, semi-premium and premium home and kitchen solutions, respectively. On a consolidated basis, the company's net profit declined 14.7% to Rs 22.93 crore on 53.2% rise in net sales to Rs 362.84 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TVS Motor Company said that it had registered sales of 250,933 units in December 2021, which is lower by 8% as compared with sales of 272,084 units in the month of December 2020. While the total two-wheeler sales fell by 9% to 235,392 units, three-wheeler sales rose by 12% to 15,541 units in December 2021 over December 2020. The company's total exports grew by 10% increasing from 94,269 units in December 2020 to 103,420 units in the month of December 2021. During the third quarter of the current financial year, two-wheeler segment posted sales of 8.3 lakh units as against sales of 9.5 lakh units in the third quarter of the previous year, registering a de-growth of 13% YoY. Sales of three-wheeler of the company grew by 17% from 0.38 lakh units in the third quarter of the previous year to 0.44 lakh units in the third quarter of the current year. Total exports of the company grew by 13% from 2.6 lakh units in the third quarter of the previous year to 2.9 lakh units in the third quarter of the current financial year. TVS Motor Company is the third-largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India and ranks among the top ten globally, exporting to over 70 countries. The company has four manufacturing plants: three in India (Hosur, Tamil Nadu and Mysore, Karnataka and Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh) and one in Indonesia (Karawang). The company's consolidated net profit jumped 29.2% to Rs 234.37 crore on 23.4% surge in net sales to Rs 6,483.42 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21. Shares of TVS Motor rose 1.83% to end at Rs 627.05 on BSE on Friday. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility rose 5.98% to Rs 88.60 after the company said its total electric two-wheeler sales soared 548% to 3,860 units in December 2021 as against 595 units in December 2020. WardWizard Innovations & Mobility manufactures electric two-wheelers brand, 'Joy e-bike'. The company's sales in the third quarter (Oct-Dec) crossed 10,000 units for the first time. The firm sold 17,376 electric scooters and motorcycles in the first three quarters of this financial year (April-December 2021), logging a growth of 570% compared with the same period last financial year (April-December 2020). Further, the company said it is all set to launch its first ever 'Made-in-India' high-speed electric scooters in January 2022. Sheetal Bhalerao, chief operations officer, WardWizard Innovations and Mobility, said: As there is a high demand for high-speed scooter models, the company is launching its first-ever 'Made-in-India' high-speed scooter models in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. To further meet the growing market demand, the company will be continuing to strengthen its presence across the country and also making investments to facilitate the growth of the electric vehicle industry." Net profit of Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility rose 478.57% to Rs 1.62 crore on 386.92% rise in net sales to Rs 33.50 crore in Q2 September 2021 over Q2 September 2020. WardWizard Innovations & Mobility is a leading auto manufacturing company in the Electric Vehicle (EV) segment under the brand name Joy E-Bike. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the New Year begins with one more wave of Covid-19, the question uppermost in everyones mind is: When will it end? World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday, December 31, said he was optimistic it would end in 2022. Those are brave words but it seems unlikely. The world, and particularly India, needs to be cautious and prepared for the worst. Though much of the current media limelight is on the Omicron variant, there is worrying news of variants that combine the worst of Omicron and Delta, or Coronavirus and Influenza. The problem ... He declared that the media must defend the judiciary from motivated attacks and claimed, We are together in Mission Democracy and in promoting national interest. In that spirit of togetherness one must ask whether the Supreme Court has itself been lax in ensuring the implementation of its orders, in particular the historic order of 17 July 2018 on hate speech inciting mob lynching in Tehseen Poonawala vs. Union of ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. 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Digital Editor After Governor Satya Pal Malik alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "arrogant", senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge asked on Monday whether Malik's remarks were true. Kharge also shared a video clip on Twitter of Malik from a function at Charkhi Dadri in Haryana, where he is saying that when he went to meet the prime minister on the issue of farmers, the latter was "arrogant" and had a fight with him within five minutes. Malik claimed in the video that Modi was not ready to accept that the farmers who were protesting against three agriculture laws of the Centre last year died due to him and instead, asked him to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "Meghalaya's Governor Sri. Satya Pal Malik is on record saying PM was 'arrogant' on the issue of Farmers and Home Minister Amit Shah called the PM as 'mad'. Constitutional authorities speaking about each other with such contempt!" Kharge wrote on Twitter. "Narendra Modi ji is this true?" the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha asked. Malik is also heard saying in the video clip that when he met Shah, the latter told him that "people have clouded his (Modi's) vision" and he should keep meeting the prime minister. The also shared Malik's comments on its Twitter handle and alleged that it was due to Modi's arrogance that so many farmers died. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Monday said he is ready to give up his home portfolio if state Congress president wants it. Randhawa's statement came as Sidhu has been questioning his own government for not being able to arrest Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who has been booked in a drug case under the NDPS Act. Sidhu said nothing would happen with the registration of an FIR against the Akali leader, saying he would not rest till Majithia is arrested. "If my brother (Sidhu) says that he wants the home ministry, then I will immediately put it at his feet," said Randhawa while talking to reporters here. Ever since he became the home minister, Sidhu has been upset with him, said Randhawa. Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on the basis of a 2018 report of a probe into a drug racket in the state. Majithia is the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and brother of former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reacting to arrest of party unit president Bandi Sanjay Kumar, chief J.P. Nadda on Monday said that it is another glaring example of the murder of democracy and constitutional rights by the state government. In a statement, Nadda said that the manner in which police, under the pressure of the KCR Government, forcibly entered the office of the state president on Sunday night and resorted to violence and lathicharge, thrashed and manhandled senior party leaders and workers, it is highly deplorable and condemnable. "It is yet another glaring example of the murder of democracy and constitutional rights by the government. The vehemently criticises and denounces this attack on the BJP leaders and karyakartas (workers)," he said. Nadda mentioned that the teachers and employees of the Telangana state government had come to the office of Kumar at his Karimnagar Lok Sabha office to register their complaint against the KCR government passing the regressive Order No 317 against the teachers and employees. "Following all the Covid-appropriate protocols, Kumar ji along with BJP leaders and workers sat on a night-long vigil and fast to show his solidarity with the agitating teachers and employees at his office," Nadda further stated that the KCR government in Telangana was so scared of this peaceful protest by the BJP state president, party workers and aggrieved teachers and employees that it ordered the state police to launch an attack on the peaceful protest. "This massive use of force and planned attack and violence against the BJP leaders, workers, teachers and employees is nothing but an act of political vendetta and political anarchy that is prevailing in Telangana," Nadda said. Nadda claims that Telangana police first cut the iron gates of the office and then forcibly entered where the peaceful protest was going on. "Telangana police then launched a brutal attack on the BJP state president and other party workers, including women leaders and workers, and then arrested them," Nadda added --IANS ssb/skp/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bashar Assads dangerous game By Yoni Ben Menachem web posted January 3, 2022 The resumption of the nuclear talks in Vienna between Iran and the world powers does not appear to affect Israel. It continues its actions to curb Iran establishing itself militarily in Syria or transferring advanced weapons to Hizbullah in Lebanon. On December 28, 2021, Syrian media accused Israel of a second attack that month, on the container terminal in Syrias port of Latakia. The official Syrian news agency, SANA, claimed that the attack was carried out by missiles launched by Israeli Air Force planes flying over the Mediterranean. The commercial container complex in Latakia Port was bombed causing significant material damage and fires, Syrian media reported. Earlier that month, Syria also blamed Israel for attacking Latakia, the largest naval port in the country. Syrian state TV reported on December 7, 2021, that Israel had attacked the ports container terminal with missiles and claimed that their air defense systems had been activated and intercepted most of the missiles. The SANA news agency also reported at that time that the attack caused fires in several containers in the port but that there were no casualties. That was the first time Syria accused Israel of attacking the naval port of Latakia, Lebanese commentators said, noting that it was an attack on advanced weapons that came to Syria from Iran for Hizbullah. So far, the Syrians have accused Israel of attacking airports in the country several times and land routes. Iranian-reserved areas at the Damascus Airport have been frequent targets. On November 24, 2021, Syria accused Israel of attacking targets in the central city of Homs, killing two civilians and wounding six Syrian soldiers. Foreign officials confirmed the Israeli airstrikes on the port of Latakia, saying sensitive weapons had been delivered by Iran to Syria by sea, such as sensitive components of Hizbullahs medium-range missile precision project. This is the 11th attack in the last month-and-a-half that is also intended to send a message to the Syrian president. Under terms of a Russian-Israeli deconfliction agreement, the Russians were updated on the attack shortly before it was carried out. The Russians have large naval and air bases nearby in Hmeimim and Latakia. Syrian sources charge the Russians powerful radars and anti-aircraft batteries did not move, and anger is being expressed by Syrian commentators. The city of Latakia is the capital of the Alawite community to which President Bashar Assad belongs. Israels Defense Plan Israel apparently chooses to attack the shipments from Iran as soon as they reach land in Syria to avoid a naval war with Iran. The outgoing head of the IDFs Military Intelligence Department, Maj. Gen. Tamir Hayman, claimed that Israel had succeeded in preventing the Iranians from trying to take root in Syria. In an interview on December 2, 2021, for the Journal of Intelligence and Security Affairs at the Center for Intelligence Heritage, Hayman explained: We have carried out a great deal of operations and disruptions of the transfer of money and weapons. The highlight of these efforts is preventing the Iranians from trying to take root in Syria. However, the attack on the Latakia naval port indicates that there is still much work to be done to prevent Irans military build-up in Syria. The Iranians continue the transfer of weapons for Hizbullah by land and air and also by sea. Clearly, President Bashar Assad has not internalized the Israeli message. Bashar Assads Dangerous Game On December 26, al-Sharq al-Awsat reported that Hizbullah had increased its military presence in the Syrian desert, dozens of kilometers east of the city of Homs. In recent days, dozens of Hizbullah vehicles and a large number of its operatives were seen at five sites and military positions in the area. Has Iran Overstayed its Welcome in Syria? In November, the Saudi news channel Al Hadath reported on an unprecedented rift between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Tehran. According to the report, Assad expelled the commander of the Quds Force of Irans Revolutionary Guards in Syria, General Javad Ghaffari, in light of the Iranian generals activities against the United States and Israel and his corrupt financial issues. Iranian media insisted that General Javad Ghaffari was very popular in Syria Ghaffari became a liability, an official Syrian source told the publication Al-Monitor. The time has changed, and he still wants to act as per the rules of [the civil] war, when the war is almost over. he was regarded by the Syrian regime and the Russians as a troublemaker who was not ready to compromise his power and influence for any price. According to an Al Hadath source inside the Syrian regime, Damascus expressed outrage at the over-activity of the pro-Iranian militias, apparently in operations against the United States and Israel, and claimed that the Iranian generals conduct violated Syrias sovereignty. The source also claimed that the general had admitted to his Syrian counterparts that he had ordered weapons and people to be deployed in places where the Syrian regime had explicitly banned it. According to the source, the Syrians were outraged by the commerce conducted by the heads of the pro-Iranian militias on the black market in the country. They are taking advantage of Syrias economic woes and the severe shortage of basic goods in the country, in order to enrich the coffers of the organizations and their commanders. The source added that the militias used Syrias natural resources to systematically fill their pockets with money. Optimism for a Change of Syrias Orientation Is Premature Excitement over a Syrian reorientation is premature, with President Bashar Assad unwilling to surrender Irans military and economic aid, which had helped him throughout the countrys civil war beginning in 2011. The assessment at the top of the Syrian regime is that despite the assistance of the Russian military, President Bashar Assad would not last in power without Iranian assistance. He will not forego it. The Syrian regime relies on Iranian militias to ensure its control over large parts of Syria that are difficult to access, making Iranian militias the tip of the spear for Bashar Assads regime. The Iranians managed to seep into the command ranks of the Syrian Armys Fourth Division headed by Maher al-Assad, the presidents brother, who is considered the executive arm of the Iranian agenda in Syria. Iran has a military and economic stake in Syria and does not intend to leave it to the disappointment of both Israel and Russia who feel that Iranian activity is also harming their interests. Israel has remarkable achievements in damaging Irans military build-up in Syria, but in order to displace Iran from Syria, Israeland the West need the cooperation of President Bashar Assad, who does not want to, and even if he were willing, it will be very difficult to break free from the Iranian embrace. Israeli security officials say that Syrian President Bashar Assad is playing a dangerous game by allowing Iran and Hizbullah to continue their military build-up in Syria. Israel will continue to fight this phenomenon with all its might. According to them, the attacks on the container terminal in Latakia weaken the stature of President Bashar Assad. The port was considered one of the safest strongholds of the Alawite community, but Israeli bombings also undermine its commercial activities, including smuggling and the import of basic commodities. Israels struggle against Irans military build-up in Syria appears to be a long one, even though it has great achievements so far. Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority. Home If the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a sensational electoral debut in West Bengal in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, no less disquieting for the party was its decline in just two years. The fall started with the loss in the 2021 Assembly polls where the BJPs big consolation was it emerged second, displacing the Left Front as the principal Opposition in the legislature. The BJP won 77 of the 291 seats it fought on and secured a vote share of 38.13 per cent, a drop from the 44 leads it gained in the Assembly segments through the 18 it won of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019. Its ... The SIT probing the Lakhimpur Kheri on Monday filed a charge sheet against 14 people, including Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish, who has been named the main accused. The 5,000-page charge sheet, which was submitted in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Chinta Ram, said Ashish Mishra was at the spot where the took place. It did not have the name of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, said sources. The complainant in the case, Jagjit Singh, had alleged in the FIR registered at the Tikonia police station that the Union minister and his son had "hatched the conspiracy" and they should be named in the FIR. Senior prosecution officer (SPO) SP Yadav said, "In the statements of witnesses, Ashish Mishra Monu's presence on the spot had been stated and the same was the part of the case diary." When asked to further elaborate and confirm if the minister's name is in the charge sheet, Yadav said "I haven't gone through thousands of pages of the charge sheet. Hence, I am unable to respond further." Along with the minister's son, the FIR names Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Satyam Tripathi, alias Satyam, Latif, alias Kale, Shekhar Bharti, Sumit Jaiswal, Ashish Pandey, Lavkush Rana, Shishu Pal, Ullas Kumar, alias Mohit Trivedi, Rinku Rana and Dharmendra Banjara. Apart from the 13 people arrested so far, another accused Virendra Shukla's name has been added in the chargesheet under Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code, Yadav told reporters in Lakhimpur Kheri. Shukla is yet to be arrested and he is the minister's relative, said Yadav. The charges include murder, attempt to murder and violations under the Arms Act. The senior prosecution officer said the court accepted the charge sheet and fixed January 10 as the next date of hearing. Virendra Shukla has been asked to be present in the court on that day. The filing of the charge sheet has renewed the demand for the minister's dismissal. "The entire country has seen the truth of the 5,000-page chargesheet in the form of a video. Yet the Modi government is trying to save the accused. India is a witness! #Lakhimpur#Farmers", Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi, while seeking the dismissal of Ajay Mishra. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi said, "They are in the position of protector but stand with the destroyer. In the charge sheet of the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre case, the son of the Union Minister of State for Home is the main accused in the crushing of farmers." "But due to Narendra Modiji's patronage, Minister Ajay Mishra Teni' did not even come under the scrutiny of the investigation and he remains in his post," Priyanka alleged demanding the sacking of the minister. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav in a tweet said the charge sheet has exposed the double-engine government of the BJP. "Today, every supporter-worker of the BJP is embarrassed and scared of social boycott," he said. The incident had taken place on October 3. Eight people were killed, four of them farmers allegedly mowed down by an SUV in which some BJP workers were travelling. Two BJP workers and their driver were lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The long-awaited sale of Air India to Tata Group in October, the Modi governments first privatisation deal in seven years, had sparked hope that the present regime was going strong on its reform agenda. Several other legislations, from the three farm laws to the four labour codes to the privatization of state-owned banks were lined up. However, after the end of 2021, the government and its proponents can only write home about the Air India sale, for everything else has been stalled. The farm laws were withdrawn as the Modi government gave in to the year-long farmers agitation. The lesson from the entire saga seems to be that any attempt at reform in agriculture, no matter how noble and well-intentioned, cannot be taken without the consent of farmers. Now, fearing a similar backlash from trade unions, the Modi government seems to have delayed the implementation of the four labour codes until the state elections. Despite the sale of Air India, the government will likely miss its disinvestment target of Rs 1.75 trillion for FY22, since the bid to privatise Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) hasnt advanced yet. The privatisation of state-owned banks was another no-show, with the government yet to even announce the names of the two Public Sector Banks that will be privatised. Media reports suggest that here too, the government was anticipating protests by bank unions. Hence, the the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was not brought in the recently-concluded session. The Bill to regulate cryptocurrencies was also held up. Hopefully, the government will learn from the farm laws episode. Sound economic agenda and reforms that appear good at least on paper still need the backing of all the stakeholders involved in a democracy like India. If it takes this lesson to heart, it will have a better chance of enacting its economic agenda this year. After ending the calendar year 2021 with a gain of 22 per cent on the Sensex and 24 per cent on the Nifty, red flags are now up on the Street with analysts suggesting investors tread carefully as the face multiple headwinds both from domestic and global factors which can keep them choppy in the year ahead. What could cap the market upside at least in the short-term is the fast-spreading Covid variant Omicron that has already seen several states adopt a precautionary approach. That said, analysts at Morgan Stanley, for instance, expect the emerging markets, including India, to muddle through most part of 2022 amid rich valuations. Despite downgrading India, the global research and brokerage house remains structurally bullish on Indian equities and is looking for stock-level opportunities to hold exposure. Jonathan F Garner, chief Asia and emerging market strategist at Morgan Stanley says, EM equities will continue to struggle next year, with only 3 per cent upside to their December 2022 target. According to Credit Suisse, earnings will be the key driver for equity returns. Sectors that lagged the global recovery from the pandemic shock to emerge as bright spots alongside industries that benefit from secular growth trends. Other analysts, too, echo the same view and suggest stock selection will be key for investors to beat index returns. So which sectors are likely to do well in 2022? A similar sentiment is echoed by those at ICICI Securities, who expect the IT sector to lead the rally, supported by cyclicals like capital goods and BFSI. Herald van der Linde, head of equity strategy for Asia Pacific at HSBC, however, suggests staying away from real estate, auto components and sectors that have regulatory uncertainty like PSU banks and utilities. Over the medium-term, however, the market direction will be guided by a slew of domestic factors such as the upcoming result season for the quarter ended December 2021, expectations from the Union Budget that is likely to be presented on February 1. CT-P63 demonstrated a well- established safety profile in the global Phase I trial CT-P63 maintained strong neutralising ability against the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) based on structural analysis by X-ray crystallography and neutralisation data from pseudo- virus testing Celltrion plans to provide dual treatment options for COVID-19; Regkirona for hospitalised patients and a nebulised cocktail therapy (CT-P63 in combination with Regkirona) for at- home settings Celltrion Group announced today results for its cocktail therapy candidates including neutralisation data against the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). The Phase I clinical trial is a randomised, double- blind and placebo- controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of CT-P63 in 24 healthy subjects in Poland.1 The study met its primary objectives with data showing CT-P63 to be safe and well tolerated, with no significant drug- related adverse events (AEs). In an experiment conducted in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), CT-P63 showed strong neutralising activity against the Omicron variant based on structural analysis by X- ray crystallography and neutralisation data from pseudo- virus testing. Celltrion anticipates results of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant assays and animal model studies by the end of the first quarter this year. In order to elicit potent neutralising antibody response against the new emerging variants, Celltrion previously identified a total of 38 potent neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in which antibody candidate No. 32 (CT-P63) produced high neutralisation titres against new emerging strains. CT-P63 has previously been demonstrated to have neutralising activity against the most common variants, including the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants. The positive results demonstrate the potential of our cocktail therapy to retain neutralising ability against the Omicron variant said Dr. HoUng Kim, Ph.D., Head of Medical and Marketing Division at Celltrion Healthcare. We are confident that our antibody platform including Regkirona and CT-P63 will provide significant benefit for patients with COVID-19. Regkirona is given to a patient intravenously, so the drug could effectively treat patients hospitalised with COVID-19 at an early stage, while the nebulised cocktail therapy could address patients unmet needs for at- home treatment. We plan to discuss large- scale clinical trial for our nebulised cocktail therapy (CT-P63 in combination with Regkirona) with regulatory agencies worldwide in the near future. - ENDS - Notes to Editors: About Celltrion Healthcare Celltrion Healthcare is committed to delivering innovative and affordable medications to promote patients access to advanced therapies. Its products are manufactured at state-of-the-art mammalian cell culture facilities, designed and built to comply with the US FDA cGMP and the EU GMP guidelines. Celltrion Healthcare endeavours to offer high-quality cost-effective solutions through an extensive global network that spans more than 110 different countries. For more information please visit: https://www.celltrionhealthcare.com/en-us. About regdanvimab (CT-P59) CT-P59 was identified as a potential treatment for COVID-19 through screening of antibody candidates and selecting those that showed the highest potency in neutralising the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In vitro and in vivo pre- clinical studies showed that CT-P59 strongly binds to SARS-CoV-2 RBD and significantly neutralises the wild type and mutant variants of concern. In in vivo models, CT-P59 effectively reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 and inflammation in lung. Results from the global phase I and phase II/III clinical trials of CT-P59 demonstrated a promising safety, tolerability, antiviral effect and efficacy profile in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of COVID-19.2 The EC granted marketing authorisation for Celltrions regdanvimab following positive opinion by the European Medicines Agencys (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in November 2021. About CT-P63 CT-P63 is a monoclonal antibody targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) as a treatment for COVID-19 infection. CT-P63 is currently being developed as a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. About nebulised formulation The nebulised formulation of the monoclonal antibody not only targets SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) and elicit neutralising antibody response but it also has trapping mechanism of action and thereby neutralises and traps in mucus with exceptional potency. The muco-trapping antibody platform directly traps the virus in airway mucus, preventing the local spread of the infection, and quickly eliminating the virus from the lungs through the body's natural ability to clear mucus. Nebulized formulation can be readily self-administered by patients, extend critical drug supplies to more patients by reducing the dosage needed, and does not place excessive demands on healthcare staff and infusion clinic space that intravenous (IV) drugs do. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT Certain information set forth in this press release contains statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare that may constitute forward-looking statements, under pertinent securities laws. These statements may be identified by words such as prepares, hopes to, upcoming, plans to, aims to, to be launched, is preparing, once gained, could, with the aim of, may, once identified, will, working towards, is due, become available, has potential to, the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology. In addition, our representatives may make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare's management, of which many are beyond its control. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand managements beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Celltrion/Celltrion Healthcare undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or managements estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. References ____________________________ 1 ClinicalTrials.gov. To Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of CT-P63 in Healthy Subjects. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05017168#wrapper [Last Accessed January 2022] 2 Celltrion Data on file View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220102005042/en/ GIGABYTE is joining CES Virtual with its website extension INDUSTRY to present products and solutions that propel digital transformation in industries such as 5G & telecom, automotive, creative & gaming, data centers, manufacturing, and retail. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211229005431/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) GIGABYTE takes pride in having an incredibly deep portfolio of enterprise products that support cloud, edge, and data centers. There are over 75 servers for AMD EPYC CPU alone, as well as Intel Xeon Scalable CPU, and over 10 servers for Ampere Altra CPU, and not to forget over 20 server motherboards. GIGABYTE offers edge servers developed based on Arm architecture. These high-density Arm servers, using Amperes massive 80 / 128 core CPU, provide the performance, storage, network, and above all, the flexibility to be deployed for the next generation of telecommunications where processing work needs to be done on-site. GIGABYTEs server solutions are also applicable to various industries, and are highly valued by large and small high-tech companies, medical, scientific, academic research, and public institutions, etc., and have successfully assisted them in innovation and breakthroughs in their fields. Our industries are undergoing an invigorating metamorphosis as AI, HPC, IoT, and other breakthroughs bring about a paradigm shift. MyelinTek Inc., an investee company of GIGABYTE developed a deep learning system MLSteam, which includes optimized AI software stacking and comprehensive management tools in a user-friendly interface to make it easier for scientists to train and develop AI integration for autonomous vehicles. With the rapid development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology, GIGABYTE designs decision-making control units for different types of autonomous vehicles, as well as customized products such as ADAS ECUs, TCUs, assisting vehicles designers to develop their ideal products and improve the automotive industry. GIGABYTE has years of proven experience in embedded computers and brought its latest generation of embedded systems to increase the operability of storage, logistic, and manufacturing facilities while lowering labor and management costs with the innovation of AGV, AMR, and Industrial Automation Security System. In the post-pandemic era, GIGABYTEs embedded solutions integrated with AI and IoT technology helped automate the operation and management of open space rentals, allowing such new services to flourish. GIGABYTEs reputation to invent top-notch products with innovative VRM and thermal design makes the task to optimize overclocking performance on the latest Intel Core CPUs easy and effective. The Z690 series motherboards provide beyond the essential features and power for both professional creators and gamers alike. Performance is the key to both immersive gameplay and smooth workflow, and GIGABYTE has taken performance above all else with this generations AORUS gaming laptops and the AERO creator laptops which are to be released in early 2022. GIGABYTE has recently launched INDUSTRY to demonstrate its most pivotal products and solutions for different industries. One of the biggest highlights of the platform is its live chat function. GIGABYTE has arranged experts, who have keen insights on the industries, to standby the live chat and answer questions and inquiries made by CES visitors and buyers as they would at the physical venue. The live chat uses AI-generated avatars to show the status of its live experts, and also as a way to embrace the metaverse where virtual merges with reality. The INDUSTRY platform will host all products and solutions GIGABYTE is presenting at CES including trendy topics highlighted in the event and more. GIGABYTE welcomes all visitors to connect through this digital platform and see their industries from different perspectives. INDUSTRY: https://industry.gigabyte.com Visit GIGABYTE on CES Digital: https://gbte.tech/ces2022 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211229005431/en/ Hong Kongs iconic Victoria Harbour lit up exceptionally bright as the city rings in 2022, taking its thriving art scene right to the global centre stage. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211231005124/en/ Hong Kong rang in 2022 with an arts spectacular highlighted by a special edition of A Symphony of Lights, which lit up the citys iconic skyline with searchlights, lasers and pyrotechnic effects. (Photo: Business Wire) At 11:59pm on 31 December 2021, the 65.8-metre-tall LED facade of M+, Asias first global museum of contemporary visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District, was transformed into a countdown clock, which travelled across the rich cityscape of Hong Kong. Once the clock struck midnight, a special edition of the multimedia show A Symphony of Lights cast a dazzling array of visual effects across Hong Kongs famous skyline complemented by rooftop pyrotechnics and lighting effects launched at various elevations, along with New Years greetings in 15 different languages on the M+ Facade, sending sincere blessings to the rest of the world. The dazzling light art extravaganza across the harbour was synchronised with energetic, jubilant music performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the citys flagship orchestra, in an outdoor concert in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Information of Video and Image Download The video footage and photos of Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations can be downloaded from 1 January 2022, 03:00 Hong Kong Time (31 December 2021 GMT 19:00). Media interested in broadcasting the event may download the material from the link below. Download link: https://assetlibrary.hktb.com/assetbank-hktb/action/browseItems?categoryId=728&categoryTypeId=2&cachedCriteria=1 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211231005124/en/ Welcoming hundreds of thousands of spectators from around the world, the Ras Al Khaimah New Years Eve Celebrations (#RAKNYE 2022) dazzled all with a never-before-seen fireworks display that smashed two GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titles. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211231005082/en/ #RAKNYE 2022 Two GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titles (Photo: AETOSWire) Rising majestically from the Arabian Gulf, the fireworks display featured innovative pyrotechnic performances spanning an area of over 4.7 kilometres. The 12-minute spectacle was specially choreographed to reflect the joy of reunion with six themes set to epic orchestral music. A spokesperson of the organising committee said: #RAKNYE2022 is our tribute to the leadership and people of Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE not only as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our nation but also in preparation for the Next 50 Years. With this event, we once again underlined the reputation of Ras Al Khaimah as the leading tourism destination welcoming visitors from across the world. #RAKNYE 2020 fireworks display was conducted in a six-act sequence starting with the countdown just before midnight. Ushering in the New Year with a spectacular tower of lights, 1,055.8 metres high, the next act was a Happy New Year message written in the sky with firework drones. This was followed by a tribute to the UAE backed by orchestral music, celebrating the achievements of the nation and its people. It segued to the next act when hundreds of drones displayed the UAEs 50th Anniversary logo. The finale was in two parts a multi-colour display of lights and a super-massive expanse of white that illuminated the skyline. Setting the first GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Highest Altitude Multirotor/Drone Fireworks Display was the tower of fireworks 1,055.8 metres high, taller than any skyscraper in the world. The second GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title was for the Most Remote Operated Multirotors/Drones Launching Fireworks Simultaneously, when 452 drones launched fireworks simultaneously to create the Happy New Year visual in the sky. The celebration was organised by following all social distancing protocols and other safety guidelines with the support of the National Authority for Emergency, Crisis & Disaster Management and the Ministry of Health & Prevention. Visitors watched the festivities from special Viewing Decks along Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Village. Video link here *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211231005082/en/ The RCEP, inked in November 2020, is now in force for China and the nine other countries that were first to ratify the agreement. An agreement to create the worlds largest free trade zone took effect Saturday, bringing together 15 Asia-Pacific countries that cover nearly a third of the worlds economy. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), inked in November 2020 after eight years of negotiation, went into force for China and the nine other countries that were first to ratify the agreement: Japan, New Zealand, Australia and six members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Xi exchanges congratulations with Kazakh leaders on 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties Xinhua) 13:54, January 03, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages respectively with First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In his message to Nazarbayev, Xi noted that since China and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties 30 years ago, bilateral relations have kept advancing with the times and breaking new ground, and always maintained vigorous development, setting an example of neighboring countries upholding good-neighborliness and pursuing win-win cooperation. Xi said he highly appreciates the fact that Nazarbayev has firmly followed a friendly policy towards China, and made outstanding contributions to advancing bilateral ties and deepening Belt and Road cooperation. Calling Nazarbayev an old friend of his, Xi stressed that he cherishes the sound working relationship and deep personal friendship with Nazarbayev. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and stands ready to work with Nazarbayev to push for steady and long-term development of the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of both countries and their people. In his message to Tokayev, Xi pointed out that China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors and permanent comprehensive strategic partners. In the past 30 years, Xi noted, bilateral relations have always maintained high-level development, with deepening political mutual trust, intensifying exchanges at all levels, and fruitful outcomes in Belt and Road cooperation, which has brought tangible benefits to the people in both countries. Stressing that China will, as always, support Kazakhstan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Kazakhstan relations. He added that he stands ready to work with Tokayev to take the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries, better synergize their development strategies, and lift their permanent comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels, so as to create benefits for both countries and their people. In his message, Nazarbayev noted that China is one of the first countries that recognized Kazakhstan's independence, and that the two sides have established a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership on the basis of mutual trust and mutual respect. He added that Kazakhstan is ready to work with China to push for greater development of bilateral cooperation in various areas. In his message, Tokayev said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, Kazakhstan and China have set a good example for the international community to develop state-to-state relations, and have become an important factor for the stability and prosperity in the Eurasian region. The two sides have completely resolved the boundary issue left over from history, and built their border into a bridge of friendship and unity between Kazakhstan and China, he said. Tokayev said he would like to work with Xi to make greater efforts for the development of Kazakhstan-China relations. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji) Looking at the structural problems of Canadian conservatism at the dawn of 2022 (Part One) By Mark Wegierski web posted January 3, 2022 It must be said that Canadian conservatism has not made too many extensive and discernible advances in Canada, despite the winning of a majority government in the federal Parliament, by the Harper-led Conservative Party, in the federal election of May 2, 2011. The Conservatives ended up routed in the federal election of October 19, 2015. They had manifestly failed to create some kind of independent conservative infrastructures during the propitious time of their majority government. The Conservatives also failed to defeat the Trudeau Liberals in the federal election of October 21, 2019, as well as in the federal election of September 20, 2021. What is most sorely lacking are some kind of major infrastructures outside the framework of the federal Conservative and provincial Progressive Conservative parties. In provincial politics in Quebec, the centre-right is grouped around the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ); in Alberta, the Wildrose Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives have merged as the United Conservative Party; in Saskatchewan, there is the centrist Saskatchewan Party; while in British Columbia, there is one large centrist Liberal Party. There are also a series of minor parties the Peoples Party of Canada/Parti populaire du Canada; the Manitoba Party; the Peoples Alliance party in New Brunswick, the Christian Heritage Party Canada; the Family Coalition Party in Ontario; federal and provincial Libertarian Parties; the Freedom Party of Ontario; and the new Cultural Action Party of Canada. As a result of burgeoning Western Canadian alienation, a federal Wexit Party had been formed in Alberta, and other Western provinces. It was renamed the Maverick Party around September 2020. Also, the Freedom Conservative Party and Wexit Alberta merged to form the Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta (WIPA). In Saskatchewan, Wexit Saskatchewan was renamed as the Buffalo Party. (Buffalo? was the proposed name of a larger province that would have included Alberta and Saskatchewan, before it was decided that the two smaller provinces would be formed.) There are also a number of well-known foci, for what could be broadly considered conservatism, outside of the major party structures. These would include the Fraser Institute, the National Citizens Coalition (NCC), and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF). However, all three organizations are almost exclusively focussed on economics, and all have a relatively low profile, compared to the multifarious infrastructures of left-liberalism. Indeed, such groups as ideological feminists receive huge funding from various levels of government. The right-leaning economist, Brian Lee Crowley, has established a think-tank called The Macdonald-Laurier Institute. In 2010, the Ludwig von Mises Institute Canada was established. In the Western provinces, there is the Frontier Centre for Public Policy (FCPP), and in the Atlantic provinces, there is the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS). After the failure of The Western Standard some years ago, there arose in 2011 two new, broadly right-of-centre publications The Dorchester Review (which is named after the British nobleman who gave Canada the Quebec Act of 1774), and The Canadian Observer (which in its first issue, announced its ambitions to be a Cite Libre [1] of the Right). However, it appears to have failed subsequent to the appearance of the Spring 2012 issue. The remnants of the long-standing Report newsmagazines in Western Canada (which had reached a height of about 80,000 subscribers, mostly in Alberta) are now represented by the Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy (CCFD). The main, broadly right-leaning ginger group? in Canada is Civitas, which has endeavoured to raise its profile somewhat in the last few years. Its main activity is the annual conference. Civitas was somewhat of a successor to the short-lived Charlottetown Society of the early 1990s, which failed when its main founder untimely passed away. There has also arisen in recent years the Manning Centre for Building Democracy (MCBD), which could be seen as existing both inside and outside the Conservative Party. The Manning Centre was renamed as the Canada Strong and Free Network in 2020, at the personal request of Preston Manning. The Manning Centre has helped to launch a prestigious e-journal: c2cjournal.ca. There has also arisen in recent years the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF), as well as the Runnymede Society. After three highly successful annual conferences on legal and cultural issues, the CCF had decided to focus most of its efforts on litigation. The annual conferences, all of which took place in Toronto, were very warmly received, and it is unfortunate that there was such a long break (between 2009 and 2015), in their holding. John Carpay, who had been one of the founders of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, has subsequently founded the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), which is especially devoted to freedom of speech issues, especially at Canadian university campuses. However, he was put on a leave of absence from the Presidency of the JCCF, after a scandal where he had hired a private investigator to monitor whether the Chief Justice of Manitoba was following COVID protocols. But after seven weeks, he was nevertheless brought back as President. Joseph Ben-Ami, a well-known conservative activist, has established a small think-tank called the Canadian Centre for Policy Studies (now, I believe, reconfigured as The Arthur Meighen Institute for Public Affairs). To be continued. Footnote: [1] Cite Libre was the name of the intensely left-wing and intensely intellectual journal founded by Pierre Elliott Trudeau and his associates in 1950s Quebec when the prospects for the Left in Quebec and Canada seemed very thin indeed. Cite Libre was arguably the launch-pad for the so-called Quiet Revolution in Quebec, and the somewhat later Trudeau revolution? in all of Canada. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home Supreme Court justices must find a balance By Dale Schlundt, M.A., M.A. web posted January 3, 2022 The Supreme Court holds one of the most delicate roles in our republic. This is not only because of judicial reviews power. It is also because the court must perpetuate the publics perception that they are the most impartial branch of government, in order to retain their legitimacy. That perception is at least in part deceiving. As Rachel Shelden explains, the perception of the court as a nonpartisan body was only created during the past century [1]. Perfection is unattainable in such a context, as the Supreme Court often deals with fundamentally partisan issues. In Whole Womans Health v Austin Reeve Jackson, Chief Justice Roberts notes that its the right of the judicial department to say what the law is. [2] The precedent to which Roberts is referring, the 1803 Marbury v Madison decision, established the courts right to have the final word on the Constitutionality of a law. The Chief Justices concern is that the courts prior rulings on abortion, such as Roe v. Wade in 1973 and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA. v Casey in 1992, are what the Texas law attempts to maneuver around. However, Roberts concern may be misplaced. Even if the Supreme Court overturns their own abortion precedent, it would be the courts prerogative to do so. The precedent of judicial review is not at stake here, but rather the courts contemporary credibility as the least partisan institution. Their legitimacy is derived from the peoples acceptance of their rulings, as Justice Stephen Breyer discussed during a recent speech. [3] The justices walk a fine line between the question of what the constitution says and how their own political ideology dictates their interpretation of it with no clear answer. This does not mean that all decisions put forth by the Supreme Court have been partisan or written with a political agenda, obviously. For example, unanimous decisions have been common from over the past decade, according to Louis Jacobson. [4] As stipulated by the Constitution, justices are not elected. This is to promote impartiality. The Founders spoke of the Judicial Departments independence in depth. This independence of the judges is equally requisite to guard the Constitution and the rights of individuals, according to Alexander Hamilton. [5] However, one should not discount that they are nominated and confirmed by political entities. Politics generally explains why an individual is nominated. Justices are also human. Therefore, the lens through which an individual justice reads the Constitution, especially in challenging cases, is inherently swayed by the progressive or conservative ideology to which they subscribe. This is why new precedent setting decisions have employed text of the Constitution that was present long before the decision itself. In such cases, it was not the text that changed. It was the ideology of those interpreting it that did. Examples such as Brown v Board of Education in 1954 and Obergefell v Hodges in 2015 illustrate such positive advancements. Partisan issues and agendas are fundamentally present in all three branches. Our republic is inherently political. Consequently, what is at stake today is not proving that the court is devoid of political ideologies. Instead, the court is tasked with proving they are the least partisan among the three branches. Footnotes: [1] Rachel Shelden, The Supreme Court Used to Be Openly Political. It Traded Partisanship for Power, The Washington Post, September 25, 2020. (Accessed December 11, 2021), https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/supreme-court-politics-history/2020/09/25/b9fefcee-fe7f-11ea-9ceb-061d646d9c67_story.html [2] Chief Justice John Roberts, Womans Health v Austin Reeve Jackson, Supreme Court of the United States, December 10, 2021, 33. (Accessed December 11, 2021). https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21-463_3ebh.pdf [3] Stephen Breyer, The Authority of the Court and the Peril of Politics Harvard Law Schools Scalia Lecture, April 6, 2021 from Rachel Reed, Breyer Cautions Against the Peril of Politics, Harvard Law Today, April 7, 2021. (Accessed December 11, 2021) https://today.law.harvard.edu/supreme-court-justice-stephen-g-breyer-cautions-against-the-peril-of-politics/ [4] Louis Jacobson, Despite Popular Misconception, Supreme Court 9-0 Rulings Arent That Rare, PolitiFact, June 23, 2021. (Accessed December 11, 2021) https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/jun/23/trey-wingo/despite-popular-misconception-supreme-court-9-0-ru/ [5] Alexander Hamilton, The Judiciary Department, Federalist Papers, 1788. (Accessed December 15, 202) https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-71-80#s-lg-box-wrapper-25493470 Dale Schlundt holds two masters degrees, in Adult Education and History. Dale has taught at Northwest Vista College and Our Lady of the Lake University. He is currently a faculty member at Palo Alto College and served as co-chair for the Texas Regional Alignment Network from 2017-2019. You can watch videos on history, education, and politics on his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCupVvuDk825e5uhaEP1luxA Home Published On Jan 03, 2022 06:43 PM By Sonny The largest carmaker in India has high volumes in the export scene as well Maruti Suzuki sells over a lakh units a month domestically and thats just business as usual for the countrys largest carmaker. It also exports a fair number of models to other markets across the world. In 2021 alone, Maruti exported 2,05,450 units from its Indian manufacturing facilities. The top five most popular exports for Maruti were the Baleno, Swift, Dzire, S-Presso and Vitara Brezza. The brand exports 10 more models from its Indian manufacturing facilities including the Jimny and the Celerio. Heres the full report from the carmaker: Maruti Suzuki exports 205,450 vehicles in 2021; highest ever in a calendar year New Delhi, 3rd January 2022: Creating another new record, Maruti Suzuki India Limited today announced that it has exported 205,450 vehicles in CY 2021. This is the highest ever export figure in any calendar year by the Company. Announcing the new milestone, Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki, said, Maruti Suzuki is dedicated to Government of Indias vision of Make in India for the world. This milestone reflects the confidence of customers around the world in the quality, technology, reliability, performance and cost-effectiveness of our cars. We thank our parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation and their distributors across global markets for their reach and support, especially in such challenging times. We stand committed to live upto the trust placed by our global customers on us and will continue to delight them. Maruti Suzuki started exports of its vehicles in 1986-87 with the first large consignment to Hungary. Today, Maruti Suzuki exports to over 100 countries, globally. Till date, the Company has exported over 21.85 lakh units. Maruti Suzukis vehicles are popular with global customers across Latin America, ASEAN, Africa, Middle East and neighboring regions. Maruti Suzuki currently exports around 15 models including the most recent additions Jimny, Suzukis celebrated compact off-roader and the All-New Celerio. The top five exports models in 2021 include Baleno, Dzire, Swift, Spresso and Brezza. Many more Trump supporters are dying from COVID-19 than Democrats By Rachel Alexander web posted January 3, 2022 Have you noticed how many on the right have changed from being for vaccine choice to becoming anti-vaccine regarding COVID-19? Its so subtle that most of us havent noticed, but there is definitely a shift taking place. This is worrisome, because a lot of elderly people with susceptible conditions are placing themselves at risk of dying without getting the vaccine. Now, what if this is because there is a secret effort on the left to push this shift, since it will result in fewer voters on the right? A look at the data across the U.S. in counties with the same percentage of elderly people the highest percentages of elderly in the country shows that people in the reddest counties are dying at nearly 3.8x the rate of those dying in the bluest counties. The problem is people on the right are so fed up with the lies and propaganda coming from the government and MSM about COVID-19 that they are overreacting; refusing to get the vaccine even if they have pre-existing conditions or are very elderly. There has been a significant number of high-profile conservatives who died from COVID-19 who were anti-vaccine. Its clear that many of them had pre-existing conditions or were very old, so perhaps they should have gotten the vaccine. I havent gotten the vaccine, but I am not that old and am in great health, so I was never at much risk; I weighed the benefits versus the negatives as well as other considerations like whether I would be around elderly family members before we had testing available and made the balanced decision not to. There was very little risk I was going to be hospitalized. I came down with COVID-19 in the fall, took hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, and spent only a couple of days sick in bed. My triple vaxxed lefty friend, who is younger than me and in great health, got COVID-19 shortly after I did and also spent a couple of days in bed his triple vaccines did nothing for someone like him. The left is gloating over unvaccinated conservatives who died from COVID-19. While there isnt a lot of health information available about any of their pre-existing conditions, its apparent from their photos that almost all of them were at least overweight and older. Conservative radio personality Marc Bernier was 65 and significantly overweight. A second conservative radio personality, Phil Valentine, was 61. And a third radio talk show host, Dick Farrel, was 65 and significantly overweight. Valentine and Farrel both expressed regret for being anti-vaccine before they died. Theres also a slight similar trend involving other aspects of avoiding COVID-19, such as masks and social distancing. The late Herman Cain, who died before the vaccine became available, spoke out against masks, but he was 74 and was considered high-risk for COVID-19 due to surviving a battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. Less than two weeks before his death from COVID-19 in July 2020, he attended a Trump rally without a mask, which may be where he contracted it. Granted, masks efficacy is miniscule, studies show they only stop about 10% of viruses, and even if Cain had worn a mask, it mainly protects others from him, not vice versa. He was surrounded by others at the rally who were unmasked. But if he had been acting like a liberal, he probably would not have attended the massive rally. The anti-vaccine mentality originated on the left. Its adherents are people like Robert F. Kennedy and Hollywood celebrities . Even the left admits this. A writer for The Daily Beast observed about anti-vaxxers, What was once the provenance of a few fringe weirdos mostly on the loony left has now migrated into the mainstream. The left lies about the right being anti-vaccine. They routinely refer to us as anti-vaccine when many of us have gotten the vaccine and merely want it to be a choice. Fox News and Newsmax require that their talk show hosts and employees get the vaccine or get tested regularly and so many of their hosts have gotten the vaccine and frequently remind viewers of this while still reinforcing their viewpoint that it should be a choice. Those stations have some of the top voices on the right. How is this anti-vaccine? Perhaps this is why Trump and Candace Owens got into it recently over the vaccine. Trump merely believes a lot of people should get the vaccine, and he doesnt support a mandate. Trump is booed at rallies telling people to get the vaccine. Yes, the vaccine mandates are disturbing, especially for the young and healthy, like Bidens military mandate. The deaths attributed to the vaccine keep creeping up; are now at 10,688 according to the CDC, and many medical professionals have stated that many more arent being reported. There are also 1,947 preliminary reports of myocarditis or pericarditis among people ages 30 years and younger. But that doesnt mean everyone shouldnt individually consider weighing the positives versus negatives of getting the shot. Farrels close friend Amy Leigh Hair said she got the vaccine after Farrel was dying and told her she should. She told WPTV, "I was one of one the people like him who didn't trust the vaccine. I trusted my immune system. I just became more afraid of getting COVID-19 than I was of any possible side effects of the vaccine." The confusion has to stop. Conservatives carrying signs that say Dont jab on me could be construed as being anti-vaxx, not anti-vaxx mandate. Stop letting the MSM refer to us as anti-vaxx. Its a lie. The left doesnt follow the science with their insistence on mandates, because a lot of young healthy people have died after getting the vaccine. On the other hand, lets not be tricked into ignoring science too, by going in the opposite direction with overreacting merely to spite them. Could the left be deliberately manipulating the right into universally rejecting the vaccine? A respected, well-known political leader told me they believe this is happening. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative . She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home Filipino families love SUVs. Given the choice between owning an MPV or an SUV, they would immediately gravitate towards the latter. Thats a... Supporters and members of the Popular Mobilization Forces hold posters of a powerful Iranian general and a top Iraqi militia leader in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Hundreds rally in Baghdad on Soleimani assassination anniversary, chanting anti-American slogans, hundreds of people rallied in in the Iraqi capital on the first day of the year Saturday to mark the anniversary of the killing of a powerful Iranian general and a top Iraqi militia leader in a U.S. drone strike. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) A security official inspects the wreckage of a drone at Baghdad airport, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Two armed drones were shot down at the Baghdad airport on Monday, a U.S.-led coalition official said, an attack that coincides with the anniversary of the 2020 U.S. killing of a top Iranian general. (International Coalition via AP) The Carteret County Board of Education will consider keeping masks optional inside school buildings during its meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the school systems central office in Beaufort. (Cheryl Burke photo) Glen, NH (03838) Today Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High 58F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Carroll, IA (51401) Today A few showers this morning, becoming a steady light rain during the afternoon hours. High 47F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Rain. Low 38F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Virginia Roberts's former boyfriend has claimed that Prince Andrew was the reason his relationship with Virginia did not work out because of the royal's involvement in disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse endeavors. The man, identified as 39-year-old Anthony Figueroa, said that his former girlfriend, Roberts, was a former "sex slave" and told him about her experiences with Prince Andrew. He said that Roberts, who was 17 years old at the time when she met the royal, said she did not want to engage in sexual acts. Prince Andrew's Sexual Assault Case Roberts claimed that Prince Andrew had a hand in sexually assaulting her when she was a minor. She said that the royal committed the acts three times when she was 17 years old, a claim that the Duke of York has continued to deny and has filed a lawsuit for unspecified damages. Figueroa and Roberts were childhood friends before they entered a romantic relationship three years later and moved to a flat located in Palm Beach, Florida. However, he claims that Ghislaine Maxwell, who was recently found guilty, and Epstein manipulated them and forced Roberts into a "bad place," the Dailymail reported. Roberts's boyfriend said that while Prince Andrew has so far avoided being questioned for his alleged involvement in the case, it was time to "face up to the case." In an interview, Figueroa said that being a royal did not make a difference in the case and that he had to take responsibility for his actions. Read Also: Committee Finds Texts That Reveal Ivanka Trump's Involvement in Trying To Get Her Father To Stop Jan.6 Riot Figueroa said that he remembered a time in 2001 when Roberts first mentioned Prince Andrew and said that she knew what they wanted her to do and she did not want to comply. He added that his then-girlfriend was nervous and scared and needed his consolation to feel safe. He also shared that while Roberts was forced to be sexually intimate with Prince Andrew, Epstein watched as Maxwell repeatedly got the young girl to have sex with her. The disgraced financier and his former girlfriend allegedly used Roberts as a poster girl for their sex trafficking ring, The Sun reported. Excluding the Royal The situation comes as Roberts's 2009 agreement with Epstein is set to be made public this week, which could be a crucial part of the legal case that involves Prince Andrew. United States judges ordered the agreement to be released on Jan. 3. Lawyers of the Duke of York argued that the 2009 settlement between Epstein and Roberts released the royal family member from any liability. They said that this was because the agreement covered "royalty" and that Epstein had insisted it cover "any and all persons" who Roberts might sue. However, the victim's lawyers have countered by saying that the agreement "on its face" applies "at most" to people involved in underlying litigation in Florida, thereby excluding Andrew. They also said that the Duke of York should not use the 2009 agreement as a "get out of jail free card." On Jan. 4, a New York judge is set to hear arguments on whether or not to dismiss Roberts' civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew. This week, the royal family member called for the case to be halted or thrown out because his accuser was living in Australia, Sky News reported. Related Article: Prince Philip Will: Where Is It, Who Will Receive Inheritance From the Queen's Husband? @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Location: Virginia Population of Focus: Hispanic/Latino workers, immigrant and migrant workers, and workers with lower incomes in poultry processing, seafood processing, and agriculture industries Outcome: 50 workers and their family members were vaccinated during a free resource fair Story Shared by: Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc.external iconexternal icon A man, 54, was shot on Ivy Street on Saturday afternnon. At approximately 4:00 p.m., Chattanooga Police responded to the 1400 block of Ivy Street on a report of shots fired. Officers responded to the hospital, located and confirmed that the man was there suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Officers secured the victim's vehicle and notified the Violent Crimes Unit. While en route to the scene, officers were advised by dispatch that a man had arrived at the hospital by private vehicle with a gunshot wound.Officers responded to the hospital, located and confirmed that the man was there suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Officers secured the victim's vehicle and notified the Violent Crimes Unit. Investigators with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to conduct an investigation. Investigators learned that the victim was near the above location when an unknown person began shooting, striking the victim. The Photographic Society of Chattanoogas Winter Show will go on display Jan. 14 and end April 8. PSC members currently have their works displayed at the Gallery at Blackwell. Prints are on display for viewing and purchasing. There will be a reception on Jan. 14 from 6-8:30 p.m. to present the Winter show. Refreshments will be provided, and the public is welcome. The Gallery is at Blackwell Automotive at 71 Eastgate Loop. The hours of operations for the Gallery are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The Photographic Society of Chattanooga will present Neil Chaput de Saintonge and Drew Lefebrve on Thursday, Jan. 20. Mr. Saintonge is the founder and owner of Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Mt., which he started in 1988. Ms. Lefebrve is a naturalist, birder and avid outdoor enthusiast; she currently works as the museum program coordinator at the Montana Natural History Center. Their presentation will be Introduction to Bird Photography. Guests will learn basic observational and photographic strategies to help get the most from time in the field or in backyard. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. Visitors are always welcome. For those who can't make it to the in person presentation, login to the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85250986318?pwd=akhzUlhybHM1U0dteUpWRmNQN1cwZz09. A meeting ID and password arent required. For photographers that want to get their camera off of Automatic, join Boot Camp at 6 p.m. Richard Smith will be discussing Lightroom 11 Update. Ed Whiteside will be on hand to purchase used photography equipment. Its a perfect time to unload all of your old gear clogging up your closets. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. at the St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. For more information call 344-5643, or e-mail Louann Smith at president@chattanoogaphoto.org. For more information call 344-5643 or e-mail info@chattanoogaphoto.org. For more information about the Photographic Society of Chattanooga, visit https://chattanoogaphoto.org. After almost 24 months of not being able to take the stage, the Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga will kickoff its 2022 season with a double bill of plays based on inspirational books that have been adapted for the stage. Tuesdays With Morrie by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, based on the book of the same name, will run Jan. 14, 15 and 16. And Tiny Beautiful Things adapted by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) from the book of the same name by Cheryl Strayed, will run Jan. 21, 22 and 23. We wanted to ease back into the live theatre world with shows that had small casts, said Garry Posey, ETC founder and artistic director. But we also wanted to find shows that regardless of the stories presented would be uplifting and inspiring. Review for Tuesdays With Morrie: Tuesdays With Morrie is the autobiographical story of Mitch Albom, an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor. Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch happens to catch Morries appearance on a television news program and learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrigs Disease. Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life. Review for Tiny Beautiful Things: Based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, Tiny Beautiful Things personifies the questions and answers that Sugar was publishing online from 2010-2012. When the struggling writer was asked to take over the unpaid, anonymous position of advice columnist, Strayed used empathy and her personal experiences to help those seeking guidance for obstacles both large and small. Tiny Beautiful Things is a play about reaching when youre stuck, healing when youre broken, and finding the courage to take on the questions which have no answers. Both plays personify the cathartic experience we like to impose on our audiences, said Mr. Posey. Our goal as theatre artists, in my opinion, is to harness the audiences empathy and gently manipulate it so that when they exit the performance, their experience has impacted their life. Its a bold goal, but it really does drive our selection of material. Mr. Posey will direct Tuesdays With Morrie, which will feature Dennis Parker and Ray Laliberte, Jr. Joel Sanchez-Avantes will direct Tiny Beautiful Things which features Kashun Parks as Sugar and will be joined by S.J. Lester, Avery Moore and Ashley Burkhart playing a host of email writers looking for advice. Each play will feature only four performances across the two weekends. Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. On Sunday Jan. 16, Tuesdays With Morrie will have a 2:30 p.m. matinee and on Sunday, Jan. 23, Tiny Beautiful Things will end its run with a 7 p.m. performance. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, Saturdays also at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 16, at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. Barking Legs Theatre, 1307 Dodds Ave. 987-5141 for ticket information www.ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com Chattanoogas Zach Wamp, who represented Tennessee's 3rd Congressional district quite well from 1995 to 2011, is still active in Washington politics, and recently signed a letter praising the efforts of a Congressional committee that is investigating the Capitol insurrection riots that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021, this shortly before Donald Trump would surrender the Presidency. Wamp is a key figure behind a spectacular group of political power brokers known as Issue One and has chaired its Reform Caucus. Prior to joining the Caucus, the Chattanooga native and ardent conservative served in Congress, representing the 3rd Congressional District of Tennessee. Wamp served in the House for more than 15 years and was a senior member on the House Appropriations Committee as well as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. In his current position with Issue One, Wamp helps direct the Caucuss strategy, serves as a liaison to Capitol Hill and helps make the case for why fixing the broken democratic process is the critical issue of our time. On Christmas Day, Zach was featured on the Tennessee Star, a thriving online website, and here is what standout writer Chris Butler said about him: * * * ZACH WAMP PRAISES LIZ CHENEY, TRASHES DONALD TRUMP By Chris Butler, The Tennessee Star, Dec. 25, 2021 Former Tennessee Congressman Zach Wamp, a Republican, is one of several former lawmakers who signed a letter this week applauding Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY At-large District) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16) for their work investigating the events of January 6. Representative Cheney, a Republican who serves Wyomings at-large Congressional district, serves as vice-chair of the January 6 Select Committee. Kinzinger also serves on the committee. Wamp did not return The Tennessee Stars request for comment on Thursday. In the letter, Wamp and other members of the Washington, D.C.-based (group that is called) Issue One urged for a thorough and objective investigation. Issue One members, according to their website, want to unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to strengthen American democracy. In this weeks letter, Wamp and other former representatives said more members of the GOP must assist with the committees work. As former members [of Congress], we know firsthand how essential bipartisan cooperation is for the preservation of our republic and our shared values, and we strongly commend the contributions of Republican members Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, Issue One members wrote. We sincerely hope other Republicans will join efforts to pursue the truth and facts surrounding the events of January 6. Wamp and the letters other co-signers described the people who came to the U.S. Capitol on January 6 of this year as a violent mob who did lasting damage to our democratic norms and institutions. Other co-signers included, among others, former representatives and senators Carol Moseley Braun, Russ Feingold, Dick Gephardt, Gary Hart, Susan Molinari, Leon Panetta, and Tim Roemer. Wamp, in September, said Congress should restrict the ability of a U.S. senator or U.S. representative to challenge the counting of electoral votes as submitted by individual states. In February, Wamp said Time Magazine mischaracterized him and his role with a coalition of well-known political figures and what they did in the months leading up to the November 2020 presidential election. The Time article seemed to brag that various groups collaborated behind the scenes to defeat former U.S. President Donald Trump. The article attracted nationwide attention. Author Molly Ball described a well-funded cabal of powerful people who worked to influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage and control the flow of information. (The) Time (article) quoted Wamp, a Republican, more than once. The magazine said Wamp and a bipartisan coalition of well-known political figures belonged to this cabal. Ball, in her piece, said Wamp and other officials actively worked against Trumps best interests. Wamp and other officials identify this coalition as the National Council on Election Integrity. Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. * * * royexum@aol.com Republicans are opposing President Joe Biden's court nominees, marking the latest escalation of an increasingly partisan fight in the Senate over the nation's courts. According to The Hill review of the votes, most Republicans have voted for only a few of the 40 judicial candidates confirmed by the Senate this year, with each GOP senator voting for fewer than five nominees on average. GOP opposes Biden's court picks It's a specified condition from the Obama years that, unless there's a US Supreme Court reversal, would usher in a "new normal" in what has always been a routine but important aspect of the Senate's work: approving judicial nominations. When asked about the Republican resistance, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, pointed out that several Democrats on the panel immediately began opposing former President Trump's candidates. According to The Heritage Foundation's judicial appointments tracker, more than 92 percent of Biden's court nominees received "no" votes from more than 25 percent of senators, compared to 18.2 percent at the same stage during previous President Obama's term. It's closer to, but still greater than, the nearly 68 percent of Trump's judicial candidates who received "no" votes from more than 25% of senators. Due to President Biden's "disastrous policies," Fox News contributor Mike Huckabee warned on Saturday that Democrats will be wiped out in the 2022 midterm elections. During an interview on "Justice With Judge Jeanine," Huckabee slammed Biden's management of the economy, as well as the coronavirus outbreak, and stated his lack of creating positive outcomes for the American people will lead to a "great electoral sweep" for Republicans. Huckabee stated that because Biden had never held a regular job outside of being a politician in Washington, DC, he was out of touch with common Americans and the issues that affect their lives, leading him to misunderstand how his actions affect working people across the country. Read Also: COVID-19 Omicron Variant Crashes New Year Celebrations Worldwide But South Africa Says Wave May Have Peaked, Lifting Overnight Curfews Republicans urge Supreme Court to reject Biden's private vaccine mandate Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans are seeking the Supreme Court to prohibit President Biden's vaccination mandate for private enterprises with 100 or more personnel, alleging that the president and his administration are exceeding their power. On Thursday, the court received a brief signed by 47 senators and 136 members of the House of Representatives. The United States' mandate Occupational Safety and Health Administration was initially planned to come into place on January 4. It was first halted in the courts before being reinstated on appeal. On January 7, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments. The Biden administration has submitted its own brief urging the court to allow its requirement to remain, a move that OSHA believes will save 6,500 lives and save roughly 250,000 hospitalizations within the following six months. Department of Justice attorneys claimed the 1970 statute that established OSHA was clear that the policy fell "squarely within OSHA's statutory jurisdiction," as per Daily Mail. But the White House faces pushback from Republican state attorneys general and conservative groups. Reps. Elise Stefanik, Jim Banks, Virginia Foxx, Rick Allen, and Sen. Mike Braun lead a group of 183 Republicans in Congress who are concerned about government overreach. Related Article: Joe Biden Warns Vladimir Putin of "Serious Cost" If Russia Continues Military Build-Up on Ukraine Border @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Col. Willard Sisson treasured this photograph of a group that included him and Four Star General William Westmoreland. Others who are identified include Ed Norman, Command Sergeant Major; then Captain Benny Ray Adkins, and, to the extreme right, Bert Sawyer. One of Chattanoogas most patriotic citizens passed away the last day of 2021. Col. Willard Sisson had a long and distinguished military career in addition to being a loan officer of Chattanooga Federal Savings and Loan Association. Chattanooga Federal president Arnold Chambers said the bank's success was in large part because of Col. Sissons leadership. He also served as president of the Chattanooga Exchange Club and was an active member of the First Baptist Church. I met Col. Sission after joining the Armed Forces Week Committee in 1975. The committee coordinated local events including the long existing downtown parade. Col. Sisson said his favorite was seeing the large flag being carried up Market Street. Parade secretary, the late Dorothy Brammer, said Col. Sission was committed to seeing that our military was honored and he was a driving force behind the annual event. Col. Sisson served in World War II in Virginia and Italy. He had enrolled at the University of Georgia and completed one year when his country called. After the war, he returned to college and received a 2nd Lieutenant commission after completing college ROTC. The highlight of Col. Sissions military career was serving as Commander of the 3397th U.S. Army Reserve Garrison in Chattanooga. The unit had about 400 men. Col. Sisson was commander from 1972-1977. Dr. Bill Henry was a member of the unit. The local pastor said, Col. Sisson was well respected and visited the unit many times after completing his tour. Retired Brigadier General Carl Levi said the National Guard and Army Reserve worked closely together under Col. Sissons leadership. LTC Ray Adkins was also a member of the garrison and close personal friend of Col. Sisson. Mr. Adkins remembers when four star general William Westmoreland visited the 23rd Street unit in 1973 to promote a joint Army educational venture involving East Ridge High School. Mr. Adkins said the General was in the city several days and under Col. Sissons leadership he served as an aide to General Westmoreland. Mr. Adkins has a picture to commemorate the event. While Col. Sisson was commander of the 3397th the unit was a key player in Mayor Robert Kirk Walkers Sparkle Day beautification program. LTC Adkins remembers hauling tons of trash to the landfill. Col. Sisson even drove one of the trucks. LTC Adkins said Col. Sisson was a strong supporter of the Boy and Girl Scouts programs in Chattanooga. He committed the unit to assisting in the annual March of Dimes event on WRCB TV. Col. Sisson and I sat side by side during the weekly Armed Forces Week meetings. He was someone I could call anytime for information. Col. Sisson seemed to know just about everyone in Hamilton County. He told me that he loved the Armed Forces Day Parade and desired to see it continue long after he was gone. He would go with Mrs. Brammer and me to the Warner Park field house a few days before the parade to review the floats under construction. The colonel enjoyed talking with the students who were building the floats. His daughter, Kathy Sisson Jones, said her dad had a deep passion for the United States military and what it stands for. Ms. Jones said a signed picture of General Westmoreland and her dad hangs on the wall at his Flintstone, Ga., home. Col. Sisson also coordinated media information for the Chattanooga Area Leadership Prayer Breakfast. He was so efficient at arranging interviews with key speakers. The Chattanooga community will remember Col. Sisson on Jan. 14 at the First Baptist Church in the Golden Gateway. He will be laid to rest in the Chattanooga VA national cemetery with full military honors. Earl Freudenberg Marc Gravitt announced he is seeking re-election to serve as the Hamilton County Register of Deeds. He said, Since first being elected three years ago, not only has the Registers Office been entrusted to account for over $64 million in state and local mandated funds, but has also remitted over $6.5 million to the Hamilton County General Fund. Im also proud to say, during this time, our audit reports have no findings or negative comments. In addition to the collection, and remitting to the Tennessee Department of Revenue the state mandated taxes and fees, the Registers Office is also responsible for recording 98 different types of documents. Most of those are real estate related, however, they also include UCC Filings, charters, judgements, military discharges, powers of attorney, as well as many other. During my time in office, my staff has recorded, indexed and scanned over 248,000 document sets, which is a testament to the dedication of my staff. My Chief Deputy and Deputy Clerks are tremendous public servants to the citizens of Hamilton County, and havent missed a beat during the pandemic. I cant speak highly enough of them, Mr. Gravitt said. He said,, I think its important for government agencies to remain up to date with modern technology to serve the citizens. A couple of years ago, the Registers Office developed our own in-house, Property Fraud Alert System. This is a free service to those Hamilton County property owners that sign up. Afterward, if a document is recorded on the property or in the name you enter, you will receive an email notification. This is an effort to help deter fraudulent deed filings In my next term, I would like to focus on scanning and indexing our earliest books, and get them in our online system. By doing so, all documents going back to 1796 will be available without having to come into our office." Prior to being elected County Register, Mr. Gravitt was a real estate broker and auctioneer. He also served as a state representative as a member of the 108th, 109th and 110th General Assemblies and a member of the East Ridge City Council. Mr. Gravitt is serving his third year as the Legislative Chair for the Tennessee Registers Association, is a member of the Legislative Committee for the County Officials Association of Tennessee, as well as currently serving as treasurer of the East Tennessee Registers Association which consists of 33 counties. The Chattanooga Fire Department in 2021 responded to 23,328 calls, including 202 structure fires, 9,322 EMS calls and motor vehicle crashes, as well as 2,193 Assist a Citizen calls. Crews saved $522,664,545 in property from fire damage, officials said. Fire Chief Phil Hyman said, Im proud of the firefighters who do such an outstanding job each and every day. The commitment and sacrifice they make to keep our community safe is not only heartfelt, but its what the CFD stands for. "The Chattanooga Fire Department continues to adapt to the ever-changing environment created by the coronavirus pandemic, keeping safety a priority as firefighters remain on the front lines. We welcomed a new mayor and staff, embracing their vision and goals for Chattanooga. We thank them for all of their help with securing substantial pay raises for fire and police. The new starting pay places the CFD in a very competitive range with other departments in the area and statewide, aiding with recruitment and retention. The citys leadership is also dedicated to helping our department advance forward with new positions, equipment and technology. We have two new fire rescue boats going into service in February. A new fire engine is now at Station 9 to serve the East Lake area, replacing a 1995 apparatus. Six new UTVs will be used to service our bike parks, river parks and nature trails. They will also provide access to damaged areas in the wake of severe weather. "The CFD beefed up training in 2021, continuing to enhance our Training Division through specialized courses and multi-company drills. Weve worked with the International Association of Fire Fighters to enhance our training program for fire ground survival which is critical for firefighter safety and self-rescue. Our Logistics Division has been instrumental in getting new equipment for our fire trucks, keeping stations stocked and working on different station/building enhancements. Our Special Operations Division has attended a number of outside classes. We have been able to send firefighters to specialized training for structural collapse and vehicle extrication. We updated our entire gas monitor program so that we can best determine if the air quality is safe on different scenes. The Fire Investigation Division continues to manage an increased caseload which has resulted in a number of arson arrests. Our Fire Prevention Bureau has been able to continue their service in inspections during the pandemic with an overall increase in new construction in the Chattanooga area. Our Operations Division had a 24 percent increase in overall call volume and has successfully responded to all emergency and non-emergency calls to help people in their time of need. "In 2022, we will train and welcome another group of fire cadets into the CFD family. We hope to break ground on a new Station 15 in the Eastdale community. We look forward to serving the citizens and visitors in Chattanooga as we keep laying the groundwork for the CFDs success in the next 150 years. As we move into 2022, it will be imperative to remain flexible and proactive as a department. Not only will we continue to focus on protecting our community, we will also take care of each other as we tackle challenges and changes on the horizon. The future looks very bright for the CFD. As cold weather arrives in the Tennessee Valley, Tennessee American Water reminds its customers to take steps to prevent water damage from frozen and burst pipes as well as frozen meters. The new year has brought cold weather to our area, which can cause the water pipes in your home to freeze, said Tennessee American Water Vice President of Operations Doug Wagner. Taking simple measures to prevent frozen water pipes saves the stress and cost of dealing with them and the damage they might cause. Property owners are responsible for maintenance of the water service line from the meter to the house, as well as any in-home pipes. Tennessee American Water encourages residents to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of freezing and bursting pipes. Follow these steps before cold weather sets in: Know how to shut off your water. Locate your main water shut-off valve. You may want to tag or label it, so you do not have to search for it in an emergency. This is important to know in a non-emergency situation as well, like making a repair on a small leak on a toilet or sink. Check sprinkler or irrigation systems. Make sure you have turned everything off and fully drained the system. Identify your homes freezing points. Check your home for pipes in areas that might be prone to freezing, such as crawl spaces, unheated rooms, basements, garages, and exterior walls. Strengthen your defenses. Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by closing off crawl spaces, fixing drafty windows, insulating walls and attics, and plugging drafts around doors. Protect your pipes. Where pipes are exposed to cold, wrap them with insulation or electrical pipe heater (even fabric or newspaper can help). When temperatures stay below freezing: Prevent pipes from freezing. Keep water moving through the pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run. Consider collecting the water for later use like watering plants. Also, the cost of a short-term trickle is much less costly than a repair of a burst pipe. Keep your pipes warm. Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing. If your pipes do freeze: Shut off the water immediately. Dont attempt to thaw pipes without first turning off the main shut-off valve. Thaw pipes with warm air. You can melt the frozen water in the pipe by warming air around it with a hair dryer or space heater. Be sure not to leave the space heater unattended and avoid the use of kerosene or open flames. Be careful turning water back on. Once pipes are thawed, slowly turn the water back on and double check for any additional cracks and leaks. Customers can learn more at www.tennesseeamwater.com or on its Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube. Jules Vernes 1872 novel Around the World in 80 Days has had no shortage of screen adaptations. That includes the Oscar-winning 1956 film starring David Niven and the more recent 2004 movie starring Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan. Now, PBS has unveiled a new version of the story, with Dr. Whos David Tennant stepping into the role of Victorian adventurer Phileas Fogg. [Warning: This article contains spoilers for Around the World in 80 Days Episode 1.] David Tennant plays Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days David Tennant in Around the World in 80 Days | Anika Molnar Slim 80 Days / Federation Entertainment / Peu Communications / ZDF / Be-Films / RTBF (television belge) 2021 RELATED: Hannibal: David Tennant Was Almost the Star of the Show The set-up of Around the World in 80 Days is simple. Wealthy Englishman Fogg bets an acquaintance that he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days or less. He embarks on his journey with his French valet Passepartout. They visit India, Hong Kong, and the U.S. on their way back to Foggs home in London. The new series follows the same basic premise. In the frantic, action-packed premiere (the first of eight episodes), we meet Fogg, an unassuming middle-aged bachelor. Hes so predictable and unadventurous that the other men at his posh club can order his bland, boring lunch for him. But after his longtime nemesis Nyle Bellamy (Peter Sullivan) mocks his dull ways, Fogg makes an unexpected announcement. Inspired by a newspaper article he just read about how its now possible to travel around the world in 80 days, he decides to attempt the journey himself. Never mind that hes barely ever left London. He also bets Bellamy a staggering 20,000 pounds about $3 million in todays U.S. currency he can complete the trip. The new PBS series updates Vernes story for the 21st century Verne published his novel when the British Empire was nearing the height of its size and power. The book has an undeniably colonialist viewpoint and focused largely on white, male characters. The new series attempts to make the story more palatable and relatable for modern audiences by diversifying the cast. (How the show handles things when Fogg arrives in places such as Hong Kong and India, which were then British colonies, remains to be seen.) Black French actor Ibrahim Koma plays Passepartout. He learns of Foggs planned adventure while working as a waiter at the Reform Club. The Frenchman finagles his way into a job as Foggs valet, which gets him out of a sticky situation in London. He also has a complicated past that we learn a bit more about in this episode. (More on that in a bit.) Meanwhile, Babylon Berlin alum Leonie Benesch plays a new character, Abigail Fortescue. She is clearly inspired by real-life journalist Nellie Bly, who made her own round-the-world journey in 1889. Abigail is the daughter of a powerful newspaper editor and a journalist struggling to make a name for herself. (Her father insists on publishing her articles under a male pseudonym.) She writes the article that inspires Fogg and tags along on his journey, now using the name Abigail Fix. Fogg gets caught up in a Paris uprising in the first episode Around the World in 80 Days To say Fogg is woefully unprepared for his epic journey would be an understatement. He gets seasick on the ferry from England to France, miserably declaring that hes dying. Things get worse when he and his companions arrive in Paris, which is in the midst of a vaguely explained popular uprising. He quickly gets separated from Abigail and Passepartout, leaving him to bumble around the streets of the French capital. Meanwhile, Passepartout reconnects with his brother, a key player in the revolt. Theres some hasty backstory about the siblings tense relationship and their fathers past as a revolutionary, with Abigail tagging along in search of a good story. Here, the episode awkwardly shifts between mostly comedic scenes of Fogg attempting to reconnect with his friends and more serious moments as Passepartouts brother plots to assassinate the French president. The action heats up at the end of the episode when Fogg inadvertently foils the assassination attempt. Soon after, Passepartouts brother is shot to death in a dramatic scene. But the moment lacks emotional impact given that we barely knew the character and the details of his realtionship with his brother. More adventures to come in Around the World in 80 Days Episode 2 Phileas, Passepartout, and Abigail make their escape from Paris in a hot-air balloon, on the way to their next adventure. Meanwhile, there are more hints about what caused Foggs retreat from the world. He carries a flask engraved with the words, To my darling fellow traveler, always yours. And then there are those mysterious postcards hes been receiving, including one with a brief but pointed message: Coward. Clearly, theres more to this mild-mannered man than meets the eye. So, whats in store for Fogg and his friends on the next stage of their journey? Find out when Around the World in 80 Days Episode 2 airs Jan. 9 on PBS. Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! RELATED: Vienna Blood Season 2 Premieres in 2022 on PBS Former Hamilton cast member, Jordan Fisher, had only been playing the titular role in Dear Evan Hansen for a few weeks when Broadway went dark due to COVID-19 in March 2020. In December 2021, the Tony Award-winning musical about adolescent anxiety and depression in the age of social media resumed showings. And with this reopening, Fisher donned Evan Hansens signature polo shirt once again. Keep reading to learn more about the show, the pandemic-related shutdowns, and what Jordan Fisher has to say about being the first Black actor to play the lead in Dear Evan Hansen. In Dear Evan Hansen a troubled teen creates a fictional friendship Dear Evan Hansen, today is going to be an amazing day, Hansen begins as he types himself a pep talk assigned by his therapist. The child of a single mother and absent father, he suffers from depression and social anxiety until a chance encounter with another unpopular student at his high school changes everything. Connor Murphy, the brother of Hansens crush, finds the letter left on a school printer, confronts Hansen with it, then refuses to give it back. Sadly, after Murphy dies by suicide, his parents find the letter among his belongings and assume Murphy wrote it to his only friend. To please them and satisfy curious classmates, Hansen fabricates the details of their friendship, and he soon finds himself caught up in a lie gone viral. As seen in Playbill, the musical stage play originally featured Ben Platt in the lead role when it debuted on Broadway in 2016. Platt also plays Hansen in the film adaptation that was released in the United States in September 2021, according to IMDb. In January 2020, Andrew Barth Feldman handed the role over to Fisher, who at 25 still looked young enough to be in high school. The beautiful thing about a razor blade and some good shaving cream, at least for me, he told PIX11 News, is that it takes off a lot of years. Jordan Fisher said hes honored to be the first Black actor to play the titular role in Dear Evan Hansen Jordan Fisher | Mary Clavering/Young Hollywood/Getty Images) Fisher recently spoke to People about his experience as the first Black actor to star in Dear Evan Hansen. My favorite thing about playing Evan honestly is just frankly being Black and being able to play this character, he said. As a Black man that has a relationship with anxiety and depression myself, its such an honor. Fisher first saw the play with fellow actor Vanessa Hudgens and was overwhelmed with emotion. Oh my God. When act one ended, I was buckled over in my seat, in the middle of the theater and in the fourth row, and Vanessas just rubbing my back and trying to hide my face. I couldnt contain myself, he said. I never ever knew that I would eventually wear that polo and that cast and wave through those windows as well. But man, Im so grateful that I am. Fisher said he sees the role as an opportunity to show young people like him that they arent alone. Its such a topic of conversation that just isnt had amongst the Black community. Im surrounded by a bunch of friends here in New York and in LA as well, Black brothers of mine. We all deal with it, have therapists, and whatnot. And being able to talk to one another about it is such an important thing, he said. Thats what gets me the most excited to get out of bed every morning is working on stuff thats going to make somebody feel less lonely. Dear Evan Hansen was among Broadway shows recently canceled due to the Omicron variant Performances of DEAR EVAN HANSEN from 12/20-12/26 have unfortunately been canceled out of an abundance of caution surrounding Covid-19, as the health, safety, and wellbeing of our cast, crew, and audience(s) remain our top priority. Performances are scheduled to resume 12/27. pic.twitter.com/5skoUdcqeJ Dear Evan Hansen (@DearEvanHansen) December 20, 2021 Despite the long-time theater tradition that declares, the show must go on, several Broadway productions have announced COVID-19 related cancelations and closures since theaters reopened in September. On Dec. 20, Dear Evan Hansen announced on Twitter that the show would close until Dec. 27 due to an abundance of caution. As of Dec. 21, 10 shows canceled performances during the normally busy holiday week, The Hollywood Reporter reported, including: Aint Too Proud, Aladdin, Hadestown, Hamilton, Lion King, Moulin Rouge!, and SIX. Some cited breakthrough cases among cast members. Though most shows were slated to reopen on or before Dec. 27, Yahoo! News recently announced that Aint Too Proud, the story of the musical group The Temptations, will perform for the last time on Jan. 16. Alanis Morrisettes, Jagged Little Pill, as well as Thoughts of a Colored Man, and Waitress have also announced permanent closures. The good news is that Broadway is not shutting down like it did in 2020. We have absolutely no plans to shut down, Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin told The Hollywood Reporter. We are paying serious attention to the protocols. The other 20 to 30 shows continue to perform because were following the protocols that we set up, and it shows theyre working. Check the Broadway Leagues website, Broadway.org for the latest performance times and cancellation updates as the lingering threat from the rapidly spreading Omicron variant evolves. How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line. RELATED: Tony Awards 2021: How COVID-19 Changed This Years Live Performances Kelly Dodd from The Real Housewives of Orange County revealed that Bravo fined her $16,000 for wearing the Drunk Wives Matter hat at her bridal shower and posting about it on social media. Dodds 2020 bridal shower became controversial when she shared party photos that lacked coronavirus (Covid-19) protocols. But fans were especially infuriated when Dodd shared a photo wearing a hat with Drunk Wives Matter across the front. She posted the photo only months after the Black Lives Matter protests, which not only angered fans but prompted the network to take action. Kelly Dodd from RHOC says backlash from her bridal shower cost her $16,000 Dodd said Bravo took financial action against her for wearing the hat. I got fined for wearing the Drunk Wives Matter hat, she revealed on the Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast. And I didnt even buy it. It was given to me at [my shower]. Kelly Dodd from RHOC on WWHL | Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank Husband Rick Leventhal added that Dodd didnt even wear it on RHOC. [I wore it at ] my bridal shower and I got dinged for that, she continued. I got $16,000 and they wouldnt tell me why. She stood by her social media share and doubled down Dodd believes the Drunk Wives Matter hat was one of many reasons why she was fined. But I know [the hat] was one of those reasons, she said. It was general behavior of why I got charged $16,000. They wouldnt give me specifics. But I know I caused them a lot of grief because they did promote BLM so much. Wait, wasnt I the ratings problem ? Wasnt there a boycott ?? We got over a million viewers 14 out of 16 weeks last season despite HUGE competition from election coverage on the news !!! This year ? #RHOC16 under a million 3x in 4 weeks ! Hey @Andy Hows that reboot going ??? https://t.co/cVBEIsAbqH pic.twitter.com/v5MjxP7Y7I Kelly Leventhal (@kellydleventhal) December 28, 2021 RELATED: RHOC: Andy Cohen Says Reboot Doing Great After Kelly Dodd Shades Ratings Leventhal pointed out that Dodd was the most racially diverse person on RHOC, so he and Dodd found it odd to be hit. Its like youre damned if you do and damned if you dont, she said. Dodd later deleted the social media shares but stood by her photos. You know what, all lives matter, Dodd said when confronted on social media (via E!). People that cant get a joke, go f*** yourselves. Kelly Dodd says everyone doesnt have to agree with her but dont silence her opinion Levanthal said he and Dodd have pushed back against shutdowns and mask-wearing from the moment Covid hit the United States. And Kelly was very vocal about it, he remarked. And, skeptical whether the masks actually do anything. Andy Cohen accused you of being on the wrong side of history, he added, referring to the exchange Dodd and Cohen had during the RHOC reunion. And I think that history will actually show and was already showing that Kelly was ahead of the curve. That the masks really, for the most part, dont do a whole lot. Get the FULL RECAP of #RHOC Episode 3 on our YouTube channel Rick & Kelly Unmasked and make sure you watch the last few minutes !!! #bravo #podcast #tea pic.twitter.com/PJgMk0EozR Kelly Leventhal (@kellydleventhal) December 16, 2021 Levanthal said that the podcast he and Dodd have, Unmasked means that they arent being silenced anymore. Dodd added, And everybody doesnt have to agree with me, she said. Its not like if you dont believe what I have to say Im in America. I get to have my opinion. If you dont agree with it, go ahead then, fine. I mean its insane. Like you cant have an opinion? Like youre hated because you have an opinion? I get mad with somebody else who thinks that they should go get backs, she said. Or they should go, you know, its different here than in LA. So when you come to Orange County, everything is open. Everything is free. Its the Florida of California. In an oil field like this, Gunter Wegener and his colleagues found the microorganisms that now also live in their laboratory. Genetic information shows that they are widespread and even live in the deep sea (symbolic image). Microorganisms can convert oil into natural gas, i.e. methane. Until recently, it was thought that this conversion was only possible through the cooperation of different organisms. In 2019, Rafael Laso-Perez and Gunter Wegener from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology suggested that a special archaeon can do this all by itself, as indicated by their genome analyses. Now, in collaboration with a team from China, the researchers have succeeded in cultivating this miracle microbe in the laboratory. This enabled them to describe exactly how the microbe achieves the transformation. They also discovered that it prefers to eat rather bulky chunks of food. Underground oil deposits on land and in the sea are home to microorganisms that use the oil as a source of energy and food, converting it into methane. Until recently, it was thought that this conversion was only possible in a complicated teamwork between different organisms: certain bacteria and usually two archaeal partners. Now the researchers have managed to cultivate an archaeon called Methanoliparia from a settling tank of an oil production facility that handles this complex reaction all by itself. This miracle microbe breaks down oil into methane and carbon dioxide. Methanoliparia is a kind of hybrid creature that combines the properties of an oil degrader with those of a methanogen, i.e. a methane producer, explains study author Gunter Wegener from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and the Marum Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen. Genes for decomposing hydrocarbons Now that the researchers have succeeded in cultivating these microorganisms in the laboratory, they were able to investigate the underlying processes in detail. They discovered that its genetic make-up gives Methanoliparia unique capabilities. In its genes it carries the blueprints for enzymes that can activate and decompose various hydrocarbons. In addition, it also has the complete gear kit of a methane producer, says Wegener. In their laboratory cultures, the researchers offered the microbes various kinds of food and used a variety of different methods to keep a close eye on how Methanoliparia deal with it. What was particularly surprising to see was that this archaeon activated all the different hydrocarbons with one and the same enzyme. So far, we have only cultivated archaea that live on short-chain hydrocarbons such as ethane or butane. Methanoliparia, on the other hand, prefers heavy oil with its long-chain compounds, says co-author Rafael Laso-Perez, who now works at Spain's National Center for Biotechnology (CNB). Methanogenic microbes that use long-chain hydrocarbons directly we didn't know these existed until now. Even complicated hydrocarbons with ring-like or aromatic structures are not too bulky for Methanoliparia, at least if they are bound to at least one longer carbon chain. This means that besides our other exciting results we have also found a previously completely unknown pathway of methanogenesis. The Methanoliparia cells cultured for the present study originate from one of China's largest oil fields, the Shengli oil field. However, genetic analyses show that these microbes are distributed all over the world, even down to the deep sea. Our results hold an entirely new understanding of oil exploitation in subsurface oil reservoirs. Both the wide distribution of these organisms and the potential industrial applications make this an exciting field of research in the coming years, Wegener concludes. Magnets from organic materials can enable new applications and offer a sustainable alternative to metal magnets containing rare earths. With a worldwide unique experimental setup at DESY's X-ray source PETRA III, scientists from Tubingen, Hamburg, Berlin, Nebraska und Italy have demonstrated magnetism in completely organic thin films for the first time. These results open the way to the advent of flexible, light and transparent magnets and, thus, to a variety of new futuristic applications, explains Maria Benedetta Casu from the University of Tubingen who led the research. The team reports its comprehensive analysis in the journal Chem. Magnetism is a property of matter that has been known to mankind for several thousand years, long before these properties could be described in a theory. In our everyday lives, we are used to classical magnets made of metals or rare earth alloys, hard materials like the magnets that decorate our fridge, says Casu. Let's imagine a class of materials that have a magnetic moment in the complete absence of metal ions, being composed only of light elements, such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. These would be transparent, light, and flexible materials. They would have lower costs of production and could be sustainably produced. This class of materials does indeed exist: it is the family of organic radicals. These radicals are organic molecules that carry an unpaired electron, resulting in a permanent magnetic moment that is not due to the effect of an external magnetic field. Organic radicals are very promising materials for electronics and quantum technology, says Tobias Junghofer from the University of Tubingen, one of the main authors of the study. However, to use these radicals in a device, they usually need to be fabricated as a thin film, 1000 times thinner than a human hair, coating a substrate such as silicon dioxide (SiO2). In the past, magnetism in purely organic radicals was known only for crystals and it was completely unknown in thin films. It was never studied before because this was a huge challenge, explains Casu. A decade ago, such experiments were not yet technically possible. Then, our colleagues at the University of Hamburg developed a high magnetic field machine for ultracold measurements down to 0.1 Kelvin, very close to absolute zero, and much colder than the temperature of outer space, reports Casu. However, it was necessary to work with synchrotron light from an advanced source such as PETRA III. The combination of the beamline P04 at PETRA III and our machine is unique and it is the only facility in the world where it is possible to obtain these results. The first such experiment was performed in 2016. The measurements were very time consuming, since it takes several days to cool the sample below 1 Kelvin, and 100 to 150 scans on different points on the sample had to be done for just a single averaged spectrum, explains co-author Michael Martins from the University of Hamburg. The team used a technique called X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) that is a well-established method to investigate classical magnets and to identify their magnetic behaviour. But it was never before used on purely organic materials. XMCD is an element-specific measurement technique that was pioneered at DESY's X-ray source DORIS in the 1980s and can identify all the elements forming a material, based on the absorption of circularly polarized X-rays that leads to so-called electronic transitions in the sample. We applied a strong magnetic field at very low temperature to align the single magnetic moments in each molecule of our radical films along the direction of the field, explains Ivan Baev from the University of Hamburg, also one of the main authors of the study. The absorption spectra were measured once with left circularly polarized light and once with right circularly polarized light. Analysing the measurements was not easy. It took a long time to interpret the data, as this is the first experiment of its kind, but it was very rewarding, reports Casu. We have shown that completely organic, light and transparent radical thin films have long-range magnetism, and their magnetic behaviour can be changed depending on the film production, for example by changing the temperature of the coated substrates during coating. This renders organic radicals promising candidates for novel and sustainable magnetic materials. Scientists from the Universities of Tubingen, Hamburg and Nebraska, from the Italian Istituto Nanoscienze in Modena and from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin contributed to this research. Chickasha, OK (73018) Today Windy with scattered thunderstorms, possibly severe during the afternoon hours. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High around 85F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some strong this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low near 45F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%. On Sunday, more than 4,000 flights were canceled throughout the world, with more than half of them in the United States, adding to the toll of Christmas travel disruptions caused by bad weather and the Omicron variant's rise in coronavirus infections. The flights that were canceled by 8 pm GMT on Sunday comprised nearly 2,400 coming, departing from or inside the United States, according to tracking website FlightAware.com. Over 11,200 flights were canceled throughout the world. SkyWest and SouthWest were the airlines with the highest cancellations, with 510 and 419 cancellations, respectively. Flight cancellations greet the New Year Per MINT, the holidays are always a busy time for air travel, but the quick spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant has resulted in a spike in COVID-19 cases, prompting airlines to delay flights while pilots and cabin personnel quarantine. Transportation agencies around the United States were also stopping or decreasing services owing to coronavirus-related worker shortages. Omicron has delivered high case counts and dampened New Year festivities over much of the world. The spike in US COVID-19 cases has forced several organizations to reconsider plans to expand the number of staff working from their offices starting Monday. US officials documented at least 346,869 new coronavirus on Saturday, according to a Reuters count. The US death toll from COVID-19 climbed by at least 377 to 828,562. According to flight-tracking website FlightAware, airlines canceled more than 2,500 US flights on Sunday, on top of the 2,749 flights canceled on New Year's Day. On Saturday, a snow storm forced airlines to cancel hundreds of flights at Chicago's two main airports. Other cancellations were reported in Atlanta, Denver, and the New York City region on Sunday. On top of the terrible weather, numerous airlines including JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, pand Delta Air Lines, cited an increase in COVID-19 infections from the fast-spreading Omicron variant among personnel. The travel problems occur on one of the busiest days for airlines since the pandemic began, as per CNBC. Read Also: Why Will Inflation Matter in 2022? Here's Why You Should Be Concerned and Tips To Gear Up Your Personal Finances Omicron variant causes airline staff shortage Last year, the Transportation Security Administration checked about 580 million individuals, up 79 percent from 2020 but still off roughly 30 percent from 2019 before the pandemic. The Omicron variant is a new hurdle for carriers that are trying to stabilize after nearly two years of the pandemic. Per CBS News, the continual cancellations are a part of an ongoing fight between airlines that are short staffed and consumers relying on air travel for the holiday season. Travel has continued to recover to pre-pandemic levels, with 1,995,747 persons inspected at security checkpoints on Tuesday alone, according to the Transportation Safety Administration. Six million passengers are anticipated to fly, according to the TSA. Meanwhile, positive case reports of the COVID-19 Omicron variant have continued to rise across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Omicron cases accounted for 58.6 percent of all infections in the United States as of December 25, with a 95 percent prediction ranging from 41.5-74 percent. On Monday, the CDC decreased the previously recommended 10-day isolation period to 5 days for asymptomatic patients in an effort to help workforces, like airlines, reeling from a scarcity of labor. For passengers whose flights have not been canceled and are still intending on utilizing air travel, the CDC continues to urge only going if vaccinated, and then mask wearing, social distance and testing often. Related Article: COVID-19 Omicron Variant Crashes New Year Celebrations Worldwide But South Africa Says Wave May Have Peaked, Lifting Overnight Curfews @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Dakatcha Woodland is home to Africas tiniest owl; a long-legged shrew with golden fur found nowhere else on earth; and weaver birds so rare it took Kenyan ornithologist Colin Jackson 13 years to track down their breeding grounds. The East African habitat, which stretch over about 465,000 acres north of the coastal town of Malindi, Kenya, are under constant threat from climate change, expanding farms, and charcoal production. Were fighting against a huge wave of destruction, Jackson, who is also head of A Rocha Kenya, told CT. There are only so many things you can do to save a forest. You can lobby for environmental laws. Buy land and place it in a trust. Raise money. Raise awareness. Promote scientific research on the importance of the habitat for biodiversity. And, according to Jackson, you can pray. There have been times when things have looked pretty desperate and yet weve managed to break through and things have improved, he said. A Rocha Kenya, the local branch of the international network of environmental organizations with Christian ethos, has set up a wall of prayer to protect the Dakatcha Woodland and other key sites. It consists of a WhatsApp group of about 80 or so Christian conservationists around the world that A Rocha Kenya can call on for intercession when faced with a crisis. Many people are skeptical of the power of prayer, and there is an especially fierce criticism of those who invoke thoughts and prayers as a way not to take action on pressing social issues. But Christians who care about the environment have been increasingly turning to intercession as a spiritual tool commensurate with great need. Believers from Asia, Europe, and North America gathered monthly ahead of the United Nations climate change conference in Scotland to intercede for the governments negotiating emissions targets. At the conference, Christian observers prayed for a godly outcome. And the Christian conservation group in Kenya is organizing believers who will pray for the protection of the forest that is home to many rare creatures. The combination of the spiritual and the practical in conservation is not something new in Kenya. Many of Jacksons colleagues either are Christians or have a Christian background. Government meetings in the area often open and close with prayer. But some conservationists are sharply critical of the approachand opposed to any effort to care for the environment that puts an emphasis on Christian convictions. Mordecai Ogada, executive director of Kenyan nonprofit Conservation Solutions Afrika, told CT that the model of conservation currently practiced in Kenya is steeped in racial bias and the dominance of whiteness. Instead of attempting to decolonize, it draws its traditions and ideas from people like Theodore Roosevelt, the US president who was a noted conservationist, and John Muir, the Scottish American naturalist and father of the National Parks. In African societies, spirituality is closely tied to stewardship of the environment, but this African spirituality has always been vilified by missionaries and Christianity, Ogada said. The Christian basis for conservation instantly excludes those who do not subscribe to the Christian faith. But as a researcher at the University of Manitobas Natural Resources Institute Joanne Moyer spent 11 months looking at the role of religious organizations in sustainable development and environmental protection in Kenya, and thats not what she saw. While A Rocha was one of the more overtly Christian of the organizations I studied, in terms of integrating prayer, Bible study, and worship in the regular rhythms of their organizational life, I would describe their approach toward non-Christians to be respectfully invitational, said Moyer, who is now an associate professor of environmental studies and geography at The Kings University, Alberta. There was an atheist volunteer while I was there, and she was never pressured to attend any of the overtly Christian activities. I think I asked her about how she felt working there as a non-Christian, and she said it was just fine. Moyer also believes the religious approach to conservationism may connect with Kenyans more than the Western academic and scientific environmental and conservationist programs. Faith-based groups like A Rocha could connect with local people in a language they understood, she said. An uneducated farmer might not understand things like biodiversity, habitat, endangered species, and their role in the larger ecosystem. But most Kenyans are Christian, and A Rocha could articulate a fairly simple and straightforward faith-based conservation message that I think made sense to people and resonated with them in a way that made them more motivated to respond. That has been Jacksons experience. He first started connecting with the local community in Dakatcha during his quest to locate the nesting site of a small black-and-yellow bird called the Clarkes weaver, found only there and in Arabuko-Sokoke, a forest reserve to the south of Malindi. Like the Sokoke scops owls, the weavers are endangered due to deforestation, and their nesting habits were unknown to science until 2013 when Jackson and colleagues discovered a breeding colony in a wetland in Dakatcha. In a scientific paper published in Scopus, they described the colony, which was filled with hundreds of Clarkes weavers building ball-shaped nests from sedge fibers and filling the air with their buzzing and sizzling calls. During the surveys for the nesting site, Jackson and his team had discovered most people they met were church members. The churches became the conservation groups gateway into the community. Today, A Rocha is also helping train some of Dakatchas farmers in methods that protect the forest, while also promoting soil health, boosting crop yields, and minimizing water usage. Through the churches it is able to give biblical teaching on why God cares about the earth and all things in itincluding the farms people work, the birds they see and hear, the air they breathe, and the water they drink. But while Jackson agrees that faith-based arguments for protecting trees, owls, and shrews are effective, he also has a most straightforward reason to prioritize prayer at A Rocha. Hes a Christian, and Christians are supposed to pray. God is sovereign, and he works his purposes out, he said. But we do know that God loves us to talk to him and to bring our requests to him and he does answer prayer. He also believes that prayer is powerful. Seven years ago, for example, Jackson and his colleagues saw large yellow earth-moving equipment arrive at Arabuko-Sokoke, a coastal forest that is home to not only many elephants and buffalo but also overlooked rarities like the golden-rumped sengi, a shrew thats found only there and in Dakatcha. A US-based oil firm, CAMAC Energy, wanted to cut lines through Arabuko-Sokoke to carry out seismic surveys. This would involve planting and detonating explosives. CAMAC Energy (later known as Erin Energy Corporation) insisted the seismic survey would not harm the forest and that it always complied with environmental regulations. But A Rocha, other conservation groups, and locals were alarmed at what looked to them like impending devastation. Jackson and his colleagues were spurred into action, working with communities on the ground and other conservation groups and activists. And, as with all their work, they also turned to prayer. Within weeks, the company had shelved its plans for exploration. CAMAC Energys statement at the time said that the decision to not go ahead with the surveys inside the forest was in keeping with our tradition of involving and listening to all stakeholders. Jackson and the other people praying for the situation were pretty sure they knew the real reason. We felt very much that God really answered that prayer, Jackson said. Pressed on whether he could be sure the prayer partners on WhatsApp were really the key to the decision made in a corporate boardroom in Houston, Texas, Jackson just said, Thats one of the million-dollar questions. A missionaries kid who earned a doctorate in ornithology after starting a branch of the conservationist organization at home, Jackson is happy to point to another answered prayer: funds. A Rocha Kenya recently received a grant of $1 million to purchase and protect land within the Dakatcha. I completely see that as an answer to prayer, Jackson said. I see that as Gods hand at work. One key area the group hopes to secure is a patch of forest where the Sokoke scops owl breeds. This 17-centimeter-high bird of preyAfricas smallest owlis listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The breeding ground is currently threatened by encroaching pineapple farms and increased charcoal burning. Indirectly, Jackson said, the problem is climate change. Although places like the Dakatcha Woodlands are considered semi-arid, 30 years ago farmers could plant crops like maize in mid-March and rely on regular soaking rainfall over the next three months. Now the rains come late. A severe drought in recent months has made things much worse. People are not getting the crops that they need. That is what forces them into cutting trees and burning charcoal, Jackson said. With the money from the grant, A Rocha is negotiating with some of those farmers to buy land, talking to them about the Christian reasons to protect the owls and their habitat, and praying that people might be moved to see the forest as something they should protect instead of consume. Jackson says for conservation projects to be successful, peoples hearts will have to change. They need to get right with God and understand their God-given relationship with creation, which is to tend it and care for it, he said. If we get that right, and were in a healed relationship with God, then theres a far greater chance for creation to be protected. For that, he believes, the best tool is prayer. The completion of the first sign language Bible translated from the original languages prompted cheers and celebrations in the fall of 2020. It took nearly four decades for more than 50 translators to finish the American Sign Language Version (ASLV), and the project started by Deaf Missions received crucial support from the Deaf Bible Society, DOOR International, Deaf Harbor, the American Bible Society, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Seed Company, and Pioneer Bible Translators. But for the deaf, its one down, more than 400 to go. Still only one sign language of the over 400 has a complete Bible, said J. R. Bucklew, the founder and former president of the Deaf Bible Society, who now works as director of major gifts at Pioneer Bible Translators. And still, no other sign language outside of the American Sign Language has a full New Testament. Theres a lot of work ahead of us. Bucklew doesnt diminish the significance of the completion of the ASLV. As a hearing person born to deaf parents, he sees the translation as a major historic event. And as an advocate for sign language Bible translation, he sees the ASLV as the great accelerator that is helping build the momentum necessary for the translation work that remains to be done. IllumiNations, an alliance of 11 Bible translation organizations, has set a goal of rendering Scripture in every known language by 2033. There are, according to the group, about 7,000 known languages in the world, and roughly more than half have little or no Bible. While people may access Scripture by learning English, Spanish, or a dominant trade language, the evangelical organizations believe everyone should have equal access in their heart language. Including sign language. Many hearing people think sign language is only an alternate rendering of vocabularysimilar to how Braille reproduces written text in a code of raised dots. Sign language, however, has its own vocabulary and its own grammar, and linguists consider it a distinct language. The leadership of illumiNations has added more than 400 sign languages to its list of thousands needed Bible translations, despite already facing the challenge of meeting that 2033 goal. If sign languages were left off that list, the translation alliance would have missed a lot of deaf people throughout the world. No good data is available on how many people know each of the hundreds of sign languages. But reportedly, more than half a million each sign in Indo-Pakistani, Indonesian, Russian, Brazilian, and Spanish, and more than 100,000 use another half-dozen sign languages. The ASLV Bible made the entirety of Scripture accessible to the 3.5 million people for whom ASLV is their heart language. Translator Jose Abenchuchan does not need to look far to understand the impact of his work. On a shelf in his home, he keeps a copy of the Bible his deaf mother used before she died. The cover is missing, from extensive use. The pages inside are marked with the copious notes she made as she struggled to understand written English. I cherish it because it helps me remember the fight my mom had, Abenchuchan, who is also deaf, signed to CT through an interpreter. And thats why Im involved in Bible translation now. Abenchuchan started working on the ASLV in 1995 and stayed through to the completion, helping with more than 30 books of the Bible. He currently works as the coordinator of deaf field projects for Pioneer. You couldn't ask the Spanish people to read an English Bible, right? It would be like reading a foreign language, he signed. Thats why the ASLV was so significant, because its in our heart language. And its changed so many lives. IllumiNations describes the lack of Scripture as Bible poverty. Erle Deira, director of partnerships at American Bible Society, says thats a good way to think about it. To understand the significance of the ASLV, Deira said, you have to create an image of standing in front of a river, and on the other side of the river, you have all the food that a population would need to nourish itself and live well. But there is no bridge to cross that river. Building a bridge wont be easy, though. The first problem is money. Translating the ASLVwhich required video production, in addition to humans who knew the biblical languages well enough to translate themcost about $195 per verse. The project would have taken an additional 13 years without support from all the Bible societies, translation organizations, and Christian groups coming alongside Deaf Missions. Translating 400 more sign language Bibles could cost an estimated $350 million, Bucklew said. Christian groups like Passion have already started raising money for the work. Another challenge is finding the multilingual deaf people who can translate the Scripture from the original languages or from American Sign Language. Many deaf people are denied any education and only a fraction of those who receive an education are taught sign language. This is partly due to the fact that hearing parents dont know how critical sign language can be to a deaf child and worry the skill will separate them from society. Tanya Polstra, executive director of Silent Blessings Deaf Ministries, said she understands that concern. Most hearing adults dont know a deaf person, and if they do, the first one they met was their own child. About 90 percent of deaf people are born to hearing parents. God has chosen that family to learn about deaf culture and language so that we can all come together to be a body of Christ, not to be separated, Polstra, who has been deaf since age three, signed through an interpreter. Sign language Bibles may encourage more people to teach deaf children to sign, and Polstra hopes it will also help deaf people embrace their identity in Christ. Some deaf people, she said, have been hesitant to turn to the ASLV Bible or the kinds of resources that Silent Blessings Deaf Ministries offers. Because they havent owned their identity yet, she said. Right now, theyre still questioning, Why am I deaf? Why am I suffering in this world? Their struggle to be involved in the church, the neglectmaybe theyre wanting to be involved in the church, and people say no because they cant communicate. So, they associate God as a hearing God. There may be many other challenges as well, but the time to start meeting them is now, Bucklew said. He is encouraged, though, that its no longer just deaf ministries working on the project. There is a lot of support, and Bible translation agencies and societies are now including sign languages when they strategize to give the whole world Scripture. Deaf ministries are increasingly cooperating, and more deaf leaders are emerging within the Bible translation movement and becoming part of the problem-solving processes, according to Bucklew. Hes hesitant to project precise dates, but Bucklew expects the next two completed translations will be for Colombian and Japanese sign languages. That will be three down, more than 400 to go. But Christians are laying aside logos and egos, Bucklew said, and the translations are underway. Through a bunch of imperfect people and imperfect institutions, he said, a holy God is doing a perfect work. Frank Barker Jr., the founding pastor of one of the flagship congregations of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), died on December 27. He would have turned 90 this month. Barker started Briarwood Presbyterian Church in a storefront in a Birmingham suburb and grew it to a congregation of more than 4,000 by the time he retired in 1999, making it one of Alabamas first megachurches and a strong example of the PCAs commitment to evangelism. He both modeled and motivated the PCA to be passionately committed to the Great Commission, the basic work of evangelism, and discipleship, Harry Reeder, who succeeded Barker at Briarwood, told byFaith, the PCAs denominational magazine. He was an excellent example of being a true churchman with a kingdom heart. According to Barkers daughter Peggy Barker Townes, he personally led about 10,000 people to Christ and discipled countless more in Birmingham, around Alabama, and across the Southeast. Notable people who studied the Bible with Barker include Alabama Republican Party chairman Bill Amistead and Auburn Tigers placekicker-turned-evangelist John Rat Riley. If you meet a Christian in Birmingham who is 60 or older, Campus Outreach pastor Olan Stubbs told The Gospel Coalition in 2018, and you ask them how they came to Christ, Id bet my money that at some point theyll mention Frank Barker. The wages of sin is death Barker was born in Birmingham on January 31, 1932. By his account, he went wild in high school, continued his raucous living at Auburn University, and partied his way into the US Navy, where he trained to be a jet pilot. He was occasionally scared straight by close brushes with death. Once, according to a story he frequently retold, he fell asleep at the wheel of a car while doing 60 mph between Birmingham and Pensacola, Florida. He swerved off the road and crashed. When he got out of his car, he saw a sign nailed to a pine tree: The wages of sin is death. That got my attention, Barker said. I started trying to straighten up. During one of his attempts to turn from parties to the straight and narrow, Barker decided to become a minister. He believed the extra effort would help him earn Gods forgiveness. He enrolled in Columbia Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian school near Atlanta, and started working at a Presbyterian church. After a difficult first year in ministry, though, Barker wondered if he was even really a Christian. He asked an Air Force chaplain whom he knew how he could be sure, and heardfor the first timethat he couldnt earn his salvation. Thats wrong, Barker said to the chaplain. Gods not going to just give this thing away! Finally convinced that God did, in fact, just give this thing away, the young minister accepted Jesus free gift. I had totally missed that salvation was about grace, he later said. I surrendered my will and transferred my trust from me to Christ. When I did that, life began to change dramatically. Emphasis on evangelism In 1960, the Presbyterian Church US, commonly known as the Southern Presbyterian Church, asked Barker to start a congregation in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. The new suburb only had about 4,000 people at the time, but it grew more than 200 percent over the next decade as Birmingham became a center for the struggle over civil rights and white people fled the city. Briarwood Presbyterian grew with the suburbs, expanding from one store to three and then leaving its shopping center with plans for the construction of a hilltop church that ultimately cost $32 million. Barker was not renowned for his preaching, but the church continued to draw crowds, and he emphasized the importance of evangelism. Every Wednesday night we would have evangelism training, and then go out and call on people, he told TGC. Id like to just settle in and read a book. But the Bible tells us to reach out to others, so I had to discipline myself to do that. At the time, conservative Presbyterians concerned about the liberal forces in the denomination were opposed to churches getting involved in politics. They argued that the churchs mission of winning people to Jesus Christ was fatally compromised by overemphasis on social, economic, and political mattersin particular the agitation over racial segregation. Paul G. Settle, considered the first member of the PCA, listed Compromise of the Spiritual Mission of the Church as the first concern of conservative Presbyterians, followed by Union with non-Reformed Bodies. Segregation academy Barker, allied with the conservatives, avoided involvement in the civil rights movement. He did not make any public statements when white supremacists bombed a Black church and did not join the Birmingham Campaign, when Martin Luther King Jr. led protests in the city. Briarwood did, however, start a whites-only school in 1965. The school officially changed its policy to allow Black students to apply for admission in 1970 after the Internal Revenue Service threatened to revoke the tax-exempt status of what were called segregation academies. That year the school doubled in size, growing from 210 students to about 500. All of the students were white, and a spokesman for an association of Christian schools told a local newspaper that about half the parents switching from public to private were vocal about their opposition to racial integration. Today, Briarwood Christian School is considered one of the best elementary schools in the Birmingham area. More than 90 percent of the students are white. The denomination formally repented of its historic support for segregation in 2016. Tensions between conservatives and liberals in the Southern Presbyterian Church continued to grow as liberal leaders sought reunification with the Northern Presbyterians, who issued a new confession in 1967 calling Christians to the work of reconciliation, including racial reconciliation. Conservatives were also concerned about weakening commitments to the Westminster Confession and catechisms and denominational requirements that ordained ministers affirm the doctrines of Christs virgin birth, his bodily resurrection, and the Trinity. By 1968, practically every doctrine held precious by Gods people had been denied, rejected, ridiculed, or at least called into question in the denominations official publications, pronouncements, policies, or programs, Settle wrote in an official PCA history. Founding the PCA When conservatives gathered in Macon, Georgia, the next year to write a new statement of purpose that stressed the defense of the Reformed faith and Presbyterian polity at all costs, Barker was one of the key speakers. Four years later, when representatives from 260 congregations decided to break away and form a new conservative Presbyterian denomination, they gathered at Briarwood. Barker presided over the First General Assembly of what was then called the National Presbyterian Church, served on the missions committee and the constitution committee, and led the gathered elders in worship. In the following years, Barker always charged young PCA pastors to place a high priority on evangelism. He gave me some strong marching orders: Dont ever let a year in the life of your church go by that you are not personally equipping the people of your church to share their faith, said Randy Pope, who founded a PCA church in the Atlanta suburbs in 1977. It is the greatest advice I could have ever received. In 1986, Barker was elected moderator of the PCAs 14th General Assembly. He beat two other candidates for the job, and his victory was seen at the time as a signal of the denominations commitment to evangelism, missions, and church planting. Church involved in politics Briarwood did eventually get involved in politics. Under Barkers leadership, the church organized protests in front of a Birmingham abortion clinic in 1989 and joined a group of churches publishing a full-page ad calling on state legislators to support pro-life legislation. In 1992, when George H. W. Bush was running for reelection, Briarwood invited Vice President Dan Quayle to speak at the church on a Sunday morning. Barker praised Quayle, who was fighting at the time to keep his place on the Republican ticket, and gave him a Bible during the worship service. Perhaps the churchs biggest political push during Barkers 39 years in the pulpit came in the late 1990s, when Alabama considered launching a state lottery. Briarwood opposed the legalization of gambling, and the elders gave $75,000 from the churchs operating budget to the anti-lotto lobbying effort. What God has done through our church For Barker, though, the most important work of the church remained evangelism. He measured the success of the church by the energy and effort it put into outreach and missions. When he retired in 1999, Briarwood had more than 4,000 members and the church endowed a chair of evangelism and missions at Westminster Theological Seminary. It has been amazing to see what God has done through our church and the PCA, Barker said a few years before his death. He has greatly blessed our stepping out in faith. Our denomination has had a real heart for missionaries and church planting, which is a great way for multiplying the Lords work. Barker is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Anita, Frank, and Peggy; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was buried at Alabama National Cemetery on January 3, and his memorial service is planned at Briarwood Presbyterian Church on January 8. China threatens Walmart, Sam's Club against banning products in response to Uyghur labor camps, genocide Chinas anti-corruption watchdog has threatened Walmart Inc. with a consumer boycott, accusing the U.S. retail giant of stupidity and shorted-sightedness over its removal of Xinjiang-sourced products from its Sam's Club online app in response to the forced labor of religious minorities and the genocide of Uyghur Muslims. The Chinese Communist Partys Central Commission for Discipline Inspection accused Walmart and its Sams Club chain of boycotting products from the northwestern region of Xinjiang and trying to muddle through the controversy by not responding to complaints or releasing a statement, Reuters reported. To take down all products from a region without a valid reason hides an ulterior motive, reveals stupidity and short-sightedness, and will surely have its own bad consequences, the Chinese Communist Partys Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said on its website in response to Walmart Inc.'s actions. The Chinese government has been accused of imprisoning over 1 million Uyghur and other ethnic Muslim minorities in so-called re-education camps, otherwise known as concentration camps, where reports have revealed that they are severely tortured and forced to memorize Communist Party propaganda. Neither Walmart nor Sams Club has responded to the backlash in China. However, Walmart Inc.s move came after President Joe Biden on Dec. 23 signed into law a measure banning imports from Xinjiang over concerns about forced labor. Chinas warning comes after comments emerged on social media in that country that products typically sourced from Xinjiang on Walmart and Sams Club online stores were not available. Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart generated revenue of $11.43 billion in China during its fiscal year that ended Jan. 31, according to the newswire. As the 2022 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in Beijing in February, human rights organizations had urged the Biden administration to send a statement to the Chinese government over its egregious human rights abuses by boycotting the Olympic Games. The U.S. government labeled Chinas treatment of the Uyghurs as a genocide during the final days of the Trump administration, a designation that has been upheld by the Biden administration. For the past several years, China has been continuously arresting Uyghur people and placing them in re-education camps, the U.S.-based China Aid said in a statement released in June 2020. Chinese authorities claimed these camps provide vocational training for Uyghur people. However, camp survivors reported being starved, tortured, forced to study pro-government propaganda, and made to do extensive labor with little to no pay. The Chinese government has continually denied that it has unjustly imprisoned Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region. However, documents called The China Cables that were leaked in 2019 to news outlets revealed the ideological motivations and structure behind such detention centers. The documents were leaked to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, a consortium that worked with 17 media partners, including the BBC and The Guardian. Included in the leak was a nine-page memo reportedly sent out to officials operating the camps by then deputy-secretary of Xinjiangs Communist Party, Zhu Hailun, in 2017. The BBC reported at the time that the memo said detention centers in Xinjiang should be run as high-security prisons with strict punishments and no escapes. The memo also ordered detention center officials to increase discipline and punishment of behavioral violations, make remedial Mandarin studies a top priority and promote repentance and confession. According to The Guardian, the memo also revealed that inmates at the camps were made to serve at least one year but could be detained indefinitely. China has also been criticized for cracking down on unregistered house church movements as well as persecuting religious minorities like the Falun Gong, Tibetan Buddhists and others. Actor Chris Tucker turns down over $10 million for movie role over religious objections to content Rapper Ice Cube has revealed that actor Chris Tucker, his co-star in the popular 1995 film Friday, didnt appear in the sequels because of his Christian faith, turning down a $10 million to $12 million offer to portray a character known for cussing and smoking marijuana. Ice Cube shared the information on social media after being asked if Tucker quit because the comedy actor, who portrayed the character Smokey in Friday, was underpaid. We were ready to pay Chris Tucker $10-12m to do Next Friday but he turned us down for religious reasons, he tweeted. He didnt want to cuss or smoke weed on camera anymore. In an interview with All Urban Central last November, Tucker, who is best known for his role in the Rush Hour film franchise, had hinted at the reason why he refused to appear in the sequels Next Friday and Friday After Next. Back then, I gotta tell you, one of the reasons why I didnt do the second one was because of the weed. Because I said, man, that movie became a phenomenon. I dont want everybody smoking weed and I never really told people this because I kind of forgot about it, but it was one of the reasons why I didnt do it. Because I said, I don't wanna represent everybody smoking weed. He added, And thats one of the reasons why I said, Nah. I didnt wanna keep doing that character. It probably was good for me because it kept me moving to the next phase and next movies. Tucker has publicly spoken about his Christian faith. In 2018, he told Piers Morgan, who was co-host of ITV's Good Morning Britain at the time, that he prayed for former President Donald Trump. I hope he does a good job, because I pray for him. I hope he does a great job, because we need a good president, he said. We need a lot of things to happen in our country, America. So I hope tomorrow he wakes up and just does the right thing. Tucker also explained why he didnt make fun of Trump. I say a little bit of stuff, but I try and encourage him to do the right thing, he said. Im not a comedian that dogs people out. I want you to do that right thing. Hopefully, we can be friends one day and we can talk. I want him to be successful. I want him to do that right thing. Thats my whole attitude and, in my show, thats what I talk about. In 2014, Tucker told the Canadian newspaper Straight that he returned to stand-up comedy because of his faith. Being a Christian helps me in comedy, he said. I have to talk about other stuff. Normally, most comics talk about stuff thats easy maybe cussing or saying something raunchy. I have to dig deeper to find something thats still funny and not raunchy. Its harder. I like the challenge. Tucker was raised Pentecostal and regularly attended church, according to FaithWire, which says the actor abandoned his faith after becoming famous but later became a born-again Christian after moving back to Atlanta in the late 1990s. Elon Musk says he agrees with the teachings of Jesus: 'There is great wisdom' Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk is not a religiously inclined person. But in a recent interview with the popular Christian satire site The Babylon Bee, the Tesla CEO shared his thoughts about Jesus. The famous billionaire who founded SpaceX in 2002 made an appearance on The Babylon Bees podcast last month. He sat down with the organizations CEO Seth Dillon and Editor-in-Chief Kyle Mann and Creative Director Ethan Nicolle for an in-depth interview. The four discussed wokeness, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., taxing the rich and more. The Babylon Bee is a popular Christian satire site that focuses on Christian and political issues as well as everyday life. For the final question of the podcast, Nicolle asked Musk if he would accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Final question to pull some time out here, Babylon Bee is a Christian organization and were a ministry, said the host. Musk then interjected: How come were doing the show on a Sunday? Why arent you heathens in church? God said dont work on Sundays, OK. You guys are going straight to Hell for this one. Nicolle continued: To make this Church, were wondering if you could do us a quick solid and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Musk said that he respects and agrees with the principles that Jesus advocated, such as forgiveness and treating people as you wish to be treated. Things like turn the other cheek are very important, as opposed to an eye for an eye. An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind, Musk maintained. As Einstein would say, I believe in the God of Spinoza, said Musk, seemingly referencing deist beliefs. Musk was referring to the quote believed to have been spoken by Albert Einstein in 1921 at the Institutional Synagogue in New York. Einstein was quoted as saying: I believe in Spinozas God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings. The Babylon Bee hosts celebrated Musks response as the entrepreneur ended his comment by saying hell be saved. But hey, if Jesus is saving people, I mean, I wont stand in His way. Sure, Ill be saved. Why not? Musk stated. I think he just said yes, Nicolle declared. We got him. Musk, who was born in South Africa, also said he was baptized as a child and partook in communion. In past remarks about his Space X project after the Dragon Capsule completed a splash landing in the Gulf of Mexico in 2020, the chief engineer and CEO of SpaceX revealed that he prayed. Im not very religious, but I prayed for this one, Musk said at one point during his speech. Musk has often been described as atheist or agnostic. In 2013, Musk was asked during an interview with actor Rainn Wilson if he worships anything. He said he doesn't "really worship anything" but devotes himself to the "advancement of humanity using technology." When asked if he prayed, Musk said that he didn't even pray when he almost died of Malaria. Its unclear if his beliefs have evolved. Release International lists hotspots where Christian persecution is expected to get worse in 2022: report Islamic extremists are gaining ground in Africas Sahel region and Afghanistan, which are set to become hotspots for Christian persecution in 2022, religious freedom charity Release International warns in a report, which says India and North Korea are also countries of growing concern. Its not just Nigeria, but the larger Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa where Islamic extremism is growing, as the persecution of Christians is also rapidly increasing in India and North Korea, says the charitys report Persecution Trends 2022. The Sahel region includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. The situation facing Christians in Burkina Faso is now similar to Nigeria, a partner of the charity adds in the report. In 2021, jihadists targeted Christians in the north of Burkina Faso, forcing churches to close and meet in secret, the report points out, explaining that attacks ranged from bombings, killings, kidnappings and school burnings to assaults on religious leaders and places of worship. Pressure in the region is likely to continue in 2022, particularly following the drawdown of French troops in the area. The al-Qaeda and Islamic State terror groups have been launching attacks in West Africa since last January. In May, suspected jihadists ambushed a baptism ceremony where they killed 15 Christians in northern Burkina Fasos Oudalan province near the Mali border. Similar pressure is building in neighboring Nigeria, where attacks by Boko Haram terrorists, [Islamic State] fighters and Fulani militia continued throughout 2021, says the report, quoting a partner of the charity as saying, Fulani militants destroyed more than 50 villages and displaced nearly 5,000 Christians. The attacks by the Fulani now include kidnappings for ransom. Churches, church leaders and Christian communities remain the primary targets. The charity warns that attacks could escalate in 2022, as political campaigning gets underway ahead of the 2023 general election, just as attacks by Boko Haram and Fulani extremists have increased over election periods in the past. The report adds that tensions are also likely to exacerbate Afghanistan and North Korea, which are already major persecutors of Christians. In 2022, there is a very real threat of higher levels of violent persecution in Afghanistan, says the CEO of Release International, Paul Robinson, referring to the Talibans takeover of the South Asian country. Our partners tell us that Christians who are unable to follow the outward forms of Islam, such as praying at the mosque and saying the shahada, the Islamic profession of faith, will stand out more clearly, he adds. This increases their vulnerability to persecution and the pressure on them to conform. The report also draws attention to India, where attacks against Christians are rising and more states are imposing anti-conversion laws. Hindu nationalism is on the rise in India. Militant Hindus have called for religious conversion from Hinduism to be made illegal across the country, the report notes. While Christians make up only 2.3% of Indias population and Hindus comprise about 80%, the countrys radical Hindu nationalists have been carrying out attacks on Christians under the pretext of punishing the minority for allegedly using monetary rewards to convert Hindus to Christianity. The anti-conversion laws presume that Christians force or give financial benefits to Hindus to lure them into converting to Christianity. While some of these laws have been in place for decades, no Christian has been convicted of forcibly converting anyone to Christianity. Open Doors USAs 2021 World Watch List warns that since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party took power in 2014, persecution against Christians and other religious minorities has increased. The number of violent attacks on Christians in India rose nearly 75% to 486 in 2021, up from 279 in 2020, according to a new report by the United Christian Forum, which says 2021 was the most violent year for the Christian minority since the countrys Independence in 1947. 'One of the toughest assignments God could ask': SafeHouse Outreach director on helping the homeless Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer homelessness, enduring a hard life on cold and dangerous streets. Witnessing this daily hardship is what inspires many Christians to take action by being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ by caring for the least of these (Matthew 25:40). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said in its 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress that 580,466 people experienced homelessness on a single night in 2020. Other organizations have estimated that the displaced population is much higher than HUDs figures. The National Homelessness Law Center, based in Washington, D.C., estimates that up to 3.5 million Americans are likely to experience homelessness each year. Among the Christian organizations that serve those who are displaced is SafeHouse Outreach, located in Atlanta, Georgia. In a Christian Post exclusive, the organization gave a rare behind-the-scenes look into what the life of displacement looks like for the men and women who find themselves on the streets in one of the countrys largest cities. Joe McCutchen, whos known as the organizations problem-solving director, is among those whose daily job is to serve the long line of men and women seeking assistance. Philip Bray founded this organization in 1982, and he was a preachers kid of a megachurch, McCutchen told CP. I always say he took a left turn out of the parsonage and became a drug dealer and a drug user. When he got free, he just started coming to the streets to help people. Phillip passed away a little over a year ago. Now his son, Josh, is the CEO. My role at the organization is, if you have a problem, come on in, lets see if we can solve it. For McCutchen, solving problems is something he feels called to do and counts it a joy to help those who SafeHouse was created to serve. Three of those whove benefited from SafeHouse include Jennifer Mohan, Allan Moban and Randhall Thompson. They look at McCuthen as someone who has blessed their lives. From the moment this reporter entered the center, it became apparent that everyone has a story to share. For many, an additional challenge theyve had to grapple with has been COVID-19. Walking through the pandemic was unexpected and has brought great suffering and trials to the displaced community. Thompson has seen the effects of COVID-19 firsthand in the lives of his friends who live on the streets. I have all of the vaccinations, and Ive been tested and know of people who have passed away from the virus, he said. Its one of the hard realities and among the many challenges faced by people who live on the streets. Along with Thompson, Moban shared details of the abuse and violence on the streets, as both have been victims of it themselves. People often attempt to steal possessions, such as blankets, and threaten to cause bodily harm, Moban explained. Sleeping on the streets was something they never thought theyd have to endure. Having lived on the streets for less than a year, both men have also experienced the loss of familial connections. Moban, whos from Rome, Georgia, which is northwest of Atlanta, shared more about his plight and inability to contact his family: I lost my phone and dont have a way to get in contact with them. Not being able to re-connect with family members and repair strained relationships is a daily concern for many people who seek assistance at SafeHouse. For some, McCutchen becomes a surrogate relative. A place like SafeHouse shares love with people and theyre like a family, said Mohan, who went from being homeless and a victim of prostitution to now having her own apartment. She also advised those who know of someone whos struggling on the streets to find an organization like SafeHouse that helps bring people out of homelessness and addiction. McCutchen agreed with Mohans assessment, adding that if people want to get involved in the homeless community and help, they should come alongside organizations that already have effective programs and not try to do it on their own. As Christians, one of the worst things that Christians do is we keep people in their addictions and we do that by rescuing people, by not letting them ever feel the weight of the problems theyre going through, he said. Its one of the toughest assignments that God could ask someone to do, but you keep showing up every day. Potters House of Denver shutters megachurch, goes fully remote as donations decline in pandemic Ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic and declining donations, the Potters House of Denver has decided to sell its $12.2 million, 137,000-square-foot megachurch in Arapahoe County, Colorado and go completely virtual, Pastor Toure Roberts has revealed. Roberts, who leads the multicultural church along with his wife, Sarah Jakes-Roberts, made the announcement in an interview with The Denver Post published on Monday. COVID-19 forced every church in America to rethink how to best serve their parishioners and the broader community, Roberts told the publication. Due to the inability to gather and the economic instability of the pandemic, our church, like many other churches in the nation, experienced declining donations. Instead of trying to do upkeep on an old building that needed significant repairs, which they have occupied for more than a decade, Pastor Roberts explained that selling the property and going fully virtual with their services made the most sense. We decided that the best way forward would be to sell the property, continue our online offering that had proven a successful alternative and maintain our hands-on community outreach operations, which includes our food bank that feeds thousands of families per year, he said. Church officials werent immediately available for further comment when contacted by The Christian Post on Monday. However, The Denver Post also reported that real estate developer, DHI Communities plan to convert the 32-acre site on which the church currently sits into a collection of more than 500 paired homes and apartments, as well as a 5-acre park. The shuttering of The Potters House of Denver comes as many churches nationwide are being forced to make the difficult choice of abandoning their buildings due to dwindling attendance sometimes without the prospect of a virtual alternative. On Christmas Eve, for example, members of the 221-year-old, 15,000-square-foot First Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte in Pennsylvania held their final service and shuttered their church after the pandemic reduced their in-person attendance to 12. Prior to the pandemic membership had already dropped to 40 from its heyday when hundreds used to gather in the building for worship. A Lifeway Research survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors conducted Sept. 1-29 shows that even though 98% of all Protestant churches are now open for in-person worship services, nearly matching pre-pandemic levels, congregants have been slow to return to the pews. Compared to figures from January 2020, the survey showed that as of August, 13% of churches were attracting less than 50% of their pre-COVID-19 attendance. Some 35% of pastors reported attendance levels between 50% and 70% for the period, while another 30% reported attendance levels between 70% and 90%. Researchers are also still grappling with what the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have on church communities. Data shows that black churchgoers have adapted so well to online church amid the pandemic that some 41% of them now favor a hybrid model of in-person and online services, even after COVID-19 is no longer deemed a threat. Just 7% say they would rather their church services remain digital going forward. David Kinnaman, president of the California-based evangelical Christian polling firm the Barna Group, and Barna Director of Insights Mark Matlock suggested in 2020 that the pandemic could result in a loss of faith for the next generation. Citing earlier research, they showed that a majority of young people who grew up in the church would likely either walk away from their faith or from the church when they become young adults. They made their comments during a discussion about the impact of the pandemic on Christians aged 18-29. I think it will. I actually think were going to see an increasing number of people whove lost connectedness with their faith community, with their usual rhythms and practices. Were going to actually see an increasing number in the years to come and the long-term impact is even more fallout from that, Kinnaman said. We know that 22% of young people today are what we call prodigals. They lost their faith entirely. That number grew by double from 11% 10 years ago. So what it will look like in 10 years is hard to know, but we think its going to actually accelerate that problem." When asked about what he was seeing and hearing from churches that are trying to respond to the problem, Matlock highlighted research showing that among adults ages 18-29 who were raised Christian, only 10% of them are considered ideal or "resilient" disciples. Some 22% are no longer Christian, and 30% are classified as nomads because they still believe in God but arent connected to a church. Another 38% are considered habitual churchgoers but have loose ties to God. Its important to realize about that 22% is that they just arent coming to church anymore, Matlock said. Theyve said I no longer identify as a Christian, which is pretty serious. PCA founding member and megachurch pastor Frank Barker dies at 89: 'Loved all that His Savior loved' Frank Barker, one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church in America and founder of the Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, has died. He was 89. The church announced on social media that the longtime pastor passed away on Monday, calling him a "faithful Pastor with a servants heart." Barker planted Briarwood Presbyterian Church in 1960 as a storefront church with less than 20 members, according to the PCA magazine By Faith. He led the church which today has over 4,000 members until his retirement in 1999, according to the church website. He pastored the church through the creation of Briarwood Christian School in 1965 and the Birmingham Theological Seminary in 1972. Barker was also a founding member of the PCA, serving as a member of the organizing committee responsible for defining standards and principles of the new denomination. Along with the committee, he drafted constitutional documents that served as a foundation for the PCA returning to Reformed doctrine, By Faith reports. Dubbed the flagship church of the PCA, Briarwood became the host church for the first PCA General Assembly in 1973. Barker was elected Moderator of the 14th General Assembly in 1986, held in Philadelphia. Barker, the author of several books, including A Living Hope, Encounters with Jesus and First Timothy, was also known for his passion for missions. He helped found Campus Outreach, a network of interdenominational ministries targeting college students without faith in the U.S. and worldwide. In a 2018 profile published by The Gospel Coalition, Barkers daughter, Peggy Townes, estimated her father led 10,000 to Christ personally and hundreds of thousands through his ministries. News of Barkers death sparked an outpouring of reactions on social media. The Rev. Harry Reeder, who replaced Barker as senior pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian after his retirement, remembered Barker as a Father in the faith, mentor in Gospel ministry and friend in a Facebook post on Monday. Pray for the Briarwood family as we remember and celebrate this humble, godly, visionary friend and Pastor who loved the Christ who first loved him and loved all that His Savior loved. He loved His Word, His Church, the lost and he loved living the Great Commandment and fulfilling the Great Commission, Reeder wrote. On Twitter, author and PCA pastor Kevin DeYoung said he was sad to hear of Barkers passing, but said he was grateful for all that the Lord accomplished through his faithfulness over many years. Ligon Duncan, chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary, wrote on Twitter he was thankful for the life and ministry of this faithful, Gospel man. Bill Armistead, former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, described Barker as a mentor in a Facebook post Monday. I was blessed to be in the last small group Bible Study he conducted which concluded just a couple of months ago. Rev. Barker was truly faithful to the end and he was anxiously anticipating the day he would be face to face with his Savior, he wrote. Randy Pope, the founding pastor of Perimeter Church outside Atlanta, told By Faith how Barker became an informal mentor, particularly during his early ministry as a PCA pastor. He was a strong example of what a pastor and godly man should be. I saw in him what the walk of faith was like. Barker graduated from Auburn University in 1953; Columbia Theological Seminary in 1960 with a bachelors degree in divinity and masters in theology; and Reformed Theological Seminary in 1988 with a doctorate in divinity. At the time of his death, Barker was pastor emeritus at Briarwood. New Orleans authorities conducted a months-long operation that resulted in the rescue of five teenage girls and the arrest of 30 sex offenders and required the help of state, county, and local authorities. The collective efforts, dubbed "Operation Boo Dat," were conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service's New Orleans Task Force and other agencies. Law enforcement personnel started the operation in mid-October and it lasted until Dec. 24. Operation Boo Dat Authorities revealed that the rescued teenage girls ranged from 14 to 17 years old, identifying one of the victims as a 16-year-old who ran away from home after allegedly stealing a relative's car and a handgun. Officials found her inside a house with several adults, including an "adult female strip club dancer." One of the suspects, identified as Lorenzo Oliver, was labeled as a sex offender for life after being arrested on Dec. 10 for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl inside an abandoned home located on the West Bank of New Orleans. The suspect was found to have been previously convicted of attempted forcible rape and sexual battery in 2015, after following a woman into a library bathroom and trying to rape her. In a press release, the U.S. Marshals Service said that 17 of the arrests that they made were of those accused of felony sex offender registration violations. Officials also said that one of the suspects was arrested for alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in San Patricio County, Texas, in June, USA Today reported. Read Also: Committee Finds Texts That Reveal Ivanka Trump's Involvement in Trying To Get Her Father To Stop Jan.6 Riot Law enforcement said that two of the rescued teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, were sisters found inside an apartment in Baton Rouge who may have been the victims of adult(s) felony criminal sexual activities. In a statement, the U.S. Marshals Service said that Operation Boo Dat resulted in more than 100 sex offender compliance checks being attempted or completed in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Sex Offenders They said that, with sex offender compliance checks, officials were required to go to the sex offender's reported address of residence and verify that the person still lived at the address. Authorities noted that, most of the time, officers were required to do countless hours of follow-up investigative work during and after the checks, the New York Post reported. Another suspect, identified as James E. Muse, was arrested by officials on Nov. 8 after failing to report to the probation and parole board for a "considerable amount of time" amid recurring allegations that he was involved in sex trafficking cases. The man was on parole for allegedly enticing persons under 17 into prostitution in New Orleans. David Douglas Smith was arrested on Oct. 26 for failing to register as a sex offender after he was convicted in 1996 in East Baton Rouge Parish for molesting a nine-year-old girl. He was known to have been living in Tangipahoa Parish in eastern Louisiana for more than two years without registering. Authorities also found James Sorrell at a homeless shelter in New Orleans under a false name trying to avoid law enforcement. There were multiple warrants for the suspect from Texas and Wisconsin for failing to register as a sex offender, the Dailymail reported. Related Article: 2 Save the Children Staff Workers Confirmed Dead Following the Christmas Eve Attacks in Myanmar @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Chris Hill Starts Preaching Again; TD Jakes' Son-in-Law, Daughter Take Over Potter's House of Denver Just three months after resigning as senior pastor of The Potter's House Church of Denver over an alleged adultery scandal and a week after mentor Bishop T. D. Jakes of Potter's House of Dallas blessed his return to ministry, Pastor Chris Hill officially rejoined the preaching circuit Sunday in Durham, North Carolina. Preaching under the theme "How to Recover All" at World Overcomers Christian Church, led by Pastor Andy Thompson, Hill is shown in a recording telling the congregation that the first step to do that (recover all) is "you have to learn how to ignore your haters." "You have to learn how to walk into the job where you know they hate you and say 'good morning. How are you today? Praise the Lord anyhow,'" he said. Hill resigned as The Potter's House of Denver's senior pastor in late April, after his wife of more than 20 years, Joy, alleged in a mass text message to church members that she was able to verify that her husband carried on an affair with their young goddaughter, Shirnae McFarlane, whose wedding Hill also officiated on September 26, 2014. You have to learn how to ignore your haters. If God is for you who can be against you? - @pastorchrishill #RecoverItAll #WeAreOvercomers A post shared by World Overcomers (@worldovercomers) on Aug 13, 2017 at 3:42pm PDT Two Sundays ago, however, Bishop Jakes laid hands on him and declared restoration. "God said that if we confess our sins, that He is faithful and just to cleanse us from ... all unrighteousness. I just believe that this is what the grace of God is for," Jakes said in a video clip from T.D. Jakes Ministries. After getting blessed by T.D. Jakes, Hill said in a statement he shared on Instagram that he had been getting help with his struggles and Jakes noted that he was working on his relationship with his wife. "Only my faith in God has sustained me through these challenging days. I've gone through a lot of soul searching, professional counseling as well as spiritual guidance from my covering. After many months of intense work, I feel like I'm ready to consider a few of the doors God is opening for me to begin to minister, help others and provide for my family. I solicit your prayers as I intend to be selective, accountable and gradual so I don't over extend myself! I believe that God isn't finished with me! Thank you to all who have expressed their interest in helping me on what I'm calling 'The Road to Recovery!' #grateful #restoretheroar," he wrote. Reflecting on his comeback Monday, Hill noted on Instagram: "I'm so thankful to God for my Friend @pastorandywocc and the great @worldovercomers church family for hosting me yesterday. They were the first stop on my 'Road to Recovery' national/international tour and God really helped us. It was really Glorious. What a great Church! What a Great Pastor! What a great day. #grateful #restoretheroar#northcarolina" The Potter's House Church of Denver also announced on Sunday that founding pastor of the One Church LA, Toure Roberts, and his wife Sarah, who is Jakes' daughter, had succeeded Hill as the new senior pastors of the 5,000-member congregation. "This is a tremendous church and we are so honored to be given the privilege to serve the Denver community. My wife Sarah and I along with our children are excited for the challenge ahead. We have already moved in and started to roll up our sleeves. We've got some exciting projects on the horizon and feel fortunate to lead such a talented team here at The Potter's House," Roberts said in a statement released by the church Sunday. "The Potter's House of Denver is a diverse family friendly-ministry called to serve the greater Denver community and beyond. We have a history here of compassion and involvement within our city and our state. We are humbled to have the type of leaders among us who will work diligently to continue to not only uphold that legacy but expand the care, the outreach and the love that we as the church have always been known for here," the church said. "We look forward to Pastors Toure & Sarah Roberts serving our church and our city." Do you have a blind heart? At the end of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial in November 2021 when he was acquitted of all five charges against him, NBC anchor and correspondent Maria Shriver tweeted, Im trying to take a beat to digest the Rittenhouse verdict. My son just asked me how its possible that he didnt get charged for anything. How is that possible? I dont have an answer for him. Really Maria? No clue at all as to how the jury found Kyle innocent? Youve been in the news business since 1978 and somehow all the defense evidence presented before, during, and after the trial somehow escaped your notice? Heck, your news organization was so close to the Rittenhouse trial that your colleagues were illegally tailing the buses transporting the jurors. Shrivers attempt at feigning unfamiliarity with the truth in the Rittenhouse case reminds me of a quote from Aldous Huxley: Most ignorance is vincible ignorance. We don't know because we don't want to know. It is our will that decides how and upon what subjects we shall use our intelligence. There seems to be an endless supply of this type of cognitive dissonance behavior in our culture today and, truth be told, its been going on forever, especially when it comes to the subject of God. Seeing (or not) with the heart Encouraging his Ephesian readers to live a sanctified life, Paul says, So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness (Eph. 4:17-19). This excerpt from Pauls letter contains three heavyweight verses bursting at the seams with insight into the cultural chaos were experiencing today. He gives a perfect description of those far from God: futile (i.e., fruitless) minds, darkened understanding, ignorance, hard hearts, callous emotions, which leads to a polluted society. Im not normally a user of the KJV or NKJV translations of Scripture, but I think they have a very insightful translation of verse 18: Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (my emphasis). The Greek word porosis, translated blindness, literally means wrapping oneself with a hard callous-like covering so that sight is impossible. We usually only associate blindness with the eyes, but Scripture speaks often about the heart seeing or not seeing. The Bible uses it as a figurative object that represents a persons will and their inclination to accept or reject truth. We see Christ referring to this kind of sight many times. For example, when He spoke to Nicodemus and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3, my emphasis), He didnt mean enter the kingdom of God as we often think. Rather, the word horao stands for perceiving and then attending to a matter. Unless youre born again, youre spiritually blind to the beauty that is the kingdom of God; you see no appeal in it. John refers to this same thing when he discusses the miracles Jesus did before the people of His time: though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For this reason, they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them. (John 12:37-40). In this instance, we catch a glimpse of the theological doctrine concerning Gods judicious will that seals unbelievers fates. Another example is Pauls reference to unbelieving Jews whose minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away (2 Cor. 3:14-16, my emphasis). The same Greek root is used in his verse as in Eph. 4:18 (hardened) to depict a covering over someones capacity to see and accept the truth. A person in this condition doesnt care about evidence, facts, truth, etc., but instead, as Huxley says, they choose not to know because they dont want to know it conflicts too much with their commitment to an opposing, presuppositional bias. Like Maria Shrivers, it is a vincible ignorance (to use Huxleys term), but in this case, it needs Gods intervention to overcome it. Once that happens, as in the case of Paul, scales fall from their eyes (Acts. 9:18) because the truth has been accepted in their heart they have been gifted with 20/20 spiritual vision. Lets hope and pray that, one by one, God changes many of the blind hearts we come across today so they can experience the freeing of their will and the enjoyment of living in His truth. Fauci says its 'safe enough' to reopen schools as teachers unions demand remote learning amid omicron The White Houses Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci says its safe enough for kids to return to school after the holiday break although the omicron variant of the coronavirus is infecting Americans at an unprecedented rate, If you look at the safety of children with regard to infection, we have most of the teachers, [an] overwhelming majority of them are vaccinated. We now can vaccinate children from 5 years of age and older, Fauci told This Week With George Stephanopoulos on ABC News Sunday. State, local and federal government data compiled by The New York Times shows that while the daily average of COVID-19 infections peaked at about 251,000 last January, the omicron variant has led to an average of about 400,000 cases per day at the beginning of 2022. We are definitely in the middle of a very severe surge an uptick in cases, Fauci, who leads the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. Even if you have a less of a percentage of severity, when you have multi-multi-multi-fold more people getting infected, the net amount is youre still going to get a lot of people that are going to be needing hospitalization. And thats the reason why were concerned about stressing and straining the hospital system. But that doesnt mean schools shouldnt reopen, Fauci stated. Wearing masks in the school setting, doing test-to-stay approaches when children get infected, I think all those things put together, its safe enough to get those kids back to school, balanced against the deleterious effects of keeping them out, he said. Faucis comments come as teachers unions in several states have lobbied for a temporary return to remote learning following the holiday break due to the rising number of omicron infections. A teachers union in Chicago has threatened a strike if their demands for a two-week return to remote learning or a requirement that students and staff test negative to return to school arent met. An average of 378 children under the age of 17 were admitted per day to a hospital between Dec. 22 and Dec. 28 a 66% rise compared to the previous week, The Associated Press reported, citing CDC data. Last week, Fauci told MSNBC host Ayman Mohyeldin that the data on number of children hospitalized with COVID can be a bit misleading because many were admitted with unrelated ailments before testing positive. First of all, quantitatively, youre having so many more people, including children, who are getting infected. And even though hospitalization among children is much, much lower on a percentage basis than hospitalizations for adults, particularly elderly individuals, when you have such a large volume of infections among children, even with a low level of rate of infection, youre going to still see a lot more children who get hospitalized, he said. But the other important thing is that if you look at the children who are hospitalized, many of them are hospitalized with COVID as opposed to because of COVID. Fauci said that if a child goes to the hospital, they automatically get tested for COVID and will be counted as a COVID-hospitalized patient when in fact, they may go in for a broken leg or appendicitis or something like that. So its overcounting the number of children who are hospitalized with COVID as opposed to because of COVID, he said. Nigerian priest killed after leading Christmas Eve mass as Christians' concerns of insecurity grow A 37-year-old Catholic priest, who was shot dead by gunmen while returning home after leading a mass on Christmas Eve in Nigeria, was buried Friday as the countrys Christians continue to express concerns about their insecurity. Father Luke Mewhenu Adeleke from the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta in Nigerias Ogun State was buried at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Abeokuta, according to Nigeria Catholic Network. The outlet reported that he was driving when unknown gunmen fired at him and bullets struck his legs. The priest lost a lot of blood and died in his car in the Obafemi Owode local government area. The latest murder furthers the concerns Christian leaders in Africas most populous nation have been expressing about insecurity in the country that seems to target followers of Jesus Christ, writes The Association for Catholic Information in Africa. While the murder in Ogun took place in southern Nigeria, much of Nigerias violence has occurred in the countrys Middle Belt states, where radicalized Fulani herders have been accused of carrying out countless attacks on predominantly Christian farming communities, killing thousands in recent years as limited natural resources have led to increased violence. In Nigerias northeast, Islamic terror groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have killed thousands and displaced millions. The U.S.-based persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern warns that the Nigerian government continues to deny any religious motivation behind the attacks and has recently convinced the U.S. Department of State to do the same. In November, the Biden administration removed Nigeria from the U.S. State Departments list of countries of particular concern, a designation reserved for the countries that tolerate or engage in some of the world's worst violations of religious freedom. Nigeria was added to the CPC list in December 2020 during the final months of the Trump administration. ICC identified the African country as one of its 2021 Persecutors of the Year in a report published last November. Nigeria is one of the deadliest places on Earth for Christians, as 50,000 to 70,000 have been killed since 2000, the ICC Persecutor of the Year report states. Watchdog group Open Doors USA ranks Nigeria as the ninth-worst country when it comes to Christian persecution. In late November, heavily armed jihadist Fulani herders stormed a village in Plateau state, set fire to over 100 homes and killed 10 Christians, including children aged 4, 6 and 8, and set fire to 100 homes. David Curry, the CEO of Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, suggested that the exclusion of Nigeria from the list of CPCs was not only a baffling error but likely in direct violation of the International Religious Freedom Act, the law that requires these designations to be made in the first place. Open Doors USA has documented thousands of targeted killings of Nigerian Christians every year for more than a decade, Curry said. In no other country on earth do we see such a sustained level of outright violence directed towards a Christian community, and the situation has only deteriorated over the past 12 months, Curry stated. The Nigerian government has stubbornly refused to address this violence. The removal of Nigeria from this list will embolden bad actors and strongly deter efforts to bring peace to the region. Critics have warned that the governments lack of action in the Middle Belt could lead to a religious genocide similar to those seen in Darfur or Rwanda. However, the Nigerian government has pushed back on such assertions, claiming violence in the Middle Belt is part of decades-old farmer-herder clashes. Pastor Toure Roberts Talks Struggles, Growing a Megachurch, Misconception About Preachers Long before Pastor Toure Roberts founded one of the fastest growing churches in Los Angeles, California, he was nursing a gunshot wound as a youth in the city. The 45-year-old pastor, who leads The Potter's House at One LA in Los Angeles, California, and The Potter's House of Denver in Colorado with his wife Sarah Jakes Roberts, has paved an unconventional path to the pulpit. In his recently released second book, Wholeness: Winning in Life From the Inside Out, Roberts reveals the intimate details of his life struggles before he pursued ministry full-time. At the age of 16, Roberts was the victim of a drive-by shooting, which he admitted was a memory that he blocked out of his adult life. As an adult, Roberts became apprehensive about addressing the matter. "I felt ashamed and extremely self-conscious about being shot. ... What type of person gets shot," Roberts wrote in his book. "Maybe they would think I was some sort of drug dealer or thug. As a black male, I knew I could easily be stereotyped." After being raised in a single parent household and growing up in a tough Los Angeles neighborhood filled with drugs and gangs, Roberts went to college and made a name for himself as a successful businessman in the technology industry. Eventually, God called him to lead people in the faith that his mother instilled in him and he obeyed that call to start One Church LA over 15 years ago. Even though Roberts has managed to help and inspire countless people as a pastor, he buried much of the emotional pain that accumulated during his youth. From blocking out the memory of his shooting to feeling rejected from his father, Roberts had to confront a number of traumatizing moments while writing the book that he believes will help others heal from brokenness and become whole. In a conversation with The Christian Post, Roberts admitted that addressing some unresolved feelings about his now deceased father proved to be the most painful area of his life to work through. "I had to acknowledge that I was hurt and to a certain degree deeply damaged by the rejection of my father. In that chapter, I found myself with my back against the wall," he told CP. "That was really an earth-shattering, life-changing moment. Just really acknowledging, 'hey it hurts.'" As a man, Roberts said it became easy for him to ignore his painful past. "It's not exclusive to [men] but most of the time we feel like we always have to have it together and we don't say that things hurt," Roberts told CP. "We feel like saying something hurts, that's weakness or what have you. So we walk around with pain inside that can never be healed because it's never addressed." The preacher and author cried when writing each chapter of the book that he believes "God wants to get into a lot of people's hands and hearts," because he believes it will help both men and women identify and overcome their own issues. The megachurch pastor believes marrying into the family of Bishop T.D. Jakes in 2014 has helped him on his own path to healing. Bishop Jakes is the founder of The Potter's House church, which has campuses in North Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, Denver, and has now taken Roberts' One Church International in Hollywood under its wing. Roberts' father-in-law admitted to being skeptical about the younger pastor during the early stages of dating Sarah, but later "traded my skeptical glare for a gaze of deep admiration." Jakes wrote about his respect for Roberts in the forward of Wholeness, affirming him as a preacher, author and son. "Although I originally met him as the guy who seemed 'too good to be true,' he quickly turned into a resource and I wondered how we ever did anything of consequence without him," Jakes wrote. For Roberts, hearing this type of affirmation from his spiritual father is invaluable. "As a man, you at some point in your life have to hear from a man, preferably a successful man, that you are enough because that's something we're always asking ourselves. To have him say I am enough brought a level of healing and a level of confidence," Roberts revealed. "While I appreciate the accolades and the applause from my peers, what I also realize is kind of similar to what the Apostle Paul said, 'I haven't arrived and I have to press toward the mark toward the upward prize of my calling.' I think as a leader, the affirmation of what I have accomplished but the challenge to accomplish more has been one of the greatest deposits he has made in my life." The depth of the pair's relationship became evident when Roberts and his wife Sarah announced that they would take over The Potter's House of Denver last year following an alleged adultery scandal that resulted in the resignation of former senior pastor Chris Hill. Roberts visited Denver last March in support of Jakes, who was there to determine the next direction for the church. However, the unexpected happened. "I went there because of my heart for Bishop Jakes. I left there with a heart for the people," he said. "It didn't make sense. Here [I've] got a thriving church in L.A., why do [I] care about what's going on in Denver?" Still, Roberts knew he had to be obedient to the call of God. "My experience with God is this, 'I belong to you. Whatever you want me to do, if it requires being awkward, uncomfortable or in some cases giving up what I have established I am going to faithfully pursue You," he told CP. "So I embraced the fact that God was calling us to Denver." After working for over a decade to create a megachurch in Los Angeles, Roberts had to also submit to the fact that he would now merge the church he founded with his father-in-law's body of churches. The decision wasn't an easy one, but ultimately Roberts took on duties in Denver and transitioned his California church into The Potter's House at One LA. "There's a part of me that was like, 'no, I built this and I don't want to do it.' Sometimes submitting to authority, covering and the ancillary benefits that go along with that are everything," he said. "So we made the decision 'yes, we are going to take over Denver but we are not going to leave L.A.' We decided to merge One Church LA to the Potter's House Family." Roberts and his wife Sarah have been "multiplying and conquering" by splitting their time between Denver and Los Angeles. When Roberts is preaching in one city, Sarah is in the other and they both come together to preach at one place once each month. "It has worked incredibly. Both campuses have continued to grow and thrive in a very healthy way," he said. "I really believe this was just the unfolding of God's ultimate plan. Our willingness to say 'yes' and to obey has caused this incredible thing to happen." While other churches are struggling to engage millennials, Roberts and his wife have a relatable preaching style that seems to attract the younger generation. The pastor believes that when he speaks to millennials in a language that they can identify with and relate to, they are more receptive to listening to the messages in church. He likens the concept to the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit enabled a multitude of people to connect to God in different tongues. "On the day of Pentecost when the Spirit of God fell down for the very first time, depending on which Christian background you come from, we [place] an emphasis on speaking in tongues. Really what that was about was language," he explained. "It was effective because everyone who was there heard the Gospel in their own language and that's how the church was started. I think one of the challenges is sometimes we can be lazy and say, 'no, we want the world to adapt to our church language, our Christian experience,' etc." That type of approach causes isolation and alienation, and causes people to leave, Roberts said. He and Sarah are intentional about "the generation that we're preaching in" and try to translate the Gospel in a way they will receive it. To some, it may seem Roberts has things all figured out but the preacher insisted he is far from perfect. The author admitted that just like countless others, things like getting upset over bad customer service on an airplane can give him a reason to repent. While he agrees that pastors should be held to a high standard, he believes many may be misunderstood. "I think we are often misunderstood. I think that every pastor, behind this image of adoration and admiration is a human being with real issues, real feelings," Roberts told CP. "I think that we ought to have high expectations that we follow for those who profess to commit their life to the cause of Christ. I'm in full agreement of that but at the same time not so high that they don't make mistakes. You might catch them on a bad day." "We're not always going to always get it right, but God has this wonderful way of doing perfect things with imperfect people." For more information about Pastor Toure Roberts, click here. Student preaching, foster care rights: 5 important Supreme Court decisions in 2021 The United States Supreme Court weighed in on many important decisions in 2021, including ones that examined the extent of First Amendment rights for American citizens. During the year, the high court heard arguments on cases, issued rulings, denied appeals, and vacated lower court decisions that many in the Christian community watched with anticipation. Of interest was how the Supreme Court would rule on matters given that some believe it to be more conservative with the recent additions of Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Here are five notable decisions from the Supreme Court in 2021 that have to do with the First Amendment, specifically the issue of religious liberty. They include questions over foster care, a florist sued for refusing to service a same-sex wedding and a student seeking damages for being punished for preaching on campus. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next Decoding Christian witness in a digital age As lawmakers discuss the regulation of social media, algorithms have rightly become a focal point. Algorithms are crucial to the business models used by ad-based digital platforms. In part, algorithms are important because they allow social media platforms and search engines to organize the massive amounts of content available on the internet. Certain social media algorithms have been identified as malicious. There is mounting evidence that certain social media platforms privilege anger-inducing content. While the specific challenges represented by digital media platforms are unique, the influence of media forms is not new. As Neil Postman notes, . . . how we are obliged to conduct such conversations will have the strongest possible influence on what ideas we can conveniently express. And what ideas are convenient to express inevitably become the important content of a culture. Postmans insight regarding the relationship between medium and message should alert us to a simple fact: regulation of social media is massively important, but not ultimately important. Regulation may well be the logical step the government needs to take to secure representative democracy in the near term. We should take care, however, not to allow the resolution of this crisis to make us complacent because no governmental measures can fix our broken world. In part that is because, as ODonovan rightly notes, the government has a purely secular character. . .in the Christian era. . .not by its own profession, which is irrelevant, but by its actual position in salvation history. Because we are citizens of the United States, it is certainly appropriate to participate in and be concerned with political activities. As I note in a past article, it is not a question of the legitimacy of government, but of its role and scope of authority. That role and scope has limits. There is only so much that governmental action can accomplish. While we watch and wait for the government and big tech to determine how best to wield the tools of a digital age, Christians would do well to demonstrate how people charged to outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10) speak and act on digital platforms. We have an opportunity to show the world what it means to love God and others by keeping our conduct among the Gentiles honorable (1 Peter 2:12) as we interact on social media. To do so, we must attend to a couple of interrelated matters crucial to being and making disciples: integrity and accountability. First, integrity does not consist of rigid rules or guidelines. Rather, as Nora Bateson suggests, Integrity is the art of navigating those moments in which no pre-scripted rules apply. . . It means not justifying continued destruction or limiting what is possible by pointing to history, or worse human nature, whatever that is. This way of describing integrity is significant because it does not allow us to create a facade of integrity propped up by our dearly beloved causes no matter how legitimate. Integrity does not bend to causes. It restrains us from pursuing causes through any means and at any cost. Integrity is not essentially pragmatic because integrity is willing to suffer loss. As such, if we are to be a people of integrity, Christians cannot become obsessed with causes because, as Bruce Ellis Benson notes, We create idols in order to satisfy our gaze, and their continued existence is completely dependent on that satisfaction. Should our fascination with a particular idol cease, it ceases to be an idol for us; it becomes just an idea or material object. Integrity fights against idolatry by focusing on being obedient at the moment even when obedience seems like a losing strategy. Second, in Thinking Christian, I suggest, Christians cannot ignore the possibility that we have adopted less-than virtuous mass media practices in the name of holding other Christians accountable. . . under the guise of seeking truth or crusading for justice. While there are some Christian journalists who report Christian scandals, it is not clear that these journalists could be held accountable if the need arose. Worse, it isnt clear that we are accountable for the content we consume. Our lack of accountability puts us in a position to be more influenced by the world than the church. This is because the negative social consequences of upsetting the world outweigh our commitment to being part of a community that finds joy in suffering and freedom in even the most inconvenient truths. We have to ask ourselves what it means to outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10), to endure sound teaching (2 Timothy 4:3), and to ensure that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled (Hebrews 12:15). I dont envy lawmakers or social media and search platforms the task of creating guidelines to tame the wilds of the digital age. Yet, that task is trivial in comparison to the one Christians have been given. We are to be and make disciples. We are to meditate on Gods instruction day and night, delighting in the wisdom we find there. We are to live together in harmony being of one mind and not allowing petty disagreements to arise among us. While the Christian task may be more challenging than regulating complex digital algorithms, we walk with a Savior whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light. May we be people who take seriously the task of being and making disciples in this digital age or any other. Chicago, IL January 3, 2022 Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses AT&T Inc. T, United States Cellular Corp. USM and Liberty Latin America Ltd. LILA. Industry: Wireless Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/1845388/3-wireless-stocks-likely-to-ride-on-12t-infrastructure-bill The Zacks Wireless National industry appears to be mired in raw material prices volatility and supply-chain disruptions due to chip shortage and the coronavirus-induced adversities that have affected the delivery schedule of most companies. Moreover, high capital expenditures for infrastructure upgrades for 5G deployment and margin erosion due to price wars have dented the industrys profitability. Nevertheless, AT&T Inc., United States Cellular Corp. and Liberty Latin America Ltd. are likely to benefit in the long run from higher demand for scalable infrastructure for seamless connectivity amid a wide proliferation of IoT and faster pace of 5G rollout. Industry Description The Zacks Wireless National industry primarily comprises companies that provide a comprehensive range of communication services and business solutions. These include wireless, wireline, local exchange, long-distance calls, data/broadband and Internet, video, managed networking, messaging, wholesale and cloud-based services to retail consumers. The firms within the industry also offer IP-based voice and data services, targeted advertising, television, streaming content, cable networks and publishing operations, multiprotocol label switching networking, fiber optic long-haul network, hosting and communications systems to businesses and government agencies. In addition, the firms provide edge computing services that allow businesses to route application-specific traffic to where it is required and is most effective whether in the cloud, the network, or on their premises. What's Shaping the Future of Wireless National Industry Passage of Infrastructure Bill Instills Confidence: The passage of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill in the House instills sector confidence. The multi-billion infrastructure bill includes a $65 billion provision to significantly expand broadband access to Americans as the administration aims to fortify its technological prowess to thwart the dominance of countries like China. The plan envisions reaching the underserved areas of the country and prioritizing support for broadband networks affiliated with local governments, nonprofit organizations and cooperatives to encourage strong competition with privately-owned companies. The plan has also earmarked funds for the tribal areas that lack access to high-speed Internet. It is likely to lower the prices for Internet services by requiring funding recipients to offer a low-cost affordable plan and encourage price transparency. Evolution to Software-Centric Model: The industry is currently facing an acute shortage of chips, which are the building blocks for various equipment used by telecom carriers. Although the Biden administration is trying to address the global shortage of semiconductor chips and devise ways to increase domestic production, the demand-supply imbalance has crippled operations and largely affected profitability due to inflated equipment prices. Aggressive promotional expenses, lucrative discounts and adoption of several low-priced service plans to attract and retain customers are further eroding profits. A steady decline in linear TV subscribers and legacy services are adding to the margin woes. Consequently, the firms within the industry are increasingly seeking diversification from legacy telecom services to more business, enterprise and wholesale opportunities. The companies are making significant investments to upgrade network and product portfolio, including considerable advances in software-defined, wide-area network capabilities and a new Cloud Core architecture. This has realigned the companies wireless network toward a software-centric model to cater to the increasing business demands and customer needs through remote facilities. The companies are focused on bringing improved operational efficiencies through network simplification and rationalization, thereby boosting end-to-end provisioning time and driving standardization. Fast-Track Deployment of 5G & Fiber Optic: Most of the industry participants are deploying the latest 4G LTE Advanced technologies to deliver higher peak data speeds and capacity, driven by customer-focused planning, disciplined engineering and investments for infrastructure upgrade. The companies are also expanding their fiber optic networks to support 4G LTE and 5G wireless standards as well as wireline connections. The fiber-optic cable network is vital for backhaul and the last mile local loop, which are required by wireless service providers for 5G deployment. Fiber networks are also essential for the growing deployment of small cells that bring the network closer to the user and supplement macro networks to provide extensive coverage. Further, leading firms within the industry have bid aggressively in the FCC-led C-Band auction for mid-band airwaves. The C-Band offers significant bandwidth with better propagation characteristics for optimum coverage in both rural and urban areas compared with mmWave. As the 5G ecosystem evolves, customers are expected to experience significant enhancements in coverage and speed. However, increased infrastructure spending has largely compromised short-term margins, and unless the high investments generate healthy ROI in the long run, it is likely to weigh on the bottom line. Streaming Content Focus: The industry participants are taking a holistic approach to content delivery in order to help providers anticipate demand for more personalized, relevant and on-the-go experiences. Moreover, the firms are offering a variety of pathways for delivering services through a combination of network-based video transcoding, packaging, storage and compression technologies to offer new IP video formats, live TV, streaming services and home gateways to connected devices inside and outside home. In addition, some sector firms are reinventing online advertising by pooling a unique set of assets valuable consumer data and insights, advanced advertising capabilities and engaged passionate fanbases. This has led to a faster turnaround of advertising campaigns, enabling marketers to access and understand the efficacy of these messages in weeks instead of months. These, in turn, are giving a new dimension to the business models. Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bullish Prospects The Zacks Wireless National industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #115, which places it at the top 45% of more than 250 Zacks industries. The groups Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates encouraging prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. The industrys positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Before we present a few wireless national stocks that are well-positioned to outperform the market based on a strong earnings outlook, lets take a look at the industrys recent stock market performance and valuation picture. Industry Lags S&P 500 & Sector The Zacks Wireless National industry has lagged the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500 composite over the past year largely due to COVID-19 woes and supply-chain disruptions, despite underlying solid growth potential. The industry has lost 11.6% over this period against the S&P 500 composite and the sectors rise of 28.5% and 26.3%, respectively. Industry's Current Valuation On the basis of the trailing 12-month enterprise value-to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA), which is the most appropriate multiple for valuing telecom stocks, the industry is currently trading at 6.84X compared with the S&P 500s 16.17X. It is also below the sectors trailing-12-month EV/EBITDA of 15.79X. Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 12.03X and as low as 5.44X and at the median of 6.76X. 3 Wireless National Stocks Likely to Move Ahead of the Pack AT&T Inc.: Based in Dallas, TX, AT&T is one of the worlds leading communications service carriers. The company expects to continue investing in key areas and adjusting its business according to the evolving market scenario to fuel long-term growth while maintaining a healthy dividend payment and actively pruning debt. The stock has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 3.7% and a VGM Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has been revised 7.5% upward in the past year. It delivered an earnings surprise of 10%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. An integrated fiber expansion strategy is expected to improve the broadband connectivity for both enterprise and consumer markets, while steady 5G deployments are likely to boost end-user experience. In order to expand coverage and improve connectivity, AT&T acquired 80MHz of mid-band spectrum in the C-Band auction for a total consideration of $27.4 billion. The company has also inked a definitive agreement with Discovery, Inc. to spin off its media assets and merge them with the complementary assets of the latter. The transaction is expected to enable the carrier to trim its huge debt burden and focus on core businesses to facilitate optimum utilization of resources for enhancing value. T carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. U.S. Cellular: Headquartered in Chicago, IL, U.S. Cellular provides a range of wireless products and services and a high-quality network to increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. The stock has gained 3.1% in the past year and delivered an earnings surprise of 4.1%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has been revised 14.9% upward over the past year, and that for the next year is up 42.6% over the same time frame. U.S. Cellular has taken concrete steps to accelerate subscriber additions and improve churn management. In order to increase smartphone penetration, the company has initiated shared data plans for consumers and businesses at minimal charges. U.S. Cellular continues its network modernization program, adding capacity and speed while launching 5G services commercially and Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) services. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and has a VGM Score of B. Liberty Latin America: Based in Denver, CO, Liberty Latin America is a communications firm with operations in Chile, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and other parts of Latin America. The stock has gained 4.1% in the past year and has a VGM Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has been revised 282.2% upward over the past year, and that for the next year is up 933.3%. Liberty Latin America is poised to benefit from end-to-end communications platform, leveraging the power of a sub-sea network, fixed-line networks & mobile platforms. With an expanded geographic footprint and upgraded infrastructure facilities, it is likely to deliver enterprise-grade connectivity, data center, hosting and managed solutions and IT services. It carries a Zacks Rank #2. Bitcoin, Like the Internet Itself, Could Change Everything Blockchain and cryptocurrency has sparked one of the most exciting discussion topics of a generation. Some call it the Internet of Money and predict it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree were still in the early stages of this technology, and as it grows, it will create several investing opportunities. Zacks has just revealed 3 companies that can help investors capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly. See 3 crypto-related stocks now >> Join us on Facebook: Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/ Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2022 In addition to the investment ideas discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2022? From inception in 2012 through November, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained an impressive +962.5% versus the S&P 500s +329.4%. Now our Director of Research is combing through 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold. Dont miss your chance to get in on these stocks when theyre released on January 3. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report United States Cellular Corporation (USM): Free Stock Analysis Report AT&T Inc. (T): Free Stock Analysis Report Liberty Latin America Ltd. (LILA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Copyright 2022 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The United States is heading into the third year of the coronavirus pandemic with the extremely contagious omicron variant poised to ignite a firestorm of infection across the Southeast after exploding through the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Lower vaccination rates and fewer mask and vaccine mandates have created a much different environment for the omicron variant to spread in the South, leaving experts unsure whether outbreaks will end up deadlier than in the North. Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi are among the states experiencing the sharpest increases in covid-19 hospitalizations since Christmas, according to data tracked by The Washington Post. And the situation may only get worse, as initial outbreaks in metropolitan areas spread to more poorly vaccinated rural regions. Georgia has shattered records, with nearly 1 in 3 tests coming back positive in the last week of December - and in metro Atlanta, nearly half of tests were positive. New daily infections in Florida have hit an average of about 43,000 - far above the peak of 23,000 reached during the delta variant surge in the summer. Louisiana also has eclipsed daily infection records set during its summer surge, with 12,500 cases reported Thursday, which state officials said was nearly twice the record, established in August. David Rubin, who monitors coronavirus trends nationally for PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said he expects the Southeast to be a major driver of the nation's cases this month. But he said he expects a fast decline, mirroring patterns observed during omicron variant surges in South Africa and Britain. "The [South's] bigger test is probably going to be in the summertime, when they usually have their big surges," Rubin said. "We are going to continue to have waves in the new year that I think will become lesser in amplitude over time and will lead to fewer hospitalizations over time." Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan cautioned Sunday that the next month could mark the "worst part" of the pandemic in his state, with residents who are unvaccinated against the virus placing a strain on hospitals. Hogan appeared on CNN's "State of the Union," days after Maryland hospitals eclipsed a record set a year ago of more than 2,000 people hospitalized with covid-19. In New York, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has held regular briefings since cases started exploding and has required businesses to mandate proof of vaccination for entry or that customers wear masks. But Republican governors in Southern states with outbreaks have remained comparatively muted and have resisted measures to contain the spread, as they did during the delta variant surge. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said he would not reconsider his ban on local mask mandates and told a radio station that "we're moving forward with life as we know it" when asked recently about his response to the omicron variant. As infections in Georgia surge to record highs and hospital beds fill up faster than in any state besides New Jersey, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced that his administration would expand testing sites, deploy 200 National Guard troops to hospitals and testing sites, and spend up to $100 million to add as many as 1,000 health care workers. But he pointedly rejected measures to contain the virus and criticized Atlanta for recently reimposing a mask mandate. "It is time to trust our citizens to do what's right for themselves and their families," Kemp said in a statement Wednesday. "That is why I will absolutely not be implementing any measures that shutter businesses or divide the vaccinated from the unvaccinated, or the masked from the unmasked." Harry Heiman, a public health professor at Georgia State University, said such an approach is more about managing the consequences of a virus surge rather than trying to quell it. "Unfortunately, the deja vu we are experiencing in Georgia also includes state-level public health leadership that in the face of a predictably severe surge of the pandemic is really doing very little to proactively respond," Heiman said. "We will see more people hospitalized and more people dying, especially as it moves into the more rural parts of our state, where there's a higher number of people who are unvaccinated and less health care infrastructure to take care of people when they are sick," he said. Monty Veazey, president of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, said the small, largely rural hospitals he represents are bracing for the coming weeks, especially with the potential of hospital staff members calling out sick. "People need to know if they come to a hospital during a surge, they are going to have to be patient," Veazey said. "This issue is not going away. We must live with it just like the flu, and the only way to really curb that is to be fully vaccinated." But the South remains the most poorly vaccinated region of the United States, with about half the population vaccinated in most Southern states, unlike in New Jersey, New York and the District of Columbia, where about 7 in 10 residents are fully vaccinated as omicron variant cases surge. Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas also have some of the nation's lowest booster rates, as does D.C. That has raised acute concerns about Southern hospitals that may not be able to bank on a largely vaccinated community ending up with mostly mild symptoms. Hospitals have warned they can be overwhelmed by even smaller surges in cases if infected staff members are sidelined, or if even a small fraction of those sickened in a huge outbreak are admitted. "So, you are going to have a lot more people who are going to get sick because they don't have any immunity," said Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. "Now, the South has had pretty substantial outbreaks already, and it may be that people have some natural immunity. That could be the one thing that perhaps is a saving grace." Louisiana has urged vigilance among residents who were infected during a massive summer spike that prompted the governor to impose a statewide indoor mask mandate and the mayor of New Orleans to mandate proof of vaccination to enter the city's music venues and restaurants. State officials reported that about 1,200 people had experienced reinfections in addition to about 9,500 people infected for the first time at the end of the year. Experts say this is not surprising, especially given evidence from South Africa that the omicron variant is reinfecting people in droves. But it remains unclear whether disease-fighting antibodies from previous bouts of the virus can stave off the worst complications, keeping unvaccinated people infected with omicron out of the hospital. Experts believe immunity induced from vaccines has that effect. "It's so hard in the midst of this process to understand whether previous natural infection might also provide some benefits in terms of severe illness. That's far more difficult to understand," said Susan Hassig, an epidemiologist at Tulane University in New Orleans. In the meantime, those who have previously gotten the delta variant "shouldn't count on that protecting them - certainly not from infection, which means they could spread it to a whole host of people with their family and workplace." As in the summer wave, about 80% of those now hospitalized in Louisiana with covid-19 are unvaccinated. Catherine O'Neal, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake medical center in Baton Rouge, said vaccinated patients are generally coming in for precautionary visits because of other medical conditions that could be aggravated by the virus, while unvaccinated patients are coming in as sick as they were during the delta variant wave. "We see this idea a lot: Surely everybody has had this. Surely enough people have been infected [that] the pandemic is going to go away. And it just has not played out," O'Neal said. "All we can say is people who have been previously vaccinated are faring better," O'Neal said. "That's the only trend I can take from all of these surges." Louisiana Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards urged residents to celebrate New Year's Eve only with other members of their household to control the spread of the virus, citing explosive omicron variant numbers. He recommended masking but did not reimpose a mandate as he did during the summer, when hospitals warned they were at risk of being overwhelmed. While the threat of the omicron variant has led to the return of mask mandates or new vaccine rules in blue parts of the country such as D.C. and the San Francisco Bay area and in communities across the Northeast, mandates are unlikely to return in large numbers in conservative swaths of the country. That's by design in many places such as Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has repeatedly taken steps to limit public health powers. Most recently, DeSantis called a special session of the state legislature to pass bills restricting the ability of businesses and local governments to mandate masks and vaccines. Experts say such measures, which have proliferated across the country, will make it harder to stop surges of the omicron variant. "The best way to prevent infection right now is to have everyone wearing a mask, and we know without a mandate that's not going to happen," said Cindy Prins, a University of Florida epidemiologist. Orange County Democratic Mayor Jerry Demings has drawn fire from DeSantis for attempting to enforce social distancing rules and for imposing a vaccine mandate on county workers. Central Florida hospitals have not raised alarms about being overwhelmed as they did during the summer surge. Still, Demings said he wants the option to impose temporary mask mandates in the event a massive omicron variant spike leads to widespread worker shortages in a region dependent on winter tourism. He also criticized DeSantis for not holding news briefings or regularly addressing the omicron surge in the state. "Those tools are all controlled by the state of Florida, but where is the state, where is the governor right now? He is missing in action," Demings, who is married to Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Val Demings, said in an interview. "What we are seeing here is this sleight of hand going on," the Orange County mayor said. "On the one hand, our governor says we want to empower local governments but effectively took all the power away from local governments. They are not filling the void. They are not stepping up." Christina Pushaw, a spokeswoman for DeSantis, referred questions to state health officials, who did not respond. But she questioned the value of aggressive measures to contain the omicron variant, contending that regions with "strict mask mandates and vaccine passports are experiencing the same or worse surges than the open areas of the country." - - - The Washington Post's Jacqueline Dupree contributed to this report. A Russian rapper's wife was implicated in what is called the 'perfect murder' that shocked the country how heinous it was. The victim, Andy Cartwright, who goes by the real name of Alexander Yushko', was allegedly slain in cold blood in residence located in St. Petersburg. His wife, identified as Marina Kohkal, 37, is the one who allegedly killed him and committed one of the horrendous acts imaginable. Rapper's wife tried to cover the murder After probing into the death of her spouse, Marina initially claimed it was an overdose of drugs that killed Andy but later admitted she chopped up the body. One of her reasons for dismembering the 30-year-old rapper is to keep his fans from knowing that he died in a very unlikely way. She planned to tell the authorities that it was an individual case of a missing person, reports the Sun UK. The accused is the prime suspect and is placed under house arrest after the probe. Infidelity results in murder According to sources, the wife has found out her husband was out on an affair with a 26-year old fan, cited Techno Trendz. The rapper's wife was investigated earlier by St. Petersburg police in a prior probe, but nothing was dug up to charge her with anything, leading the murder to be perfect, according to the press. Russian media reports that little forensic evidence shows Andy was conscious when the Russian rapper's wife chopped him up. It was the lack of air that finally ended his suffering. Read Also: Boxer Woman Kills Two Men: Rapes One With Shovel Handle, Kicks Another to Death To date, even if the police have some proof, it still is not good enough to have a solid case in the death of Andy, aka Alexander. Evidence of rapper's dismemberment More evidence came up via scientific inference of how Maria chopped up the man to literal bits. It seems that process of severing body parts with sharp implements had been done quickly, about several minutes before the rapper died, noted the Mirror UK. Initially, the investigators thought that the cause of death was injecting an insulin substitute drug for diabetic use. Lawyers of Kohkal said when she was under arrest before that she drank the man's blood and had an intimate interlude with her dead spouse for the last time. Other shocking details from sources say a few dismembered sections of the corpses were in the fridge, and some were placed in trash bags to be disposed of like garbage. Allegedly, Kohkal chopped off the finger segments to feed rodents in the backyard. Forensics said some innards were absent, like his stomach, pancreas, esophagus, gall and urinary bladders, intestines, adrenal, and prostate gland. They suspect that these are gone or placed in a washing machine. According to Komsomolskaya Pravda, the bloodless severed body sections had a low glucose level due to drugs administered. Both had a child who had been sent to the orphanage while the case was ongoing. A court date is set for Kohkal this month. Defending lawyers said the suspect was asked about the terrible and grotesque accusations. According to the defense team, the prosecution does everything to break the woman to spill the beans. Her mother, Elena Kohkal, 68, formerly a suspect, has now been released. Nothing has been confirmed if the Russian rapper's wife is indeed guilty of this 'perfect murder' with the press and law still not done proving guilt. Related Article: Jealous Boyfriend Kills Fiancee Because She Exposed Her Body on the Beach @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New Hampshire police are looking for a seven-year-old girl who has been missing for two years and was just recently reported missing. According to Manchester Police, Harmony Montgomery was last seen in October 2019, when she was five years old. Her disappearance was reported as missing in the last week of December 2021. Girl last seen in 2019 was just reported missing this week Harmony is defined as four feet tall and weighs 50-pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, and she is said to be blind in her right eye, thus she wears glasses. Harmony's most recent photos were two years ago, Daily Mail reported. Police say they were notified this week by the New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth, and Families after numerous people reported the missing girl. Authorities had met with Harmony's family members but did not specify which relatives they were. They said the girl was last seen in the area in October 2019, when police responded to a call at a home where she was residing, but they didn't say what the call was about. Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg classified the investigation as a "top priority" for his officers, but said that there isn't much evidence concerning the girl's disappearance for his agency to rely on. It's still a "very active investigation," he added, adding that no one other than Harmony is being sought in connection with the matter. According to the police chief, she was last enrolled in school in Massachusetts in 2019, but authorities are unsure which municipality she attended. Aldenberg refused to say if Harmony was the subject of a custody battle or if any child welfare organizations had previously contacted authorities. Per The Sun, the police chief confirmed that "several family members" have been contacted as the inquiry proceeds. On the other hand, Montgomery's parents have yet to speak with investigators. Read Also: New York Prosecutor Declines To Charge Ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo Despite Credible Allegations That He Kissed Two Women Against Their Will Police search Manchester property According to Aldenberg, "all possible resources" and employees are being allocated to find the young child. The girl's hair is blond, her eyes are blue, and she wears glasses. Montgomery is blind in her right eye, according to WBZ News Radio. Aldenberg said no Amber Alert had been issued for the girl because no particular information or threat was associated with her absence. It's still a "very active investigation," according to Aldenberg, who added that they're not looking for anybody else but Montgomery. The police chief is "pleading" for the public's assistance in locating Montgomery. On Sunday, investigators investigated a Manchester house searching for a missing 7-year-old who has been missing for almost two years. According to Manchester police Chief Allen Aldenberg, investigators were at a property on Gilford Street in conjunction with the hunt for Harmony Montgomery. On Sunday, Mayor Joyce Craig's office told News 9 that their office got an email last week with a concern about Harmony Montgomery, but her office claimed the communication was mostly discussing concerns with follow-up from DCYF. Her office stated that they provided the information to the individual and advised them to contact 911 or report the information to the police if they believed the child was in danger. According to the mayor's office, the person did not react to the mayor's office directly after the first email and response, to the best of their knowledge. Contact the Manchester Police Department at (603) 668-8711 if you have any information. The lead investigator, Detective Jack Dunleavy, can be reached at (603) 792-5561. You may also make an anonymous tip by calling the Manchester Crimeline at (603) 624-4040. Related Article: Illinois Woman Sentenced to 10 Years After Pouring Sleeping Boyfriend with Boiling Water, Posting Incident in Snapchat @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. AUSTIN -- One of the oddest battles of the 78th Legislature is pitting Texas' licensed professional engineers against the high-tech industry's software dudes. At issue is just who in Texas can call himself an engineer. "It's one of the silliest issues we're having to deal with this session, but it's also one of the most important," said Steven Kester, legislative director of the American Electronics Association, an organization of computer companies. Texas has one of the nation's strictest engineering practices acts and limits the title of engineer to those people who have studied engineering and passed a licensing exam. And that law puts most of the "engineers" in the high-tech industry out of the field. Kester said the restriction threatens high-tech growth in Texas. But Ken Rigsbee, chairman of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers legislative committee, said the restriction is needed to protect the public. Rigsbee said state restrictions on who can call themselves engineers were set up decades ago after someone misengineered a heating pipe system at the New London Junior-Senior High School. An explosion of natural gas in the pipe system killed 300 students and teachers in 1937. Rigsbee said the licensed professional engineers of Texas have been protecting their title from encroachment ever since. There are 49,000 state-licensed professional engineers. Rigsbee said the high-tech problem mostly involves computer programmers whom the industry likes to call computer engineers. Rigsbee said the industry holds out its products as having been "engineered." And he said there is a belief that the computer companies are in a better position to win contracts if they can say they have 150 engineers on staff instead of 150 programmers. "What we have a problem with is a graduate of a two-year computer programming school or some technicians ... holding themselves out as engineers when they clearly are not," Rigsbee said. The computer industry had been happy to function under an exemption in state law that allowed a company to call in-house personnel whatever it wanted to so long as the engineering title was not held out to the public. But the Texas Board of Professional Engineers sent cease-and-desist letters to some high-tech industry specialists who used the title of engineer in correspondence. That led to a request to former Attorney General John Cornyn to clarify the issue. Cornyn last July said the matter is simple when it comes to state law. "The Texas Engineering Practice Act ... does not allow an in-house employee of a private corporation, though classified internally as an `engineer' or under another engineering title, to use the title `engineer' on business cards, cover letters or other forms of correspondence that are made available to the public," Cornyn said. Boom. In a single sentence, the computer programming engineers of Texas became software dudes. Actually, while software programmers make up the bulk of the high-tech industry's engineers, the industry also uses the title for electrical and mechanical engineers not licensed by the state. Texas Instruments also has "customer support engineers." "Texas is becoming a laughingstock of the global high-technology community," said Steve Taylor, director of corporate affairs for Applied Materials. Taylor said there are about 100,000 high-tech personnel in Texas who have "engineer" in their title, but they are not licensed by the state. "They risk fines of up to $3,000 a day for handing out business cards to a supplier or even dropping it in a fish bowl at a restaurant for a chance at a free lunch," Taylor said. AEA's Kester said electronics professionals from around the country are called engineers within their firms and in the industry. Suddenly, he said, they are now required to carry one set of business cards for Texas and another for the other 49 states. "It's a matter of professional pride," Kester said. "They've built up a lot of experience and earned the title of engineer in their industry." Kester said the electronics industry has made changing the state law a top priority because it is making it difficult to recruit employees from other states and around the world. "We run the risk of not having them move here," Kester said. "That puts us at a significant disadvantage." Legislation to loosen the title requirements is being carried by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa. A prayer vigil and a moment of silence will take place on Jan. 6 to commemorate the first anniversary of the Capitol riot. Additionally, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will also deliver their remarks on Thursday. Prior to the announcement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the Biden administration would do something for all Americans to remember what happened on Jan. 6, 2021. "January 6 was one of the darkest days in our democracy. It was a day when our nation's capital was under attack, and I think there's no question you'll see us commemorate that day," Psaki said via CNN. Lawmakers will commemorate the Capitol riot anniversary House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed that the House wouldn't be in session on Jan. 6 to give way to all the events that will take place that day. However, the Senate will still be in session. Historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham will have a conversation to establish and preserve the narrative of the Capitol riot, according to the Huffington Post. Lawmakers will be invited to share their harrowing experiences during the attack. The event will be presided over by Rep. Jason Crow, who is part of the gallery group or the lawmakers that were stuck in the House gallery while the siege was taking place. Read Also: House Select Committee Approves Donald Trump's Request Not To Release Some Documents Irrelevant to Capitol Riot Investigation Ivanka Trump urged Donald Trump to stop the siege Last year's Capitol riot started after Donald Trump's supporters didn't want the Senate to declare that Biden won during the election. But the incident resulted in people dying on the scene and several others dying days later either due to suicide or the injuries they suffered. At the time, Biden urged Trump to stop his supporters from carrying on with the siege. Since then, over 700 people have already been charged by the Justice Department due to their involvement in the riot. There is also an ongoing investigation that will determine whether or not Trump incited violence or participated in the riot, albeit in person. Just days before the anniversary of the Capitol riot, House select committee vice-chair Liz Cheney said that they have firsthand testimony that Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, asked the ex-POTUS to intervene during the riot. In her statement, Cheney also said that they just found out that Trump was sitting in his dining room next to the Oval Office while the riot was taking place. This means that the ex-POTUS could've just walked to the press briefing room and appeared on television, but he didn't. Ivanka reportedly asked her dad to stop the violence at least twice. Republican leader Kevin McCarthy also urged the ex-president to do the same. Donald Trump continues to spread election fraud claims Instead, Trump released a message on social media shortly after the attack insisting that the siege happened because his supporters knew that election fraud was committed. Shortly after, Trump tweeted that a riot takes place when someone supposed to win by a landslide suddenly loses. He also said that he and his patriots were unfairly treated, which further showed that he was still insisting that there was election fraud, according to CNBC. Related Article: Biggest Scandals in US Politics In 2021 Revisited @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tested positive for COVID-19 last week but has subsequently tested negative and is finishing quarantine, his campaign announced Monday amid a surge in cases in Texas and around the country. The Republican leader, who has been outspoken against government shutdowns and public health mandates to mitigate the spread of the virus, experienced mild symptoms last week, said Allen Blakemore, campaign senior advisor, in a news release. Patrick announced in October that he is vaccinated. "His symptoms were mild and no one else in the household was infected," Blakemore said in the release. "He continues working from home and will return to a public schedule by the end of the week." Patrick recently chastised officials, including President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci, for warning against large holiday gatherings in light of the Omicron surge. "Fauci, Biden the Grinch, and their leftist subjects, who want to replace Christ with government, want to stop you from celebrating Christmas," Patrick tweeted on Dec. 23. "Dont listen to them. Christ's birth gives us all everlasting hope. No one should come between families gathering on Christmas." On Monday, the Lone Star State reported over 12,000 new daily COVID-19 cases and more than 6,200 Texans currently hospitalized with the virus. Patrick, who is up for re-election this year, is the latest of a number of Texas elected officials to test positive for COVID-19. In August, Gov. Greg Abbott, who is also vaccinated, announced he tested positive for the virus but has since recovered from his case. In August, Patrick drew criticism for claiming that Democrats were not doing enough to increase COVID vaccination among African Americans which he claimed were the "biggest group" to account for a spike in cases during an August 2021 surge of the Delta variant. In the latest air travel news, large numbers of flight cancellations over the Christmas holidays are continuing into the new year due to airline staffing problems and weather; the CDCs rule change for COVID quarantines helps airlines put sidelined staff back to work; arguments flare up about whether the U.S. should require domestic air travelers to be vaccinated; United starts free in-flight text messaging; JetBlue makes some changes to its TrueBlue loyalty program; United and Delta make more cuts to their regional route networks; international route news from Japans ZIPAIR, Singapore Airlines, Delta and United; Reno-based Aha! Launches Palm Springs flights; Avelo Airlines joins TSA PreCheck; and ExpresSpa Group opens a new full-service health center at New York JFK. Air travel in the U.S. and around the world ended 2021 in a huge mess, and the operational chaos now shows signs of continuing into the new year. U.S. carriers canceled hundreds of flights every day this week, starting just before Christmas Eve, leaving thousands of passengers stranded during the busiest travel time of the year; re-accommodating them within the next few days was often impossible because flights were mostly fully booked. Flyers trying to rebook their cancelled flights by phone were often faced with hours-long waits to speak to someone. The schedule disruptions were partly due to winter storms, especially in the western U.S., but were mostly due to the COVID omicron variant decimating the airlines labor forces not just employees who tested positive for the virus, but also those who were exposed to it and had to go into quarantine. Even though passenger demand will ease up after New Years, there are troubling signs that the airlines wont quickly pull out of this mess as heavy cancellations continue into January. Delta said it will cancel 200 to 300 daily flights on Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 1-2). JetBlue is preemptively canceling more than 1,280 flights from now through mid-January or almost 10% of its schedule as the virus continues to present staffing problems. CNBC reported it saw an internal JetBlue memo that said: The exponential growth in omicron cases over just a couple of days is at a level that no one could reasonably prepare for. It noted that most of the airlines crew members are in the northeast, where omicron cases arent expected to peak for another week or two. The Canadian carrier WestJet said it is canceling 15% of its January flights due to COVID-related staffing problems. In Europe, the giant discount carrier Ryanair said it is slashing its overall January capacity by 33%, due not only to COVID but also to a big drop in passenger demand as various European governments issue tough new restrictions on entry in a bid to slow down the spread of the virus. The airline said its December traffic was about 10% less than expected due to tighter travel restrictions. And Lufthansa will cut its winter flight schedules by 10% because it is seeing a significant fall-off in reservations as COVIDs omicron variant continues to spread. (Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recent weeks has continued to expand its Level 4 do not travel list based on spiking levels of COVID. The Level 4 warning list now includes virtually all of Europe, including the U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.) Mary Altaffer/Associated Press As for U.S. weather disruptions, Delta took one of the biggest hits due to winter storms in the western and north central states. The carrier this week issued weather-related travel waivers for customers booked on flights in and out of Seattle, Salt Lake City and Detroit, letting them rebook flights without penalty. Seattle was hit with a rare major snowstorm, and Alaska Airlines on Wednesday and Thursday said it was proactively thinning Seattle departures by about 20% to allow for the additional time it takes to deice aircraft. Alaska also urged customers planning non-essential travel before Jan. 2 to rebook their flights to a later date. The airlines got a break in their COVID-related staffing woes this week when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new rule shortening from 10 days to five the required self-isolation for individuals regardless of vaccination status who test positive for COVID but show no symptoms at the end of that quarantine period. Airlines were quick to embrace the rule change to get more sidelined employees back to work. The updated guidance allows more flexibility for Delta to schedule crews and employees to support a busy holiday travel season and a sustained return to travel by customers, Delta said. Major airlines, led by Delta and JetBlue, had lobbied for the change, and some employee groups were not happy about it. Sara Nelson, president of the Assn. of Flight Attendants-CWA International, said the CDC gave a medical explanation about why the agency has decided to reduce the quarantine requirements from 10 to five days, but the fact that it aligns with the number of days pushed by corporate America is less than reassuring. With the COVID omicron variant steamrolling through the population vaccinated and unvaccinated alike the federal government is facing renewed calls to order that all domestic airline passengers show proof of vaccination before being allowed to board. And President Joe Biden this week indicated that he might be open to issuing such an order if his medical advisors recommend it, although there was some confusion about his intentions. According to an article in The Hill, Biden was asked by a reporter outside his Delaware home on Tuesday when he would make a decision about a vaccine order for domestic air travel, and Biden replied: when I get a recommendation from the medical team. Bidens comment came just a day after Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief White House medical advisor, said on MSNBC that a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel is something that seriously should be considered not so much as a way to prevent transmission aboard aircraft, which are generally considered safe, but as another incentive to get more people vaccinated. And heres the confusion: A week earlier, Biden told ABC that such a mandate has been considered, but based on the recommendations Ive gotten, its not necessary. Then Dr. Fauci appeared on CNN later on the same day after he seemed to recommend such a mandate and tried to dampen expectations. In that interview, Fauci said: Right now, I dont think people should expect that were going to have a requirement in domestic flights for people to be vaccinatedIts on the table, and we consider it. But that doesnt mean its going to happen. I doubt if were going to see something like that in the reasonably foreseeable future. Before Christmas, several members of Congress led by Sen. Diane Feinstein (D.-Calif.) sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging the Biden administration to impose a vaccine mandate on domestic flights. Travel at our nations airports has essentially returned to pre-pandemic levels but the risk from COVID-19, including its new variant Omicron, continues to present a major public health threat, the letter said. Requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test for domestic flights would improve public health and address concerns that passengers have about flying. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images An article in the Los Angeles Times noted that airlines are opposed to a domestic mandate in part because verification of vaccination status at the airport might slow down the boarding process and/or TSA check-in. It noted that the airlines trade group, Airlines for America, said it was informed by the White House that there is no imminent policy proposal for such a mandate. But the article also cited a study that found 14% of domestic air travelers are not vaccinated and it said the loss of those passengers would present a financial hardship for the airlines. In The Washington Post, op-ed columnist James Hohmann charged that the airlines have for months successfully thwarted a push by public health experts to require passengers to show proof of vaccinationThis is maybe the most important lever that President Biden could pull and so far has refused to pull that might increase the countrys vaccination rate. Hohman said Biden should stop pretending his resistance to a vax-to-fly rule is about public health and not politics. The truth is that requiring vaccines to fly, even with a testing opt-out, would provoke a backlashFox News would have a field day. One voice opposing a domestic air travel vaccine mandate came from Viewfromthewing.com blogger Gary Leff, who argued that the virus is already spreading in the country, so limiting travel to those who are vaccinated wont prevent spread. He also said that air travel isnt a less safe environment than other indoor congregant activities that have no such legal restriction, and he suggested a mandate might draw legal challenges because the Supreme Court has consistently held that theres a fundamental right to interstate travel. United is the latest airline to roll out free in-flight text messaging for its customers. The new perk is currently available on the bulk of Uniteds mainline fleet. The services available include Apple iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, provided as an option when a customer connects to the in-fight wi-fi network. Its not yet available on every aircraft; some 757-200s and 767-300s wont have it until March, and a handful of 787-9s will get it in June. The free messaging is available on CRJ-550 and -700 regional aircraft and should be on all E170s and 175s in January, but not on CRJ200s or E145s, which do not support in-flight wi-fi. Free text messaging is already offered by Delta, Southwest, Alaska and JetBlue. Mosaic-level elite members of JetBlues TrueBlue loyalty program are getting some additional benefits in the new year, including the creation of a new tier called Mosaic+. That new level requires members to earn 45,000 Mosaic qualifying points or spend $150,000 on a JetBlue Plus Card or JetBlue Business Card. In addition to the usual Mosaic perks, Mosaic+ benefits include four upgrades from the main cabin to Mint seating (except on London flights) depending on availability 24 hours before departure; the upgrades can also be used for a travel companion. Mosaic+ qualifiers will also be invited to enroll as a FoundersCard Elite member, which will bring 500+ premium travel, business, and lifestyle benefits, including exclusive member pricing and privileges, loyalty status upgrades, and more, JetBlue said. Starting Jan. 5, all Mosaic members will be able to purchase an extra-legroom Even More Space seat with points. In 2022, it will never exceed 200 points and Mosaics will be given a 200-point rebate after flying, the airline said. Major carriers are continuing to trim routes and destinations from their regional networks. United CEO Scott Kirby said last month that his carriers United Express operation, which uses six different regional airlines, has had to ground almost 100 aircraft due to a pilot shortage mainly smaller planes like the CRJ-200 and Embraer 145. In its latest cutbacks, United is dropping United Express flights from its Washington Dulles hub to Akron/Canton, Ohio; Asheville, Greensboro, and Wilmington, N.C.; Bangor, Me.; Erie, Pa.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.; and Milwaukee, Wis. United is also shifting five regional routes from Dulles to its Newark hub, including Harrisburg, Philadelphia, State College and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; and Ithaca, N.Y. Delta is also cutting more routes to mostly secondary airports. From its Salt Lake City hub, Delta is ending service to Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Madison, Wis.; and Pittsburgh, Pa. From Minneapolis-St. Paul, Delta is ending service to Lansing and Freeland, Mich., and to Tulsa, Okla. Also getting the axe are Delta flights from Atlanta to Rochester, Minn., and from Boston to Bermuda. In international route news, Japan Airlines low-cost subsidiary ZIPAIR Tokyo has started flying from Tokyo Narita to Los Angeles. The carrier is using a 787-8 to fly the route three days a week, which will increase to six a week starting Jan. 14. Singapore Airlines recently started a Los Angeles-Taipei-Singapore route operating three days a week, but now it will suspend that service after Feb. 16, although it still operates non-stop LAX-Singapore service. Delta has introduced new service from Los Angeles International to Panama City, Panama; the 757 flight operates just once a week. Delta has also launched weekly service to Panama City from Orlando along with three weekly flights from New York JFK. Meanwhile, Delta announced it will add another European spoke to its JFK hub this summer, with a daily flight to Stockholm beginning June 1. United Airlines has also made some additions to its transatlantic plans for 2022. It will increase frequencies between Washington Dulles and Accra, Ghana from three flights a week to daily service effective May 6; and resume daily service from Newark to Edinburgh, Scotland on May 5, followed by the resumption of seasonal summer service to Edinburgh from Chicago OHare and Washington Dulles on May 7; United will also bring back daily flights from Newark to Stockholm on May 14. On the domestic side, Reno-based Aha!, the new incarnation of regional carrier Expressjet Airlines, will begin service between Reno and Palm Spring on Jan, 3, operating three flights a week. Meanwhile, the Burbank-based low-fare carrier Avelo has been accepted into the Transportation Security Administrations PreCheck program, so Avelo passengers who belong to PreCheck can now take advantage of expedited security screening. In airport news, XpresSpa Group has opened a new health-and-wellness concept facility in New York JFKs Terminal 4. After building up a network of spas in various U.S. airports, the company expanded during the coronavirus era by adding COVID testing services at several locations. And now it has cut the ribbon on a full-service outlet at JFK called Treat, which it describes as a fully operational upscale health and wellness center with access to on-site care with medical professionals, through technology and personalized services such as COVID-19 rapid PCR tests, IV drip infusion therapy, flu shots, and on-site virtual sessions like yoga and fitness. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form China allocates 500 mln yuan to Shaanxi for epidemic control Xinhua) 13:58, January 03, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Finance has allocated 500 million yuan (about 78.42 million U.S. dollars) to northwest China's Shaanxi Province to support the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. On Saturday, Shaanxi reported 123 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of local cases in the latest resurgence to more than 1,590. Since the outbreak on Dec. 9, Xi'an, the provincial capital, has registered a total of 1,573 local cases. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji) In a stressful phone conversation from behind bars, Ghislaine Maxwell learnt that her young husband had moved on with a pretty yoga instructor. After leaving his first wife and mother of his two children, Scott Borgerson, 46, secretly married Maxwell, 60, in 2016. He had promised to support Maxwell at first, even offering to put up millions of pounds in shared assets as part of her $28.5 million bail. However, their marriage ended. Jeffrey Epstein's "madam" may face 65 years imprisonment Maxwell had been living with Borgerson, a tech CEO, at a beachside mansion in Manchester-on-Sea, Massachusetts. However after Jeffrey Epstein was arrested and charged with child sex offenses in 2019, Maxwell fled the residence to protect her stepchildren. Maxwell recruited Matt Hellier, a former British special forces soldier, to protect her and traveled from safe house to safe house until she decided to purchase a home called "Tukedaway" in small Bradford, New Hampshire, for $1 million cash at the beginning of 2020. Most weekends, Borgerson and his children would pay a visit. Hundreds of FBI officials burst down the property's gates in July 2020 and arrested Maxwell on child sex and sex trafficking charges, which she was convicted of this week. According to the BBC, former New York prosecutor Sarah Krissoff expects the court to "impose a very harsh punishment" on Maxwell. Robert Maxwell's daughter was found guilty on five counts, including conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation of a minor under the age of 17 for the purpose of sexual conduct. Count two, enticing of a minor under the age of 17 to travel with the purpose to engage in sexual behavior, was the sole charge Maxwell was found not guilty of throughout her trial. The most serious accusation against Maxwell is sex trafficking, which carries a possible penalty of 40 years in jail. In the end, the socialite might face a sentence of up to 65 years in jail. Read Also: Prince Andrew's Accuser Speaks Out After Ghislaine Maxwell Verdict; What The Trial Means for the Duke? Who is Ghislaine Maxwell's husband? Maxwell declared her marital status in a bail application when she was arrested in 2020. Although she did not name her spouse, it has been generally reported that her husband's name is Scott Borgerson and that they got married in 2016. Maxwell is 16 years older than her husband, Borgerson, who is thought to be 44 years old. There has never been an official record of their marriage discovered, nor has there ever been any legal documents verifying their marriage. Per SCMP, Borgerson stated in 2019 that he was not "dating" Maxwell and would not comment on their relationship. Borgerson's name, as well as others cited in support of the bail application, was censored and never made public. Maxwell's brother Ian said that the family was unaware, but not surprised, that she was married. Despite his protestations, Borgerson is still thought to be her partner. In 2013, the pair met while presenting at an event related to ocean protection in Reykjavik. Borgerson was married at the time, but he was so smitten with Maxwell that he divorced his wife to be with her. He was "captivated" by Maxwell's strong circles. During the meeting in Reykjavik, the UK's Daily Mail released the first known photo of the couple together. It is one of the few photographs of the two that has been made public. Related Article: Jury Finds Ghislaine Maxwell Guilty of Sex Trafficking Minors for Jeffrey Epstein; Family Launches Appeal After Verdict @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Immigrate to Canada from the UAE Canadian immigration options for people living in the Emirates. Immigrate to Canada from the UAE Canadian immigration options for people living in the Emirates. Immigrate to Canada from the UAE Canadian immigration options for people living in the Emirates. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A If you are living in the United Arab Emirates with your eyes fixed on the northwest, here are some of the pathways you can take to get Canadian permanent residency which may eventually lead to citizenship. In this article, we hope to show you some options for economic and family class immigration, as well as your work and study options. There are more than 100 economic-class immigration programs, including the Express Entry-managed programs, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and others. Keep in mind, even the fastest immigration programs can take months between the time you apply and the time you land. Although Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) posts estimated processing times on its website, actual processing times may differ, especially since the pandemic created a backlog in applications. Discover if Youre Eligible for Canadian Immigration The application fees are also listed on the IRCC website. Prepare to incur hidden costs for a language test, a medical exam, and others. The best program for you will depend on your professional experience, and your goals. Here are some of the programs available so you can start making your Canadian dream a reality. Express Entry Express Entry is the most popular Canadian immigration pathway. It is an online system, which manages applications for three immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. If you are eligible for one of these programs, you can enter your information into the Express Entry pool of candidates, and get a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). You get points for your age, education, language ability in English or French, and skilled work experience. IRCC determines what is skilled work based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. Occupations that fall under skill levels 0, A, or B are considered skilled and therefore eligible for CRS points. The highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through regular rounds of invitation. Provincial Nominee Program Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are developed by Canadian provinces and territories, with the goal of supporting the regional labour market challenges. Almost all of Canadas provinces and territories participate in the program, except for Nunavut and Quebec. There are two types of PNPs: enhanced programs, which are aligned with Express Entry; and base programs which operate independently. Enhanced programs pull from the Express Entry pool of candidates. If you receive a provincial nomination through one of these PNPs, you get 600 CRS points added to your overall score. This award will push you to the top of the pool, priming you to receive an ITA in a subsequent Express Entry draw. Base PNPs can be an option for people who are not eligible for Express Entry. To immigrate through a base PNP, you apply to the province, and if you are eligible, get a nomination. With your certificate in hand, you can then apply for permanent residence to the federal government. Study then work in Canada Immigrants who worked and studied in Canada before getting permanent residency have shown to have a higher earning potential than those who come directly from abroad. International students pay significantly more for tuition than Canadian students. Depending on the school you go to, and the study program you are in, you may be eligible for scholarship opportunities. In order to study in Canada you need a study permit. It allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during academic breaks. Certain programs will make you eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This highly sought-after work permit allows you to work anywhere for any employer in Canada. It usually lasts as long as the study program, so a one-year study program can qualify you for a one-year PGWP. If you do plan to take advantage of the PGWP, which is only available once in a lifetime, make sure you are enrolled in a program that will allow you to be eligible for it. Such programs are at least eight months in length and must be from a Designated Learning Institution in Canada. In addition, you must have studied full time during each academic session of the study program in order to use that experience toward the PGWP. There are also certain cases where international students may be ineligible for the PGWP. Canadian work permits There are two broad categories that Canadian work permits fall under: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP). The main difference between the TFWP and IMP is that the TFWP requires the Canadian employer to get what is called a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). In simple terms, the LMIA process is a way to prove that hiring a foreign worker will have a neutral or positive impact on the Canadian labour market. That being said, the Global Talent Stream, which operates under the TFWP, is a work permit program that allows tech workers in certain occupations or who are hired at participating companies to get an expedited work permit. The employer does not have to do the advertising requirement of the LMIA, and so it gets processed much faster. LMIAs are not needed for the IMP, because the program exists to promote Canadas broad economic, social, and cultural policy objectives. This program is broken down further into categories such as Significant Benefit, and Charitable and Religious workers. An example of an IMP program is the Intra-Company Transfer. This program is for key personnel in certain positions, who wish to transfer from their branch to a location in Canada. Family-class sponsorship Canada allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, children, or parents and grandparents. Canadians can only sponsor relatives like a brother, sister, aunt or uncle in specific circumstances. They cannot sponsor relatives who are considered criminally or medically inadmissible. In order to be eligible to be sponsored as a spouse or common-law partner you must be over the age of 18, and in an ongoing, genuine relationship with a Canadian who can financially support you and any children you may have. If your spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen, they can sponsor from abroad. Permanent residents, however, must sponsor you from inside the country. You, as the spouse, can be inside or outside Canada throughout the process. If you are outside Canada you will be processed as an outland applicant. From inside Canada, IRCC will process you as an inland applicant, and you may be able to get a spousal Open Work Permit. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a pathway to permanent residence for parents and grandparents of Canadians. The program currently operates like a lottery system, where there is a temporary intake window where IRCC accepts interest to sponsor forms. The immigration department then invites candidates to apply for permanent residence. An alternative option to the PGP is the Super Visa, which allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to two years at a time. Canadians can also sponsor their biological or adopted children who are under the age of 22. Discover if Youre Eligible for Canadian Immigration CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. CIOs have a long list of tech initiatives, product deliveries, and IT projects planned for the year ahead. Each one is, of course, important in its own right. Taken all together, though, theyre collectively driving some greater good for the enterprise. With that in mind, we asked multiple CIOs to share their overarching objectives and goals or, in the spirit of the New Year, to share their resolutions for 2022. Heres a look at what they want to achieve and how theyre planning to succeed. 1. Maximize people power Booz Allen Hamilton believes its staff is its greatest resource, so CIO Brad Stone lists enabling each of them as his No. 1 objective for 2022. The goal, he explains, is providing the services and digital environment that every one of our users wants so they can maximize who they are. Thats a big lift for a company with 29,000 employees, who like employees at many other organizations will continue in a work-from-anywhere environment. Brad Stone, CIO, Booz Allen Hamilton Booz Allen Hamilton Weve learned a lot about what a hybrid environment means, but we still have a lot of unknowns. We dont always know what our users want, what work means for them, but we still want to make sure our people are supported no matter where they are or what theyre doing, Stone says. He plans to build worker personas, look for commonalities across them, and tap into the user communities to identify needs and then deliver options to meet them but without creating an overwhelming sprawl of choices. This objective, he adds, ties to our core business objective, which is attracting, retaining, and expanding our people. 2. Be more empathetic Abha Dogra, senior vice president of digital technology and North America CIO for Schneider Electric, traveled to Mexico in early December to visit workers she hadnt yet met in person. She considers the trip an early start on her 2022 goal of using more of her emotional quotient, or EQ. Abha Dogra, SVP of digital technology and CIO, Schneider Electric Schneider Electric As tech leaders, we can be IQ-oriented; my behavior is driven by the IQ side of my brain. I dont believe that will change, but Id like to give myself a goal to really up my EQ side, where I should now be much more present to my team, physically, emotionally, to really help them evolve, she says. She traveled to Monterrey specifically to visit a team working in the companys digital hub, which opened just months before the start of the COVID pandemic. Dogra says she made it a point to keep open time on her calendar and sit in open spaces, such as the office kitchen, so she could engage with staffers on a personal level and let workers know shes available to guide, mentor, and teach as much as to lead. 3. Drive customer experience to the next level RJ Juliano, chief information and marketing officer for Parkway, a Philadelphia-based company that has been buying, selling, managing, and leasing real estate and parking facilities, has big ideas on how to build a customer-centric future for this nearly century-old company. Juliano says he envisions building a frictionless customer experience that delivers highly accurate information and directions to where they want to go and that connects them with the other places they need to be on their journeys. Were part of a big chain and we want to be a frictionless piece of that, he says, explaining that his vision requires working with other businesses to connect platforms to offer the services customers need. RJ Juliano, chief information and marketing officer, Parkway Parkway Julianos idea isnt new, but it was sidelined for a time during the pandemic as other needs took priority. But Juliano is making customer experience a central part of his 2022 plans, building on capabilities, such as new apps for touchless services, that were delivered during the pandemic. He says he doesnt have time to waste: I think customer expectations will double at a high pace now; they expect a fully connected world. Others see that, too: The 2022 Tech Trends report from Info-Tech Research Group found that 69% of surveyed IT practitioners believe changing customer expectations will disrupt business in the next 12 months. 4. Retain newfound agility Organizations that made it through 2020 and 2021 did so, in many cases, because they were able to adapt and adjust through nearly two years of tumult and disruption. We all figured out how to be nimble by force. We dont want to now lose that momentum. I dont want to see people go back to being overly risk-adverse, Juliano says. He believes organizations, including his own, could backslide into past processes that required more steps to approve and make changes. Although he acknowledges the importance of processes and controls to ensure good decisions are made, he wants to see them nimble enough to sustain the same speed they enabled during the pandemic. Lets not forget the lesson we learned: We can move fast. We figured out how to think and flex really quickly. Lets keep doing it, he says. 5. Get ready for growth IT drove a lot of the growth that business saw during the past year. Steve Heilenman, CIO, Benefix.us Benefix.us Expect that to continue, according to the Snow Software 2022 IT Priorities Report, which lists driving company growth at No. 7 on its survey of top 12 CIO priorities for 2022. Armed with plenty of newfound experiences and reshaped perspective, 2022 will be the year for IT to take all that has been learned, set new baselines, and drive toward new levels of growth, the report states. Steve Heilenman, CIO of Benefix.us, a startup in the insurance tech space, has driving growth at the top of his list of resolutions for the upcoming year. The 5-year-old company has seen 121% year-over-year growth in its short history, and Heilenman says IT is essential to enabling the company to continue on that path of rapid growth. Heilenman says Benefix.us IT is working to stabilize the companys platform to accommodate that growth while also adding new features, such as the analytics capabilities that customers want and the automation internal teams need to keep pace with the increasing workloads that come with growth. 6. Flex data-driven capabilities One of the top goals Eric Johnson, executive vice president and CIO of Momentive (formerly SurveyMonkey), has for himself and his organization: driving more business impact through the companys data program. Johnson spent the past year building the groundwork to really seize on that opportunity. We focused investments in data infrastructure, hiring key skills and key wins, he says. In 2022 well now push to define larger goals and projects to move the needle on critical business KPIs using data science and [machine learning]. Management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. puts data as one of six make-or-break priorities for CIOs for 2022. Eric Johnson, EVP and CIO, Momentive Momentive Its not much of an exaggeration to say that no important value-creating initiatives for the business are possible without good data. It is literally the lifeblood of the business and should be treated that way, McKinsey senior partner Aamer Baig writes on the topic, adding that CIOs must focus on quality over quantity and develop an orchestration capability to make the many data linkages needed to enable advanced experiences. Booz Allens Stone also had a similar resolution involving data, more specifically to continue pushing the company on its path to being a truly data-driven organization. We want to get more value out of the data and to use it more to inform our decisions so we can really achieve better speed of decision-making, he adds. 7. Optimize the hybrid work culture For many CIOs, the hybrid work environment that mix of in-person and remote employees is here to stay for both their own IT staffers and for their organizations overall workforce. Thus theyre tasked with both delivering the underlying capabilities and leading and managing the new workplace culture. But even after nearly two years working in this mode, challenges remain. The Snow Software IT Priorities Report found that 78% of IT leaders said hybrid work could be a burden as they try to hire, maintain, and adequately manage their organizations growing remote workforce. Thomas Phelps, CIO, Laserfiche Laserfiche Its not surprising, then, that CIOs are resolved to focus on building a workplace culture tailored to the hybrid model. Thomas Phelps, senior vice president of corporate strategy and CIO for Laserfiche, is one such IT leader. With Laserfiche transitioning to a hybrid work environment, we have an opportunity to hire talent to work from almost anywhere and everywhere. The challenge is how do you sustain a company culture when your human interactions may be limited to a two-inch Zoom thumbnail, he says. He adds: My resolution is to not just lead technology innovation and business performance, but also find new ways to sustain our company culture for hybrid work with leadership that sets the tone and the right mix of digital and sometimes analog services and collaboration tools. Some technology solutions will influence what our hybrid work culture looks like, but the biggest impact will come from fostering a culture where teams feel engaged and valued. 8. Automate, automate, automate Automation tops the list for Stephen Franchetti, CIO of tech company Samsara, who wants to use the technology to both drive productivity and simplify the user experience. Stephen Franchetti, CIO, Samara Samara We want the people we hire to be focused on the job we hire them for. We want our sales folks to be out there selling and our engineers to be cutting code and creating great products, as opposed to working on administrivia, he says. So, automating those repeatable processes through apps, bots, and integrations will be critical for us to remain agile as we grow. Moreover, he believes automation is a critical component for future success, seeing it as one way to help his company evolve, scale effectively, and keep our agile edge in the process. Others share his perspective. The Info-Tech 2022 Tech Trends report found that 79% of surveyed IT leaders see automation providing high value to their organization in the year ahead. The report also listed automation as a service as one of its five tech trends to watch in 2022. 9. Innovate According to the Snow Software report, CIOs put driving innovation for competitive advantage as No. 5 on their list of 12 top priorities for 2022 up from the prior years No. 9 spot. Ravi Naik, CIO and executive vice president of storage services for Seagate Technology, rates innovation even higher on his list of 2022 resolutions. In fact, he lists innovation and more specifically, the ability to innovate within the constraints he has as his top resolution. Ravi Naik, CIO and EVP of storage services, Seagate Technology Seagate Its about scaling all we are doing more efficiently and cleanly in order to reinvest resources into the organization, he says, noting that its critical for growth that IT teams question the status quo. When innovation is unleashed, we can unlock the value that is stuck in inefficiencies and allow that value to be reinvested into the company. Of course, CIOs cannot do that by themselves. Its a behavior that needs to be institutionalized. I encourage the entire IT organization to take on that mindset. He adds: We can do more with less not because we are merely starving projects or shutting off the lights, but because we have found a better consumption model thanks to cloud and agility. We need to direct resources where theyre needed most. That is why I want to drive a culture that innovates under constraints. 10. Simplify The Info-Tech Research Group in its 2022 Tech Trends report identifies complexity as a risk factor for CIOs as they drive forward with certain initiatives. Booz Allens Stone agrees, which is why he puts simplify as another one of his resolutions for the year ahead. I want to simplify our enterprise and simplify our operations, he says. He sees the use of more cloud technology as one of the primary ways hell drive out complexity, and he believes ridding the organization of bespoke processes and highly tailored applications as another move to make, explaining that both of those can create friction and slow the organization at a time when seamless services and speed are needed to succeed. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy urges state residents to be careful amid a possible snowstorm. According to reports, Murphy declared a state of emergency on five counties, namely, Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, and Ocean Counties. "The anticipated winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, wind gusts, and coastal flooding in parts of Southern New Jersey. Residents should stay off the roads, remain vigilant, and follow all safety protocols," Murphy said via Philadelphia CBS Local. Murphy also said that those that do not need to be outside should stay indoors so that road crews can do their jobs. Schools are postponing their opening due to snowstorm, COVID-19 According to NJ, the winter storm is scheduled to start at 4 a.m. on Monday and end at 4 p.m. on the day. Some schools also announced the cancelation of classes on Monday due to the bad weather. Others are delaying the opening of classes to a few hours later. Other institutions are also concerned due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in select counties. Read Also: Re-elected New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy Vows To Do More Following His Narrow Win Against Republican Jack Ciattarelli According to App.com, an impending snowstorm is expected to drop up to seven inches in southern Ocean County. And on Sunday, the New Jersey Department of Health reported 29,740 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections across the state. In Jackson, it was announced that all classes this week will take place virtually due to the snowstorm and the number of COVID-19 cases in the county. Schools in Little Silver will also be held virtually through Jan. 7 due to staffing issues and student infections resulting from the surge in COVID-19. The district plans to reopen on Jan. 10. In Neptune Township, schools will operate remotely through Jan. 10 due to a large number of COVID-19 cases among the school's officials. Gov. Phil Murphy refuses to impose mask, vaccine mandates But despite the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in New Jersey, Murphy has not announced a statewide mandate on makes and vaccines amid the latest wave. According to North Jersey, Murphy has been saying that all options are on the table regarding what he would do amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country. But the governor has not specified what exactly is his action plan. It also remains unclear if there will be an indoor mask mandate or new vaccine requirements for the residents of New Jersey. No hard lockdown for New Jersey But what doesn't seem plausible is for Murphy to impose another hard lockdown just like what he did in the spring of 2020. The governor said he would leave the decision up to local school officials to decide whether to stay open or close down and hold classes virtually amid Omicron. Murphy also said that one of the best recourse to battling Omicron is through testing. However, it's unclear if the governor plans to ramp up testing capacities in New Jersey. Other states started imposing some mandates to address the thousands of omicron cases in the country, but it's unclear if New Jersey would follow suit. Related Article: New Jersey Man Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Prison for Assaulting an Officer at the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 24 Hour Access Oklahoma City, OK (73106) Today Variable clouds and becoming windy with thunderstorms, possibly severe this afternoon. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High 82F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some strong early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low near 45F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%. A Chicago ordinance that allows developers to bypass the usual plan review by city building officials by submitting self-certification from an architect did not give homeowners a right to take legal action against that architect after design flaws were discovered, an Illinois appellate court ruled. A panel of the Illinois Appellate Courts First Judicial District on Wednesday reversed a circuit court decision that awarded $1.5 million to the 1541 North Bosworth Condominium Association because of structural damage suffered during an October 2014 windstorm. The court said the associations only remedy was to sue the developer of the property, although in this case the developer is no longer in business and the original owner had waived any implied warranty. To call this a series of unfortunate events is an understatement, the appellate panel said in its opinion. The Chicago City Council created the Self-Certification Permit Program in 2008 as a means of speeding up city review of proposed construction projects. Typically, plans must be stamped by city building officials before any dirt is turned, but the SCCP waives plan review if the developer submits a letter from a licensed architect or engineer that certifies the plans comply with the citys building code. Although the city did not implement rules for the SCCP until 2009, city officials started allowing plans to submitted for self-certification the year before. The developer of a three-year condominium building on Bosworth Avenue hired architect John C. Hanna to design the project and submit a self-certification letter to the city in 2008. Permits were issued and the building was finished in 2009. The three units were sold and then resold by 2014, when a Halloween Day windstorm caused the building to sway and caused cracking and structural damage, according to the opinion. A structural engineer determined that the building was constructed without a lateral structural support system to withstand wind loads. The wind caused severe structural damage that was estimated to cost $500,000 to $1.5 million to repair. The condo association filed suit against the developer, the general contractor and Hanna and his company, Hanna Architects. Hanna had admitted that he did not structural calculations and went with a gut feeling, according to the opinion. The association won a default judgment against the defunct contractor who built the condo building. It dropped its claims against the developeralso a dissolved corporationafter discovering the original owners of the property had waived any implied warranties. But the associations lawsuit against Hanna resulted in a $1.5 million judgment against Hanna after a bench trial. Even though nothing in the citys ordinances says that property owners can sue if an architect submits faulty plans for self certification, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Diane M. Shelley ruled that the condo owners had an implied cause of action against Hanna. The appellate panel said courts at time will find that plaintiffs have an implied right of action under a statute if they are member of a class that the statute is designed to benefit, suffer an injury that the statute was designed to prevent and an implied right of action is necessary to provide an adequate remedy. But there has to be an actual statute for an implied right of action to exist, the court said. At the time the Bosworth Avenue developer received building permits through the self-certification permit program in 2008, the city had not yet established any formal rules for the program. The court said the condo association, in its pleadings, did not point to any specific ordinance that created the implied cause of action. Instead, its lawyers discussed the self-certification program in general, the self-certification letter and the city building code. A court cannot imply a cause of action out of thin air; the plaintiff must identify the legislative enactment that the defendant allegedly violated, so that the court can review the language of that enactment, along with the overall statutory scheme in which that enactment is contained, to determine whether that violation should be redressable by a private lawsuit, the opinion says. WASHINGTON (AP)U.S. airlines are asking the Federal Communications Commission to delay this weeks scheduled rollout of new 5G wireless service near dozens of major airports, saying it could interfere with electronics that pilots rely on. Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. passenger and cargo carriers, said in an emergency filing that the FCC has failed to adequately consider the harm that 5G service could do to the industry. The group wants more time for the FCC and the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates airlines, to resolve issues around aviation safety related to a type of 5G service called C-Band. AT&T and Verizon Communications previously agreed to a one-month delay in 5G, which provides faster speeds when mobile devices connect to their networks and allows users to connect many devices to the internet without slowing it down. Late Friday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson wrote to the CEOs of AT&T and Verizon to propose a delay in activating 5G C-band service near an undetermined number of priority airports while the FAA studies the potential for interference with aircraft operations. Buttigieg and Dickson said forging ahead with next weeks activation will result in widespread and unacceptable disruption as airplanes divert to other cities or flights are canceled, while a delay around certain airports would have minimal short-term impacts. Verizon spokesman Richard Young said, We received the letter a short time ago, after 6 p.m. on New Years Eve, and we will need some time to review it. AT&T spokeswoman Kim Hart Jonson said the company was reviewing the letter. The airline industry trade group warned of significant damage if the 5G rollout goes ahead near major airports. Aircraft will not be able to rely on radio altimeters for numerous flight procedures and thus will not be able to land at certain airports, the group said in a filing Thursday. Radio altimeters measure the height of planes above the ground. A4A, as the group is called, said its 11 member airlines face the need to reroute or cancel thousands of flights, resulting in losses topping $1 billion. The group said the new service will affect all three major airports in the New York City areaLaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark, New Jerseyas well as OHare in Chicago, Logan in Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles International and San Francisco. The trade groups general counsel threatened to go to court next week if the FAA does not respond to the groups request for a delay. The FAA said in early December that it will restrict pilots from using automated landing systems at certain airports after the rollout of 5G or fifth-generation wireless service because it could interfere with radio altimeters. The FAA declined to comment on the airline groups filing. CTIA, a trade group representing the wireless-communications industry, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., chairman of the House Transportation Committee, sided with the airlines, saying Friday that the aviation and telecom industries should work together to find a safe way to deploy 5G technologies. We cant afford to experiment with aviation safety. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The holidays parties, family, and the spirit of giving. Some personal injury plaintiffs attorneys really get into the spirit, hoping to receive the gift of open policy limits and unlimited injury recoveries by making short-fused settlement demands, that are set to expire right before, during, or right after the holiday. Timing settlement demands for holidays (and the press of business and short staffing that surrounds the holidays) increases the risk for slip-ups in the claims handling process, which could potentially lead to significant or even catastrophic financial consequences for liability insurers. As one exasperated pair of defense attorneys put it: The original purpose of bad faith laws has become perverted, leaving a system in which a minor error, miscommunication, or misunderstanding leads to a finding of bad faith. Sometimes that error is due to the deliberate conduct of the plaintiffs attorney, who claims he or she is merely doing what is in the best interests of his or her client.[1] Maybe that goes too far. Perhaps most judges would agree that there should be no bad faith finding based on an insurers mistake a claimant or plaintiff attorney deliberately induces. Nevertheless, liability insurers are increasingly confronted with settlement demands that seem timed and designed to minimize the opportunity to achieve a settlement and maximize the chance for insurer error that will later be described (however unfairly) as an unreasonable failure to settle. With 2022 quickly approaching, this article suggests seven New Years resolutions insurers may want to treat as necessities, rather than aspirations. Before we explain how an insurer should handle a time limit settlement demand, we would like to explain how much can go wrong where an insurer fails to promptly investigate such a demand. In the recent appellate decision out of San Diego, Hedayati v. Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club,67 Cal.App.5th 833 (2021) rev. den., No. S270909, 2021 Cal. LEXIS 7981 (Nov. 17, 2021), the insurers alleged resistance to the seriously injured pedestrians request for disclosure and proof of the policys $25,000 per person bodily injury liability limit, coupled with its inability to timely respond to a conditional settlement demand received on November 21, 2012 on or before November 27, 2012, has left the insurer facing responsibility for a $26,000,000 judgment. On October 1, 2012, the insured apparently ran a red light and hit Ms. Hedayati while she was walking in a cross-walk. The impact caused very serious, even life-threatening injuries, including a severed leg and broken bones. Ms. Hedayati was in a coma for over two weeks. The day after the accident, the insured driver notified Automobile Club of the accident, authorized the disclosure of the $25,000 policy limits, and indicated that he had no other insurance or assets. About two weeks after the accident, while she was still in a coma, Ms. Hedayatis attorney sought disclosure of the insureds policy limits. Although the insureds authorization allowing limits disclosure was promptly obtained, there was apparently no disclosure of the limits. If disclosure happened, it wasnt confirmed. The insurance adjuster says that approximately 18 days after the accident, on Oct. 19, 2012, he spoke with the claimants attorney on the phone and verbally offered the insureds policy limits to settle the claim. However, the claimants attorney denied ever having the conversation. Again, if the offer was made, it wasnt confirmed in writing, not even in the insurers internal claim notes. On Oct. 29, 2012, the insurer obtained the insureds signed declaration stating that he did not have any other applicable liability insurance, and that he was not acting within the course and scope of his employment at the time of the accident. The next day, the insurer sent Ms. Hedayatis attorney a letter offering to settle for the insureds $25,000 per person policy limits, but it still did not provide the previously requested information including the policys Declarations pages showing the applicable limit. On Nov. 20, 2012 two days before Thanksgiving Ms. Hedayatis attorney sent a policy limit, time limit, settlement demand (that the insurer received the next morning). The demand articulated conditions, including: (1) the insureds signed declaration addressing no other insurance and course and scope; (2) a copy of the Declarations pages for any applicable liability policy; and (3) the insureds attestation to having assets totaling less than $200,000. The demand required acceptance within seven days, (Nov. 27, 2021, the Tuesday after the Thanksgiving weekend) in writing, with proof of delivery to confirm receipt. Although it received the short-fuse demand on the day before Thanksgiving (November 21), the insurer took no action on it until November 28, 2012 one day after the demand expiration. Because the person responsible for distributing deliveries was out of the office when the demand was received, the demand sat, unnoticed, until after it had expired. The adjuster then asked for an extension, but the attorney refused because the seven-day demand had expired. Also, the insurer did not promptly convey the demand to the insured, nor did it secure the insureds signed declaration of no other significant assets (although the insured had verbally confirmed he had no significant assets). Initially, the trial court entered summary judgment for the insurer, finding no bad faith failure to settle. However, the appellate court reversed the ruling, explaining that whether the insurer acted unreasonably called for analysis of the entire claims handling history, not just the one-week demand sent just before the Thanksgiving holiday consumed four of those precious days: In focusing on the short workweek surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday, [the insurer] ignores that Hedayatis complaint and the foregoing evidence produced for summary judgment place her settlement offer into a larger context.[2] Citing Pinto v. Farmers Ins. Exchange, 61 Cal.App.5th 676 (2021), the court acknowledged that the issue of whether the insurer unreasonably failed to accept a policy limit settlement demand is a question of law where the evidence is undisputed and only one reasonable inference can be drawn from the evidence. However, the court held that the facts were not undisputed with respect to the insurers failure to timely accept Hedayatis settlement demand, so a jury would have to ultimately decide whether the insurer was to pay $25,000 or $26,000,000.[3] With this background in mind, this article suggests some approaches to responding to time limit settlement demands that may make good New Years resolutions for those who handle liability claims for insurers. DO React Immediately and do NOT Procrastinate If a demand arrives Friday at 4:45 p.m., it should be reviewed immediately not on Monday morning. Any temptation to put the demand aside and deal with it later or next week should be avoided. Even if the injuries appear mild, delaying the process of responding to a policy limit settlement demand can have devastating consequences. Something as simple as ensuring that there is always someone responsible for receiving and distributing incoming demands can be essential. Under any scenario, immediately evaluating the settlement demand so that swift action can be taken as needed greatly enhances the liability insurers chances of successfully navigating and properly responding to the demand. DO Zealously Hunt and Gather Todays policy limit settlement demands are likely to include a list of conditions. The conditions are likely to address issues including verifying applicable policies and limits, release provisions, course and scope of employment, the insureds assets, and liens. The conditions sometimes seem designed to impede settlement because they can make acceptance and achieving a binding settlement harder than it otherwise would be. Often, the conditions are not clearly stated, or the terms of the settlement offer are murky (and sometimes even contradictory), and it will be necessary for the insurer to seek clarification from the claimant or plaintiff attorney. Other times, whether coverage attaches at all may be a question that needs to be resolved. A demand that expires 30 days from the date of the letter sounds like it gives the insurer plenty of time to respond. But if the insurer waits two or three weeks before it tries to contact the insured and get a required declaration, only to find that the insured has gone on vacation and is unavailable, the situation turns perilous. Insureds may have moved, changed phone numbers, or otherwise become difficult to reach. Insurers may need to hire private investigators to track down the insured. Waiting to identify that problem adds unwanted urgency. Liability insurers that receive time limit settlement demands should contact insureds immediately. Insurers should make sure they establish reliable and prompt means of communications with those who may need to provide declarations, authorize disclosure of policy limits, or otherwise be involved in the claims handling process. Dont wait. Gather the documentation necessary as early as possible, and assemble it in one place, so it will be ready for inclusion in the ultimate acceptance package or response to the demand when needed. DO Seek Early Explanations or Extension Requests Whether by design or otherwise, many settlement demands will have ambiguities ranging from fairly obvious copy and paste typos to I have no idea what this means language. Seeking an explanation shortly after receiving the demand shows diligence in responding to the demand and can make responding to the demand easier and more efficient when the explanations are provided. Caution is still required. Some demands specify the means of requesting an explanation or clarification. And some even say that a request for clarification or extension will be treated as a rejection of the demand. (Whats next? Acceptance will be treated as a rejection?) To avoid debate over silly issues, insurers need to review demands carefully to determine whether clarifications are to be requested only in writing. For example, if clarification is verbal, the insurer will want to confirm it in writing, preferably a writing from the attorney that communicated the demand. In many situations, requesting an extension is appropriate, if not necessary. Take an extreme example: The demand letter requests a declaration of no other insurance and no course and scope of employment from an insured who cannot be located (or in some cases, who may have even passed away). An early extension request is advisable in such a situation. Pointing out that a private investigator has been retained and is actively looking for the insured (or providing other details as appropriate) may add legitimacy to the extension request. DONT Bicker Over Trivialities Legal arm wrestling over lien issues, the wording of a release, or whether the insureds declaration needs to say something like If this is declaration is inaccurate, the releasing party can rescind the release, can become counter-productive. Barickman v. Mercury Cas. Co., 2 Cal.App.5th 508 (2016) offers a good example of what can go wrong when a liability insurer picks a fight over a side issue. In Barickman, the signed release was returned to the insurer with an added statement that the required payment does not include court-ordered restitution. (A $165,000 restitution order had been entered against the insured.) The insurer consulted with the insureds criminal defense attorney and went back and forth with the attorney for the injured pedestrians. The debate concentrated on whether the added language eliminated the right to offset the $15,000 insurance payment from the restitution order. The attorney for the injured pedestrians ultimately announced that there would be no settlement. The injured pedestrians obtained judgments totaling $3,000,000. A finding of bad faith by failing to accept the modified release was affirmed on appeal. Instead of paying $30,000 to the injured pedestrians, the Barickman insurer bended up owing $3,000,000 plus interest. If an insurer is going to pick a fight in relation to a policy limit settlement demand, make sure the fight is worth having. DONT Keep the Insured in the Dark Under some circumstances, even a demand that exceeds the policy limit can result in open limits if the insurer fails to communicate with the insured who may have had the availability to pay the excess amount to settle the case. Almost universally, liability insurers should make sure that settlement demands are promptly communicated to insureds so that the insureds are aware of whats going on and positioned to make decisions as needed to respond to the demand. DONT Count on the Mail If the required method of delivery is not specified, communications preceding acceptance and the acceptance of the demand, should be done by a fast, reliable method that allows for confirmation, such as email, fax, or personal delivery. Federal express or other overnight mail with tracking capability can be used when the insurer is out in front and able to respond in advance to the deadline. There may be strong argument that a settlement acceptance letter, release (and in some cases, the settlement check) mailed to the plaintiff attorney five days ahead of the demand should have arrived on time. However, no insurer wants to rely on the U.S. postal service when the bet is either a $25,000 policy limit payment or the responsibility for a $26 million adverse judgment. Using email and fax makes it that much harder for a claimant attorney to argue that the settlement was not timely accepted. Waiting for the last day or hour to communicate acceptance of a demand is usually not a good idea. When possible, liability insurers should strive to get acceptance documents sent out early so theres an extra day or two to react if something goes wrong. DO Seek Help Early When a settlement demand is received, there will often be a benefit to involving professionals who can assist. Taking steps to retain a private investigator or insurance coverage attorney to help with the communication surrounding the demand can be advantageous. Retaining those who can assist will make it easier to get in front of the demand and whatever complexities attach to it. Conclusion Claims handling professionals and support teams need to be speedy, detailed, and exercise sound judgment when navigating the settlement minefield. To avoid the claims handling equivalent of a (potentially very costly) lump of coal, liability insurers should resolve to get out in front of settlement demands. [1] Michael F. Cunningham & Lewis F. Collins, Turning Bad Faith Inside Out: How Plaintiff Attorneys Are Creating Third-Party Bad Faith Claims, 61 FDCC Quarterly 366, 367 (Summer 2011). [2] Hedayati v. Interinsurance Exch. of the Auto. Club, 67 Cal.App.5th 833, 847 (2021). [3] Hedayati, 67 Cal.App.5th at 843. SUPERIOR, Colo. (AP)One couple returned home Friday to find the mailbox about the only thing left standing. Charred cars and a burned trampoline lay outside smoldering houses. On some blocks, homes reduced to smoking ruins stood next to ones practically unscathed by the flames. Colorado residents driven from their neighborhoods by a terrifying, wind-whipped wildfire got their first, heartbreaking look at the damage the morning after, while others could only wait and wonder whether their homes were among the more than 500 feared destroyed. At least seven people were injured, but remarkably there were no immediate reports of any deaths or anyone missing in the aftermath of the blaze outside Denver. Cathy Glaab found that her home in the town of Superior where she lives with her husband had been turned into a pile of charred and twisted debris. It was one of seven houses in a row that burned to the ground. The mailbox is standing, Glaab said, trying to crack a smile through tears. She added sadly, So many memories. Despite the devastation, she said they intend to rebuild the house they had since 1998. They love that the land backs up to a natural space, and they have a view of the mountains from the back. Rick Dixon feared there would be nothing to return to after he saw firefighters try to save his burning home on the news. On Friday, Dixon, his wife and 21-year-old son found it mostly gutted with a gaping hole in the roof but still standing. Only smoldering rubble remained where several neighboring homes once stood in a row immediately next to theirs. We thought we lost everything, he said, as he held his mother-in-laws china in padded containers. They also retrieved sculptures that belonged to Dixons father and piles of clothes still on hangers. The wildfire erupted Thursday in and around Louisville and Superior, neighboring towns about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Denver with a combined population of 34,000. Tens of thousands were ordered to flee as the flames swept over drought-stricken neighborhoods with alarming speed, propelled by gusts up to 105 mph (169 kph). At a Costco in Superior, two store employees came running toward the checkout lines, one of them shouting, Everyone evacuate, evacuate, evacuate! said Katrina Peterson, who was inside. A video she made showed dark skies and whirling debris outside. The falling ash filled her ears, and she had to squint to keep it from getting in her eyes. The store was left standing. The cause of the blaze was under investigation. Emergency authorities said utility officials found no downed power lines around where the fire broke out. With some roads still closed Friday, people walked back to their homes to get clothes or medicine, turn the water off to prevent the pipes from freezing, or see if they still had a house. They left carrying backpacks and pulling suitcases or wagons down the sidewalk. David Marks stood on a hillside overlooking Superior with others, using a pair of binoculars and a long-range camera lens to see if his house, and those of his neighbors, were still there, but he couldnt tell for sure whether his place was OK. He said at least three friends lost their homes. He had watched from the hillside as the neighborhood burned. By the time I got up here, the houses were completely engulfed, he said. I mean, it happened so quickly. Ive never seen anything like that. . Just house after house, fences, just stuff flying through the air, just caught on fire. By first light Friday, the towering flames that had lit up the night sky had subsided and the winds had died down. Light snow soon began to fall, and the blaze, which burned at least 9.4 square miles (24 square kilometers), was no longer considered an immediate threat. We might have our very own New Years miracle on our hands if it holds up that there was no loss of life, Gov. Jared Polis said, noting that many people had just minutes to evacuate. The wildfire broke out unusually late in the year, following an extremely dry fall and amid a winter nearly devoid of snow so far. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said more than 500 homes were probably destroyed. He and the governor said as many as 1,000 homes might have been lost, though that wont be known until crews can assess the damage. Its unbelievable when you look at the devastation that we dont have a list of 100 missing persons, the sheriff said. The sheriff said some communities were reduced to just smoking holes in the ground. He urged residents to wait for the all-clear to go back because of the danger of fire and fallen power lines. Sarah Owens, her husband, adult son and their dog got out of their Superior home within 10 minutes of learning about the evacuation from a Facebook post. But as everyone tried leaving by way of the winding streets of the well-to-do Rock Creek neighborhood, it took them 1 1/2 hours to go 2 miles (3.2 kilometers). The good news is I think our house may be OK, Owens said. But from now on, she said, she plans to have a bag packed in case of another fire. I never thought a brush fire could cause this kind of destruction, Owens said. I want to stay here. No matter where you live, there are always going to be natural disasters. Superior and Louisville are filled with middle- and upper-middle-class subdivisions with shopping centers, parks and schools. The area is between Denver and Boulder, home to the University of Colorado. Scientists say climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. Ninety percent of Boulder County is in severe or extreme drought, and it hasnt seen substantial rainfall since mid-summer. Denver set a record for consecutive days without snow before it got a small storm on Dec. 10, its last snowfall before the wildfires broke out. Bruce and Mary Janda faced the loss of their Louisville home of 25 years in person Friday after learning it had been destroyed through a neighbors photos. We knew that the house was totaled, but I felt the need to see it, see what the rest of the neighborhood looked like, Bruce Janda said. Were a very close knit community on this street. We all know each other and we all love each other. Its hard to see this happen to all of us. Associated Press writer Thomas Peipert in Louisville, Colorado, and Thalia Beaty in New York contributed to this report. Nieberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Associated Press writer Brady McCombs contributed to this story from Salt Lake City. About the photo: The remains of a home destroyed by a pair of wildfires is draped by nearly a foot of snow Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Superior, Colo. A drastic change in weather delivered a half-foot of snow and frigid temperatures on Saturday, compounding the misery of Colorado residents struggling to emerge from a wildfire that destroyed hundreds of homes and left two people missing. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Viewed of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. When it comes to leaving their parents for extended periods of time, being homesick is inevitable for some kids. Summer camp staff members may encounter this from time to time and it is good for them to be prepared to comfort children when those types of situations present themselves. South Korean authorities reported that a resident has crossed the heavily fortified and militarized border and crossed into North Korea in what the country's military says is an apparent defection. Officials said that the individual in question was able to avoid detection for several hours amid a search operation conducted by South Korean military troops. Seoul military chiefs said that they were not aware whether or not the person was still alive, but they revealed that they had already sent a message to the North asking for them to be protected. North Korean Defector However, North Korea has long implemented a shoot-on-sight policy during the coronavirus pandemic in its attempt to curb the spread of the virus in the region. Authorities detected the unidentified person in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates the North and South. He was observed at roughly 21:20 local time on Saturday, said South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Defense officials from Seoul have committed to overhauling the border defense system between the two Koreas after similar breaches in the past. North Korean troops shot and burned a South Korean fisheries official in September 2020, sparking uproar and causing Pyongyang to blame the anti-virus rule and apologize for the incident, BBC reported. In a statement released on Monday, the South Korean Defense Ministry said that based on CCTV footage the individual is believed to have defected from the North in November 2020. The ministry added that relevant authorities were still verifying the facts of the incident and were looking into the identity of the individual. Read Also: Over 4,000 Flights Canceled Over Omicron Concerns; More Airline Disruptions Are Expected to Kick Off 2022 Officials from the JCS said that they deployed troops who were unable to locate the individual that crossed the DMZ. In a statement, a military official said that security cameras showed the person climbing a barbed wire fence on Saturday. According to authorities, a guard on CCTV duty had missed the moment the individual was caught on video. North Korean Military's Response While South Korean officials have already notified and sent a letter to North Korean authorities, the latter has not yet responded to the messages. South Korea's Defense Ministry spokesman Boo Seung-chan said on Monday that there have been no "unusual movement of the North Korean military" in relation to the Sunday border crossing, CNN reported. The possibility of the individual being a defector from the North that came to South Korea in November 2020 involved a man who was captured at the southern part of the border. The individual identified himself as a former gymnast and said to investigators that he crawled over barbed wire fences to defect before South Korean troops discovered him. Since the late 1990s, roughly 34,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea for economic and political reasons. However, only about 30 of them have returned home to the North in the last decade, based on South Korean government records. Many observers said that those who chose to return most likely traveled back after failing to adjust to new highly competitive, capitalistic lives in South Korea, had big debts, or were blackmailed by North Korean agents who threatened to harm them or their loved ones if they did not return, the Associated Press reported. Related Article: Virginia Roberts's Ex Supports Victim's Sexual Assault Claims Against Prince Andrew, Urges Royal to 'Face Up To The Case' @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Clifford Chance Luxembourg strengthens Corporate and M&A team with hire of Saskia Myners Leading international law firm Clifford Chance announces that Saskia Myners joins the firm as a partner in the Luxembourg office, starting today. The appointment provides a significant boost to the firm's Corporate and M&A practice offering, with a particular focus on financial investors. Saskia brings expertise and experience from a long-standing career advising leading financial investors. She joins from PwC Legal where she has led the Private Equity practice since 2014 after having worked for 12 years at Luxembourg's largest local law firm. She has significant experience in private equity, real estate transactional work and M&A. Guy Norman, Global Head of Corporate and M&A, says: "Saskia is an extremely valuable addition to our team, helping to further strengthen our offering to financial investors in Luxembourg, with a particular focus on private equity. We are all very excited to be working with Saskia and look forward to continuing our success together." Steve Jacoby, Luxembourg Managing Partner says: "The Luxembourg market is increasingly attractive to financial investors requiring top-tier legal advisers who understand the specificities of the market. Saskia's strong experience in private equity and M&A builds on the firm's leading position." Saskia Myners adds: "I am delighted to be joining Clifford Chance and look forward to working with the local and international teams. The reputation of the firm in Luxembourg and at the global level, and its exceptional international client base, perfectly align with my ambitions." Clifford Chance has continued to invest significantly in its Luxembourg office, including promoting Stefanie Ferring and Maren Stadler Tjan as Partners in May 2021. The Luxembourg office has over 120 lawyers including 13 partners. The extensive reach of Clifford Chance's global Corporate and M&A practice provides clients with all their legal requirements across Europe and the UK, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and the US. Clifford Chance regularly features at the top of the cross-border M&A league tables, consistently winning some of the most high-profile and high-value deals in the market. Its global Corporate and M&A team advises clients on the full range of public and private transactions, combining specialist technical and industry expertise across twelve sectors. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) The Department of Tourism has identified another traveler from the United States who breached quarantine upon arrival in the country. Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Monday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said the female traveler "never checked in a hotel" and headed straight to her condominium, where she even managed to avail of a home massage service. Puyat said the traveler even proudly showed via Instagram Story how she managed to skip quarantine. "She was also from the States. She did not check in a hotel," Puyat said. "I don't know why she even posted it, proud na proud pa...she showed a picture that she just arrived, then she showed a picture of her condo, that night she showed na nagpapamasahe na siya in her condo." [Translation: She was so proud...she even showed a picture that she just arrived, then she showed a picture of her condo, that night, she showed that she was already getting a massage in her condo.] Puyat said they were able to get the name, the mobile number, and the residence of the traveler, who then admitted that she violated the protocol. She added they were able to validate the information through a sworn affidavit of a person who knows the traveler. "In fact, the person who gave us the name even had a sworn affidavit," she said. "Hindi talaga nagquarantine and nahuli na rin." [Translation: The person really did not quarantine and she was taken into custody.] Puyat added that authorities, including the Bureau of Quarantine and the Department of Interior and Local Government, are already investigating the matter. She did not disclose further details about the unnamed traveler, including her date of arrival. This issue comes days after a hotel in Makati City recently failed to keep a coronavirus-infected guest in quarantine amid rising COVID-19 cases in the country. The guest, now dubbed as "Poblacion Girl," managed to go to the city's Poblacion area and even attended parties, where she eventually infected other companions. READ: Makati hotel apologizes for quarantine breach The DOT is expecting to get an explanation from the hotel before deciding on whether to penalize the establishment or suspend its accreditation. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) Three persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) died of gunshot wounds after a riot erupted in the national penitentiary New Bilibid Prison, Bureau of Corrections spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag confirmed on Monday. The riot, which took place on Sunday night, also left 14 PDLs injured. Chaclag told CNN Philippines the riot leaders are now in the custody of the authorities. He added police personnel are keeping watch inside the compound to avert further tension. The Bureau of Corrections has yet to issue more information on the identity of the PDLs and the extent of their injuries. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) The campaign headquarters of the Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte tandem has been temporarily closed after more than 20 staff members tested positive for COVID-19, Marcos spokesperson said on Monday. According to lawyer Vic Rodriguez, the headquarters in Mandaluyong City was ordered shut down by Marcos from Jan. 3 until further notice to ensure the safety of personnel and supporters. The Bongbong-Sara Uniteam has also postponed all public appearances, sorties, and assemblies until Jan. 15 in light of the infections. However, Rodriguez said campaign preparations and other administrative functions will continue through virtual arrangements. The UniTeam also advises all its supporters nationwide to exercise self-restraint and avoid holding unilateral campaign/political activities that might result in the further surge of COVID-19 cases in their areas, he said in a statement. The Philippines is once again considered "high risk" for COVID-19 due to the rise in infections in recent days, the Department of Health said. Metro Manila was placed under a stricter Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15 amid the uptick in cases. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently gave an update regarding his conversation with Joe Biden and said that Ukraine and the United States would continue to foster their relations. According to reports, the POTUS vowed to stay loyal to Ukraine amid rumors that Russian forces could invade the country at any time. Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin exchanged threats Prior to Biden and Zelensky's conversation, the president of the United States also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The POTUS told Putin that there would be a heavy price to pay if they invade Ukraine. Putin reportedly fired back at Biden by saying that introducing a new round of sanctions against Russia would be a colossal mistake that could result in the two countries ending their relationship. Still, the POTUS decided to maintain its unofficial partnership with Ukraine, according to Zelensky. "The joint actions of Ukraine, the United States and partners in keeping peace in Europe, preventing further escalation, reforms, deoligarchization were discussed. We appreciate the unwavering support," Zelensky said via CNN. Read Also: Vladimir Putin Approves Week-Long Holiday To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19; Unvaccinated Seniors Urged To Stay At Home Russian troops are deployed on Ukraine soil As of press writing, as many as 100,000 Russian troops are still positioned in the Ukraine border. Putin insists that they don't have plans to invade Ukraine and said that the Russian forces have the right to get training in the country. Ahead of Biden and Putin's phone conversation last week, there were reports that both leaders wanted to reach a diplomatic agreement regarding Russia and Ukraine's ongoing feud. Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin failed to reach an agreement According to the Huffington Post, Biden and Putin also discussed various topics, including the upcoming diplomatic engagements. Russia has been demanding security guarantees from the US and NATO, including a pledge from the latter they would not allow Ukraine to join the military alliance. However, Biden told Putin that the US doesn't have plans to make any concessions on NATO or Ukraine's future. Still, Biden and Put agreed on three upcoming conferences in Europe. The first one will take place on Jan. 10 in Geneva and be led by US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. The second conference will take place on Jan. 12 and center on the Russia-NATO talks. Officials believe Russians will invade Ukraine Amid the back and forth among the three presidents, Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said that he thinks it's still possible for Russia to invade Ukraine. He said he doesn't understand Putin's entire reason for wanting to invade Ukraine, but it's highly likely. And the only way for the invasion to not push through is if someone can convince him otherwise. "And I think nothing other than a level of sanctions that Russia has never seen will deter him, and that's exactly what we need to do with our allies," Schiff said via the New York Post. Rep. Mike Turner also said that he doesn't know Putin's intentions. But sending 100,000 Russian troops to Ukraine shows that Russia is threatening the country as a validly elected democracy. Related Article: Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin Discuss Upcoming Diplomatic Engagements, Security Guarantees in Western Europe During This Week's Meeting @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) Amid rising COVID-19 cases in the country, the Department of Tourism bared a supposed scheme among a few hotels to allegedly allow travelers to skip quarantine protocols. Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Monday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said even prior to the controversy involving a Makati hotel that failed to keep one of its guests in quarantine, there were around two to three identified hotels that were allegedly allowing guests to pay up and just show up on the fifth day of their arrival for an RT-PCR test without checking in the whole time. RELATED: Makati hotel apologizes for quarantine breach "We have been hearing of this modus operandi na babayaran lang tapos magpapakita lang sa fifth day ng swab because if youre fully vaccinated diba you get swabbed on the fifth day," Puyat said. [Translation: We have been hearing of this modus operandi wherein you only have to pay so that you can just show up on the fifth day for your swab test because if you are fully vaccinated you get swabbed on the fifth day right?] "Although we have been receiving already this news, even before this incident, people have already been informing us na they heard na may hindi nagka-quarantine sa hotel pero binabayaran lang yung hotel (that there are those who would not quarantine in a hotel but would just opt to pay that hotel)," she added. Puyat said that while majority of the hotels are compliant with the protocols, there really are just "a few bad eggs." She noted that they have already reported the matter to the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, and the Bureau of Quarantine. "Our next move is to catch them in action," she said. "Anyway, when the passenger arrives, nandoon naman yung hotel ng quarantine so iyon na lang, isa-spot check na lang on the third or fourth day kung naka-quarantine talaga (the name of their place of quarantine is indicated anyway so we will just spot check on the third or fourth day if they are really undergoing quarantine)." Makati hotel yet to speak up Meanwhile, Berjaya Makati Hotel has not yet responded to the Tourism department's notice of explanation over the recent quarantine breach of the controversial coronavirus-positive traveler from the US who went to Makati's Poblacion district and attended parties, eventually infecting some of her companions. The woman is now under isolation in another hotel, which Puyat did not disclose. Puyat said she is expecting to get a response within the day from Berjaya on the incident. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) The controversial Manila Baywalk dolomite beach will reopen to fully vaccinated persons starting Tuesday, January 4. The beach's ground commander Reuel Sorilla confirmed on Monday the reopening of the beach, which had drawn the ire of environmental experts and was criticized for overcrowding late last year. Sorilla encouraged fully vaccinated persons interested to come to the beach to register online a day before their visit. "We advise successful online registrants to come on time for their scheduled batch as everyone in a given batch will be required to leave the beach area upon the lapse of the one-hour period for the next batch," said Sorilla. Registered and walk-in visitors are required to bring their vaccination cards before entry to the beach and must observe physical distancing and wearing of face masks. Only 300 visitors per batch will be admitted in an hourly basis from 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pets are not allowed to be brought into the beach, while eating, drinking, swimming, and taking dolomite sand are also prohibited. The beach reopened to the public last Dec. 28-29, where over 1,200 guests visited the area. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson wants the government to bring back its Libreng Sakay program, this time with public utility jeepneys, as Metro Manila reverts to Alert Level 3. In a statement released Monday, Lacson said the proposal was in light of a directive from the Department of Transportation ordering the stricter implementation of health protocols in public transport. Lacson first discussed the issue in Lipa City, Batangas in October 2021 with a group of jeepney drivers and operators, who said they had fewer passengers as commuters preferred buses offering free rides. "Incorporating traditional jeepneys into the 'Libreng Sakay' program is possible since they have allocated a P5.58 billion budget to aid low-income families, including public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or the Bayanihan II," said the statement. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) Several contacts of the COVID-19-positive woman who skipped quarantine after returning home from the United States have also contracted the disease, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday. DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said seven out 15 close contacts of the so-called Poblacion girl tested positive for COVID-19, along with one out of her 19 secondary contacts. Talaga pong naging superspreader event ang paglabas-pasok ni Poblacion girl sa kanyang quarantine hotel, DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said in a government briefing. [Translation: Her going in and out of the quarantine hotel really became a superspreader event.] Malaya, however, clarified it is still unknown what coronavirus variant actually hit Poblacion girl. The DILG official also recounted how the returning overseas Filipino arrived at the airport at 11:23 p.m. on Dec. 22, then stayed in her quarantine hotel for less than 30 minutes. At 11:42 p.m., she went home. Berjaya Makati Hotel has already issued an apology for the incident. Still, charges await the establishment for failing to keep one of its guests under quarantine. The Department of Tourism likewise confirmed around two to three hotels are supposedly involved in a similar absentee quarantine scheme. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will file charges against nine individuals, including the so-called "Poblacion girl," for violating quarantine protocols. In a statement, the CIDG said Gwyneth Anne Chua will be facing criminal complaints, along with her parents and several personnel of a hotel where she was quarantined. "CIDG's investigators concluded that Ms. Chua, being a Returning Overseas Filipino (RFO) is obliged to follow the health protocol being imposed by IATF and DOH," the CIDG said. It added that her action of leaving the quarantine facility and skipping the procedure violated sections of Republic Act No. 11332, specifically "failure to comply with a quarantine/isolation order or directive duly issued by a public health authority," and "violation of any terms or conditions of the quarantine or isolation order or directive issued by a public health authority." Meanwhile, the CIDG said it did not find sufficient evidence to file charges against individuals who were with Chua on the night of Dec. 23 in relation to the violation she committed. However, they are encouraged to file a complaint before police investigators for further referral to the prosecutor's office. Authorities confirm that Chua, dubbed Poblacion girl on social media and media outlets after the Makati barangay known for its bars and hotels, is currently isolated in a facility in Metro Manila after testing positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 26. According to the CIDG's investigation, Chua checked in at the Berjaya Makati Hotel on Dec. 22 at 11:23 p.m. to supposedly complete her quarantine period after coming from the United States following protocols for ROFs. Not an hour later, however, the police said she was fetched by her own father at 11:40 p.m. Investigators also confirmed through CCTV footage and witness accounts that Chua was in a restaurant on the night of Dec. 23. On Christmas day at 9 p.m., Chua returned to the hotel, this time accompanied by her mother. So far, seven out of Chua's 15 close contacts have tested positive for the virus, along with one of her 19 secondary contacts, the Interior department said. If you have not already registered (created a username and password) then click on the link below to register. If you have already registered (you already have a username and password), please click on the Get Started below. Your account number is located in the upper left hand corner on your address label on the Enterprise you receive in the mail or on the renewal form you received. The last name must read exactly as it is printed on your label. Enter the account number WITHOUT the leading zeros on the label. Americans, including Democrats and Republicans, are divided regarding the notion of whether or not violence against the government is the right thing, with some arguing that it is sometimes justified, a new poll shows. The situation comes one year after the unprecedented attack on the United States Capitol, calling into question whether or not former President Donald Trump bears responsibility for the assault of his loyal supporters. American Divide The survey raises nearly every issue in the United States, including partisan divisions to both the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and the 2020 presidential election debate. The poll also highlighted the violence that occurred at the Capitol and the severity of the sentences that authorities handed down on convicted protesters. It also included questions on whether or not President Joe Biden was legitimately elected or not. Broad bipartisan agreement was seen in only one question regarding injured law enforcement officers. About a third of Americans said that violent action against the federal government was sometimes justified, recorded at 34%. The same sentiment is shared by 40% of Republicans, 41% of Independents, and 23% of Democrats, the Washington Post reported. Read Also: Virginia Roberts's Ex Supports Victim's Sexual Assault Claims Against Prince Andrew, Urges Royal to 'Face Up To The Case' However, based on an ABC/Ipsos poll, many people also believe that former President Trump is at least partially to blame for the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot. An overwhelming majority in the poll showed that many Americans believed the people involved in the assault were "threatening democracy." The numbers come in contrast to one in four that said the protesters were "protecting democracy." Democrats made up the majority of those believing that demonstrators on Jan. 6 were threatening democracy, coming to 96%. On the other hand, Republicans are somewhat split on the issue, with 45% saying it was a threat while 52% said it was a protection of the country's democracy. Unanimous Agreement The poll, which was conducted by Ipsos in partnership with ABC News using Ipsos' KnowledgePanel, also showed how Democrats were in a unanimous agreement where 91% believed that Trump held responsibility for the Capitol siege, ABC News reported. The survey also showed that a majority of Americans believed Biden's 2020 presidential election win was legitimate, recorded at 65%. On the other hand, about a third said that the Democrat's electoral victory was a fraud, a year after he was inaugurated. The ABC/Ipsos poll was conducted between Dec. 27 and Dec. 29 last year and was given to 982 adult Americans. The margin of error for the survey was at 3.5 percentage points with a 95% confidence level, The Hill reported. The situation comes as a new book, titled The Steal claims that Republicans attempted to fulfill the former president's goals through legal action in key states. The book said that rioters involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot "had no more chance of overthrowing the U.S. government than hippies in 1967 had trying to levitate the Pentagon." However, the unprecedented event was still by far the most serious attack on the seat of the federal government since the British burned Washington in 1814. Related Article: New Orleans Authorities Rescue 5 Teenage Girls, Arrest 30 Suspects in Months-long Sexual Abuse Case @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. 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 By many accounts, Jacob Ari Labendz has enjoyed his work at Youngstown State University as the Clayman Assistant Professor in the history department and the director of the Center for Judaic and Holocaust Studies. But, according to the University, his position and teachings are about to come to an end in May. Theres an understanding that Im part of a prolonged process, Labendz told the Columbus Jewish News Dec. 14. That if I perform appropriately, well end up in a permanent position. Thats what they disrupted, he said, referring to the universitys recent decision to eliminate Labendzs position as part of cost cutting measures. The move also calls to question who will run the center and how it will be done. Alumni and students, including Alexis Heldreth, a 2021 graduate of YSU, and Brooke Bobovnyik, a current graduate student, were planning a public delivery of a petition with 903 signers from students, alumni, Jewish studies professors across the United States and as far away as Berlin calling to save the center at a rally at which Labendz was invited to speak. In addition to the online petition, 15 students and alumni filed letters with their personal testimonials. Those were also going to be delivered to the universitys administration Jan. 12, Heldreth told the CJN Jan. 11. Labendz said he has really been impressed with YSU students. Really, I have found at Youngstown State the most incredible students, interested, who do the reading. Theyve forced me to think more creatively and bring new perspectives. Ive really been blown away, he said. I found tremendously supportive faculty, both personally but also professionally, who made the transition to a tenure track job not only easy, but pleasurable. And I felt that the more I gave, the more the university was excited about it (and) it promoted my events. And I could feel it making a difference on campus. The online petition lays out Labendzs accomplishments at YSU as well as his pivotal role as director of the center. The failure to renew Dr. Labendzs contract not only deprives present and future YSU students of the opportunity to learn from a brilliant scholar, but it also places the future of the CJHS in serious jeopardy, the petition reads. His annual contract ends May 15, but he said he has been given assurance that it will extend to May 31 and he has been notified of its non-renewal based on financial considerations by the university and the ratio between professors and majors in the history program. I think its important to realize whats happening here is happening at a number of universities, Labendz said. Every case is slightly different. But this is not terribly unique. And so, you know, Im applying for jobs, but like, there are six jobs in our country that me and 300 of my best friends are trying to get. On Nov. 15, 2021, the day before the fall Jewish-Muslim Forum at the Center for Judaic and Holocaust Studies, YSU announced it was laying off nine full-time faculty members and the deactivization of 26 programs based on declining enrollment and financial considerations. YSUs fall 2021 enrollment is down 11% from just three years ago, the Nov. 15 news release reads. As a result, revenue from tuition and fees is projected to drop by $5.6 million this fiscal year alone. A year ago, Youngstown State University laid off 40 non-faculty employees and furloughed hundreds of others, according to the release. Also slated for elimination is the position of Mustansir Mir, who leads YSUs Center for Islamic Studies and who co-organized that Nov. 16 forum with Labendz. Mirs position is slated for elimination based on a process called retrenchment, the term used to eliminate tenured faculty, Labendz said. Labendz has appealed the nonrenewal of his contract, and there will be a hearing prior to Feb. 15 with a final determination by the provost of the university. Though the university claims Dr. Labendzs non-reappointment does not guarantee the closing of the CJHS, there are no other professors at YSU who are qualified to run it, the online petition reads. That petition lists Labendzs accomplishments since his hiring in 2017, including leading a study-abroad trip to Czech Republic, Poland and Germany where he taught the class The Holocaust and Human Rights in Central and Eastern Europe to 11 students. He also made the trip affordable for students with grants from the Thomases Family Foundation, which is administered by the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the CJHS endowment. Students visited sights of Holocaust memory, studied perspectives on the fall of Communism and the Soviet Bloc, and partook in one-on-one discussions with Jewish communities still forging an identity in the wake of Nazism, the petition reads. It fostered a once in a lifetime learning experience for students, as well as a diverse approach to the study of Jewish history. These amazing trips were planned to resume after COVID-19 restrictions and safety concerns were lifted. In addition, Labendz has led three trips to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., with 90 students attending each one. Labendz also made the center a place of Jewish life, with students building a sukkah for the festival of Sukkot, the students said. In addition, the Jewish Film Festival and the Jewish-Muslim Forum are valuable not only in their promotion of Jewish traditions, but also in the emphasis they place on diversity, the petition reads. The CJHS also provides academic scholarships for both Jewish and non-Jewish students, including (but not limited to) the Dr. Saul Friedman Scholarship and the Dr. Leonard B. Spiegel Memorial Scholarship. Labendz also researches white nationalism and modern antisemitism, the petition reads, and offers important perspectives in a world where religious and cultural minorities face growing dangers, threats and bigotry. On Nov. 15 (2021), the CJHS received a bomb threat. In addition, In 2019, a white nationalist from New Middleton made a video threatening the Youngstown Jewish community, the student petition reads. White nationalism and antisemitism remain a threat to minorities and to take away a resource like the CJHS, as well as Dr. Labendzs expertise in the subject matter, is a direct threat to the safety of vulnerable populations in Youngstown, the student online petition reads. We feel very strongly that Dr. Labendzs presence makes Youngstown better and that he brings irreplaceable value, insights and perspectives to our campus, the petition closes. And we urge the administration to understand what Dr. Labendz means to Youngstown State University and what we stand to lose in his non-reappointment. Concern for Labendz extends beyond academia into the Youngstown community. The Jewish Federation of Greater Youngstown and the Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown jointly filed a letter to administrators at YSU regarding the elimination of both Labendzs position and that of Mir. Bonnie Deutsch Burdman, executive director of community relations and government affairs for the Youngstown federation, first wrote an email Nov. 17. ... It has become absolutely clear to me that our regional Jewish community is extremely concerned about the future of Judaic and Holocaust-related coursework at YSU, Deutsch Burdman wrote to Charles Howell, professor and dean of Beeghly College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at YSU. I share these views. During these perilous, polarized times, where we are seeing a substantial uptick in antisemitic activity and political misappropriation of Holocaust history, it is more crucial now than ever that a pedagogically-qualified historian be present on campus to teach about and direct programming on this material. Accordingly, and on behalf of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, I strongly urge you to reverse course and rescind the non-renewal notice sent to Dr. Labendz. Even if efforts are made to create other opportunities to maintain the presence of these topics on campus, it is our view that the work will be diluted and rendered meaningless without a Judaic and Holocaust professor on the YSU faculty. Deutsch Burdmans email was also sent to Brien Smith, provost and president of academic affairs, and was copied to James Tressel, university president. Thanks for your insight, Ms. Burdman, Howell responded in a Dec. 1 email. Well definitely take your perspective into consideration as we move forward with our fiscal review. The following day, Dec. 2, Deutsch Burdman sent a letter signed by herself, Randa Shabayak, president of the Islamic Society, and Suzan Schwebel Epstein, board president of the Youngstown federation. The second letter addressed the impending loss of both Labendz and Mir. It contained similar language as her initial email and mentioned Islamophobia and the political misappropriation of Holocaust history, and raised the same concern about the future of the Center for Judaic and Holocaust Studies without a qualified scholar to run it. YSU has presented itself as a strong promoter of diversity, equity and inclusion principles, the joint letter reads. However, the elimination of these two academic programs belies the administrations characterization of a campus environment that is truly committed to these concepts. The retention of strong, detailed and diverse education in both religious and Judaic/Holocaust studies will send the message that YSU is committed to its students and their futures. Now is not the time to cut back. The students of today are our leaders of tomorrow and it is vital that YSU prepare them fully for the challenges that lie ahead. The CJN contacted YSU regarding the elimination of Labendzs position. As you may know, YSU has just completed a comprehensive, months-long review of all academic programs and positions on campus that, in part, resulted in some of the faculty position and program curtailments announced a couple weeks ago, Ron Cole, director of university communications for YSU, wrote in a Dec. 13 email to the CJN. We are still working through the specific impacts related to those actions, such as the questions you pose regarding centers, endowments, etc., and dont have firm answers at this time. Once weve worked through that process, we can talk more fully and in-depth. Gary Clayman, whose parents, William and Hilda Clayman, formed the endowment for the position Labendz holds, said he has had one conversation with YSU regarding the status of the endowment and the Center for Judaic and Holocaust Studies. Theyre not eliminating the program and until things are settled, I dont want to comment on this, Clayman told the CJN Dec. 22. Theyre still assessing what theyre doing. During a Dec. 14 interview with the CJN, Labendz discussed his background and how it led him to his current work. Labendz, a grandson of German refugees, said he was raised in Montville, N.J. He attended Jewish day schools and graduated from Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union in West Orange, now the Golda Och Academy. He took a gap year in Israel on the Nativ program and graduated from Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass. He has a Ph.D. in history from Washington University in St. Louis and did post-doctoral fellowships at the Center for Research on Antisemitism at the Technical University in Berlin, at Charles University in Prague and at Pennsylvania State University in State College. As a 12-year-old in 1989, Labendz first traveled to Poland with his father and a friend of his fathers to rescue scrolls that were hidden by Jews from the Nazis and that were found in the 1980s. And we brought them back to the United States, and they were turned into Torah scrolls that now serve or that now belong to a number of communities. At the time, Communism was just falling, he told the CJN. There was an energy there. There was this feeling of possibility. And I got to meet a Jewish community that I had only heard of in terms of destruction. And instead, I saw life, elderly life, but life and energy there. Labendz traveled to Eastern Europe on two more similar trips. These experiences sparked him to ultimately pursue his field of study, he said. Under Labendzs direction, the Center for Judaic and Holocaust Studies has explored the intersections among Jews and other minority and marginalized groups, making connections around Africana and African-American studies, Hispanic Heritage Month, womens studies and queer studies, according to Labendz. Danville, IL (61832) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 68F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Periods of rain. Low 56F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-283-2144 or email circ@oelweindailyregister.com. The workplace has changed significantly in the past couple of years, and theres unlikely to be any letup this year. But amid a lot of recent industry noise about a future metaverse, there are plenty of more immediate priorities for businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has already shaken up perceptions and expectations of what work should be, and most employees now expect greater flexibility over where and when they do their jobs. Adapting to a hybrid remote work strategy will continue to be a focus for many businesses in 2022 and will create headaches for senior leaders and IT teams as more offices reopen and work modes are combined. And support for flexible work is just one of the ways companies may seek to retain staff amidst a wave of resignations across a variety of industries another trend thats likely to impact businesses and influence strategies around technology investments. Here are some of the ups and downs tech industry analysts envision for the year ahead. Hybrid work to dominate as offices reopen, but many efforts will fail at first For many organizations, any long-term strategy around remote work remains a work in progress, but surveys indicate that some level of remote work will continue post-pandemic. This is good news for workers, who reap the benefits of an improved work-life balance, and for employers, with surveys indicating an increase in productivity with remote workers. A successful hybrid work strategy bridges both physical and virtual communication to connect employees no matter where they are located. Thats the overarching goal, at least; actually achieving this will be a challenge, according to Forrester. The analyst firm predicts that around 10% of companies will go entirely remote post-pandemic, while 30% will opt for fully in-office. The remaining 60% will take a hybrid approach. And of those that adopt hybrid work, a third will fail at least in the first attempt, Forrester said in its report Predictions 2022: The Future Of Work. Of the three possible paths back to the office, hybrid, and fully remote hybrid is the most challenging, James McQuivey, VP research director at Forrester, said in an interview. Why is hybrid work so problematic? While most companies now have almost two years experience handling a fully remote workforce on top of many years experience working in the office hybrid work is more of an unknown. Combining the two conflicting modes of working creates its own challenges. [Its] a new thing for nearly everyone, said McQuivey. Sure, many organizations have supported distributed teams or have had a handful of fully remote workers in the past. But nothing has prepared the entire organization to learn how to be in the office two to three days a week. The strategy raises new questions, such as who should be in the office on which days and for what purpose. These are things companies are ill-prepared to answer, he said. The experiments companies will have to undergo to figure that out will take an entire year to sort through. And that, said McQuivey, assumes companies and corporate leaders have the patience and cultural flexibility to do so. For organizations that do not, expect them to revert to all-office or all-remote polices mid-year, he said. Invasive monitoring tools to spur employee backlash, prompt legal action With remote work likely to remain in some form, businesses will need to consider how they track worker productivity and well-being when physically removed from staff. Analyst firm CCS Insight's 2022 prediction report forecasts that some organizations will go too far in their attempts to keep tabs on employees, resulting in a worker backlash in 2022. Specifically, CCS Insight predicts successful legal action against an employer, such as via a case of constructive dismissal. Business interest in bossware style software that provides detailed analytics on employee actions has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing criticism from worker rights groups as overly intrusive. These tools can include regular screenshots of an employees laptop or keystroke-logging to track productivity levels. Depending on how they are implemented, such tools can seriously undermine trust, particularly when used without employee consultation. Its not only bossware tools that have raised concerns. The tech industry more generally is still figuring out how to balance the benefits of workplace data analytics with the need for worker privacy. For instance, the introduction of Microsofts Productivity Score last year drew controversy over its inclusion of individual employees data; Microsoft later took steps to ensure data was anonymized more effectively. CCS Insight principal analyst Angela Ashenden said the major collaboration and productivity vendors are treading carefully around employee privacy concerns. But individual organizations will have to ensure they dont overstep employee privacy laws and employee perceptions of how much monitoring is acceptable. If employers get it wrong, at best, this risks damaging employee trust, and at worst it could see for example employees suing for unfair dismissal as a result of the way these tracking tools are used, Ashenden said. Companies can take steps to avoid this scenario, said Ashenden. One is to anonymize employee data so it cant be misused. More importantly, she said, businesses should carefully consider what they are tracking and why, and whether direct monitoring is even necessary or performance can be tracked in a less intrusive way. At the least, employers should discuss why monitoring is necessary should it be deemed so and reassure staff that their privacy is protected and they won't be mistreated as a result of the monitoring, said Ashenden. Staff shortages to prompt improved employee experience One of the major workplace trends of the past year was the rise of staffing shortages across a number of industries, part of the so-called Great Resignation. The situation is likely to continue into 2022, with employers struggling to hire the right staff and investing to keep hold of those already employed. The realization that so many employees are thinking about a change of path is triggering a renewed focus by business leaders on employee experience, and on what makes people want to work and stay working at the company, said Ashenden. This is expected to lead businesses to focus on three areas: Employee sentiment analysis to ensure there's no imminent exodus of employees, and to address problems as they arise Improved internal communication and employee engagement Investment in learning and development programmes to give people the opportunity to develop their career either on the same career path or in a completely new direction without leaving the organization One way to retain staff will be to allow flexibility at work: organizations that decide to go back to a fully on-site arrangement could lose up to 39% of their workforce, according to the 2021 Gartner Hybrid Work Employee Survey of 2,400 knowledge workers. Forrester also predicts that concerns about employee retention will drive a surge of spending on employee-centric initiatives and technologies during 2022. This will lead to 20% of HR budgets being allocated to employee experience initiatives, while the number of organizations with a formal employee experience program in place will rise from 48% to 65% in 2022. Employee recognition budgets will also go up, from 1% of total compensation to as high as 2%, Forrester predicts. There will also be an effort to extract more value from technologies that were deployed to facilitate remote work in the past 18 months, said McQuivey. This will include spending on leadership development, employee engagement monitoring, and careful calibration of the culture to match the new exigencies of the business, he said. Ultimately, its about creating a culture where workers feel valued and connected to the rest of the organization. [E]mployees who feel like they are effective in how they use their skills to make a difference are more engaged and more likely to stay with their employer, said McQuivey. Its one of the sad facts of mobile authentication that the industry tends to initially support the least effective security options. Hence, phones initially supported authentication based on fingerprints (which can be impacted by prescriptions, cleaning products, hand injuries, and dozens of other factors) and then moved on to facial recognition. In theory, facial recognition is supposed to be more accurate. Mathematically, thats fair, as it is examining far more data points than scanning a fingerprint. But the reality in the real world is much more problematic. It requires a precise distance from the phone and yet offers no pre-scan markers for the user to know when they hit it correctly. Thats one reason I see facial recognition reject a scan roughly 40% of the time even though it will approve a positive scan two seconds later. In Apples early rollout, family members could sometimes unlock each others phones. This wasnt limited to identical twins. Even mothers and sons can get through the authentication of facial recognition. But a recent case in China shows that Apples facial recognition issues are still bad. In China, a man approached a sleeping woman (his ex-girlfriend), pulled open her eyelids, got a facial recognition green light, and was able to withdraw money from her bank account. First, this is hardly one of the better ways of getting back with ones ex. But from a cybersecurity perspective, it reinforces the point that mobile devices need much more stringent authentication methods. The best route would be to use weaker methods such as passwords, PINs, and weaker biometrics to conveniently access low-priority accounts, such as unlocking the phone to check a weather forecast. But for bank/money access, social media logins, and any connection to enterprise systems, behavioral analytics should be required. The very nature of behavioral analytics makes it difficult for a thief to impersonate the individual. Taking an unconscious persons finger or pulling back an eyelid can be done, assuming the thief has physical access to the user and the phone. PINs are unfortunately easy to steal via shoulder surfing, especially for someone with extended physical access. But mimicking how many typos that user does every 100 words? Or their exact typing speed? Or the angle they tend to hold their phone? Those are personalized and difficult to fake. Yes, some behavioral analytics factors are easy to fake, including a users IP address, location, and a phones fingerprint. Thats why a behavioral analytics deployment needs to use as many factors as possible, mixing easy-to-fake factors with difficult-to-fake ones. One of the best things about behavioral analytics is that it operates silently in the background, which means that its about as frictionless (for the user) as it is practical. It offers the best of both worlds: its a far more stringent and reliable authentication method, but is easier for users than a password or biometrics. For IT, that frictionless nature makes users more accepting. Also, that in the background nature makes it even more difficult for a thief/intruder, because the attacker can't be certain what the system is checking at any given moment. This why CIOs and CISOs shouldn't put a lot of faith in biometrics. Even the most violent and aggressive attack methods such as putting a gun to a user head and ordering them to access sensitive enterprise files can be thwarted with behavioral analytics. If the fear and nervousness from such an attack increases typos and slows down typing speed, that might be enough for a supervisor to be contacted. If that supervisor then asks for a video session to make sure everything is OK, it might make the attacker leave. (This is especially true if the attacker suspects the supervisor has already sent police and is using the video session questions to just stall for time.) The reason this is such a critical issue for 2022 is that the steady rise of mobile access to your most sensitive databases on the enterprise (including enterprise cloud accounts) is likely to keep growing. We are now at the point where IT can no longer assume that desktop defenses are sufficient. Even if IT has issued a laptop to all employees with sufficient privileges, there isn't an company out there that would discourage mobile access. As travel slowly returns this year for some segments, the road warrior issues will make a return engagement. Now, though, attackers especially those with a specific interest in your systems will be ever more focused on those mobile interactions. The most popular and amorphous cybersecurity buzzword these days is Zero Trust. Any meaningful Zero Trust rollout needs to start with a far more robust approach to authentication, along with a hard review of access management/privilege control. With mobile devices, authentication has to be the overwhelming priority. The path of least resistance is to just piggyback on a mobile device's on-board authentication. That can work as long as biometrics is just one of a half-dozen factors examined. If youre still skeptical, there's a Chinese ex-boyfriend you need to meet. So, you got a shiny new Windows 11 computer over the holidays, opened it up, and turned it on. And, well, you sort of miss being able to right-mouse-click on the taskbar, or pin things on the taskbar, or doing any number of things youve been doing since Windows XP. So now you have a decision to make: Do you want to stay on Windows 11 or install Windows 10 on that new computer (and possibly void a warranty or two)? I do hope you have enough RAM (16GB or more), a processor that can support Windows 11 (even if you dont want to install it), and more importantly, an SSD drive. If you purchase a computer that doesnt have an SSD, you may see something like Costco warned about on its website: After the initial boot up of your laptop, your device may experience performance lags for approximately the first one to two hours as performance features are downloaded and installed. The laptop will return to normal operating conditions once all downloads are completed. Thats certainly not the best experience with a new laptop and its a telltale sign Windows should not be deployed on systems with old-fashioned IDE drives. If you have this sort of laptop, I recommend you take it back and try to get a replacement that includes a SSD drive. If you still have a Windows 10 machine using an older hard drive, figure out whether you can upgrade to an SSD. You can typically use your backup software to create a full image drive and then restore it to a clean drive. The SSD drive connection is typically the same as an IDE drive and you can easily find mounting units that let you slide the new SSD into the existing drive slot. Before you think about installing or downgrading to Windows 10, consider first the third-party software that can bring back many of the features you want. There are many options to choose from, including Startallback and Start11. Both bring back many of the traditional menu functions Windows 10 migrators will want. My recommendation: install either one first and see whether Windows 11 is acceptable with these additions. (You can see the various options for Windows 10-style menus here.) One item Ive not yet seen return to Windows 11 is a preview of photos and videos that normally occurs in File Explorer. To speed up the new OS, Microsoft removed the thumbnail view of folders. So while this feels like a step back, it might allow your machine to run faster. The major difference between Windows 10 and Windows 11 is in the folder pane view. Startallback and Start11 will move the menu to the left and bring back right-mouse-click on the taskbar. (The workaround could be as simple as better organizational naming of folders.) The question many users ask first is whether they can upgrade, or rather downgrade, to Windows 10 if the machine is running Windows 11. As noted in a recent thread on Askwoody.com, a Windows 11 license is a digital one that allows an install of Windows 10 on a machine running 11. But, as a Lenovo support note points out, a clean install of Windows 10 may require that you download needed drivers. Whenever I install Windows 10 cleanly on a computer, there are invariably one or two devices in the device manager that show up with a ! icon indicating a missing driver. If youre lucky, as the machine gets online and checks in online, the drivers will trickle down in the background and get installed. If youre not lucky, you have to search for them on vendor websites. Do not download drivers from a random driver site, as more often than not they will include malware. If you have a Windows Surface device, your options are easier. You can go to a Microsoft site and download a specific ISO for your model. Youll need a larger USB device and the serial number from your Surface; you can then download the full ISO and install everything, including the drivers for your device. Bottom line, if you have a Windows 11 computer now and want to run Windows 10, Id recommend that you first try third-party tools to make it look and act like Windows 10. Reinstalling a clean version of Windows 10 can be easy or an absolute annoyance if you cant find the right drives for full functionality. If you are a more advanced user and still want to downgrade, I suggest getting a backup program to fully image your Windows 11 system as it was when shipped, then attempt a clean install of Windows 10. If you cant find all of the drivers you need, you can always roll yourself back to what was installed on the computer. Just ensure that you know your options before deciding you dont like Windows 11. WHO recently said there's hope for the COVID-19 pandemic to end this year but on two conditions. First, they said that more people, if not everyone, should get vaccinated. Second, the organization said that there is still inequality when it comes to countries that receive vaccines, which contributes to the increasing number of active COVID-19 cases. So, if this inequality is addressed and all countries, regardless of where they are located, get the same number of vaccines and people use them, the faster it would be for the pandemic to be over, according to ABC7 Chicago. Half of the world's entire population is vaccinated Journalist Michael Cohen penned an article about the COVID-19 pandemic and said that it could finally end in 2022 due in part to the vaccination rates across the globe. In the United States alone, 73 percent of all Americans are already vaccinated. For children aged 12 and above, at least 83 percent already received their first dose. Across the world, more than 8 million vaccine doses have already been administered. And in total, 3.8 billion people are already inoculated. Other than the vaccination rates, the pandemic is also predicted to end this year because more treatments are being made available. Read Also: United Kingdom Records 50,000 More COVID-19 Cases Compared to Country's Highest Figure; No Lockdown Announced Ahead of New Year FDA approves antiviral treatments for COVID-19 Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use of Paxlovid, Pfizer's antiviral treatment. The medication shows signs that it could reduce the risk of hospitalization or die by close to 90 percent. Merck's antiviral treatment, Molnupiravir, has also been approved by the FDA. There's also a potential silver lining when it comes to Omicron because the variant is less severe compared to the Delta. So, even if Omicron makes more people sick, they do not usually end up being hospitalized. How people previously infected with COVID-19 can help Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said that this shows that people who already had the virus and are not vaccinated could be part of a group of people that won't likely get seriously ill from the virus. "It could signal the end of the pandemic phase and move Covid into the realm of illness and nuisance but not death. If that were to occur, with most people being vaccinated or with sufficient immunity, things could return to normal sooner rather than later," Schiff said via MSNBC. COVID-19 will one become like seasonal influenza CNN also insisted that the pandemic won't last forever. Experts are also convinced that the spread of coronavirus will eventually look and feel more similar to influenza. Dr. Ofer Levy, director of the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children's Hospital, said that it's highly likely for the world to see this wave come and go and the coming spring and summer would eventually look better compared to the past two years. Even though the winter months will still be challenging this year, Levy said he thinks it would still be a relatively better winter compared to what Americans are experiencing right now. Dr. Arnold Monto, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan, said that people should know how to control the outbreak. And one of the ways to do so is by getting vaccinated. Related Article: COVID-19 Pandemic: A Lookback on How the Virus Affected the Lives of Millions, Hopes for 2022 @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Corsicana, TX (75110) Today Becoming windy with scattered thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High near 85F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 71F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Casso's replies to some of the Senators' questions were not always entirely candid. When asked how he acquired his infamous nickname, he replied, "They have been calling me that since a very early age, when I was a teenager. It was like a family name, and being that I was the youngest out of three children, it stuck with me." Even Senator William S. Cohen, a Republican of Maine who asked the nickname question, seemed to pick up on the fact that Casso wasn't offering the most forthright answer. (Casso allegedly hated the nickname, which he said was passed down from his father, who beat people with a gas pipe. Other sources alleged the nickname stemmed from Casso's father hooking up illegal gas connections. Still others claim its origins arose from Casso's enjoyment of beating people with a pipe.)Asked if the Russian gangs had the same or a similar hierarchical structure as the Italian-American crime familiesmeaning did they have the equivalent of capos, underbosses, etc.Casso said that they did not, noting that the Russians "have gangs or their own crews... and mostly they are violent among themselves." The rest of his reply was an attempt to implicate the Russians, and not their wiseguy partners, in the excessive violence that had grown to accompany the gasoline tax scams. "This is why we handled (the messier problems). We would never want Marat (Balagula) to go and ... hurt someone else.... maybe there is no need to hurt someone else. Maybe this is a situation where you can talk to someone and resolve the problem. But the Russians are not that way; they are a little hot-headed, and they are a little violent sometimes." Marat Balagula was "one of the early leaders of Russian organized crime in Brooklyn" and "the main Russian guy working with our family," Casso testified. As for the violence, Casso was saying that it was preferable for Mafiosi like himself to handle the violent stuff because the Italians naturally minimized violence on the street, while the Russians did not. While that could be true of most Mafiosithat they generally seek to minimize tertiary damageit was not so true of the wrathful Gaspipe himself , ironically, who was responsible for a lengthy body count and was among that rare breed of wiseguy who condoned torture (and even bragged about it on national television with a smile ). ... Senator Roth: Mr. Casso, would you please proceed with your testimony Casso: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee. My name is Anthony Casso. Early in my life, I was given the nickname "Gaspipe." I have been in jail since 1993, when I was arrested after being a fugitive for almost three years. At that time, I was the underboss of the Lucchese organized crime family. Ultimately, I decided to cooperate rather than go to trial. As part of my deal with the Government, I pleaded guilty to a 72 count indictment, including murder, racketeering and extortion. I have not yet been sentenced, and no promises have been made to me for my testimony here today. As part of my cooperation agreement, I told the Government about my life of crime. I gave a deposition for use in an Israeli trial, but I have not yet testified at a trial in the United States. I will testify, if requested by the Government, at upcoming organized crime trials. I have been involved with organized crime for more than 35 years, since I was a kid working on the docks in Brooklyn, New York. When I was 21, I became associated with a guy named Chris Furnari of the Lucchese organized crime family. Everybody knows him as "Christy Tick." Before I was arrested this time, I had only been in jail once. That was in 1962 for five days when 1 was convicted of running a bookmaking operation on the docks and fined $50. After that, I was arrested several times for different Federal and state charges, including assault with a gun, selling stolen property, dealing heroin, burglarizing a bank, and bribing state parole officers. In every case, I was either acquitted or the charges were dropped. In the early 1970s, I met Vic Amuso. Then, in 1974, I became a "made" member of the Lucchese family. Vic was made in around 1977. At that time, "Tony Ducks" Corallo was the boss of our family. But, in 1986, Tony Ducks went to jail so he had to name a new boss. I became a "capo" in 1986. After discussions within the family, Tony Ducks made Vic Amuso the boss at the end of 1986. At the end of 1987, Vic told me I was the new consiglieri. Then, in 1989, Vic named me the underboss of the family. After Vic was arrested in July 1991, I ran the Lucchese family as underboss while I was a fugitive. In my position as a member of the Lucchese Family, I came to know individuals associated with Russian organized crime, which is the subject I have been asked to testify about today. In the mid-1980s, our family got involved with Russian organized crime in the gasoline business in Brooklyn. Italian and Russian organized crime made large amounts of money by working scams to avoid paying taxes on gasoline. The Russians owned hundreds of gas stations and controlled the supply and distribution of gasoline. We provided them with protection they needed to maintain a cartel. We also helped them set up corporations to work the scam. The main Russian guy working with our family was Marat Balagula. Marat was one of the early leaders of Russian organized crime in Brooklyn. He made millions off the gas tax business and our family made a lot of money with him. In around late 1986, another Russian named Vladimir, whose last name I did not know at the time, came up to Marat in a Russian restaurant in Brighton Beach. Vladimir had recently arrived in Brighton Beach from Russia. According to the Russians, the word on the street was that he was a tough guy with his own crew. Marat told me Vladimir pulled a gun, put it next to Marat's head, told Marat that he was his new partner, and demanded Marat pay him $600,000 or Marat would be dead. Marat reached out to us and told us what happened. We agreed to meet the next day. When we went to Marat's house, we found out that he was so scared that he had a heart attack but did not want to go to the hospital. I remember seeing Marat in bed hooked up to all kinds of machines, refusing his doctor's orders to go to the hospital. Marat's guy wanted us to kill Vladimir. Since Marat was with our family and especially since he was such a money-maker for us, this was not just a threat against Marat. This was a threat against the Lucchese family as well. We knew what we had to do. Vic and I agreed that Vladimir had to be killed. We took this situation to Christy Tick, who agreed we could have Vladimir killed. Vic gave the hit to Joey Testa. We asked Marat and one of his guys to get us some information to identify Vladimir. One of Marat's guys got us his picture and license plate number. We had Marat call Vladimir and arrange to have lunch with him at the same Russian restaurant in Brighton Beach where Marat was threatened. After leaving the restaurant, Vladimir was shot and killed. I heard about the murder on the radio. Marat was very thankful that we had gotten rid of his problem. We couldn't let somebody try to put the squeeze on one of our family's big money makers. After that, Marat did not have any more problems from any other Russians. I found the Russian organized crime groups to be very clever. We knew the Russians were involved in heroin trafficking, as well as complicated scams involving forgery, and tax evasion in the oil and gas business. The Russians were also willing to use violence to achieve their goals. I will be happy to answer any questions you have about my knowledge of Russian organized crime. Senator Roth. Mr. Casso, at this time, do you know the man you identified in your statement as "Vladimir" to be Vladimir Reznikov? Mr. Casso. Yes, I do. Senator Roth. And in addition to the murder you just described in previous testimony, we have also been told of another murder in Brooklyn of a Russian organized crime figure who worked with La Cosa Nostra in the gas tax scam, that is, the killing of Michael Markowitz who worked with the Colombo family. What were the facts surrounding this murder, and describe any discussions you had with anyone in the Colombo family regarding the Markowitz murder? Mr. Casso. I had discussions with the Colombo boss, Vic Orena, and a Colombo soldier Frankie "The Bug" Sciortino. Senator Roth. Would you please speak into the microphone? Mr. Casso. And I knew the Markowitz murder was going to take place sooner or later, that they were working on planning on killing Markowitz. Senator Roth. Now, you testified that the Lucchese family provided protection to Russian organized crime in the gas tax scheme. Specifically, what protection service did your family provide for the Russians? Casso. We provided that no one would go into their territory and sell gas, and made sure people paid them the moneys they had coming to them. And we would make it known that they belonged with us, our group, and no one would bother them at all. Senator Roth. Now, you testified that Marat Balagula was a leading figure among Russian organized crime in Brooklyn. Why would he contact you after he was threatened by another Russian? Casso. Because Marat was with our family, so the proper thing to do was just what he did, to contact us to handle it. Senator Roth. Where is Balagula today? Casso. He is in Federal prison, I believe. Senator Roth. Did Balagula actually ask you to have Reznikov killed, or simply to make him back off? Casso. No; he wanted him killed. He was deathly afraid of him. Senator Roth. Did you receive any payment for killing Reznikov? Casso. None whatsoever. Senator Roth. Was Joey Testa given any payment for killing Reznikov? Casso. None. Senator Roth. Now, you testified about pleading guilty to a 72- count indictment, including murder, racketeering and extortion. How many murders? [Pause.] Casso. I believe 16. Senator Senator Roth. Was Joey Testa ever charged with killing Reznikov, and where is he today? Casso. He was never charged with that murder, and he is at a Federal prison also. Senator Roth. Now, you stated that you are a "made" member of the Lucchese family. Would you please explain what that means and describe the initiation ceremony by which you became a "made" member? Casso. To become a "made" member, you have to be sponsored by a captain of the family, who would bring you to the boss of the family and sponsor you to become a "made" member. They have a ceremony with the boss, the consiglieri, and the underbosses present at that time, and the captain who brings you in. They prick your trigger finger and make it bleed, and then they put it on a little piece of paper; they set it on fire, and you burn it in your hand, and you repeat after them that you will never betray La Cosa Nostra, or you will burn like the paper is burning in your hand. And your life does not belong to you anymore; your life belongs to them. Senator Roth. Now, we know that the Lucheses were not the only organized crime family involved with the Russians in the gas tax business. What role did you play in getting other La Cosa Nostra families involved in this gas tax scam? Surveillance photo of Gambino boss John Gotti and Sammy the Bull meeting Luchese leaders Gaspipe and Vic in 1988. Casso: Well, what we did wasthe Colombo boss came to see me, and we put it togetherthe Russians wanted to put it together so there was no more problem, the Russians would get paid, and everyone would not steal each other's stops, and put everything above board. So Casso: Well, what we did wasthe Colombo boss came to see me, and we put it togetherthe Russians wanted to put it together so there was no more problem, the Russians would get paid, and everyone would not steal each other's stops, and put everything above board. So the Genovese family had a branch in the gasoline business also with their own group of Russians. What I did was I reached out for the Genovese family; I met with them, I met with their underboss. I told them we wanted to have a meeting with the Colombo family, the Lucchese family, and the Genovese family, and that the people we have running the gasoline business for us who go up front and handle this every day with the Russians have a meeting, and let us all make this one; we will put it together, and everyone earns an equal share. And this is what we did. We had this meeting. They agreed. We put it together. Being that everyone agreed, we turned around, and we told the Russians that they would have to pay a tax of a penny a gallon to us, to our three families, which totaled maybe $500,000 a month. And they agreed upon this; they were very happy because they could run their business without having a problem from anyone. Senator Roth. Do you know if these kinds of agreements are still in effect? Casso. In the present, as far as I know, yes. Senator Roth. As far as you know, yes? Casso. Yes. Senator Roth. Are you aware of any other murders committed by the La Cosa Nostra families on behalf of Russian organized crime in connection with gas tax schemes? Casso. I know there were a couple of murders with Russians with the Gambino group, but I do not really know their names. But I know a couple of murders took place with them, with their group. Senator Roth. How would you characterize the Russians as business partners? Casso. They are good businessmen. They are good businessmen, and as far as money-wise, whatever you have coming to you, they always made much more money than they gave organized crime, than we got. But we always knew that. Senator Roth. Senator Cohen? So now we had three families involved. We had the Genovese family , the Lucheses, and the Colombo family. And we ran like that until about 1988. In 1988, the Gambino family wanted to get involved. They also had a Russian group that they were working with, but in a little smaller way, and that group was interfering with what we put together. So we took it upon ourselveswe had another meeting about the Gambino family and if we were going to invite them into the cartel that we put together, which we did; we made it a 4-way split. And we had four groupsthe Gambinos had a Russian group, the Lucheses had their own Russian group, the Colombos had Markowitz and his Russian group, and the Genovese family had their own. We just combined it like that, and it was running smooth.Senator Roth. Do you know if these kinds of agreements are still in effect?Casso. In the present, as far as I know, yes.Senator Roth. As far as you know, yes?Casso. Yes.Senator Roth. Are you aware of any other murders committed by the La Cosa Nostra families on behalf of Russian organized crime in connection with gas tax schemes?Casso. I know there were a couple of murders with Russians with the Gambino group, but I do not really know their names. But I know a couple of murders took place with them, with their group.Senator Roth. How would you characterize the Russians as business partners?Casso. They are good businessmen. They are good businessmen, and as far as money-wise, whatever you have coming to you, they always made much more money than they gave organized crime, than we got. But we always knew that.Senator Roth. Senator Cohen? Senator Cohen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. How did you get the name "Gaspipe"? Casso. They have been calling me that since a very early age when I was a teenager. It was like a family name, and being that I was the youngest out of three children, it stuck with me. Senator Cohen. No association with your activities, the nickname? Casso. None whatsoever. Senator Cohen. You mentioned going to the hierarchy of authority when Senator Roth asked you why Marat came to you as such. You said he was just simply proceeding on his own authority, basically, that it was the proper thing to do. So you had your own organizational structure, since you were the enforcers, basically, or the protectors of Marat, I assume. Casso. Yes, right. Senator Cohen. OK. Do the Russian criminal gangs have the same sort of hierarchical structure as any one of the Italian families as suchthe Gambinos, the Colombos, the Lucheses? Do they have capos, consiglieris, underbosses, bossdo they have anything like that? Casso. Not really. Senator Cohen. So they are not structured? Casso. Not in this country. Senator Cohen. Not in this country. Casso. No. They have gangs, or their own crews, the Russians, and mostly they are violent among themselves. This is why we handled it. We would never want Marat to go and get someone else, hurt someone else. We would rather him come, because maybe there is no need to hurt someone else. Maybe this is a situation where you can talk to someone and resolve the problem. But the Russians are not that way; they are a little hot-headed, and they are a little violent sometimes. Senator Cohen. You indicated in your statement that they are not afraid to use violence. Do you mean they are not afraid to use violence against one another? Casso. Right. Senator Cohen. But they would not use violence against the Lucchese family members? Casso. No. Senator Cohen. Why do you think they had to come to you to get protectionthey do not have enough muscle as such of their own that they would simply say, "We don't need to pay you a penny a gallon for our protection"? Casso. It is not only protection; it is putting it together be- cause, like Marat, he owned a couple of hundred gas stations. So when we put the cartel together, now no one else was going to go into his stations to sell gas a little cheaper, just to sell the gas, and they start fighting amongst themselves again. So we held peace, and, you know, protection goes more than one way. Senator Cohen. And you indicated, finally, that the Gambino family came in toward the tail-end of this arrangement because they had a Russian connection as well. If another family comes along with a Russian connection, will they keep expanding the business? Casso. No. To be honest with you, we just barely let the Gambino family in. Senator Cohen. OK. That is all I have, Mr. Chairman. Senator Roth. Thank you, Senator Cohen. That is all that we require of you, Mr. Casso. I would ask that all spectators remain seated until the witness leaves the hearing room, and I would now direct the Capitol Police and the Marshals to accompany Mr. Casso from the hearing room.... Our next witness is Anthony Casso, who is a former underboss of the Lucchese organized crime family. Mr. Casso is currently in Federal custody and cooperating with the Government while awaiting sentencing. Given the sensitive nature of Mr. Casso's position as a cooperating witness, we have agreed to limit his testimony to matters relating to Russian organized crime, and we would appreciate the cooperation of all Subcommittee members in abiding by this understanding.Mr. Casso was scheduled to testify openly; however, as a result of last-minute concerns raised by the Department of Justice, Mr. Casso will testify from behind a screen. It is my understanding that members of the media have already been advised as to those locations in the hearing room where cameras will and will not be permitted during the course of the testimony in order to maintain security.Prior to the entrance of this witness, I direct that all cameras be turned to face either to the ceiling or to the window side of the hearing room. I will ask the Capitol Police whether all cameras have been redirected. And I would then ask the Capitol Police to secure the hearing room, and when that is done, the witness will be brought in.We will proceed in just a minute.Mr. Casso, we swear all witnesses before the Subcommittee, but I would ask that you remain seated while I administer the oath.Mr. Casso, please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you will give before this Subcommittee is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God?I do. Close (Photo : falco via Pixabay) As borders slowly reopen due to the waning pandemic danger, men and women around the world are resuming plans to embark on volunteer work overseas. From providing medical assistance to helping build bridges and roads, volunteers are itching to get back to work. But before they do, folks looking to volunteer must clear a few hurdles ranging from basic fitness tests to knowing what they're getting themselves into before taking off. With this in mind, let's take a look at five common hurdles that most volunteer workers must clear before getting started: Physical Health Nobody wants to find themselves crippled with pain and discomfort while thousands of miles from home. To reduce the chances of experiencing a medical issue overseas, volunteers need to undergo routine physical examinations. Such checkups will uncover any underlying conditions you may have, such as heart disease or diabetes. Perhaps it's a condition requiring back surgery or something else equally serious? Whatever the physical health problem, you'll want to address it prior to volunteering. Mental Health Those struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions shouldn't be gearing up to go volunteer overseas. It's not that people with mental health problems aren't capable of helping others; it's that, if left untreated, these issues can pose a serious threat to their own health and safety. Having a panic attack in your living room is one thing; having one in a hut in a village on the other side of the globe is another. In order to prevent this from happening, visit a therapist or other mental health professional prior to your trip. Documentation International travelers - especially those traveling between countries with hostile relations - need to have all their documentation ducks in a row before leaving. Up-to-date passports, visas, and most recently, vaccination cards are absolutely critical to ensuring you safely arrive from point A to point B. Additionally, you'll want to make copies of every travel-related document in your possession in the event any of them are lost or stolen. Vaccination While all the talk of vaccination is currently focused on the various vaccines against the COVID-19 virus, the list of vaccines for international travelers is far more extensive. Hepatitis A, B, typhoid, yellow fever, and Japanese Encephalitis are just some of the infectious threats volunteers must safeguard against via vaccination. Consult your doctor to learn which diseases are prevalent in the region in which you wish to volunteer, and get the corresponding vaccinations. Finances Bills, rent, taxes, and other financial obligations don't go away on their own once you leave the country. Careful consideration must be made to ensure your financial situation is set before your trip. You may need to look into quick personal loans in order to cover pre-moving expenses like storage for your stuff or breaking an apartment or automotive lease. Furthermore, visit your bank and let them know you'll be traveling overseas. That way, any activity on your accounts originating from that part of the world won't get flagged as suspicious or fraudulent. Research A common mistake among overseas volunteers is a failure to properly research their destination prior to arrival. Scenes on postcards and segments on the Travel Channel don't do these faraway places enough justice. Get on the computer and do a dedicated amount of research before deciding if you want to spend months there helping the locals. That way, you aren't shocked or thrown off by what you find upon arrival. Going on a volunteer mission overseas is one of the most honorable and helpful things an individual can do in pursuit of making the world a better place. However, their impact is only as good as their ability to put forth the effort. Failure to do so due to physical impairment, mental condition, insufficient documentation, or lack of due diligence will lead to little or no improvement in the lives and wellbeing of others. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare I've already been to some live sporting events. Yes, I plan on attending several events. I may go to one or two. I like sports but I doubt it. I'm not into sports. Vote View Results TIAA CISO Tim Byrd and company CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett joined other private sector executives and education leaders at the White House this past August to discuss the nations need to address cybersecurity threats. There, President Biden called out the growing sophistication of attacks and the increasing damage theyre inflicting. He also highlighted the desperate need for more qualified cybersecurity professionals, stressing the 500,000 open private and public sector security jobs due to the worker shortage. Byrd knows firsthand the importance of having a fully staffed security team and the challenge of achieving that. But he also has insights into solving that challenge. Two years prior to the White House event, Byrd had launched at TIAA a new education program that advances his own teams skills and also builds security skills among business unit workers. TIAA Tim Byrd, CISO, TIAA Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok believes that his decision to resign from his role would pave the way for a new leader to complete the country's transition to a civilian democratic country. However, Hamdok did not reveal the identity of his successor during Sunday's announcement. According to reports, Hamdok is a former United Nations official who is seen as the civilian face of Sudan's transitional government. He was reinstated as prime minister in November following an October coup. However, Hamdok was unable to name a Cabinet during the short span of time. Hamdok's decision to resign throws Sudan into political uncertainty amid the country's economic and security challenges. Abdalla Hamdok releases statement During his speech on Sunday, Hamdok called for a dialogue to agree on a national charter and to draw a roadmap to complete the transition of the country to democracy. The prime minister also acknowledged that his efforts to bridge the gap and settle disputes among the political forces did not materialize. "I tried as much as I possibly could to prevent our country from sliding into a disaster. Now, our nation is going through a dangerous turning point that could threaten its survival unless it is urgently rectified," he said via the Huffington Post. Read Also: Sudanese PM Abdalla Hamdok, Leaders of Military Coup Agree on Importance of Democratic Transition After Months of Conflict Abdalla Hamdok failed to deliver According to the BBC, civilian and military leaders previously made a power-sharing agreement following the coup in October. At the time, Hamdok was placed under house arrest. Under the agreement reached last month, Hamdok was supposed to lead a cabinet of technocrats until next year's election. However, not everyone was on board with Hamdok returning to office. In fact, countless protests took place with demonstrators saying that the prime minister's reinstatement legitimized the military takeover. As of press writing, more than 50 people have already been killed during the protests. Abdalla Hamdok's resignation could unify Sudan According to Al Jazeera, Hamdok's decision to resign from his post didn't come as a surprise to most people. After all, it was only a matter of time before the prime minister made the important decision. Prior to his announcement, there were also countless rumors claiming that Hamdok was planning his resignation. Kholood Khair, the managing partner of the Khartoum-based Insight Strategy Partners, said that Hamdok's plans to resign were already circling his office even before the coup in October. Khair said that what's surprising is how Hamdok managed to last in his post for weeks considering that he refused to make compromises. Muhammad Osman, an independent analyst from Sudan, echoed Khair's statement. He said that the prime minister's resignation came later than expected. If Hamdok received the support that he needed following the Nov. 21 deal, he would've stayed in office. But since he was reinstated, 12 cabinet members already resigned. The political parties also felt as though it was better for them to start or attend the protests instead of supporting Hamdok ahead of next year's election. So, the prime minister ended up isolated and without a government. Sources are also confident that his decision to resign is what will unify the country. Related Article: Abdalla Hamdok Reinstated as Sudan's Prime Minister Following House Arrest, Signs Several Agreements With Military Chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. State Sen. Will Haskell announced on Monday that he will not seek reelection to a third term this fall as he takes an intermission in public service to start law school. The 25-year-old Westport Democrat, who is co-chairman of the legislative Transportation Committee, said he has numerous items on his agenda for the upcoming legislative session, including the prioritization of investments to update the states transit infrastructure. There are a lot of exciting things going on, but it feels like the right time in my life to take an intermission, said Haskell, who graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University and will continue working through the summer in U.S. Rep. Jim Himes constituent-outreach office. When I first ran, it was because I thought it was time for a change. He said the lingering COVID pandemic is still a major obstacle, but once the state emerges, he is hoping to become laser-focused on transportation-related issues, including green investments. Haskell prides himself on being available to district residents. If you pick up the phone and you call your state senator, you're going to get my cellphone, he said. If you have a great idea, I am going to ask for your help in making sure that idea becomes law. He recalled a Wilton High School student who was concerned about the mental health and wellness of classmates, but disappointed that under Connecticut state law, young people were only entitled to a handful of confidential treatment sessions, and there were requirements to inform parents. Haskell admitted that he had been unaware of the law. And now in the state of Connecticut, thanks to his hard work, young people are entitled to an unlimited number of confidential sessions if it's decided by the provider and the professional they did treatment with that confidentiality would be in their best interest, Haskell said. Haskell is also the author of the newly published book 100,000 First Bosses: My Unlikely Path as a 22-Year-Old Lawmaker: One of Americas Youngest State Senators. Each of the 36 state Senate districts has a population of about 100,000. The last four years have made me very happy, he said. Im really grateful to the people who took a chance with me. I really tried to do more listening than talking in this job. Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said he believes Haskell has had more impact in four years than many long-term lawmakers can point to in much-longer careers. Will leaving the Senate is personally devastating because I like him so much and he has accomplished a lot in such a short time, said Duff, whose 25th Senate district abuts Haskells 26th district, which includes Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Wilton and Westport. I am happy he is going to law school and engaged to be married as he takes the next steps in his life. This has to be celebrated as well. He has been effective in getting his priorities through. He is a skilled, gifted and natural legislator. Following the January 2021 resignation of Sen. Carlo Leone, D-Stamford, from the legislature when he took a job with the Lamont administration, Haskell left the co-chairmanship of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee and was named Senate chairman of the joint Transportation Committee. Haskell is also vice chairman of the Government Administration & Elections Committee and serves on the Energy & Technology Committee, the Environment Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Public Health Committee, and remains on the Higher Education Committee. While it is too early to speculate on potential candidates to replace Haskell, who defeated incumbent Sen. Toni Boucher, a Wilton Republican in 2018 by 28,159 votes to 24,574, the district itself will change drastically in the recent reapportionment, which due to the loss of population in eastern Connecticut, a House seat was shifted to Wilton. Bethel is not included in the new 26th District, which will include Westport, Redding, about half of Ridgefield, part of northern Darien, part of southern New Canaan, and the Springdale and Belltown neighborhoods of Stamford. Staff writer J.D. Freda contributed to this report. Every year, the state of Connecticut sweeps up millions of dollars in uncashed checks, forgotten insurance policies and long-ignored investments with the promise of seeing those assets safely returned to their owners. But a state program that was created to return so-called unclaimed property is operating in ways that can make it nearly impossible for people to learn the government owes them money. From the 2000 to 2021 fiscal years, the Connecticut Treasurers office collected more than $2.3 billion through that program. Yet it returned less than 37 percent of that amount to its owners, according to an analysis by the CT Mirror. There are clear incentives for politicians to keep the money: Most of the unclaimed cash goes into the general fund, making it easier to balance the state budget. And part of it also goes to the Citizens Election Fund, the public financing apparatus for political campaigns. While other states such as Rhode Island take a more aggressive approach to returning taxpayers money, the Connecticut Treasurers office barely markets its program. As a result, the burden falls to individuals and organizations to seek out their own cash. That task is made even more difficult by the fact that the state effectively hides any unclaimed assets valued at less than $50. The Mirror requested data through the states Freedom of Information Act in an effort to understand how much unclaimed property the state accumulated in recent decades and how much of that money remains shielded from the public. But simply obtaining an up-to-date list of all the people, businesses and groups that are owed money through the program was a challenge. The treasurers office said its computer system generates a full list only once every two years, and it charged the CT Mirror $200 for a 300,000-page PDF file that contained data that was more than five years old. That format makes it nearly impossible for an average citizen to search all of the unclaimed property on their own, and it took The Mirror months to convert the data into a searchable list. After analyzing the data, The Mirror found that more than $40 million of unclaimed property collected through 2015 was valued at less than $50. All of that money is currently concealed from public view when people search ctbiglist.com. The CT Mirror is making it available for the first time here. Does Connecticut owe you less than $50? Visit CTMirror.org and enter your name above to find out. The amount collected and returned to citizens varies by year. Between July 2020 and June 2021, for example, the state acquired more than $151 million from various financial assets, but the treasurers office returned less than a quarter of that amount to its owners. It was the worst return rate in more than a decade for the program, which effectively serves as a giant lost-and-found department for the financial world. The rest of the money commandeered by the treasurer was quickly spent. Every penny that isnt immediately returned to its owner is either funneled into the state budget or redirected to the Citizens Election Fund, a special account that politicians can tap to pay for their election campaigns. But that doesnt absolve the state of those debts. And, according to the treasurers most recent estimate, the state now owes more than $1.1 billion to nearly 2 million residents, businesses and other groups. Shielding money from the public Connecticuts unclaimed property program enables the state treasurer to seize cash, checks, bonds, stocks, deposits, dividends and insurance proceeds. Banks, utilities, insurance companies and other businesses are all required to turn over those assets to the state if they lose track of the individual or entity the money belongs to for more than three to five years. That happens often. People move and forget to update their contact information with a bank, or they are unaware they are listed as a beneficiary on an insurance policy. Every state in the country has a similar system that collects the remnants of peoples financial lives. Those programs were set up in the 1900s including Connecticuts, which got its start in the 1930s. The Connecticut treasurers office is largely operating the way it did in past decades, when it advertised its list of unclaimed property intermittently in local newspapers. The treasurer currently relies on an online tool called the CT Big List, where people can search their names for free to find out if the state swept up any of their assets. But even that has a major loophole built into the system by state law. Anyone with an uncashed check, forgotten savings account or uncollected security deposit worth less than $50 wont find their money listed there. Yet nowhere on the state website is that fact mentioned. Its obstacles like that, critics argue, that have contributed to the programs record over the past two decades. Rep. Vincent Candelora, the Republican Minority Leader the Connecticut House, said he wrongly assumed that all of the assets the state swept up were viewable on the treasurers website. The fact that they arent, he said, is problematic and raises questions about whether the unclaimed property program is being operated primarily as a public service or a revenue generator for the state. I think we need to have openness and transparency, he said. I assumed the CT Big list included all of the money in the states possession. Technological upgrades Connecticut Treasurer Shawn Wooden, who was elected to office in 2018, declined through his spokesman to be interviewed for this story. Instead, his staff answered a long list of questions via email about how the program currently operates. The reason the treasurers office returned so little money in the most recent fiscal year, they said, was because of the unprecedented conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the program still required paperwork for everything. People seeking to retrieve their money submitted claims using hand-written forms. And they had to mail in paper copies of their drivers license, social security numbers and other personal information to prove they were the rightful owner of the missing assets. That made it difficult for the two dozen state employees who regularly manage the unclaimed property program to do their job last year. Not all of them could be in the office at once because of the public health restrictions during the pandemic. And they couldnt take the paperwork and the sensitive information it contained home with them. That meant anyone who attempted to reclaim their missing money last year was stuck in line. The treasurers office said those problems were fixed following upgrades to its computer systems and public website in early 2021. Those improvements now enable people, for the first time, to file a claim online, submit the necessary paperwork over the internet and check on their request through the website. Those upgrades, the treasurers office said, are expected to make the process more user-friendly and should increase the amount of money that is returned each year. But the changes wont fix other fundamental issues with the program, like the millions of dollars in smaller assets that are still not listed on the state website. The treasurers office said state law requires it to hide all of the unclaimed property valued at less than $50 from public view. They argued that other states do the same thing by only advertising assets above a set price, and they emphasized that Connecticut residents can still claim those small-dollar assets by calling a phone number maintained by the treasurers office. But there is no way for residents to know if the state owes them such a small sum. The treasurers office claims it doesnt have the power to close the loophole on its own. To do that, it would require the Connecticut legislature to pass a new law. That could be a difficult sell. There is a big incentive for the states leaders to embrace the status quo. A record of accomplishments Anyone who is listed as the owner of unclaimed property can ask for their money back at any point, even if the state took control of their assets years or decades ago. But the cash that remains in the states possession doesnt just sit idle, waiting for people to come and collect. Its redirected for other purposes. Connecticut legislators use some of that money to help pad the states general fund each year. Over the past two decades, state lawmakers redirected more than $1 billion from the unclaimed property program to help supplement that annual budget. It provided a $98 million cushion for lawmakers during the last legislative session alone. That use of the money could make it difficult to rally political support behind reforms to the program. The more people who are able to recover their checks, deposits and insurance payouts from the treasurer, the less money state lawmakers will have to spend each year. The treasurers office said it is proud of its record when it comes to reuniting people and businesses with their unclaimed property, but thats not the statistic it chose to highlight in its most recent annual reports. On the treasurers single-page record of accomplishments, the only mention of the unclaimed property program is the millions of dollars it provided to state lawmakers. The money the treasurers office spends to operate the unclaimed property program raises questions about its priorities, as well. Over the past five years, the treasurer spent roughly $4.9 million to audit banks, utilities, insurance companies and other financial institutions in order to force them to turn over an additional $50 million in unclaimed property to the state. But over that same time period, the office spent less than $26,000 to advertise the program and its website to let Connecticut residents know the state might be in possession of their money. State lawmakers did away with advertising the list of unclaimed property in newspapers in 2016, but the legislature left it up to the treasurer to decide how much to spend on marketing on Facebook, Google, television and other digital media to get the word out. Meanwhile, other efforts to reform and improve the program have fallen by the wayside. Mary Mushinsky, one of the longest-serving state lawmakers in Connecticut, said the reason the legislature hasnt taken a hard look at the unclaimed property program is because very few people are actually advocating for changes to the program. It doesnt have a built-in constituency, said Mushinsky, D-Wallingford. There isnt a single organized group complaining that they didnt get their money back. Several years ago, Mushinsky ran into her own difficulties trying to retrieve money from the unclaimed property program. The state, she learned, had swept up her $50 refund from a local utility company, but after numerous attempts, she was unable to provide enough documentation to the treasurer to regain possession of her cash. So, after growing tired of trying to jump through the hoops, she eventually gave up. There could be a lot of people who are completely unaware that the state owes them money, Mushinsky said. But there are likely many other people, like her, who stopped trying to regain control of their money after several failed attempts. The program comes off as hugely and unnecessarily complex, she said. For the greater good Connecticut isnt the only state that dips into its unclaimed property fund to help cover government spending. Many other states use the programs to help fill in yearly budget gaps, too. But Connecticut has a unique use for the money that other states dont: political campaigns. Since 2006, the leftover cash from the unclaimed property program has served as the financial backbone for Connecticuts public campaign finance system. Candidates for the legislature, governor and state treasurer have all relied on money collected through the unclaimed property program to fund their runs for office over the past 16 years. In all, roughly $219 million from the unclaimed property program was spent on the grants that are handed out to political candidates to finance their campaigns. Tapping that source of money allowed lawmakers to argue in past legislative hearings that Connecticuts public campaign finance system is not funded by state tax revenue at least not technically. Denise Nappier, who served as Connecticuts treasurer from 1999 to 2019, testified during some of the same legislative hearings and emphasized that using the unclaimed property to bankroll the campaign finance system was a proper use for the money. One of the major goals of the unclaimed property program, she said, was to use the leftover cash in the fund for the greater good. Its meant to turn what would have been private profits for banks and insurance companies into a public benefit, she explained. The right of the owner to claim those funds never waivers and remains in effect forever, Nappier said. It is a system that works, both for claimants, who sometimes come forward years later, staking their claim to assets they lost or inherited, and for the general public. In other states, a proactive approach A number of other states moved to modernize their unclaimed property programs in recent years in an attempt to boost the amount of money they are returning to peoples bank accounts. Illinois, Louisiana, Delaware, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Rhode Island, for instance, have all taken on the burden of locating owners of unclaimed property and automatically mailing checks to those people. To do that, those states enabled officials to cross-check their lists of unclaimed property with the most recent tax records, social security information and other government data. And many of those systems are already showing results. Rhode Island, for example, started automatically issuing checks to the owners of unclaimed property in 2017 after its Treasurer Seth Magaziner asked his state legislature to change the law. The setup allowed anyone with unclaimed property valued at less than $2,500 to immediately get their cash. It also informed people with assets above that amount about how to contact the Treasurers office to get their money. Since then, Magaziners office has been able to proactively pay out $10.5 million to more than 70,000 individuals. And those numbers are likely to grow even larger in the coming years now that Rhode Island also made the program applicable to businesses and nonprofits. Meanwhile in Connecticut, the treasurers office hasnt even been successful in returning money to the governor and his family. According to the data obtained by the CT Mirror, Gov. Ned Lamont and his wife, Annie, are owed somewhere around $15,000 from insurance policies and other assets that the state took control of in the past. The governors office did not respond to questions about the money the Lamonts are owed or whether they had ever attempted to reclaim that cash. But its not just the Lamonts who could stand to benefit from enhancements to the states unclaimed property program. Local governments and their taxpayers could also stand to gain. California, for example, established a special initiative in 2020 to automatically return unclaimed property that belongs to its towns, cities and other municipalities. Over the past year and half, the program has been able to return more than $4.7 million to local governments throughout the state. That entire effort, according to the California Controllers office, is only expected to cost the state around $72,000 per year to operate. Yet nothing like that exists in Connecticut. The Connecticut treasurers office said it previously sent out notifications to cities and towns informing them about unclaimed property, but it did away with that practice sometime around 2018. The office said many municipalities did not follow through by submitting a notarized request to reclaim their money. And other cities and towns could not come up with the evidence the program requires to finalize their claims. Woodens staff also said it proactively contacts some unclaimed property owners by mailing postcards to them if their tax information is included in the data the state collects from financial institutions. Over the past five years, the treasurers office sent out 51,000 postcards. But, again, those efforts did not include anyone with unclaimed property valued at less than $50. And that process still required every person who received a postcard to follow up with the Connecticut treasurer and prove that the assets belonged to them. The Connecticut treasurers office voiced apprehension about other states that now send checks directly to individuals and businesses. Some of those states, it said, reported that a significant number of the checks they sent out were later returned uncashed. The office also argued that the hurdles it makes everyone jump through before releasing their money help to deter fraud. Our offices documentation requirements are designed to balance the goal of reuniting rightful owners with their property against the necessity of ensuring that claims are properly paid, they said. Its unclear how Connecticuts rate of return stacks up to the programs in other states. The CT Mirror reached out to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, which the Connecticut Treasurers office belongs to, but the group did not respond to emailed questions. Grossly inefficient There have been attempts to change Connecticuts unclaimed property program in recent years, but those efforts gained little attention and ultimately went nowhere in the states Democratic-controlled legislature. Ron Lizzi, a resident of the small town of Bethany, was the primary driver behind those proposals. Even though he lives in Connecticut, Lizzi has positioned himself as an unofficial watchdog on unclaimed property programs throughout the United States. He was introduced to the programs several years ago, and he said he quickly went down a rabbit hole. He became obsessed with the way states collect unclaimed checks, security deposits and insurance proceeds, and he was troubled by the laws and systems that prevent more of that money from being returned. That obsession led Lizzi to help uncover a scandal of sorts in Colorado earlier this year. He alerted a news reporter about numerous search terms that seemed to be blocked from that states online database of unclaimed property. The story that followed out of the CBS News affiliate in Denver led the Colorado Treasurers office to admit their website was blocking a long list of words, like city, county, college and hospital, from being searched. That made it impossible for some unclaimed property to be seen by the public, including the names of nearly 100 individuals who were owed money. Colorado leaders called the findings shady and some called for an investigation into the blocked terms. Lizzis efforts to shine light on the unclaimed property program in Connecticut have been less effective, however. He has pushed the Connecticut legislature repeatedly since 2018 to pass a bill that would again require the Treasurer to notify cities and towns when the state is holding money that belongs to them. Those bills were supported by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and Connecticut Council of Small Towns, which argued that any money returned to their members would lessen the need to raise local property taxes. Requiring 169 towns to periodically review this database is grossly inefficient, the groups told state lawmakers. Instead, the state has an obligation to proactively provide this information, clearly and without confusion, to its rightful owners. But those pleas went unheeded. The treasurers office told lawmakers that sending letters to municipalities was unnecessary because the towns and cities should already have been notified by their banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions before the state took possession of the assets. Responses like that have led Lizzi to believe the real purpose of Connecticuts unclaimed property program is to rake in as much cash as possible. This poor performance is not a bug, but a feature, he said. The only reason people arent demanding reforms to the program, he argued, is because most people dont even know it exists. The entire system needs an overhaul to bring it into the 21st century, in Lizzis opinion. But improving the program could present financial risks for the state in the short term. Millions of creditors Connecticuts unclaimed property fund has historically been a profit-maker, but it might not take much to transform it into a financial loser for the state. Connecticut leaders effectively took out a loan when they repeatedly used the leftover cash from the unclaimed property program to finance political campaigns and supplement their annual budget. And there are now nearly 2 million individual creditors who could demand that money back. Between 2010 and 2021, the total amount of money the state owes through the unclaimed property program more than doubled. Its unlikely that every person included on the list of unclaimed property will be able to retrieve that money. Some of the assets, for instance, may not have enough personal information available to find the owners. Others are so old it is unlikely that someone would come forward to claim them. Even so, the Connecticut treasurers office reported in June 2020 that there is a reasonable possibility that up to $698 million will need to be repaid to the owners of that unclaimed property in the future. That is roughly the same amount of unclaimed property the state swept up over the most recent five year period. The treasurers office said it is not concerned about that potential liability because it leans on the states roughly $20 billion general fund to pay each claim as it comes in. But that doesnt mean the liability cant make the state legislatures job more difficult. If a large number of people ask for their money back in a short period of time, the program could run a deficit over several years. The stream of money would reverse. Instead of the treasurer sending extra revenue to the general fund, lawmakers would need to shell out taxpayer money to the treasurers office to help them repay the claims. If that were to happen, lawmakers could also be required to find another source of cash to bankroll the states public campaign finance system at least temporarily. That loss, according to state law, would need to be filled by more than $12 million in corporate tax revenue. The latest surge in new COVID cases appeared to show little sign of slowing through the New Years holiday as 301 more people were hospitalized over the weekend, driving the total number well above what was seen during last winters wave of infections. According to the states data, Connecticut COVID hospitalizations on Monday reached 1,452 patients, about 180 more than the peak seen in December 2020. The last time it was this high was May 4, 2020, when 1,500 patients were in the hospital with COVID-19. The number of those who are fully vaccinated in Connecticut hospitals has been rapidly rising to more than 450 patients as of Monday. For the first time since the state started reporting the percentage of hospitalized patients who are not fully vaccinated, the amount has dropped below 70 percent. According to the states data, 453 out of the 1,452 patients 31.2 percent were fully vaccinated. If you test positive, dont rush out to the emergency room, Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday. Theres no need to overwhelm our hospitals. Go home, spend a few days, quarantine and then get tested again to make sure you can get back to work. The COVID positivity rate, which has soared to record levels in the past week, reached a new high on Monday when 21.52 percent of tests came back positive over the long weekend. According to the state data, 23,678 cases were found among 110,017 tests over the holiday weekend. The rapid spread of COVID-19 set new highs last week when the positivity rate jumped to nearly 15 percent on Tuesday, nearly 18 percent on Wednesday and then just over 20 percent on Thursday. Despite the rising infections and hospitalizations, Lamont reiterated on Monday he will not reinstate a statewide mask mandate. Use some common sense here, I cant mandate common sense, Lamont said about COVID-19 mandates. The governor and state Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani urged people to stay home if possible. One thing I want to be clear to everybody, if you do not feel well, stay home regardless. We do not need people who do not feel well out there spreading COVID or any other respiratory virus, Juthani said. While many have attributed the latest surge to the omicron variant, evidence is pointing to less severe infections than with previous strains. But it appears, from early studies, omicron is much more contagious than previous strains. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Bidens chief medical advisor, said this weekend that the sheer volume of cases involving omicron could ultimately lead to a sharp increase in hospitalizations. The only difficulty is that if you have so many cases, even if the rate of hospitalization is lower with omicron than it is with delta, there is still the danger that you will have a surging of hospitalizations that might stress the health care system, Fauci said, according to a Reuters report. While officials have said there is still ample capacity at Connecticut hospitals, they said the health systems have still been stressed since people have been coming in with non-COVID ailments, including flu and other respiratory diseases. At Stamford Health, officials said there were 140 employees out sick with COVID-19. But Stamford Healths President Kathleen Silard cautioned that there are over 3,000 employees and not all those who are sick are direct-care staff. Yale-New Haven Health, one of the states largest hospital networks, said it too is seeing a number of employees out with COVID-19. A spokesperson said 535 employees were out as of Monday, but that represents just 1.7 percent of the networks more than 30,000 employees. Hartford HealthCare officials did not have an exact number of employees out with COVID-19, but stressed that services are not being impacted. We dont have the exact number as you know it changes every day. We are at full capacity to manage all of our services at this time, said Dr. Ajay Kumar, Hartford HealthCares chief clinical officer. Juthani said she is concerned about the stress this surge in COVID infections has had on hospitals. Im concerned about our hospital staff, Im concerned about nurses and doctors that have been working on the front lines. As weve heard whats happening in New York and New Jersey, weve seen throughout this pandemic that generally what happens there eventually makes its way to us. Which is why we really need people to do the things they know they can do right now, and those mitigation measures of wearing your mask, staying home as much as possible, Juthani said. While officials have asked people to stay home, if possible, they are also urging those who are ill with COVID symptoms to get tested. Faced with unparalleled testing demand, state officials say they are still working to secure more at-home test kits. Lamont said the state has secured nearly 1 million at-home test kits as of Monday. It was unclear when a new shipment received Sunday of nearly 500,000 kits would be distributed. This is not 2020 and this is not 2021. We are in a very different position than before, Lamont said. We have all the tools to keep you safe. Meanwhile, you have all the tools to keep yourselves safe. Lamont and Juthani also stressed the importance of vaccines and boosters given the rampant community spread of COVID-19. As of last week, 2.65 million residents were fully vaccinated and 1 million Connecticut residents had received a booster. While booster eligibility is still not as comprehensive as vaccine eligibility, the Food and Drug Administration authorized on Monday the use of the Pfizer vaccine for a booster in children ages 12 to 15. For the unvaccinated, this is still a very serious disease, as you have heard 70 to 80 percent of the people in the hospital are unvaccinated, Juthani said. The unvaccinated have reason to be scared. For people who are vaccinated, we are looking at a better future. ... People who have not been boosted, are having more symptomatic disease. 99 cent introductory offer Includes everything we offer online for 24-7 news. This option allows you to read unlimited stories at ctnewsonline.com, and access our e-Edition (digital replicate of the daily newspaper). $7.99 per month after the introductory offer. This service comes with a complimentary CT Select Card allowing for local discounts. Rates are subject to change. People Magazine was already commemorating her 100th birthday. The Ridgefield Playhouse had a birthday celebration in her honor on its calendar. But on Dec. 31, 2021, The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore show actor Betty White died at the age of 99. Whites 100th birthday would have been on Jan. 17, but instead of celebrating her centennial birthday, the Playhouse is joining other theaters around the state and U.S. in carry ing on with a commemoration of the classic Hollywood actors life. According to the Playhouse website, the event called Betty White: A Celebration is part of a nationwide screening of a movie made to celebrate White's 100th birthday. BRIDGEPORT A federal judge has agreed for the third time to continue the trial of state Sen. Dennis Bradley and former city Board of Education member Jessica Martinez, who are charged with campaign financing fraud. U.S District Judge Victor Bolden granted a motion to continue the trial by the public defender representing Martinez based on her claim that she needs more time to prepare her defense. The jury trial is now scheduled to begin March 14. Based on the motion submitted by Ms. Martinez, the court finds that denying the requested continuance would deny reasonable time necessary for defendants counsel to prepare for trial. The court concludes that the ends of justice will be served by continuing jury selection, outweighing the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial, the judge ruled. Both Bradley and Martinez declined comment. They are being tried together. Bradley and Martinez are charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, while Martinez is also charged with false statements and false declaration to a grand jury. Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges. On June 9, 2021, the government provided initial discovery, which was extremely voluminous, to defense counsel. On Aug. 16, 2021, and Nov. 9, 2021, the government provided additional discovery. Counsel require additional time to consult with Ms. Martinez and prepare for trial, her motion states. According to the indictment affidavit, Bradley and others entered into a conspiracy and scheme to defraud the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission, the Citizens Election Fund and the State of Connecticut by making misrepresentations concerning Bradleys compliance with state election law and the Citizens Election Programs statutory restrictions and requirements in order to fraudulently obtain or attempt to obtain $179,850 in campaign grants. It is alleged that these defendants not only broke the rules at the outset of Mr. Bradleys first campaign for the state Senate, but then engaged in an extensive cover up to conceal their illegal behavior and to receive additional public funds, said Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard Boyle. Bradley, a Democrat who represents Bridgeport and Stratford, was first elected to represent the 23rd Senate District in 2018. Tina Manus, a volunteer for the 2018 Bradley senate campaign, previously admitted to a wire fraud charge before Judge Bolden. According to a press release from the U.S. Justice Department, Manus has agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation and has been released on $150,000 bond. Manus conspired with Bradley, his former campaign treasurer, Jessica Martinez, and others to defraud the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission (SEEC), the Citizens Election Fund, and the State of Connecticut by making misrepresentations concerning compliance with state election law, the press release stated. BRIDGEPORT - Gunshots rang in the new year in a Logan Street club early Saturday morning. When the room had cleared police said they found a local man lying on the floor critically injured. Police on Monday said 34-year-old Njabulo Ntshakala, of Park Avenue, later died at Bridgeport Hospital from a bullet wound in his abdomen. It was the first homicide in the city of the new year. Police said they later arrested 46-year-old Kevin Williams after he was found hiding in a garage on Hollister Avenue. Williams, who moved to this city eight months ago from New York where he had previously been convicted of assault charges, later incriminated himself, police said. While in custody, police said Williams yelled at officers, You better make sure they get a conviction. If they dont Im going to kill you. Im gonna put 17 .45 bullets to your face. Police said Ntshakala was killed with a .45-caliber bullet. Williams was charged with murder, criminal use of a firearm, first-degree threatening, carrying a pistol without a permit and first-degree reckless endangerment. During Williams arraignment Monday afternoon, Superior Court Judge Peter McShane ordered Williams held in lieu of $1 million bond and continued the case to Jan. 11. According to police, at 1:30 New Years Day morning, police were called to Creative Venue on Logan Street for a call of a shooting. When officers got to the scene people were fleeing the club. When they went inside, police said officers found Ntshakala lying face down on the floor. Police said they found three spent .45-caliber bullet shell casings near the victims body. Police said witnesses told them they had been sitting at tables in the club celebrating the new year when they saw a man, later identified as Williams, pull out a handgun. The witnesses said Williams fired a first shot into the floor and then fired two others, one of which hit the victim, police said. While officers were investigating the shooting scene, police said they got a call from a resident that a man with a handgun was hiding in his garage on Hollister Avenue. Police said officers went to the garage and arrested Williams without incident. Police said they found the handgun hidden beneath the hood of a grill nearby. Editors note This story was updated with the date of the shooting, Saturday Jan. 1. Cullman, AL (35055) Today Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. High 86F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Negotiations over President Joe Biden's delayed legislation, which would, among other things, provide further stimulus checks, will restart in the Senate. On the stimulus check front, 2022 is shaping up to be nothing like 2021. The Child and Dependent Care Credit, which taxpayers may claim in only a few months when they submit their federal income tax return. The most significant distinction between this and other stimulus checks is that you only need to request it once. Unlike the child tax credit stimulus checks, the check will not arrive automatically. "The child and dependent care tax credit is a credit awarded for a proportion of job-related costs incurred by a taxpayer for the care of qualified individuals to enable the taxpayer to work or search for work," the IRS explained, according to Digital Market News. To claim the credit, fill out Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. And be sure to include the form with your federal income tax return. It will be shown in your records if your dependents are unable to care for themselves. IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, and Q3 include the records you'll need to back up your claim for this stimulus payment. For the time being, this advantage is only accessible for the tax year 2021, which you will file in 2022. The benefit may cover up to 50% of the cost of child care and other expenditures related to the care of children under the age of 13 (up to $8,000). You may be caring for a spouse, parent, or another dependent who is unable to care for themselves. How to claim stimulus checks in 2022? You'll have to file your tax returns for the prior year in early 2022, and you'll be able to collect the rest of the enlarged Child Tax Credit. The IRS has verified that the Child Tax Credit beneficiaries would get Letter 6419 in January, detailing their remaining credit. The letter will explain how to ensure that you receive the full amount of the Child Tax Credit when you file, as well as the amount of payment you may expect. Keep the letter in case you need it when it comes time to file your taxes, as per AS.com. It's also worth noting that the advanced Child Tax Credit payments you received in 2021 aren't considered income, so no one who qualifies would be taxed on them. The only exception is if your income in 2021 surpasses previous projections, bringing you beyond the qualifying limit. In this instance, you may have to reimburse some of the money you received through the Child Tax Credit. Read Also: Plus-Up Stimulus Payments Schedule: How To Receive $1,400 Checks Before 2022? What more can parents receive? While most college students achieve the age of majority around the time they start college, parents may be comfortable that some students have received financial aid from their school. Scholarships worth up to $3,000 have been awarded to several children. Students and their colleges have received a total of $40 billion in funding. The money came from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which was created as part of the 1933 American Rescue Act. In 2022, stimulus checks in the amount of up to $8,000 will be given in accordance with a provision of the American Rescue Act. Parents must have a combined adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $125,000 and two children under the age of thirteen to be eligible. Per The East County Gazette, the award is designed to help parents meet the costs of raising and caring for their children. For a single kid, parents can claim up to $8,000, and for a family with three or more children, they can claim up to $16,000. You can deduct the money from your tax refund when you pay for qualified expenditures like child care, transportation, and other fees. Related Article: Deadline of $1,400 Stimulus Check Is Fast-approaching; See If You Completed These Steps To Guarantee You Will Receive One! @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Contributed photo The North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force Foundation held a recent training seminar in Chatsworth that focused on the top 10 ways to avoid senior scams during the holidays. From left are task force Law Enforcement Coordinator Joe Gavalis and Vice President Kim Sherk, Murray County Sheriff Jimmy Davenport and Lindsey Wilson of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging. When Kayla Godowa-Tufti was a child, she used to play in her backyard. A railroad tie was situated in the lawn. On hot days, she recalls the tie smelled of tar and chemicals. In 2015, she brought her newborn baby from the hospital to her house on West Eugenes Roosevelt Boulevard. That day, she smelled the heavy tar scent throughout her neighborhood again it was familiar but unpleasant. And she still gets hints of it every once in a while. Whenever she smells it, she pulls her two children a 2-year-old and a 6-year-old inside the house, concerned about what they might be exposed to. Sometimes you cant smell anything else, Godowa-Tufti says. On the other side of Roosevelt Boulevard, an industrial wood treatment plant pumps creosote, a coal tar pitch used to preserve wood, into railroad ties and other wood products. According to the Oregon Health Authority, the odors in West Eugene come mostly from creosote and pentachlorophenol, another chemical used in wood treatment. Godowa-Tufti says the heavy tar smell led her to file four complaints with Lane Regional Air Protection Agency in the last several months. Since 2000, locals have filed over 3,500 air pollution complaints about West Eugene with LRAPA. Backed by the environmental nonprofit Beyond Toxics, West Eugene residents have created an environmental justice movement of their own. According to the city of Eugenes Toxics Right to Know database, 96% of Eugenes industrial pollution in 2019 was within one zip code: 97402, which includes almost all the area west of Highway 99 in Eugene. The Oregon Health Authority has identified two superfund sites, places contaminated with exposed hazardous materials, in the area: the Union Pacific Railroad Headquarters and the J.H. Baxter wood treatment plant, which is across the street from Godowa-Tuftis house. Neighbors say they're concerned that the area's industrial pollution, particularly from J.H. Baxter's decades of operations, may increase the cancer risk for nearby residents. Prior investigations haven't found a definitive link between local cancer cases and J.H Baxter, and state officials continue to investigate. According to Beyond Toxics statewide environmental justice coordinator Ana Molina, the heavy pollution in West Eugene is an example of environmental racism: when communities of color are disproportionately affected by pollution. The neighborhoods of West Eugene including Bethel, where Godowa-Tufti lives have higher percentages of BIPOC residents. According to a 2011 study from the City of Eugene, 15% of the Active Bethel Citizens neighborhood population is BIPOC. Thats compared to, for example, just 11% in the Cal Young neighborhood of North Eugene, where less than 1% of all industrial pollution occurs, according to Eugenes Toxics Right-to-Know Program. Across the country, communities of color have faced environmental racism. An example is Flint, Michigan, where lead contamination disproportionately affected people of color. Godowa-Tufti is Kalapuyan and a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and her husband is a member of the Comanche Nation. Godowa-Tufti moved to her current home on Roosevelt in 2015 to raise a family because she couldnt afford to live elsewhere. Its very easy to get stuck in that feeling of being trapped and being frustrated, she says. She says the big polluters in West Eugene are not only taking away her right to a clean environment but violating treaties that provide claim to the land for local tribes. Its bad land stewardship to be a heavy polluter like that, she says. Godowa-Tufti has been actively working with Beyond Toxics to voice her concerns. The group holds community meetings to put residents in direct contact with representatives from LRAPA, the Department of Environmental Quality and local politicians, like Mayor Lucy Vinis and City Councilor Claire Syrett. In 2011, Beyond Toxics published an environmental justice report for West Eugene. The report challenged the efficacy of traditional environmental risk assessments, claiming the models focus only on the highest tolerable rate of a chemical based on certain indexes and models. They conducted a community-based health study in West Eugene, which prioritized vulnerable groups and considered factors like socioeconomic status, geography, land use patterns and cultural differences. Theyre also making a difference in the community by holding polluters and environmental agencies legally accountable. In March 2021, the Oregon DEQ fined J.H. Baxter over $200,000 for the unpermitted disposal of hazardous waste generated from the wood treatment process, and the unauthorized release of untreated stormwater from its property. But, according to Molina, fines dont always hold polluters accountable because they can usually pay them without issue. She also says the money from fines doesn't go back to the community where the pollution occurred. In March 2021, J.H. Baxter filed an administrative appeal with DEQ, which can reach an administrative judge if mediation is unsuccessful. It denied almost all of the DEQs accusations. J.H. Baxter did not respond to Ethos request for comment. Its just a fine, Molina says. These companies have millions of dollars, and they're not gonna stop doing what they need to do to reach their bottom line. Beyond Toxics partnered with lawyer Chris Nidel from Washington D.C. and helped him find plaintiffs to represent the community in a class-action lawsuit he filed last spring against J.H. Baxter. One of these plaintiffs is Godowa-Tufti. The suit defines J.H. Baxter class as anyone living within a 4-mile radius of the plant. These are the people who have claims in the suit. According to Nidel, a class-action suit can more efficiently benefit a larger number of people compared to an individual suit. The suit claims that contamination of lawns and residences hurts property values and contributes to the loss of use and enjoyment in the surrounding neighborhoods. Still, theres downsides. The suit doesnt cover personal injury or any health effects beyond burning noses and eyes. Those who have been diagnosed with cancer or other serious illnesses wont receive compensation under the class action. The suit is asking for $750 million in damages Nidel says he wont settle for anything less. Last spring, Nidel introduced himself at a West Eugene community meeting held on Zoom. Behind him, his wife tended to their dog, who has lymphoma. In 2019, Nidel met Carol Lafon in a Facebook group for cattle dog owners. She lives near the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Danebo Avenue, about a mile away from the J.H. Baxter plant. She remembers letting her dogs Hali, a labrador, and Buddy and Dingo, both cattle dogs play in the small creeks near her house, and they smelled worse than the usual wet dog stench. The community stinks really bad, Lafon says. Its a putrid smell. In 2018, Halis fur started to fall off. Lafon took her dog to the vet and learned Hali had hemangiosarcoma, a common cancer in dogs that affects blood vessels. The next morning, she left her home to search for cancer medications; when she returned, Hali had blood dripping from her nose onto the carpet. Ten days later, Hali died. Within the next year, her two cattle dogs would also be diagnosed with cancer Buddy with hemangiosarcoma and Dingo with lymphoma. Buddy died within days of diagnosis. Dingo battled the lymphoma for a year and a half before passing. Lafon was heartbroken and puzzled. She was aware industry was nearby but didnt know she and her dogs were exposed to chemicals. Lafon says she believes this exposure led to cancer. My animals never got sick before, Lafon says. I was always making sure the food they ate didnt have any kind of chemicals. Even though Lafon says her dogs were healthy besides the potential pollution exposure, its difficult to directly link the cases to environmental factors. Dr. Kristen Couto is a veterinary oncologist with the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon. She says shes unaware of any known impact of environmental toxins on the development of hemangiosarcoma in dogs. While there is some evidence linking lymphoma in dogs to their environment, she says that cancer usually depends on a mix of other factors. Hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma are two of the most common cancers we see in dogs, Couto says. It becomes challenging to understand what type of environmental or genetic risk could be because they are so common. Still, she says, when dogs are exposed to carcinogens, its likely humans are too because of the shared living environments. And it wasnt only dogs who were getting sick at the time. For 22 years, Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault, a Black mother and cosmetologist, lived and raised a family in West Eugenes Bethel neighborhood. On Sept. 27, 2018, at the age of 13, her daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects a part of the immune system. That date is permanently seared in our familys minds, Arberry-Baribeault says. The news devastated Arberry-Baribeault but also confused her. Neither she nor her partner had any family history of cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, Hodgkins lymphoma is most common in people ages 20-40 and over 55. As her daughter began chemotherapy and stem cell treatment, the cause of the cancer remained a mystery. Although sometimes Arberry-Baribeault would notice strange smells after stepping outside her house, she says it didnt concern her. Then, in October of 2020, the son of Arberry-Baribeaults best friend of 30 years was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma, also at age 13. Arberry-Baribeault says she had a feeling these two strange diagnoses, just over two years apart, werent a simple coincidence. I wasnt really thinking that I was putting my child in danger by letting them play in the sprinkler outside or letting them ride their bike, Arberry-Baribeault says. Once she began researching the health effects of harmful chemicals, she says she realized living in the industrial zone could have led to her daughters cancer. The problem is that its difficult to prove. According to OHAs website, health assessments from the agency cannot draw direct associations'' between local cancer cases and the J.H. Baxter facility because of limitations in cancer registry data. However, OHA is working on a cancer analysis of the community around the facility. Once released, the results will bolster existing knowledge about cancer in the community. OHA conducted similar reports in 2006 and 2008. Neither found a definitive link between cancer cases and J.H. Baxter. OHA also plans to complete a health consultation by spring 2022. The consultation will include data from DEQ soil samples taken in September 2021. These soil samples will complement new data from OHA and LRAPAs Cleaner Air Oregon program, which will assess air pollution risks in the area. LRAPA expects the facility to complete the program in 2022. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified two chemicals J.H. Baxter uses to treat wood creosote and pentachlorophenol as probable human carcinogens. The Agency for Toxic Substances says those living near a wood preserving facility are at risk for exposure to creosote, especially if the facility discharges the chemical into the air or the ground the agency also says children who play in contaminated soil are at risk for creosote exposure. The leaking of toxic chemicals from the wood treatment process over the decades have contaminated soil at J.H. Baxter, state officials say. Regulators finalized a plan for J.H. Baxter to clean up its on-site contamination in 2019, and an investigation is underway to determine the extent of soil contamination. Arberry-Baribeault took to Facebook, trying to spread the word around West Eugene. Thats when Lisa Arkin, the Beyond Toxics executive director, asked her to join the nonprofits team. Arberry-Baribeault now connects community members and educates them about pollution in the area as the West Eugene community organizer. We cant get anywhere without the community, Arberry-Baribeault says. That is the most important thing. But even with the leadership from Beyond Toxics, the battle for justice moves slowly. The class-action suit could take years to settle, and actions from enforcement agencies can take years of environmental review to implement. Lafon expressed concern that action from government agencies is moving too slowly while the community continues to be exposed to toxins. Arberry-Baribeault agrees. She also says the fine isnt good enough. Theres no amount thats worth my childs life, Arberry-Baribealt says. Earlier this year, Arberry-Baribeaults daughter fully recovered from Hodgkins lymphoma after doing 25 chemotherapy sessions and six surgeries over a span of two and a half years. But Arberry-Baribealt says shes still concerned about her daughters well-being because of her continued exposure to pollution. She attended Willamette High School in Bethel School District. Within two miles of the school, there are 13 industrial polluters. West Eugene school districts like Bethel also have more BIPOC students than other districts. Beyond Toxics 2010 environmental health survey found 60% of residents in West Eugene reported significant concern about asthma and other cardiovascular diseases. Among students in the Bethel school district, the asthma rate is 14.33%, compared to 8.08% among all Eugene students outside of the Bethel district. As a mother of two, Godowa-Tufti is concerned for her childrens health. But shes also a student at the University of Oregon. When she heads to campus, the wood treatment plants disappear. She can breathe without questioning whats in the air. Its almost as if shes in another world. Many people shes talked to at UO arent aware of the pollution in West Eugene. With the Bethel neighborhood on the other side of Highway 99, away from downtown and UO, people in Eugene dont see or smell the chemical releases from industry unless they live near it. Arberry-Baribeault says this lack of awareness needs to change. Since 1994, people have been making complaints about these issues, and nobody is listening, she says. Theres a lot of people in West Eugene who feel like their voices dont matter. The environmental justice movement in West Eugene has gained some attention from local media and representatives in recent years. But as the stench still lingers in West Eugene, Beyond Toxics and the community have more work to do. I'm a very optimistic person, Molina says. We can do better. Things can change, and we really need to hold these companies accountable and take care of the communities where this is happening. Because at the end of the day, we all need clean air; we all need water. Thumping drums and electrifying guitars pierce the night air in the neighborhoods of Eugene. The songs of local artists draw crowds down alleyways toward a front door or back gate. With IDs and vaccine cards in hand, concert-goers electronically pay the $5-$10 fee and step into the bright lights of the makeshift venue. Thus begins the beloved tradition of a house show. Until 10 p.m., a strangers backyard becomes a place for dancing, moshing and energetic conversations. Its hard to even fathom how cool the Eugene house show scene seems as a college freshman, Cal Fenner, bassist for the band Laundry, says. It just seems straight out of 80s New York. It feels like the most undeniably hip, creative place you could possibly hang out. House shows, as they are colloquially called, are a DIY style of concerts in which traditionally local bands perform for an audience of 200-500 people in a backyard, basement or living room instead of a professional music hall. In Eugene, a majority of those involved in producing house shows double as college students. Due to the small-scale nature of these events, there is a symbiotic relationship that forms between the musicians, attendees and hosts. I really enjoy how its a more intimate and smaller concert experience but more casual to go with your friends and meet new people, says Anna Crump, a junior at the University of Oregon who frequently attends house shows. Everyones really open-minded there. For Crump, house shows are a staple of every weekend. The ritualistic screenshotting of event posters and DMing accounts for an address is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to experience live music in a smaller city. I realized how much more accessible it is here in Eugene, says Kellie, a house show organizer and host from Portland. The ease in experience for attendees is not shared by those who host. A night of dancing and socializing for the people filling the backyard is a night of constant motion for those on duty. Capacity, property damage, theft, personal safety and complaints from neighbors are all looming threats that need to be handled with precision and care. While this may feel like a nightmare scenario for some, for the people who host house shows, its a dream come true. The Alder House a venue that started hosting shows this past summer is run by the seven people who live there. This year, they are one of the few locations to host multiple shows and have built up a following under the Instagram handle @thealderhouse. Due to safety concerns, all of the residents of the Alder House will be referred to only by their first names. Kellie and Sigi fell in love with the house show scene their freshman year. Experiencing live music with a community they loved quickly became their favorite weekend activity. When they moved off-campus, Sigi and Kellie knew they wanted to host house shows the second they saw their backyard. With their five roommates on board, the plan was to transform the space outside their house into a fully-functioning concert venue. The Alder Houses first show took place on Sept. 24, 2021, and hosted local bands Common Koi, Broth and The Deans. After reaching out to the artists over the summer and settling on a date, Sigi and Kellies freshman year pipe dream was set into motion. We had no idea how it would go. It was perfect. It went so well, and everyone was so excited, Kellie says. Despite it being their first show, it really came together. It was one of our best shows yet. As the venue grew and word spread, however, a new set of issues began to arise. For the Alder Houses second show, fears of an empty backyard were quickly replaced with the increasing danger of overcrowding. As the night continued and floods of people followed the promise of live music from the nights lineup Candy Picnic, Pillowspiders and Laundry the household scrambled. It was the first show we had experienced that rush of people, Sigi says. I didnt think we were ever going to reach that level with that many people wanting to come to our place. I had never seen that many people in such an angry mood. Through multiple miscommunications between the Alder House residents, security and those waiting at the door to get in, the tone of the crowd quickly became hostile once doors were closed. We were all spread out across our house and the yard, trying to ping-pong around trying to communicate, Sigi says. As crowds grew in the alleyway between their house and Sundance, a small grocery store that borders the alley, Kellie struggled to give a direct answer to the people demanding entrance. I should have just been straight up and said no, Kellie says. But its hard because of course I want people to be able to come and listen to the music. I wished that I was over there listening to the music too, but I was telling people not to break our fence. Frustrations about the limited capacity caused some members of the crowd to try to take matters into their own hands. There were people coming from all corners of our backyard, Lina, a resident of the Alder House who was working security that night, says. Even in their living room, she could hear the front door jiggling as people desperately looked for another way in. Gabe, a resident of the Alder House who was running his hot dog stand near the edge of the yard, remembers seeing people enter through the front gate, which was broken and out of use at the time. Despite his efforts to redirect stragglers through the main entrance, Gabe says his requests were often met with blank stares. Immediately after telling them to leave, infiltrators would run into the backyard and try to blend into the crowd. They did a killer job, Fenner, who was performing that night, says. They had to kick people out for sneaking in with no vax card, and we were way over capacity out there. It was brutal. It was like war out there for them. In the aftermath of the night, a section of their neighbors fence had been torn down, their own fence had been damaged and one of their friends guarding the door sustained a minor facial injury from a wannabe-attendee flailing their arm in exasperation. Neither Sigi nor Kellie believe anyones intentions were malicious, but Kellie says the disrespect was disheartening. The household spent the following day digging holes, pouring cement and building a new fence from scratch. Despite everything, they also remember the kind-hearted response that came from the community. Multiple people offered their assistance in making repairs or offered their condolences for what happened. In response, the household got to work finding new solutions to the capacity problem. What they arrived on: selling free EventBrite tickets the week before the show so attendees could reserve their spot in the backyard beforehand. While they reminisce on the days when house shows were first come, first serve and a spur of the moment decision for attendees, Kellie says this was needed safety, above all else, has continued to be the Alder Houses main concern. But after the same show, they received an Instagram message saying someone went to their show while exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Although the individual had not yet tested positive, health officials had asked them to quarantine. The morning after the show, the results came back positive. The Alder House posted a statement on social media and urged people who went to the show to get tested as soon as possible, even though they had to show proof of vaccination at the door. After the scare, they decided they could never be too careful and started taking peoples temperatures at the door on top of the vaccine card and ID requirements. As the band who gets to play at the house, were so grateful when someone is willing to let a million people into their house and just let us do our thing, Fenner says. That's why its so important to have a place we trust, like the Alder House, because, while were onstage, we have no idea what the fuck is going on out there. The music scene in Eugene has been vibrant for years, but Crump says shes noticed bigger crowds post-quarantine. Yet the number of venues has been stagnant, if not lower than in previous years, because fewer people are willing to host. Fenner has been an active member of Eugenes house show scene since coming to the UO in 2017. His freshman year, venues like the Lorax Manner and the Campbell Club two co-ops bordering the UO campus dominated the scene, though neither have returned to hosting shows after the start of the pandemic. Both Fenner and Crump say they have noticed a decrease in venues since March of 2020. In the past, Fenner remembers two to three house shows taking place every weekend. Now, he says, the community is lucky to have even one. The lack of shows combined with the growing crowds mean limiting attendance is a relatively new concern venues are facing. While it makes the show every weekend pretty crazy and fun, as Fenner says, the responsibility falls on the venues shoulders. Fenners own band, Laundry, has to deal with the ramifications of these changes. Over the past five years they have been together, Laundry has slowly become one of the most popular and sought-after bands performing in Eugene, with over 4,100 followers on Instagram. The residents of the Alder House speculate the capacity concerns from the show were partially due to the hype that had been drummed up around the headlining act. We have to close doors at a certain point, otherwise the house is going to die, Fenner says. We used to advertise our shows for weeks in advance. Now its almost to the point where we dont want to post about a show because its just going to be too big regardless. Fenner used to live in the Alder House in 2018 and hosted a glorious four shows in the same backyard. He eventually stopped due to complaints from both neighbors and police. House shows are naturally ephemeral, he says. Nearly every aspect of house shows are impermanent, and yet the marks left behind remained scarred into the venues of the past. In the Alder Houses backyard, a deep divot in the grass holds the memories of an energetic mosh pit on a rainy day years prior. That was from a show we had. That was a mud pit for years, Fenner says. It never healed. We had our kitchen open to use the bathroom, and the next morning, the floor was just brown. The energy of a mosh pit can be even worse for indoor venues, and Fenner reflects on a show that his bandmate hosted in 2018. With hundreds of people jumping up and down, a splintering crack sound filled the room. After the music stopped, there was about a four inch gap between the floor and the wall. Fenner says the rest of the set had to be cancelled because of concerns for the structural integrity of the house, but the story is still passed around years later. Despite the hardships endured, venues like the Alder House continue to host shows because they love to do it. Lina, another Alder House resident, says house shows were never something she was interested in prior. Now, she says she much prefers hosting over attending shows. In her own backyard, shes much more comfortable walking around and talking to people. She says its nice to be able to go inside the house when shes not working. Its a lot more work, and you don't get to be in the mosh pit, Sigi says. It starts, and then you literally race to the finish line, and then its done. Its like a whirlwind. I love it. I have always wanted to be a part of something like this. She joked with Kellie that, after the first show, they were both ready to change their majors to event planning. Though few venues remain, Eugenes house show scene cant function without those willing to take on the workload for the community. Kellie says, when shes hosting, the show is no longer for her; its for the guests. Despite comparing the experience of hosting to a full-time job for the night, Fenner looks back fondly on the days when his band was able to throw shows in the same backyard. Id be hard-pressed to have a better couple years than living at Alder House, being in Laundry and hosting shows, Fenner says. It was really special, and it really felt like you were in the middle of something happening and we kind of were. There are ton of NASA Hubble images, but a photo of a spiral galaxy won the fan voting for Hubble's best photo for 2021. In celebration of the new year, the NASA Hubble Space Telescope also achieved a new milestone as it reached 1 billion seconds in space on January 1. NASA Hubble Declares Spiral Galaxy Image as Best Photo of 2021 Last December 29, NASA conducted a poll on Twitter with the caption "It's time to vote for our Twitter audience's favorite 2021 Hubble image." In terms of the choices, it includes Flame Nebula, Outer Planets, Galaxies and NGC 5037. Surprisingly, NGC 5037 was the top choice of their Twitter followers with above 41 percent votes. Meanwhile, the second favorite NASA Hubble image was the Flame Nebula with a 37 percent score, followed by outer planets with above 13 percent votes, and galaxies with about eight percent votes. With that being stated, NASA posted a follow-up Twitter post labeling NGC 5037 as "Hubble's best image released in 2021." We asked, you answered! Our Twitter followers voted galaxy NGC 5037 as Hubble's best image released in 2021. Despite a distance of 150 million light-years, we can see the galaxy's delicate structures in great detail thanks to Hubble: https://t.co/go2l5fB281 Happy New Year! pic.twitter.com/JAQlTUapCX Hubble (@NASAHubble) December 31, 2021 According to the blogpost of NASA, NGC 5037 was first recorded by William Herschel in 1785, and it sits around 150 million light-years distant from Earth and in the constellation of Virgo. Despite this distance, the complex architecture of gas and dust within the galaxy can still be seen in astonishing clarity, thanks to Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). WFC3 is a flexible camera that can gather ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light, giving it access to numerous information about the objects it views. During Servicing Mission 4 in 2009, astronauts placed WFC3 on Hubble (SM4). Hubble's final Space Shuttle servicing mission, SM4, was designed to extend Hubble's life by at least five years. Both Hubble and WFC3 are still operating and scientifically productive after 12 years. Read Also: iPhone Leak Hints Major Upgrade in Reverse Charging: Will iPhone 14 Feature It? NASA Hubble Space Telescope Celebrates 1 Billion Seconds Milestone Aside from capturing one of the best space images ever, the NASA Hubble Space Telescope also celebrated its 1 billion seconds milestone last January 1. In the Twitter post by the space agency, it explained that during the said time frame, NASA Hubble has conducted about 1.5 million observations and astronomers utilizing Hubble data have produced over 19,000 scholarly articles. Happy New Year! Hubble is kicking off 2022 with a major milestone. The telescope began operations 1 billion seconds ago! In that billion seconds, Hubble made more than 1.5 million observations and astronomers using Hubble data published more than 19,000 scientific papers. pic.twitter.com/daK8V7liFB Hubble (@NASAHubble) January 1, 2022 For background information, the Hubble is a massive space telescope, per NASA. On April 24, 1990, it was launched into orbit by the space shuttle Discovery. Hubble orbits Earth at around 547 kilometers or 340 miles. It measures the length of a huge school bus and weighs the equivalent of two adult elephants. Hubble moves at a speed of around 5 miles per second, which is equivalent to going from the east coast to the west coast of the United States in 10 minutes. Hubble is a solar-powered spacecraft. Hubble's images have aided scientists in determining the age and scale of the universe. Scientists estimate the universe is about 14 billion years old. Hubble has helped scientists comprehend how planets and galaxies develop. The "Hubble Ultra Deep Field" picture depicts the furthest galaxies yet observed. Hubble has discovered black holes, which absorb everything they encounter, even light. Dark energy, a mysterious force that drives the cosmos to expand faster and faster as time passes, was also discovered through the telescope. It has also revealed information on gamma-ray bursts, which are enormous energetic explosions that occur when big stars collide. Furthermore, Hubble has analyzed the atmospheres of planets orbiting around stars comparable to Earth's sun. Related Article: NASA Warns 2 'Potentially Hazardous' Massive Asteroids to Get Close to Earth This January 2022; Will It Hit? Driving north on U.S. Highway 101, Lee Yamada, 83, carefully scanned the left side of the road for a turn-off marked Baker Beach Road. The road leads to a campground nestled between Baker Beach and Florences coastal forests. But Yamada had no plans to camp. He knew the spot was ideal for mushrooms to grow because of its climate and habitat. Yamada is a mushroom forager, and that day, he hoped to find some edible mushrooms. Yamadas mushroom-hunting car, as he called it, bumped along the gravel as he turned onto the road. He passed a sign indicating entrance into Baker Beach Campground and a large pile of Cantharellus cibarius more commonly known as chanterelles obviously picked and discarded. Yamada explained the abandoned mushrooms were likely unfit to eat due to the previous weeks heavy rain that likely caused the mushrooms to become slimy and rot. Yamada could also easily spot the red caps of Russula emeticas growing in clusters near the entrance of a short trail to the beach. Yamada says one way to identify whether the russula mushrooms are edible is to nibble a portion of the cap with your front teeth. He crumbled off a portion of the cap and stuck it between his front teeth, chewing daintily. A few moments later, he spit it out onto the ground. Peppery, Yamada said. My tongue is tingling. Its not edible. *** With 75 years of foraging experience, Yamada can easily discern nonedible mushrooms from edible mushrooms. Mushrooms mean more to him than a weekend hobby. Its a lifestyle for me, Yamada says. Yamadas love for teaching others about mushrooms is even stronger than his passion for mushrooms. Yamada is a board member of Cascade Mycological Society a nonprofit organization with a mission to study and conserve fungi and to educate the public about fungi. There, Yamada teaches everything he knows from his years of experience to people in Eugene who are interested in mushrooms and mushroom foraging. Yamada was first introduced to mushroom foraging by his parents, who were also taught by each of their parents. While Yamadas father primarily fished and clammed, Yamadas mother would forage for edible plants and mushrooms. Sometimes they would forage as a family. Growing up in the Santa Clara Valley, Yamadas family frequently hunted for mushrooms in dense orchards and grassy fields near their home. Yamada recalls mushroom hunting as a 7-year-old boy in a dying prune orchard with his parents one afternoon. Yamada spied a cluster of oyster mushrooms growing high in one of the orchards dying prune trees. He scaled the withering limbs of the tree to harvest the mushrooms. Nearly 10 feet above the ground, he used a knife to cut the mushrooms near their bases, preserving them as much as possible. Yamada placed the mushrooms into the safety of his pocket before climbing down the tree and rejoining his parents on the ground to continue their walk. By the end of their excursion, Yamada and his parents had foraged enough mushrooms for a meal. Once high in a tree, moving from pocket to pan to plate, the prized mushrooms were sauteed in a buttery sauce for the family to enjoy together. The earliest Yamada can remember mushroom hunting alone was when he was around 6 or 7 years old. Yamada would jump off the bus after school and search for the mushrooms he was sure were edible wild mushrooms like Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus, which are more commonly known as button and oyster mushrooms. I loved mushroom hunting because, to me, it felt like an Easter egg hunt, Yamada says. It made me feel like I was good at finding something. Yamadas fascination with fungus continued into adulthood. He joined two local mycological organizations, San Francisco Mycological Society and Santa Cruz Fungus Federation, where he could meet like-minded mushroom fans and master mycologists. Of the mushroom organizations Yamada joined, he spent the most time with Santa Cruz Fungus Federation and was elected to the Fungus Fair Coordinator position by other members of the federation. Yamada was responsible for organizing the federations Fungus Fair, Santa Cruz Fungus Federations annual fundraiser and membership drive. He held the position for nine years, from 1993 to 2003. Part of my drive is to educate people about that, but its fun, Yamada says. One of the slogans from my previous club, the Fungus Federation, was Keep the fun in fungus. The size and popularity of Santa Cruz Fungus Federations Fungus Fair drew attention from the North American Mycological Association, which is a nonprofit organization of professional and amateur mycologists with over 90 affiliated mycological societies in the United States, Canada and Mexico, according to the associations website. Among a few other fungus fair organizers around North America, Yamada was added to a call list of people to contact for information and advice on organizing mushroom festivals. Yamada stayed a member of the Santa Cruz Fungus Federation until 2012 when he moved to Eugene. Shortly after moving to Oregon, Yamada joined Cascade Mycological Society, where he shared his mushroom foraging experience and met new friends. Joe Spivack, a fellow mushroomer and member of Cascade Mycological Society, became close friends with Yamada when the two bonded over a mutual passion for mushrooms. Both Spivack and Yamada are also interested in other forms of wild foraging, such as fishing, crabbing and clamming. Spivack says he loves spending time with Yamada and appreciates being able to learn from his experience. Im his best buddy in a lot of ways, Spivack says. Rarely does a week go by when I dont call him. *** Wandering into a coastal forest near Baker Beach Campground, Yamada identified each of the mushrooms he passed along the trail and explained how he could recognize them. He identified some agaricales, more commonly known as gilled mushrooms because of the distinctive gills visible underneath the cap. Small salamanders lounge by the mushrooms, unbothered by Yamadas presence. The quiet of the forest broke when Yamadas cell phone rang. Hello? Yamada said, answering the call. On the other end of the line was Yamadas friend Spivack, who was calling to schedule a time to go spot hunting with Yamada. In a week, Yamada and Spivack would lead a Cascade Mycological Society members-only foray in the Oregon Cascades, where they would teach individuals how to find edible mushrooms. After agreeing to meet up in three days to prepare for the foray, Yamada briefly told Spivack about his day and how he was doing before saying goodbye. Yamada resumed identifying as many mushrooms as he could as dark clouds threatened rain. *** As a board member of Cascade Mycological Society, Yamada helps to organize monthly meetings and local forays to educate people in Eugene on all things mushroom. At these events, attendees have opportunities to speak to and learn from expert mycologists and guest speakers on various fungi-related topics. After COVID-19 restrictions forced Cascade Mycological Society to cancel in 2020, 2021 saw the return of Cascade Mycological Societys biggest educational event: the Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival. On the morning of this years festival, the air was crisp at Mount Pisgah Arboretum. Dozens of people wearing bags and buttons with mushroom art, mushroom cap hats and fungus-patterned shirts wandered under the arboretums oak trees. Live performers filled the air with music as festival-goers explored canvas tents with activities and shops that all shared a common theme: mushrooms. At the Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival, visitors can view diverse mushroom displays with anywhere from 450 to 525 identified species, compare edible and non-edible mushrooms, attend culinary demonstrations and go on mushroom hunting nature walks with experienced mushroomers. The festival is the largest mushroom festival on the West Coast. There's nowhere else in our area where you can go see several hundred species and with correct names on them from an expert, Chris Melotti, president of Cascade Mycological Society, says. There's just no other place around that has those available to the general public. At this years mushroom festival, Melotti volunteered at the Edible and Poisonous Mushroom tent with Yamada. Wearing homemade trousers with a mushroom pattern, Yamada was easy to spot. He stood in the center of the Edible and Poisonous Mushroom tent, surrounded by fold-up tables covered in soil and different varieties of local edible and nonedible mushrooms. As mushroom-garbed show-goers viewed the fungi, Yamada offered tidbits of information on how to safely identify them in the wild. Melotti says Yamadas depth of knowledge has made him an invaluable curator of the mushroom festival and member of the organization. Some of the traits that make Lee a good mushroomer are that he's always willing to learn and willing to share from his experience, Melotti says. Lee Yamada is unique in Cascade Mycological Society and in life in that he is always helpful and giving in anything he's involved in. *** After nearly an hour of exploring the coastal forest near Baker Beach, rolling thunder announced the rain had finally arrived. It started slow. At first, trees protected Yamada from the wet, but the rain began to pierce the canopy steadily. As the rain grew stronger, Yamada decided it was time to head back to the car, but there was one last mushroom he wanted to find before leaving. Retracing his steps toward the car, Yamada searched along the sides of the trail, finally stopping at a seemingly mushroomless spot. Leaning over, Yamada pawed through wet forest debris, revealing a bulbous, white mushroom as big as his fist. This is Boletus edulis, Yamada says. The Italians call it porcini. Its a delicious mushroom. Carefully plucked from the debris, this mushroom was exactly the Easter egg Yamada hoped to find. Stepping into an educational center as an outsider evokes the same bewilderment and anxiety of stumbling through a crowded market. To the left, theres a room of two adults scrambling to comfort roughly six babies. Down the hall are classrooms filled with laughter, tears and yelling. Running back and forth from the classroom to her office to wherever else she is needed is the director of Oak Street Child Development Center, Cindy Bellamy. Its chaos, but Bellamy says its controlled chaos. Bellamy works around the clock with an objective in mind. My goal is to make sure that all of the children know how to deal with other kids before they hit public school, Bellamy says. Oak Street CDC is a childcare facility located in the heart of downtown Eugene and provides childcare for kids ages six weeks to five years. Bellamy started at Oak Street after its first year of opening and has worked there for the past 29 years. Eugene has changed since then, but the need for good childcare remains. Recent data published from Oregon State University confirms that every county in Oregon is considered a childcare desert for children ages 2 and below. For kids ages 3-5, 75% of Oregons counties are considered childcare deserts. There is not a single county in Oregon that meets the childcare needs of its community. Between tours, waitlists and rejections, parents like McKenna Knapp are finding the search for decent childcare difficult. Knapp is a new mom who started sending her one and a half year old child to Oak Street in September 2020. But she started looking for childcare when she was six months pregnant she was the 12th person in line for a spot at Oak Streets infant care. Knapp was fortunate enough to land a spot but says the process was nerve-racking. I mean you fall in love with a center, and you get comfortable with the idea that you might be able to drop your child off there someday, Knapp says. Knapp is happy with her decision to stick with Oak Street and says the team does its best to deliver quality childcare. Every classroom is lined with overflowing bookshelves, arts and crafts litter the tables and theres a quaint playground out front where children can play. However, with pandemic-induced closures, labor shortages and little to no help from the government, the burden of keeping daycare centers operating falls on the shoulders of daycare directors and teachers. Its hard when people come in and you tell them how much theyre going to make and they say, Well I can make that at Mcdonalds, Bellamy says. I try to help them understand that working in childcare is so much more. Oak Street has been hit hard by labor shortages. Currently, Oak Street has 15 teachers but needs three more to not be considered short staff. Bellamy says there are still positions that have yet to be filled since the pandemic started in March of 2020. The situation is so dire that Bellamy may have to fill a teaching position herself while they wait for more applicants. Although she would like to raise wages for her staff and offer a competitive salary to job prospectors, she says it is not feasible. Oak Street operates as a nonprofit, but because it is private, it doesnt receive much help from the government. As of right now, Oak Streets income comes solely from tuition, which gets raised 2-5% year after year. Bellamy says this isnt sustainable. There will come a time when families aren't going to be able to afford that, she says. In April of 2020, unemployment peaked at around 15%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. That number has since fallen to under 5%, but daycares and schools are still struggling to fill gaps in their staff. The struggle to remain unscathed by the pandemic isnt limited to Oak Street. Andy Dettman, director of the language immersion school New Dream, expressed similar concerns over staying afloat. One challenge theyve been struggling to overcome is the financial and emotional strain on teachers. Every time we have to close, its like I dont know whats going to happen tomorrow, Dettman says. I dont know if Im gonna have a job in a week. Between financial insecurity and the emotional toll of teaching children all day, Dettman says convincing people to teach is a grueling task. This is a very stressful field to work in, and theres not a whole lot of pay, Dettman says. Of course its become even more difficult with COVID. Annabelle Schwartz-Horney recently graduated from The New School and is currently in the market for a job. Schwartz-Horney has thought about teaching or working at a daycare but would rather find a job to advance her career. I have a handful of friends who are teachers and so passionate about it, Schwartz-Horney says. I think you really have to be into it to become a teacher. The underfunding and understaffing of U.S. childcare impact not only Eugene but states across the country. According to a study done by the Center for American Progress, there is only enough care to service 23% of infants and toddlers across 19 states in the U.S. Care for babies and toddlers is the most detrimentally affected by this cycle due to the steep cost it takes to keep these programs around. Oak Street and New Dream are two of about 15 childcare centers in the Eugene and Springfield areas that offer infant and toddler care. Directors of both places recognize the importance of providing this scarce service but are cracking under financial pressure. In January 2021, Dettman made the difficult decision to reduce capacity by 50% in New Dreams infant room. Ive already cut our hours back so I could avoid having to make that choice, Dettman says. I just couldnt afford it any longer. Last March, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan. The bill includes relief for public schools and daycares impacted by COVID-induced closures and staff shortages. However, the bill will mostly benefit educational centers that are publicly funded and leave private institutions to rely on tuition and fundraisers to keep going. Despite there being little help from the federal government, the state government has provided some financial relief to daycares. The Early Learning Division in Oregon has given out forgivable PPP loans to daycares that request them. The idea behind giving out these loans is to allow daycares to raise their wages to attract more potential teachers. However, Bellemy says she is wary about increasing wages because these loans arent a continuous source of income for the daycare. I just dont know what programs are supposed to do when the loans run out, Bellemy says. Its not sustainable. Financial pressure, mental health turmoil and a global pandemic have created a multitude of challenges for daycares to overcome. The desire to throw in the towel is strong, but Dettman and Bellemy say they have a community depending on them, and they are determined not to let anyone down. Childcare is important. Its always been important. I feel like its even more important right now because families are struggling, Bellemy says. We just need to pull together and keep doing what were doing. This struggle to keep going during difficult times is experienced by parents as well as teachers and staff. Sabrina Hershey-Black is the full-time Aquatics Director at the Eugene YMCA, volunteer board member for New Dream and a mom to two young kids. Her children have both gone through the New Dream infant program. When New Dream was forced to shut down due to COVID exposure, Hershey-Black and her husband were spread thin trying to coordinate who could watch the kids. Its just so stressful, Hershey-Black says. Were waiting up at night wondering if the school is going to email us saying its closed. Hershey-Black isnt fond of the anxiety that school closures enact, but she understands daycares are doing the best with what theyve got right now. When Hershey-Black isnt working a full-time job or navigating care for her children during the pandemic, shes advocating for better funding and resources for New Dream and other daycares in Lane County. Recently, Hershey-Black and Dettmen participated in a panel discussion with Kate Brown about how the pandemic has affected families emotionally and financially. Hershey-Black says attending the panel confirmed this is an issue bigger than Eugene. At the panel, she says, parents and teachers across the state acknowledge the lack of support for daycares. Hershey-Black says now is the time to work on finding solutions. Advocacy is where Hershey-Black says she feels her role in helping daycares survive lies. Whether thats mobilizing parents to organize fundraisers for their schools or advocating for parents who cant afford to send their children to childcare, Hershey-Black believes parents need to support one another. Im a fortunate parent. I can drop my children off at two separate places and know that theyre being cared for and loved, Hershey-Black says. Not every parent can do that, and that breaks my heart. Editors note: The Emerald interviewed eight current or former UO dining student employees for this story, and five current employees wished to remain anonymous. In cases where employment or housing could be impacted by someone telling their story, the Emerald allows the use of anonymous sources to avoid retaliation. University of Oregon dining services faces a staffing shortage and has amped up efforts to attract student workers. However, students working in the dining halls said the lack of staffing combined with lower-than-average pay has created stressful work conditions. UO dining has been operating with fewer employees this fall amid a staffing shortage that has been noted locally and nationwide, UO Director of Dining Services Tom Driscoll said. About 750 students were employed by dining services prior to the pandemic, Driscoll said. At the start of fall term, dining services had about 100 student employees. That number increased to 550 over the course of fall term. During the staffing shortage, student dining service workers said the dining halls have been high-stress environments. They said UO needs to increase its pay to attract more student workers. A strenuous workload Many student employees said that Unthank Hall, which has nine dining venues, especially struggles with the staffing shortage. A student employee working in Unthank Hall said her job was more stressful fall term than during remote learning last year. A lot of people quit before starting, which they probably expected, she said. But, within the first month, people were dropping like flies. Another student employee who works in food preparation at Unthank Hall said she feels like she is doing multiple peoples jobs due to the staffing shortage. The reason I stayed in the dining halls for so long is because of the friends and the connections I made, she said. Because Unthank is just so big, and we are poorly run and just disjointed, I'm kind of separated from my friends who really made this job a lot more fun. UO junior Harrison Wood worked in Hamiltons dining hall for two years before he became a student shift lead at Unthank Hall during fall term. He left to pursue another job after working three shifts. But those shifts involved extremely long work hours in a stressful environment due to the staffing shortage and student excitement over a new dining hall, he said. Everybody wants to eat there, and we don't have enough people to serve them, Wood said. Venues would just close once they ran out of food for hours until more food was cooked, and then they would reopen again, run out of food and close again. Wood said staff had difficulty fitting in breaks because of the staffing shortage. Student workers would often have to stay past their shift to wait for another worker to come in, he said. A student employee working in Unthanks dish room said keeping up with dishes is one of the main problems to arise from the halls staffing shortage. In the weeks before fall term began, he routinely worked 40 hour weeks, he said. He said things are smoother now. Previously, there would be mountains of dishes that were left for the next day or things would not be able to get cleaned that should be cleaned, he said. People would leave at 2 a.m. because they had no way of getting all the work done. Driscoll said three venues in Unthank Halls new PNW Public Market have not yet been opened due to the staffing shortage. The student employee in Unthank Hall who works in food preparation said Unthank has more new hires than workers with previous experience in the dining halls. She said the new hires cannot always cook on the line or produce food quickly, which slows operations down. You can hire all the people you want, she said, but if you don't hire the people that I actually need, then that doesn't help me. Driscoll said hiring efforts have been centralized so dedicated staff can work full-time hiring students. The student employee in Unthanks dish room said not allowing individual dining halls to hire students leaves certain areas in more need of staffing than others. One of the problems that we faced in the middle of the term was we had a lot of new hires, which we desperately needed, but they were all being sent to places where it made no sense for them to be, he said. They would just stand around and do nothing because there was no work to do. They would send them to the venues that weren't visited frequently. He said the dish room is essentially the backbone of Unthank, but it was left understaffed with about three workers on a good day. Theres a complete disconnect in how things would flow and move from one place to the other, he said. Leaving for higher pay UO increased the minimum starting wage for student employees from $12.75 an hour to $13.25 an hour to retain and attract additional staff, Driscoll said. The university also offered various incentives to increase staff numbers, including a $200 student staff retention incentive for students who joined on or before Nov. 1, 2021 and worked through Dec. 4, 2021, up to three $50 payments for referring friends to University Dining and a $50 bonus after joining if students meet certain employment requirements. Driscoll said the hiring, referral and retention bonuses offered to student employees will continue in winter term. UO dining will also hold a student job fair Jan. 7 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the EMU Crater Lake room, and all new hires will receive a $100 signing bonus. Michael LaQuay, a student employee at Unthanks dining hall, said the perks UO offers have helped improve the staffing shortage and will continue to help as time goes on. Driscoll said dining hall positions offer reduced price meals for student employees on every day they have a shift, as well as significant flexibility to accommodate their class schedules. Many University Dining student employees said they want their wages to be increased to attract more workers and to be compensated for the amount of work the staffing shortage puts on them. Multiple student employees said their co-workers have left for places like Target and McDonalds because they can receive higher wages. I think pay and just simply not wanting to put yourself through an unnecessarily high-stress environment are probably the two main reasons why I would say a lot of people are leaving and trying to find work elsewhere, a student employee working at Fresh Marketcafe said. She said she tries to work as many hours as she can to compensate for what she could be making elsewhere. Eliza Reyes said she quit working in Hamiltons dining hall last year, and pay played a large factor in her decision to leave. I wouldnt have been able to afford food and groceries this year if I was still working at the dining halls, so I left, she said. The student employee in Unthanks dish room said, despite the wage increase, his co-workers have been attracted to jobs offering $15 an hour so they can make rent and pay for food. No one showed up, and everyone was surprised. They thought, Were only paying $13.25, and then you have to do double the work that you would expect to do and take up everyone elses work. To me, it didnt really make sense why theyd be surprised, he said. Students employees in the dining hall work alongside classified employees full time, unionized employees. The Oregon union SEIU Local 503s higher education bargaining team, which negotiates contracts between unionized higher education employees and some public universities including UO, reached a tentative agreement with the universities on Dec. 3, 2021. The tentative agreement includes a selective salary increase of one salary grade for classified food service workers and a $15 an hour minimum wage for all classified staff. Members of SEIU 503 are in the middle of voting whether or not to ratify the new contract, which will go into effect the first day of the month after ratification. The contact wouldnt directly affect student workers, who arent unionized. A level two classified food service worker currently has a salary that ranges from $13.73 to $16.49 an hour, while student employees wages range from $13.25 to $15 an hour. They essentially do the exact same work, the student employee in Unthanks dish room said, although our compensation is quite different. Wood said he does not think the classified workers wage increases will lead to wage increases for student employees in the dining halls because students are not equipped to organize like a union to demand more pay. They might be afraid of losing a job or whatever because they might need it to survive, he said. It might be difficult to try and demand something like that." This day was always going to come. Convention dictates that all prime ministers eventually join the Order of the Garter even the ones, like James Callaghan, that nobody actually voted for. And let me be clear that I have no loyalty to the Labour Party: Im a political centrist who believes ministers should let us hold on to most of our money and generally keep the ship of state afloat. There are aspects of Tony Blairs behaviour that I find objectionable: his toe-curling money-grubbing from dodgy dictators after leaving office; his refusal to accept the Brexit result. But despite that, there is also much to admire. He was the Labour leader who understood the concerns of Middle Britain, instead of dismissing them as the Left so often does with a sneer. His open-minded, pluralistic approach allowed him to sell liberal policies to an essentially conservative nation This open-minded, pluralistic approach allowed him to sell liberal policies to an essentially conservative nation. Old Labour redistributed wealth through vicious taxation, especially on the middle classes. New Labour focused on growing the economy. Prosperity, this business-friendly party understood, increased revenue. Instead of demonising aspiration, Blair celebrated it. He promised to be tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime. Police numbers rose 12 per cent during his premiership. But equally he recognised that crime would never fall unless he also tackled deprivation and hopelessness. Where Blair truly stood out was in foreign policy. Few young people today understand how, before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the spectre of Irish republican terrorism hung over the streets of Belfast and London alike. I continue to believe Britain did the right thing in overthrowing Saddam Hussein. True leadership seldom wins friends After 9/11, Blair saw Islamism for the threat to liberal democracy it was, cracking down on domestic extremists and asserting abroad the British values of freedom, tolerance and the rule of law. There are many who disagree with him on Iraq. I respect their principles but I continue to believe Britain did the right thing in overthrowing Saddam Hussein. True leadership seldom wins friends. More recently, he has been a voice of reason on the pandemic. He was an early advocate of mass-testing and for the vaccinated to be exempt from lockdown. Many lives and businesses might have been saved had ministers listened. Tony Blair created a fairer, more tolerant country at home and stood up for desperate people overseas. Whatever his flaws and mistakes, that is the legacy of a statesman. It is right that his achievements be so recognised. The Ancient Greeks knew much about suffering. Imagine the horror of those primitive lives without smartphones, social media, online shopping or trigger warnings and only tough, old philosophers to help with your mental heath issues. How could they possibly have coped? Better than modern students or their protective teachers, is the answer. About 2,400 years ago the polymath philosopher Aristotle wrote about 'catharsis' meaning the way in which seeing a tragedy on stage can terrify you and make you weep, yet in the end help release your emotions and come to terms with them. Today, university academics betray their prime function as educators by seeking to cushion students from anything that might upset or 'trigger' the fragile dears. The latest example of ignorant lunacy that betrays the very idea of higher education comes from Reading University. There, officials have decided to cut several lines from an Ancient Greek satirical poem by Semonides of Amorgos a rather poor, but interesting squib that likens female 'types' to certain animals. Today, university academics betray their prime function as educators by seeking to cushion students from anything that might upset or 'trigger' the fragile dears (file image) It has been decided that first-year classics students must be protected from the few lines describing domestic violence, because 'while the text as a whole is vitriolic, that part seemed unnecessarily unpleasant and (potentially) triggering'. I looked up his Types Of Women to judge for myself. Was it the part that likens a woman to a dog: 'A man can't stop her barking; not with threats / not . . . by knocking out / her teeth with a stone'? Or the part where a woman is likened to a donkey 'used to getting smacked'? All crudely misogynistic but (whisper it) of its time in history. Though the department hasn't had a single complaint, its decision to censor the Ancient Greek woman-hater stems from its need to shield students from anything that might upset or trigger them. I realise the majority of normal, sensible citizens pay no heed to such nonsense. Indeed, many people have no idea what the word 'woke' even means. But make no mistake it really matters. Because our teaching profession, cultural establishment and civil service have all embraced spurious notions which are damaging the intellectual and emotional health of future generations. Universities now routinely issue 'trigger warnings' on any course modules or texts they believe might upset or anger the students who are their paymasters. It represents an appalling dereliction of duty, the results of which we have not yet fully seen. For how can you study anything if you are afraid it might awaken painful memories, upset your delicate sensibilities or make you cry? How can you study the history of ideas if you are terrified that something people once thought or did will make you feel bad about yourself? To return to Aristotle's idea of catharsis, the moment you are deeply moved even shaken to the core by a work of literature or philosophy or any other art is the moment you are made to confront fundamental, timeless truths about our shared humanity. So if you see a play such as Medea (by Euripides, describing Medea's murder of her own children); or Oedipus Rex (by Sophocles, featuring incest, suicide and self-blinding); or (nearer our own time) Shakespeare's Macbeth (multiple murders, including of children) or King Lear (madness, mutilation by blinding and murder), you will be put in touch with the worst and best of human nature and learn from it. To return to Aristotle's idea of catharsis, the moment you are deeply moved even shaken to the core by a work of literature or philosophy or any other art is the moment you are made to confront fundamental, timeless truths about our shared humanity (stock image) And that is, inarguably, a vital part of education. Since censorship of words and ideas is rife among the wokerati, I propose censoring all 'trigger warnings' on anything at all. Let us 'cancel' the wimpish worriers and warriors and instruct young people that they have to get real and get brave. No one should be warned that this or that issue might upset them. On the contrary, they should be told that responding emotionally to art and ideas and history is good and even better if it makes you angry. Strong ideas and emotions are to be discussed, not feared. The wish to be 'protected' is a sign of weakness and decadence . . . and it's all around us. Of course, sincere concern that people shouldn't be upset can be well-intentioned. I was made aware of this personally just before Christmas when the BBC serial The Girl Before had a storyline involving stillbirth. The heroine, Jane (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw), had had a stillborn child and its emotional fallout formed a significant part of the plot line. But I was surprised when a woman I know emailed me saying she hoped I hadn't been 'too triggered' by this story. Of course, sincere concern that people shouldn't be upset can be well-intentioned. I was made aware of this personally just before Christmas when the BBC serial The Girl Before had a storyline involving stillbirth. Pictured right: Gugu Mbatha-Raw in the show She meant well but what did she mean? That because my second son was stillborn I might be upset by newly awakened memories? That I might simply have been moved to tears of empathy? Either way, if I'd been upset (which I wasn't) it would have shown a healthy depth of feeling: a testimony to the on-going reality of a long-ago bereavement. Sadness is intrinsic to human experience and should not be distanced from us by labels. Grief and pain and fear afflict us all from the moment of birth, and we must not think we can escape them. If you like, feeling empathy is the other side of being 'triggered'. When trigger warnings result in people shrinking back to say, 'Oh, I won't watch this/read this because I might be upset' they close off their minds and hearts to their fellow human beings, like tortoises pulling in their heads. I was horrified to read this Facebook post by a magazine executive: 'The phrase 'child abuse' in my column on the weekend apparently triggered a woman to need to call her psychiatrist in the middle of the night. She's tried to speak to the editor about my heinous act of writing those words.' We can all recognise such absurdity, but what have we come to when someone objects to a phrase that has only recently been at the heart of truly shocking newspaper headlines? Much has been written about the parlous state of our universities. When students claim to be 'triggered' by the mere presence of a speaker who challenges their fixed ideas, we know they are being pathetic. Pictured: Students protest at Durham University after a Rod Liddle talk Much has been written about the parlous state of our universities. When students claim to be 'triggered' by the mere presence of a speaker who challenges their fixed ideas, we know they are being pathetic. In the Sixties, we were angry about the Vietnam war: this lot are 'triggered' by a feminist academic stating the obvious fact that biology is real and a male cannot 'become' a biological female, whatever he or she believe themselves to be. And it's getting worse. But it matters far more that they are aided and abetted by the very people who should be guiding them into common sense and inquiry. It should surely 'trigger' outrage that teachers and university authorities routinely support students in their rabid anti-intellectualism, prejudice and fear of being challenged. Instead of encouraging resilience and an eagerness to reach out towards the ideas and experiences of others (throughout history, too) they actively promote flabby cowardice and indifference. It is a modern tragedy that our cultural elite colludes in the closing of minds. Good neighbourly relations are essential to a civilised existence. This, at least, is what I told myself when two of our nearest neighbours complained last week about their dreadful experiences having recently contracted Covid-19. Both were felled for several weeks: one was convinced he was going to die. I found it hard to show sympathy, though, and difficult not to express exasperation. The reason for my hard-heartedness, as you will probably have guessed, is that both of these neighbours whom I like as individuals had refused to take the vaccine. My patience was even more tested when they both separately declared to me that, despite their experiences, they would still not take the vaccine. Admittedly, neither had actually been at death's door; nor had they required such unpleasant hospital treatment as ventilation in an induced coma. But as the prospect rises of operations being cancelled, with NHS beds taken up by the rapidly growing numbers of people requiring hospitalisation for the latest variant of which a hugely disproportionate number are the unjabbed the public's demand for vaccination to be mandatory will become more insistent. My patience was even more tested when my neighbours both separately declared to me that, despite their experiences, they would still not take the vaccine. Pictured: Anti-vaxxers protesting at a Milton Keynes test centre Inundated Indeed, in a Mail on Sunday/Deltapoll survey conducted last week in the vital 57 parliamentary seats captured from Labour by Boris Johnson's Tories in the 2019 election, the question 'Do you support compulsory Covid vaccination?' gained an almost two-to-one margin of support (57 per cent versus 31 per cent). That majority in favour of compulsion is only likely to increase if thousands of operations are cancelled in hospitals inundated with unvaccinated Covid sufferers. Mandatory vaccination would not mean a barbarous and unfeasible policy of physically forcing people to be injected. It would instead be similar to that which is being introduced next month in Austria, where criminal fines of up to 3,600 euros will be imposed on anyone over the age of 14 who refuses to be vaccinated. The reason for this draconian measure is that the Austrian population has a very high proportion of vaccine opponents an estimated one in six adults has refused to roll up their sleeves and its hospitals are at crisis point. The effect of low vaccination rates in Europe is perhaps clearest in Bulgaria, where more than a third of the over-65s have had no anti-Covid jabs. The country's 'excess deaths' in 2021 that is, the increase over the five-year mortality average pre-Covid would, if applied to a country with the UK's population, equate to more than half a million fatalities. On December 23, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby (pictured), invoked Jesus's injunction to 'love thy neighbour' in urging those 6 million to change their minds Fortunately, not only did the UK Government roll out the fastest vaccination scheme of any European country (and now the fastest 'booster' delivery apart from tiny Iceland), the vast majority of the British people were grateful for this remarkable public health programme. But there remain about 6 million people who, like those near neighbours of mine, are adamantly against it. On December 23, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, invoked Jesus's injunction to 'love thy neighbour' in urging those 6 million to change their minds: 'Vaccination reduces my chances of getting ill, [which] reduces my chances of infecting others. It's very simple ... it's how we love our neighbour.' In other words, he was accusing the wilfully unvaccinated of selfishness, in endangering not just their own lives but those of others. However, I don't think that Welby is so widely admired a spiritual figure that his pre-Christmas message will, so to speak, move the needle. On the other side of the pond evangelical Christians have been influential in dissuading their followers from being vaccinated. This has been denounced by one pro-vaccine Christian columnist, The Washington Post's Michael Gerson (pictured) But on the other side of the pond and of the argument evangelical Christians have been influential in dissuading their followers from being vaccinated. This has been denounced by one pro-vaccine Christian columnist, The Washington Post's Michael Gerson: 'They show not radical generosity but discreditable selfishness This is heresy compounded by lunacy.' However, the biggest victims of this are these preachers' own congregations, disproportionately culled by the pandemic. Not to mention the televangelists themselves, who have generally dismissed the risks of Covid as part of their ridiculing of the need for vaccines. Gloating Marcus Lamb, the 64-year-old founder of the Christian TV network Daystar, died of Covid at the end of November. His network had lambasted the vaccines for, among other things, 'killing your immune system'. His son, Jonathan, who also broadcasts on Daystar, said that his father's Covid infection had been caused by 'a spiritual attack from the enemy'. Other outspokenly anti-vax U.S. broadcasters who have died of Covid in recent months include a Nashville radio station presenter, Phil Valentine, and two Florida radio hosts, Dick Farrel and Marc Bernier. There has been a great deal of gloating about these deaths on social media which is not a good look. Marcus Lamb (pictured), the 64-year-old founder of the Christian TV network Daystar, died of Covid at the end of November But one can respectably argue that such deaths inadvertently comprise a more salutary public health warning than anything the official authorities put out. Especially if the anti-vax broadcasters recant on their death bed, as Dick Farrel did. A friend and follower of his, Amy Leigh Hair, declared via Facebook that he had texted her in his final days, urging her to get vaccinated: 'He is the reason I took the shot! He said: 'I wish I had gotten it!' ' These characters are associated with the ultra-conservative libertarian movement a phenomenon much less powerful in this country. Anti-vax broadcaster Dick Farrel (pictured) recanted on his death bed. A friend and follower of his, Amy Leigh Hair, declared via Facebook that he had texted her in his final days, urging her to get vaccinated Here, the most prominent anti-vax campaigner is Piers Corbyn, brother of the former Labour Party leader Jeremy and himself a one-time Labour councillor. Last week, followers of Piers Corbyn stormed a coronavirus testing centre in Milton Keynes, abusing staff and volunteers, before stealing some of the equipment. That, obviously, is a criminal offence, and presumably charges will follow. But however deranged Piers Corbyn's claims and however discredited he is after being exposed as happy to take what he thought was 10,000 in bank notes in return for not attacking the AstraZeneca vaccine, having been duped by pranksters I don't believe his anti-vax proselytising should itself be made illegal. Here, the most prominent anti-vax campaigner is Piers Corbyn (pictured), brother of the former Labour Party leader Jeremy and himself a one-time Labour councillor Sinister He was arrested under the Malicious Communications Act for a pamphlet containing material appearing to compare the vaccine programme to the Auschwitz extermination camp. But to remove his freedom of speech on the matter entirely would only appear to justify the views of his followers that 'the Establishment' is imposing vaccination as part of some sinister experiment in mind control. It is for a similar reason, among others, that I oppose compulsory vaccination except as a condition of employment for patient-facing NHS staff. It would augment the belief that the vaccine programme is an unjust imposition, rather than a welcome offer to a public desperate to escape from the fear of serious complications, or worse, from Covid. Besides, many families are already suffering internal tensions over disagreement about the vaccines, without the prospect of criminal sanctions stirring that domestic pot even more viciously. A demonstrator holds up a placard reading 'Reclaim NHS, end jab tyranny now' at the testing site in Milton Keynes today Attempting to make the vaccine mandatory would damage social cohesion more widely as we have already seen with riots in Austria, and in Germany, where the same policy has been mooted by senior politicians in the government. By contrast, no British political party is in favour of making vaccine-abstention illegal, even though the Commons did pass the measure making it necessary for NHS staff to take the vaccine if they wished to keep their jobs. But this was hardly a break with precedent: the long-standing official guidance of the General Medical Council is that 'doctors should be immunised against serious communicable diseases unless otherwise contraindicated'. And, just from a practical point of view, what would happen if such a law were passed, millions were issued with fines and millions refused to pay? Would they all be sent to prison? And if not (because there wouldn't remotely be the space), then what would have been achieved? Above all, though, I wouldn't want to see my neighbours, or people like them, criminalised. Back in 1997, at his first audience with the Queen as prime minister, Tony Blair was left in no doubt on who was in charge. The Queen politely informed him: 'You are my tenth prime minister, Mr Blair. Winston was my first and that was before you were born.' Just a few months later, following the death of Princess Diana, and it was Blair who was posing as the 'saviour of the monarchy' for having persuaded the reluctant Queen to return to London from Balmoral to pay a public tribute to the 'People's Princess'. While Blair may have better judged the public mood back then, the Queen has had the last laugh. Her popularity remains sky-high while Blair's reputation has been irretrievably damaged by his decision to enter the Iraq war on a false prospectus and the way he has raked in millions by advising foreign despots since. There was no more vivid illustration of how low he has sunk in the public estimation than the reaction to the news that he had been made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in the New Year's Honours list, 14 years after he left Downing Street. The Queen's popularity remains sky-high while Blair's reputation has been irretrievably damaged by his decision to enter the Iraq war on a false prospectus and the way he has raked in millions by advising foreign despots since A petition calling for him to be stripped of his knighthood hit 500,000 signatures last night. It is true, of course, that the award was the Queen's personal gift not granted on the advice of the Government. It is an honour that has been extended to every former prime minister but it is perhaps telling that Her Majesty waited a full 14 years before granting it to Blair. However, given the greed, vanity and folly that taints his true legacy, if Blair had a shred of honour he would have rejected it to avoid exposing Her Majesty to the controversy that would inevitably follow. But Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, 68, still possesses a deeply misguided belief in the level of his standing in the eyes of the British people. Desperate to carve out a new statesmanlike role after his unsuccessful stint as Middle East peace envoy, Blair behaved like an ambulance-chasing, 'no win, no fee' lawyer seeking new causes on which to try to burnish his credentials. He even saw advantage in exploiting the pandemic. A petition (pictured) calling for him to be stripped of his knighthood hit 500,000 signatures last night At various points over the past 12 months, he has tried to reinvent himself as the saviour of the country over Covid. He was among the first to advocate leaving a 12-week gap between the first and second Covid jabs to maximise the number of people with at least partial immunity at a time when vaccine shots were at a premium. It was sound advice that won him plaudits across the political spectrum, but then Health Secretary Matt Hancock was outraged. He maintained it was his idea, which Blair had stolen. Hancock even told friends he would no longer take Blair's calls. But truth be told there appears to be no national crisis that he will not bring himself to exploit. After his side lost the Brexit poll, the arch-Remainer went into overdrive, demanding a reversal of the largest democratic vote in British history. At one point he even treacherously held secret talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, urging him to stand his ground in the UK-EU negotiations to prevent the Government securing a Brexit deal. It was an unprecedented attempt at sabotage by a former PM trying to derail an elected government's negotiating position with a foreign leader. Mercifully, he failed. Nothing remains a bigger stain on Blair's reputation than the war in Iraq, a war in which 179 British military personnel lost their lives, hundreds more suffered life-changing injuries and more than 200,000 civilians are estimated to have died But then, Labour's most successful prime minister who won three consecutive general elections has never been short of self-belief. After a second landslide victory in 2001, it was clear that the power had already gone to his head. One headline after his win in the Labour-supporting Daily Mirror declared: 'I will cure the world. From Afghanistan to Rwanda, Israel to Northern Ireland, the Congo to global warming... We can sort it all out.' The British people soon found they had to pay a heavy price for their prime minister's messiah complex. In the same year, Blair took the country into a war in Afghanistan which cost 457 British lives. And for what? Twenty years on, with the Taliban back in control, the families who lost loved ones and the thousands left maimed will be forgiven if they thought it was all in vain. But nothing remains a bigger stain on Blair's reputation than the war in Iraq, a war in which 179 British military personnel lost their lives, hundreds more suffered life-changing injuries and more than 200,000 civilians are estimated to have died. It cost us a great deal in treasure as well as blood the total cost of the UK's military operations is estimated to have been more than 8billion. The conclusions of the Chilcot report into the war were devastating for Blair, effectively accusing him of being a liar and a warmonger The conclusions of the Chilcot report into the war were devastating for Blair, effectively accusing him of being a liar and a warmonger. The 2.6million word report concluded: 'The UK chose to join the invasion of Iraq before the peaceful options for disarmament had been exhausted. Military action at that time was not a last resort. 'The judgments about the severity of the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction WMD were presented with a certainty that was not justified. The planning and preparations for Iraq after Saddam Hussein were wholly inadequate.' But an unrepentant Blair insists he has no regrets. 'The world is better off without Saddam, the attacks of 9/11 changed the world for ever and terrorism in the region today has nothing to do with the invasion back then,' he said. It is a monumental act of denial. Blair defending the indefensible a chain of astonishing political blunders as evidenced by the letter he sent to George W Bush in the summer of 2002. 'I will be with you, whatever,' he wrote to the president. Blind allegiance coupled with political hubris. Sir Anthony Seldon, who has written several books on Blair, said of the former PM: 'I do not believe he is an evil man. But he is an immensely stubborn one with an arrogance bordering on vanity.' By Blair's side throughout his time in power was, of course, the spin doctor Alastair Campbell (pictured), with whom the PM turned our Rolls-Royce civil service, once the envy of the world, into a heavily politicised plaything By Blair's side throughout his time in power was, of course, the spin doctor Alastair Campbell, with whom the PM turned our Rolls-Royce civil service, once the envy of the world, into a heavily politicised plaything. Impartial civil servants were shunted out, party political apparatchiks were ushered in. Even career civil servants were pressurised to tailor their advice to fit in with what ministers and their political appointees wanted to hear. It was a travesty and the ramifications still echo down through the years. For while it may be tempting to consider Blair's monumental misjudgments as things of the past, the truth is that the Left-liberal bias he introduced into almost every branch of the State is still with us today. So endemic is the groupthink that those who have the temerity to hold Right of centre views are often side-lined or excluded from public roles altogether. On immigration, too, New Labour's maniacal zeal to open Britain's borders to all-comers, in an ill-disguised bid to reshape the electorate to the party's advantage, had a devastating impact on many poorer communities, leading ironically to the very Brexit vote that Blair so despised. Of course Blair's tenure was not without its achievements the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, independence for the Bank of England and civil partnerships. But they are buried deep by the Iraq War, the compromising of the civil service, the dodgy donations in office and the dirty deals with dictators after it. As the petition rattles ever higher, Blair should do the right thing give up the knighthood and shield the Queen from any further controversy. Only then will he salvage what's left of his reputation. Ordering a grocery shop has become as effortless as dialling in a takeaway, with rapid delivery apps putting bread, milk and and a whole range of other groceries - chocolate Hobnobs, anyone? - on your doorstep in roughly 30 minutes. There is a catch of course, delivery charges for such convenience range from around 1.99 right up to 9.99, and the choice is often much smaller than you'll find on the shelves in your local supermarket. However, judging by the boom in rapid grocery orders made via apps, many of us are happy with less choice and higher prices if it means we'll get doorstep deliveries in less than an hour. According to the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), the instant grocery market is already worth 1.4 billion, a figure that's set to rise to more than double that in the next few years. In October, Tesco announced it had joined forces with German instant grocery app Gorillas, and if you haven't yet heard of the likes of Weezy, Getir, Fancy and Jiffy, it's likely you soon will. The pandemic - and the need for self-isolation - has also heightened demand, making slots with standard supermarket delivery services, including the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Ocado, harder to get. Here, FEMAIL speaks to three shoppers who say they're converts - for different reasons - to instant grocery deliveries 'When I see couples dragging each other around supermarkets, it pains me. Find a new hobby!' MONTHLY SPEND: 220 Chef and food writer Elisa Roche says she's sold on rapid delivery apps...and says if you're savvy and look out for vouchers, you can actually save money on supermarket prices Eco-friendly too? Elisa says she likes the fact that one driver makes multiple stops rather than several households using their cars to go to the supermarket Elisa Roche, 42, a chef and food writer, hasn't looked back since instant grocery apps arrived - having progressed from Sainsbury's and Ocado to Deliveroo Groceries... So, how much extra are YOU paying if you use an instant grocery app? FEMAIL compared an instant delivery shop from Deliveroo's grocery service with a trip in person to the same supermarket... What price convenience? A pack of six all butter Taste the Difference mince pies, normally priced at 1.50 in store, gets a 70 pence mark up on Deliveroo's grocery app DELIVEROO INSTANT GROCERY DELIVERY FROM SAINSBURY'S Sainsbury's mince pies: 2.20 Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Rose:47 Sainsbury's Pink Lady apples: 2.25 Medium ripe avocados x 2: 1.75 Kingsmill 50/50 sliced loaf: 1.05 Semi-skimmed milk (2 pints): 0.95 Delivery charge: 2.99 TOTAL COST: 58.19 COST OF SAME GOODS IN PERSON AT A SAINSBURY'S STORE Sainsbury's mince pies: 1.50 Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Rose:39 Sainsbury's Pink Lady apples: 2.25 Medium ripe avocados x 2: 1.50 Kingsmill 50/50 sliced loaf: 1.00 Semi-skimmed milk (2 pints): 0.89 TOTAL COST: 46.14 Advertisement 'If I'm working late in my job as a chef, then Deliveroo Groceries is a brilliant deterrent to ordering a bog standard takeaway. For the same price as a curry, I'll get a week's worth of shopping in half an hour!' Roche says that she's addicted to the variety and ease of instant grocery shopping and doesn't think she spends more than she used to when she visited stores in person: 'Conventional shops for me now feel like a massive waste of time, especially when I can get repeat orders with just one click on an app. 'I'm sure I end up spending less too, because the selection is smaller than visiting a shop so you have to make essential choices - there are fewer temptations winking at you! 'That said, there's luxury if you want it. One day I might shop for Co-op groceries, and another I might splash out at a local artisan shop. It's still cheaper than getting a takeaway, for example, as you have to construct the meals yourself.' Elisa says shopping this way feels friendlier for the planet too. 'When all the food apps launched I was in heaven. I don't drive so it saves me lugging around heavy items like washing powder and sacks of potatoes. 'I don't have to fill up a car with a tank of petrol to trek to the supermarket and one delivery driver will usually see multiple customers. To me, that's more eco-friendly.' On price, she says a cash-savvy shopper can easily find ways to bring down the often marked-up prices of instant groceries too. 'I am the queen of special offers and always use discount coupons or codes when they are available, which is often. 'There are fantastic discount codes for all the new apps like Getir and Gorillas. If you're smart you can save lots by using them all. ' 'Some retailers have been trying to make their shops more fun and interesting to entice us all back. Selfridges, for example, does a great job at being original with its food market and in-house cinema. It's the only shop I would go to for a day out to. But I'll still browse the aisles then find a cheaper version online later.' Elisa Roche is hosting a new podcast in 2022, Careers Conversations, for Food Matters Live 'Moving 20 minutes away from the supermarket has made me lazy - I'm addicted to Weezy' MONTHLY SPEND: 280 Writer Nichi Hodgson, 38, lives in East London. She says being time poor has made instant grocery apps irresistible... even if her husband doesn't agree A glass of Moet to chase away a bad day? Writer Nichi Hodgson, 38, who lives in East London, says she's become a huge fan of instant grocery shops (pictured with her husband) Having access to grocery shopping when you've been working long hours means Hodgson has fallen hard for instant grocery app Weezy's charms. She explains: 'I've worked at home for years but recently moved to a new house 20 minutes away from the supermarket, which has made me realise just how lazy I am! 'I absolutely love knowing that if I need something for dinner, a fancy a bottle of wine, food for the dog or painkillers when I feel unwell that I can get all those things in more or less an instant. I'm more than happy with the price mark-up because it gives me one less thing to worry about when it comes round to dinner time... Nichi Hodgson 'I've definitely started to use it more over the past few months - sometimes as much as four times a week. 'It's addictive to know you don't need to be that organised or that motivated to still get what you need!' While Hodgson still does a regular online shop every two weeks from one of the major supermarkets, she tops up with Weezy deliveries when select items run out. 'Usually it's missing ingredients for dinner, alcohol because it's a better selection than the local off licence and chocolate when my husband gets a choc attack. 'We still do a regular online shop once every couple of weeks, but I realise I've started topping up with my Weezy orders much more frequently.' Weezy erases the hassle of having to be organised - and often has a better selection that local shops or off-licences, says Nichi She admits that she's occasionally at loggerheads with her husband over her habit - but it isn't the mark-up they disagree on. 'My husband is more bothered about my laziness to be honest! He doesn't agree with the fact I don't have to forward-think as much, but I work 60 hours a week sometimes and just don't want the hassle of having to be organised. 'I'm more than happy with the mark-up because it gives me one less thing to worry about when it comes round to dinner time. And it's perfect for hangovers!' The Curious History of Dating: From Jane Austen to Tinder (Little, Brown) by Nichi Hodgson is out now 'The pandemic has made me anxious about going to supermarkets - and instant shops are great when you can't get a regular slot...' MONTHLY SPEND: 40 Viva Andrada OFlynn, a cafe manager from Gloucestershire, says Covid has made people think twice about going to the supermarket in person and she loves the fact she can pick up necessities on Amazon Fresh without venturing out... Viva Andrada, who's originally from the Philippines, says that the pandemic sparked an anxiety in her about shopping with lots of other people - and online shopping has become the less stressful option. Cafe manager Viva Andrada OFlynn, from Gloucestershire, says that anxiety is one of the reasons she's come to rely on instant shops - because she's no longer keen to mingle with shoppers in supermarkets while Covid is ongoing She explains: 'Ever since the pandemic started, the thought of queuing up in supermarkets surrounded by hoards of other people gives me the chills. 'The way I see it, I'm paying extra for groceries to be delivered to my door but I don't have to have the stress and anxiety that often now comes with shopping alongside lots of other people.' Viva Andrada says that the current Covid crisis has completely changed the way she shops. 'Before the pandemic, I never bought groceries online. Even if supermarkets were giving incentives for people to order online, I wasn't tempted. 'I'd rather go to supermarkets in person and buy the things I needed off the shelf. Convenience is a huge part of the appeal too, says Viva Andrada, because the likes of Amazon can deliver in a short space of time - and they have slots where some of the bigger supermarkets don't 'However, like lots of other people, when the pandemic happened, I started buying online - often using instant apps - and I haven't looked back.' Convenience comes into play too, she adds, saying that while many of the major supermarkets are often booked up weeks in advance during the festive and new year season, she always knows she can get an Amazon Fresh grocery delivery. 'All the New Year slots are often full for regular supermarkets but If I need to buy groceries quickly, it's reassuring to know I can get them within the click of a button.' Sometimes a funny sign can brighten up a sad day - from 'push push push' being written on the doors of a maternity ward to wet floor sign being placed under a door. And now people from around the world have shared the best examples of comical signs and and notices - with the very best collated in a gallery by The Rocket Science. One funny attempt at self deprecating humour shows a cafe highlighting a bad review, while another asks drivers to join in if they hate speeding ticket, by raising their right foot. Elsewhere, a hotel lets customers know that dogs are welcome by saying they're better than humans, and the phrase 'it's 5 O'clock somewhere' gets replaced with 'it's 2020'. Here, FEMAIL shares some of the best examples... One maternity ward door, believed to be in the US, hilariously had 'Push Push Push' written on it One hilarious person, believed to be in the UK, put a 'caution wet floor' sign under the swimming pool Speaking for students everywhere! One school at an unknown location asked algebra to stop looking for X - and don't ask Y! Taking it on the chin! One cafe in Stockport, UK, said 'come in and try the worst coffee one woman on TripAdvisor ever had in her life' Getting snappy! One Zoo in India joked that visitors who throw rocks at crocodiles will have to retrieve them too How 2020s! One UK bookshop jokingly put up a sign saying they'd moved their post-apocalyptic fiction page to current affairs One creative billboard, in LA, said they were 'looking for a graphic designer' on a very poor design Any excuse! Another sign in Maine, USA joked 'It's 2020, everywhere, drink when you want!' One South African company cleverly told customers to 'use electricity wisely' - by blacking out half their sign One hotel in San Francisco, US, said that dogs are welcome to stay - as they're better than humans Another sassy sign in the US showed 'raise your right foot' if you hate speeding Would you go into the woods? Another ominous sign warned not to go into the woods as they don't want to hide your body Another sign, at an unknown location, joked 'Skinny people are easier to kidnap, stay safe, east cake' Another home in the UK had to put up a sign saying their cat wasn't stuck, after being asked too many times What did Joe do! One work site in the US said that there had been no accidents since Joe left A new skin just dropped in "Fortnite," featuring the Japanese cat Azuki. Players interested in this skin are recommended to buy it immediately because the offer might expire Monday. "Fortnite" started its new year with a brand-new skin in the item shop. They described it as "a fur-ocious warrior with ears unlike any other." A fur-ocious warrior with ears unlike any other. Grab the Azuki Outfit in the Item Shop! pic.twitter.com/46CY6pUu6R Fortnite (@FortniteGame) January 2, 2022 How to Buy: 'Fortnite' Azuki Skin Price The Azuki skin is currently available in-game for 1,400 V-Bucks. According to DualShockers, players can buy the skin by following these steps: Load "Fortnite" game on the platform of choice. Open the "Battle Royale" mode and Navigate the "Item Shop" tab. Search for the "Featured" category, which should be on the very top of the shop. The item "Azuki" should be listed with a "Package Included" tag for 1-400 V-Bucks. Note that buying the package will unlock the following cosmetics: Azuki Outfit: two variants Catana Back Bling: two variants Nyan Claws Harvesting Tool: four variants All the mentioned cosmetics items are part of the Nyanjitsu Set. Note that these items cannot be purchased separately. Read Also: PlayStation Plus January Free Game, Epic Games Store Daily Free Title: 'Persona 5 Strikers,' 'Salt and Sanctuary' Fortnite Skins: Azuki Cosmetics "Fortnite" fan Shiina quickly noticed that Azuki's item shop description changed a few hours after it got released. The fans pointed out that the character's name changed from "Nip" to "Azuki." An item shop string for the "Azuki" skin just got updated: Old: "Unsheathe the dual-wield NYAN CLAWS from NIP's scabbards when both are equipped!" New: "Unsheathe the dual-wield NYAN CLAWS from AZUKI's scabbards when both are equipped!" Shiina (@ShiinaBR) January 2, 2022 Other "Fortnite" gamers praised the change. They shared the sentiment that a badass-looking cat deserved the name "Azuki" rather than a house pet name "Nip." Imagine calling a Japanese cat skin nip Brian (@belatucadros) January 2, 2022 'Fortnite' Azuki Skin Rarity According to DualShockers, the Azuki skin might be a high-rarity cosmetic. In-game, Azuki is merely classified as "Rare," which is the second most common cosmetic in the market. However, on a bigger picture, this is the first time the skin debuted in the item shop, so its return date is currently unknown. It could take months or years for this item to return to the shop again. Taking all of this into consideration, fans who are interested in Azuki are recommended to buy it now. Fans should also be warned about the speculations on its sale duration. 'Fortnite' Azuki Skin: Release Date The "Fortnite" official announcement for the Azuki skin happened on Saturday. Typically, new items are given weeks of sale time before being replaced with new stocks. However, the Azuki Skin sale might expire a lot earlier than expected. This is because Azuki is placed under the "Fortnite" featured category, and this in-game item shop is scheduled to change at 1 AM GMT on Monday. Because of this, Azuki might be replaced by a new set. At the time of writing, "Fortnite" has yet to clear up this confusion. Players are recommended to assume the worst, which means Azuki will expire soon, so they should immediately buy it from the item shop. Players should also watch out for the Winterfest skins, which Shiina predicted will drop sometime Monday. More updates might be released in the coming days. Azuki is now in the Item Shop!! Winterfest skins will be available tomorrow (most likely) Use SAC "Shiina" to support me.. #Ad pic.twitter.com/9VE0PkrJCj Shiina (@ShiinaBR) January 2, 2022 Related Article: Lego Release NASA Rocket Center, Moon Base Set; Sonic the Hedgehog Coming Soon [Release Date, Price, Features] A woman who was duped for a decade by a female cousin posing as a man has told how she wants catfishing to be made a criminal offence. Kirat Assi, 42, of west London, spent 10 years believing she was communicating online with a doctor named Bobby, when in reality the profile - and those of some 50 others in the fake doctor's network - was being managed by her female cousin, Simran Bhogal. Kirat spent some of those years in a romantic relationship with the fake Bobby - who she believed was living in Australia and whose identity was based on the profile and photographs of a real man - that eventually led her to be signed off sick from work. The deception was only uncovered when Kirat hired a private detective who uncovered the bizarre and chilling truth. Kirat Assi, 42, from west London, discovered that she had been the victim of a decade-long 'catfishing' deception in 2018. She wants catfishing to be made a crime Kirat, who featured in the hugely popular six-part Sweet Bobby podcast hosted by Alexi Mostrous, told the Sunday Times that she wants catfishing to be taken more seriously as a deterrent to online fraudsters. 'I think it might serve as a deterrent for a lot of people to know that if you're caught then immediately it's a crime, just like driving with a mobile in your hand', she said. 'I call it online entrapment. I wasn't on a dating site, I'm private online. The connotations associated with the term catfishing are that it's fun. 'This impacted my health, my family, friends, social life, my radio work, my career, absolutely everything.' Kirat's full story has been told in an astonishing series of podcasts produced by Tortoise Media, which saw investigators work over months with witnesses, legal experts and the real-life Bobby. They believe it is the longest-running and most complex case of catfishing to have come to light because the deception involved creating not just one person, but an entire community. In 2009, Kirat, a prominent member of London's Sikh community, was working as an arts and events assistant for Hounslow Community Services and presenting a show on Radio Desi, a station for the Punjabi community. Eventually she discovered it was not Bobby communicating with her, but her cousin, Simran Bhogal (far right), who had created a 50-strong cast of fake online personas to dupe her She was in a relationship when, out of the blue, she received a Facebook message seemingly from Simran's ex-boyfriend, JJ, asking for guidance on how to get her back. The pair struck up a friendship and communicated over the next five months before she heard news that JJ had died, and Simran passed on the email address of his brother 'Bobby' to send her condolences. The fake profile used the real Bobby's photos and some biographical details without his consent, and in November 2010, Kirat had her first encounter with the fake Facebook profile. The pair started off developing a friendship and he told her he was married, with a child on the way, however soon began divulging details of his collapsing relationship. 'We weren't close, but I saw him as a friend, a little brother,' she told the Daily Mail. In November 2013, she was at work when she received a Facebook message saying Bobby had been shot and was in a coma, suffering memory loss. And then in January 2014, she learned that he had died. What is catfishing and is it illegal? Catfishing is the phenomenon of luring someone into a relationship by creating a fictional online persona. The phrase gained popularity after the 2010 American documentary Catfish and subsequent TV show. At present catfishing is not illegal however elements of the online activity could be covered by different parts of the law. For example, someone who has duped another person out of money could be prosecuted for fraud. Legal experts involved with the Tortoise investigation believe that existing laws covering 'coercive and controlling' relationships should be adequate to bring a prosecution in Kirat's case (even though the coercive control was being exerted by a person who wasn't real). Advertisement 'I was invited to join a Facebook group of his friends. There were 39 people in it. I have since learned that none of them was real.' However soon after, Kirat received an email out of the blue informing her that Bobby was actually alive but faked his own death and was hiding in a witness protection programme. 'Ridiculous,' she acknowledges. 'But at every step, these mad happenings were being backed up by other people.' She was told 'Bobby' was drinking heavily and was suicidal. In 2015, she was informed he had suffer a brain tumour, followed by a stroke. 'Bobby' declared his love for Kirat some weeks before they actually 'got together' on Valentine's Day 2015. 'I was not expecting him to live. His consultant [yes there were also constant messages from his fake medical team, which Kirat accepted at face value] did not expect him to live beyond July.' Her feelings about this 'dying man' were confused. 'I am not a mushy sort of person. When he said 'I love you', I didn't know what to make of it, but I did love him . . . as a friend, then. 'I also thought 'Where's the harm?' It's not as if I was ever going to be in a physical relationship with this person. But he kept putting the idea in my head. And everyone else kept saying: 'Oh, he's so in love with you'.' Over the coming years the pair formed a relationship, exchanging several messages daily and their relationship even turned sexual - though Kirat never sent nude images of herself. By 2017 'Bobby' was becoming controlling including an incident where he forced Kirat to pay for a private mammogram at a London hospital after she experienced chest pains - then flew into a rage when she told him the consultant had been male. She was signed off her job sick, with stress and eventually was let go. 'I tried to find another one, but Bobby did not want me to work.' Kirat was desperate to meet Bobby in person, but every time an arrangement was made, something would happen - including once when he supposedly had a heart attack. When Kirat pressed him too hard on details of his claims, or meeting up in person, he would threaten to commit suicide. Following more and more outlandish claims from 'Bobby', Kirat finally discovered that she had been communicating with Bhogal after hiring a private detective. She went to police, who said no criminal offence had taken place. She later brought a civil action against Bhogal which was settled out of court. 'She has taken ten years of my life from me, years I will not get back,' said Kirat. 'In that time I could have met someone real, had a baby. I lost my friends, my job, my savings. 'I opened up to him her! telling him things about my hopes, dreams, my childhood, that I'd never tell anyone. I feel violated.' Thursday is the feast of Epiphany. This has never meant much to me nor, I am hazarding, most Brits. On the continent, there are feasts, pageants, gifting traditions, and cakes. In Ireland, it is the sexist-sounding Womens Christmas, when husbands are meant to do the chores. Here? I fear epiphany is mostly marked by confused people Googling When do I need to take down my Christmas decorations? It didnt used to be this way: Shakespeare named a gender-swap comedy for Twelfth Night. I blame the Puritans and their killjoy descendants. Epiphany (derived from the Greek for reveal, or manifest) is a hat-trick feast-day. It marks the day the Magi were supposed to arrive at Jesuss bedside. Also, Jesuss baptism by John the Baptist, and his first reported miracle water into wine. Take that, Dry January! One of literatures most celebrated short stories, James Joyces The Dead, describes an annual epiphany party. As snow covers Ireland, guests gather for the Misses Morkans evening of song and dance. Though not rich, the women are generous, laying on a goose, ham, spiced beef, puddings of jellies and custards, figs, raisins, nuts, chocolates, a pyramid of oranges and American apples, all to be washed down with port, sherry and minerals for the ladies. In Jane Austens Emma when Harriet Smith reveals her admiration for Mr Knightley Joyces character, Gabriel Conroy, has thoughts that evening that concur with the standard literary interpretation of an epiphany, as a potentially life-changing revelation. As, for example, in Jane Austens Emma when Harriet Smith reveals her admiration for Mr Knightley. For heroine Emma Woodhouse, suddenly acquainted with her heart . . . it darted through her, with the speed of an arrow, that Mr Knightley must marry no one but herself! Elizabeth Strout is one of our wisest contemporary novelists. Her latest, Oh William!, sends a recurring character, Lucy Barton, on a road-trip with her first husband, William. He has made a discovery about his late mother, that ushers in other revelations and self-realisations. Need cheering up this week? Then dont just make Twelfth Night about taking down your tree, but celebrate Epiphany. A set of twins who were born fifteen minutes apart have birthdays on different days, months and years after one of the babies was delivered at exactly midnight on New Year's Eve. Fatima Madrigal and Robert Trujillo, from Greenfield, California, welcomed fraternal twins Alfredo and Aylin within minutes of each other, but on different days, at Natividad Medical Center. Son Alfredo was born weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce at 11:45pm on December 31, 2021, while the parents welcomed daughter Aylin, weighing 5 pounds, 14 ounces, at midnight on January 1, 2022. A set of twins who were born fifteen minutes apart have birthdays on different days, months and years after one of the babies was delivered at exactly midnight on New Year's Day Fatima Madrigal (pictured) and Robert Trujillo, from Greenfield, California, welcomed fraternal twins Alfredo and Aylin within minutes of each other, but on different days, at Natividad Medical Center Mom Fatima said it was 'crazy' her two children have different birthdays, but she's glad Aylin arrived the day later. 'It's crazy to me that they are twins and have different birthdays', she said in a press release from the medical center. 'I was surprised and happy that she arrived at midnight.' Twins Alfredo and Aylin will soon join three older siblings two girls and a boy - at the family home in Greenfield, Monterey County. Mom-of-three Madrigal said her family couldn't wait to meet the twins, and that her oldest son was delighted that his first brother would be coming home with his parents. Alfredo was born weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce at 11:45pm on December 31st, 2021, while the parents welcomed Aylin, weighing 5 pounds, 14 ounces, at midnight on January 1st, 2022 Fatima said it was 'crazy' her two children have different birthdays, but she's glad Aylin (pictured) - who was the first baby born of 2022 in the medical centre - arrived the day later 'This was definitely one of the most memorable deliveries of my career,' said Dr Ana Abril Arias, a family doctor at Natividad Medical Group and faculty at Natividad. 'It was an absolute pleasure to help these little ones arrive here safely in 2021 and 2022. What an amazing way to start the New Year!' There are about 120,000 twin births in the US each year, making up over 3 per cent of all births, but it's extremely rare for twins to be born with different birthdays. The Duke of Cambridge has paid tribute to Kenyan conservationist Richard Leakey, who has died at the age of 77. In a tweet signed W, Prince William, 39, said: 'I was very sad to hear of Richard Leakey's death. He was an inspirational & courageous conservationist and I was privileged to meet him. 'He transformed the Kenyan Wildlife Service & valiantly spearheaded efforts to stop elephant poaching. Conservation has lost a true visionary. W.' The world-renowned Kenyan paleoanthropologist and fossil hunter, whose groundbreaking discoveries helped prove that humankind evolved in Africa, died on Sunday, the country's president said. He remained energetic into his 70s despite bouts of skin cancer, kidney and liver disease. The Duke of Cambridge (pictured) has paid tribute to Kenyan conservationist Richard Leakey, who has died at the age of 77 The world-renowned Kenyan paleoanthropologist and fossil hunter (pictured), whose groundbreaking discoveries helped prove that humankind evolved in Africa, died on Sunday, the country's president said In a tweet (above) signed W, Prince William, 39, said: 'I was very sad to hear of Richard Leakey's death. He was an inspirational & courageous conservationist and I was privileged to meet him' Prince Williams work on conservation is long-established, having been patron of the wildlife charity Tusk since 2005. And it was during a visit to Kenya, Namibia and Tanzania in the autumn of 2018, when he met frontline conservation workers and those from local communities, that William came up with the idea for his climate change initiative, the Earthshot Prize. 'I have this afternoon... received with deep sorrow the sad news of the passing away of Dr Richard Erskine Frere Leakey,' President Uhuru Kenyatta said late Sunday. Born on 19 December, 1944, Leakey was destined for palaeoanthropology - the study of the human fossil record - as the middle son of Louis and Mary Leakey, perhaps the world's most famous discoverers of ancestral hominids. Initially, Leakey tried his hand at safari guiding, but things changed when at 23 he won a research grant from the National Geographic Society to dig on the shores of northern Kenya's Lake Turkana, despite having no formal archaeological training. In the 1970s he led expeditions that recalibrated scientific understanding of human evolution with the discovery of the skulls of Homo habilis (1.9 million years old) in 1972 and Homo erectus (1.6 million years old) in 1975. A TIME magazine cover followed of Leakey posing with a Homo habilis mock-up under the headline 'How Man Became Man'. Then in 1981, his fame grew further when he fronted 'The Making of Mankind', a seven-part BBC television series. Leakey examines jawbone fossils in the laboratory of the National Museum in Nairobi in 1972 Yet the most famous fossil find was yet to come: the uncovering of an extraordinary, near-complete Homo erectus skeleton during one of his digs in 1984, which was nicknamed Turkana Boy. As the slaughter of African elephants reached a crescendo in the late 1980s, driven by insatiable demand for ivory, Leakey emerged as one of the world's leading voices against the then legal global ivory trade. President Daniel arap Moi in 1989 appointed Leakey to lead the national wildlife agency - soon to be named the Kenya Wildlife Service, or KWS. That year he pioneered a spectacular publicity stunt by burning a pyre of ivory, setting fire to 12 tonnes of tusks to make the point that they have no value once removed from elephants. Leakey speaks on stage at Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards in 2016 He also held his nerve, without apology, when implementing a shoot-to-kill order against armed poachers. In 1993, his small Cessna plane crashed in the Rift Valley where he had made his name. He survived but lost both legs. 'There were regular threats to me at the time and I lived with armed guards. But I made the decision not to be a dramatist and say: 'They tried to kill me.' I chose to get on with life,' he told the Financial Times. At the time of his death, he was serving as chairman of the Turkana Basin Institute at Stony Brook University in the United States, which works to facilitate research and education in palaeontology and archaeology in northern Kenya. Leakey was also a fellow of the UK-based Royal Society and an honorary fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. A woman who ordered an at-home COVID test via Instacart was left outraged after she received a colon disease test instead, as part of the company's 'similar item replacement policy.' Donna Se, from Florida, revealed that she bought what she thought would be an at-home COVID test from Walgreens through the food delivery app Instacart. Instacart allows customers to order groceries from any participating store. After placing an order, an Instacart employee will go do their shopping for them, and deliver the items right to their front door. But Donna was in for a shock when she opened up her delivery and discovered that her Instacart shopper did not get what she asked for at all. A woman who ordered an at-home COVID test via Instacart was outraged after she received a colon disease test instead, as part of the company's 'similar item replacement policy' Donna Se, from Florida, revealed that she bought what she thought would be an at-home COVID test through the food delivery app Instacart But Donna was in for a shock when she opened up her delivery and discovered that her Instacart shopper did not get what she asked for at all. Instead, she got a colon disease test She had requested an at-home COVID test, but instead, they got her a test designed to screen someone for colon cancer something she didn't need or want. She shared her frustrations over the ordeal to TikTok and it quickly went viral, gaining more than 800,000 views in a matter of days and her video sparked a major debate between viewers. 'Thank you Instacart for your delivery and swap for a similar item,' she wrote in the clip. In the video, she showed off a COVID test alongside an audio that said, 'This is what I wanted, OK?' She then turned the camera to reveal two colon disease tests sitting on top of a Walgreens bag. 'And this is what I got,' it continued. 'This what we ordered from Instacart and they switched it for a similar item... or not,' she captioned it. According to Instacart's website, when an item you ask for is out of stock they will try to replace it with 'the best match.' 'Your shopper selects the best possible replacement. This is the default option for when items arent available,' its website reads. She shared her frustrations over the ordeal to TikTok and it quickly went viral - and her video sparked a major debate between viewers When an item you ask for is out of stock, Instacart will try to 'find the best match.' However, you are supposed to get a notification, and shoppers are asked to approve every replacement in the comment section, Donna said she didn't get any notification from the app, and she even claimed she tried to message her shopper, but said they didn't respond to her Donna's situation started a huge argument among viewers, with some people slamming the shopper, claiming it should have been 'common sense' and others saying it was not their fault In the app, you have the option to select a specific item to replace it with, or to get a refund instead. However, if you don't choose anything, the shopper will automatically try to substitute the item with the next best thing. You are supposed to get a notification if an item is out, and shoppers are asked to approve every replacement. In the comment section, Donna said she didn't get any notification from the app, and she even claimed she tried to message her shopper, but said they didn't respond to her. Donna's situation started a huge argument among viewers, with some people claiming it should have been 'common sense' and that she shopper should have automatically refunded Donna instead of trying to swap the item for something else. However, others said it was not their fault and slammed Donna instead. 'Those tests are hard to get right now and if the shopper can't complete the order they get paid basically nothing,' one person explained. Another added: 'The fact that shoppers get blamed for this when it's the app that tells us what to replace things with. Thanks Instacart.' 'You get notified, in real time, every time a shopper replaces items,' a third wrote. 'Choose to be intelligent and check your notifications. Someone else fired back: 'The shoppers can choose to be intelligent and just refund the item, instead of purchasing something they clearly did not order.' 'As someone who does in-store shopping for Instacart, we literally are pushed to give replacements and aren't allowed to refund,' another comment read. Some commenters even shared their own horror stories with getting replacement items that were nothing like what they ordered In the end, Donna said she was able to get a refund for her order 'This is your fault,' another person added. 'When an item is substituted, it notifies you to approve or request a refund from them. 'But some customers don't respond to chat messages or approve or deny substitutions, then get mad when they get something they don't want.' Some commenters even shared their own horror stories with getting replacement items that were nothing like what they had ordered. 'My COVID test got replaced with ibuprofen,' one person wrote. Another added: 'One time, I ordered body wash and got bath salts.' 'I made an order for a frozen duck and they gave me the [choice] of dumplings if they didn't have duck,' someone else said. 'How is it the same?' 'I had Walmart substitute Qtips for tampons once and I was pretty happy about it, tbh,' a fourth comment read. 'Better than mind,' another TikTok user wrote. 'DoorDash swapped mine for pregnancy tests.' 'I ordered organic broccoli and was given three pounds of organic pre-cut cantaloupe,' a different person commented. In the end, Donna said she was able to get a refund for her order. Many at-home COVID tests are currently sold out due to the recent surge in omicron cases. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's daughters rang in the new year in Hyannis Port with their mother, Kerry Kennedy, 62. Kerry, the seventh child of former senator and US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, shared a family photo on December 27, telling followers: 'Happy new year from our family to yours!' She and her daughters Michaela Kennedy Cuomo, 24, and twins Mariah and Cara Kennedy Cuomo, 26 smiled and dressed up for the shot, which was snapped along the water. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's daughters rang in the new year in Hyannis Port with their mother, Kerry Kennedy (Pictured left to right: Cara, Kerry, Michaela, and Mariah) The family also spent New Year's together (pictured left to right: Kerry, Mariah, Ethel Kennedy, and Courtney Kennedy Hill) Mariah smiled for a photo with her grandmother Ethel at the Kennedy compound The women appear to have spent much of the Christmas and New Year's break together. Other photos show Mariah enjoying dinner and a glass of wine with a friend by a roaring fire, which was decorated with ornaments and stockings. In another snap shared by Michaela, Kerry posed along side her mother Ethel, 93. Both were in the full Christmas spirit, with Ethel wearing a red sweater topped with a sparkly white cardigan that has been affixed with a 'ho, ho, ho' pin. Kerry, meanwhile, wore a red and white Santa-themed top with cold shoulder cut-outs and peppermint decorations on the front. On New Year's Eve, several of the family members came together to celebrate 2022. Though Mariah's boyfriend, Tellef Lundevall, has been with her at the Kennedy compound over Fourth of July weekend this year, he didn't appear to join the family for New Year's. Mariah posed alongside her grandmother Ethel both wearing 'Happy New Year' crowns. They were joined for another photo by Mariah's mom Kerry and Kerry's sister Courtney Kennedy Hill, 65. Kerry and Ethel got in the Christmas spirit in their matching red and white outfits earlier in the week The women appear to have spent much of the Christmas and New Year's break together. (Mariah, left, pictured with a friend) Courtney's daughter Saoirse Kennedy Hill died at age 22 in August of 2019 from an accidental drug and alcohol overdose. All of the festivities appear to have taken place at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and his wife Rose bought the first property there in 1928. Their son, former President John F. Kennedy, purchased a home nearby in 1956, and former Senator Ted Kennedy also bought a home there in 1959. Michaela and Cara had also joined their mother earlier in the month at the 2021 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala in New York City. The event was attended by celebrities, including Alec Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria. While the Kennedy Cuomo daughters were in Massachusetts with their mother and grandmother, it's unknown how their father spent the holidays. On December 21, he shared a virtual holiday card on Instagram, including a photo of himself with his mother and three daughters. Earlier in the month, Michaela and Cara had also joined their mother at the 2021 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala in New York City The event was attended by celebrities, including Alec Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria 'Wishing New York health, happiness, peace, progress, and justice this Holiday Season and throughout the coming year,' he wrote. ' Thank you for your support and friendship, from our family to yours.' Cuomo, 63, resigned from office in August after investigators working for New York Attorney General Letitia James authored a report concluding he had sexually harassed 11 women. Cuomo has denied the allegations. When women began to come forward earlier this year, Cuomo's daughters Mariah and Michaela retweeted a tweet by Billy Baldwin in which he defended the governor's legacy. 'I have known the entire Cuomo family since the 1980s. I have tremendous respect & admiration for every single one of them,' read Baldwin's tweet. 'Don't you think, after 40 years as a New York public servant, he deserves and has earned the right to an investigation before everybody rushes to judgment?' The ex-governor has been hit with a charge of forcible touching relating to the allegation of Brittany Commisso, a former aide who claimed Cuomo groped her breast in the office of the Executive Mansion in Albany in December 2020. On December 21, Cuomo shared a virtual holiday card on Instagram, including a photo of himself with his mother and three daughters The complaint, which was signed by an investigator from the Albany County Sheriff's Office, alleges that the former governor 'intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, forcibly place his hand under the blouse shirt of the victim and onto her intimate body part.' Commisso's claim was the most serious of all of the allegations listed in James' report, which Cuomo has maintained was a hit-job by James to get him out of her way. 'From the moment my office received the referral to investigate allegations that former Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, we proceeded without fear or favor,' James' office said in a statement. 'The criminal charges brought today against Mr. Cuomo for forcible touching further validate the findings in our report.' If convicted, Cuomo could face up to one year in prison. Despite the charges filed against him, Cuomo is considering running for political rival James' attorney general post, sources said. He held the position from 2007 to 2010 before becoming governor and now sources close to the politician told the New York Post he could run for the position in 2022. 'People in Cuomos orbit are tossing it out there,' a person close to Cuomo told the New York Post. 'Theyre floating [the idea].' A baby murderer who was caught on camera crying crocodile tears while being arrested for killing his girlfriend's 12-week-old son has been slammed by 24 Hours in Police Custody viewers. Kane Mitchell, 31, of St Neots, Cambridgeshire, was jailed for a minimum of 18 years for murdering baby Teddie, who died in hospital on November 11, 2019, after ten days on a life support machine. A four-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court heard that Teddie had suffered injuries consistent with being 'gripped hard', 'shaken vigorously', and 'having his head struck against a hard surface'. Baby Teddie died with 17 broken ribs, fractures to his skull and collarbone, a bleed on the brain and brain, spinal and eye damage. Mitchell had been in a relationship with Teddie's mother, Lucci Smith, 30, for about eight months and the pair lived together. Harrowing footage from the Channel 4 series 24 Hours in Police Custody has revealed the moment the heartless killer starts spouting crocodile tears as he is arrested. Meanwhile footage also showed Smith being asked by detectives how her son suffered such horrific injuries and she simply replied 'no idea'. She then went on to say she would tell police if there had been any violence toward Teddie because, 'hes my son at the end of the day and he means more to me than anybody'. And it was revealed that social services and Cambridgeshire Police had been alerted to concerns from worried neighbours weeks before Teddie died. Many of those watching the programme were left 'sickened' by the behaviour of both, with one viewer commenting: 'Even him crying to the police sounds so fake and forced.' Kane Mitchell, 31, of St Neots, Cambridgeshire, who was caught on camera crying crocodile tears while being arrested for killing his girlfriend's 12-week-old son has been slammed by 24 Hours in Police Custody viewers A four-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court heard that Teddie, pictured, had suffered injuries consistent with being 'gripped hard', 'shaken vigorously', and 'having his head struck against a hard surface' Another wrote: 'In my town again, pair of absolute scum.' Footage from just before Mitchell's arrest showed him holding his victim in hospital while he sobbed and said: 'Come on baby, Daddy's here.' At 3pm on November 1, 2019, the ambulance service was called to Pattison Court, St Neots, where Teddie was found to be unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Smith had left Teddie in the care of Mitchell that day while she did the morning school run. Many of those watching the programme were left 'sickened' by the behaviour of both, with one viewer commenting: 'Even him crying to the police sounds so fake and forced' Detective Inspector Lucy Thompson said of Mitchell: 'He is completely devoid of any remorse or empathy, that's the thing I find really hard. 'It's all about Kane and not what Teddie's been through.' The clip showed the moment Mitchell was arrested while pretending to be a caring father in hospital with baby Teddie. He said: 'I don't f***** think so. Oh my god, I would never hurt a baby. I'm not leaving my son.' However officers were able to prove Mitchell had killed Teddie because of the types of injuries how they were inflicted. Kane Mitchell, 32, was jailed for a minimum of 18 years for murdering baby Teddie. Pictured: Mitchell reacts to being arrested in hospital The clip shows the moment Mitchell is arrested while pretending to be a caring father in hospital with baby Teddie. He said: 'I don't f***** think so. Oh my god, I would never hurt a baby. I'm not leaving my son' Teddie died as a result of his fractured skull and lack of oxygen to the brain. Medical staff were concerned about how Teddie received his serious injuries and Mitchell and Smith were both arrested. During the trial at Cambridge Crown Court, the jury heard how Teddie had suffered weeks of neglect and rough handling during his short life at the hands of Kane Mitchell, who isn't his biological father. Channel 4's new documentary, 24 Hours in Police Custody: Cold to the Touch, probed the council as to what they did in response to concerns from worried neighbours about the safety of the children living in the home Mitchell and Smith lived in. During an interview Smith was asked by detectives how her son suffered such horrific injuries and she simply replies 'no idea' She then went on to say she would tell police if there had been any violence toward Teddie because, 'hes my son at the end of the day and he means more to me than anybody' Kane Mitchell (left), who lived with Teddie's mother Lucci (right) in St Neots, Cambs., was found guilty of murder, after a jury ruled he had inflicted the fatal injuries A council spokesperson told The Express: 'A serious case review is underway and the findings should be published later this year. We cannot comment further until it is published.' Ms Thompson, who led the investigation into Teddie's death, added: 'This was a tragic and terrible case in which an 11-week-old baby lost his life at the hands of a person who should have been there to protect him. 'Our year-long investigation found that Teddie had suffered multiple horrific injuries during his short life, which neither Mitchell or Smith could account for. Footage from Channel 4's documentary 24 Hours in Police Custody: Cold to the Touch reveals the moment Lucci Smith lied to protect her murdering boyfriend Social workers are 'spat at' in the street in Birmingham amid backlash over Arthur Labinjo-Hughes' murder Social workers are being 'spat at' in the street amid fury over the tragic death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, a children's trust boss has revealed. Six-year-old Arthur was beaten and tortured before his murder at the hands of stepmother Emma Tustin at her home in Solihull. The case prompted a national outpouring of grief and ministers vowed to take action after Tustin was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 29 years and Arthur's father, Thomas Hughes, was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter. Six-year-old Arthur was beaten and tortured before his murder at the hands of stepmother Emma Tustin at her home in Solihull The Government announced an inquiry into how social services and local authorities liaise, and Boris Johnson spoke of introducing 'Arthur's Law' preventing the release of child killers from prison. The leader of Solihull Council also ordered an 'independent verification' of the local authority's involvement in Arthur's life. Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes, who was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter Advertisement 'Viewers will see the complexities and intricacies of such an emotive and tragic case. 'The show highlights that we will work tirelessly to bring those responsible for such heinous crimes to justice, no matter what it takes. 'We hope it will encourage anyone with any concerns for a child's welfare to come forward and report it to us without delay.' During the trial, the jury were read statements from neighbours who said they had heard arguments coming from the address on a regular basis and that the household had been unsettled since Mitchell moved in. During police interview, Mitchell said he believed he was Teddie's biological father. However, DNA results following the death revealed he was not. More footage from the TV programme showed how police officers were constantly monitoring the couple while they were in hospital with Teddie before making their arrests. Mitchell was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in jail at Cambridge Crown Court in February. Smith was found guilty of neglect after she didn't dial 999 for more than half an hour after her GP urged her to do so. Many of those watching the programme said they were left horrified by the couple's behaviour. One posted online: 'Is it horrible to say I think the dad's crying is fake?' Another wrote: 'Even him "crying" to the police sounds so fake and forced.' One added: 'Dad looks like he's acting...tears look forced and fake.' Another wrote: 'Tears are for himself.' A thrid commented: 'This is going to be a hard watch. I can't stand to see children or vulnerable people in pain from abuse. Feel sick to my stomach already.' Another added: 'Watching #24HoursinPoliceCustody and I know the outcome of this case...so I won't ruin it, but the dad feels sick? 'I'm sick to my stomach. 'Can't stop shaking my head at the lies.' His death is reminiscent of the injuries which killed 16-month-old Star Hobson who was murdered by Savannah Brockhill, 28, the girlfriend of her mother Frankie Smith. Mrs Justice Lambert said the 'fatal punch or kick' to Star caused the toddler to lose half the blood in her body and damaged her internal organs. Brockhill was jailed for 25 years for murdering Star and Smith was jailed for eight for doing nothing to stop her. Mrs Justice Lambert added: 'Frankie Smith, it was your role to protect Star from harm, you failed to protect her, allowing her death.' 'The level of force required to inflict these injuries must have been massive - similar to those forces associated with a road traffic accident.' Police released a picture of Star smiling happily before the torment from her mother and her murdering girlfriend began Just three weeks after their eldest son Josh was convicted of downloading child pornography, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar found reason to celebrate and threw a large New Year's Eve party at their Arkansas home. The ex-reality TV parents didn't let a little thing like their child being in federal prison but a damper on the festivities, and invited dozens of friends to spend the evening talking, eating, and praying at their house in Tontitown. Oldest daughter Jana, who turns 32 this month and lives at the family home, took to Instagram on Saturday to share video of the fun. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar (left) found reason to celebrate this weekend and threw a large New Year's Eve party at their Arkansas home The ex-reality TV parents didn't let a little thing like their child being in federal prison but a damper on the festivities, and invited dozens of friends to spend the evening Oldest daughter Jana (not pictured), who turns 32 this month and lives at the family home, took to Instagram on Saturday to share video of the festivities Teen groom Justin, 19, washed something in the sink beside his mother-in-law Hillary Spivey. Behind him, his wife Claire, 20, could be seen touching his ear Josh, meanwhile, sits in prison awaiting sentencing and could end up behind bars for 20 years 'Happy New Years!' Jana wrote, adding the hashtags #annualnewyearseveparty and #familyandfriends. The video showed a full house, starting with the scene inside the Duggars' industrial second kitchen, where teen groom Justin, 19, washed something in the sink beside his mother-in-law Hillary Spivey. Behind him, his wife Claire, 20, could be seen touching his ear. Elsewhere in the kitchen, some guests mingled while a countertop was stacked with over a dozen pizzas from Domino's. Out in the living room, Jim Bob and Michelle talked to friends while adults and children alike socialized. Among those who appeared to be in attendance were Jason, Johanna, Jennifer, Jordyn, and Jessa's wife Ben Seewald. Other scenes included some of the boys playing with a drone outside, as well as two men preaching on a microphone while the rest of the room listened. In the kitchen, some guests mingled while a countertop was stacked with over a dozen pizzas from Domino's Among those who appeared to be in attendance were Jason, Johanna, Jennifer, Jordyn, and Jessa's wife Ben Seewald Two men used a microphone and appeared to preach during the evening Jim Bob and Michelle bowed their heads during a group prayer At one point, several dozen people in the house bowed their heads in prayer. Michelle could be seen sitting and praying while Jim Bob held his hand on her shoulder. At midnight, several of the children, including Justin's wife Claire, stood on the balcony on the second floor and threw confetti and streamers on everyone below. Though the house looked packed, quite a few of the Duggars appeared to be missing from the celebration. There was no sign of John David and his wife Abbie, Jessa, Josiah and his wife Lauren, or Joe and his wife Kendra. Jinger and her husband Jeremy Vuolo were across the country in Los Angeles, while Jill and her husband Derick Dillard who haven't been at her parents' house in years were also not there. Jana's videos also failed to capture Josh's wife Anna, who was reported to be sticking by he side since his arrest and was in court to support him every day of his trial. Josh, 33, was found guilty on December 9 of receiving and possessing child pornography and is currently awaiting sentencing, which could land him up to 20 years behind bars. At one point, several members of the group, including Jason Duggar, got up to sing Though the house looked packed, quite a few of the Duggars appeared to be missing from the celebration There was no sign of John David and his wife Abbie, Jessa, Josiah and his wife Lauren, or Joe and his wife Kendra Some younger Duggars, including Johanna and Jennifer (pictured), were there Shortly after his conviction, Jim Bob and Michelle released a statement that read: 'This entire ordeal has been very grievous. 'Today, God's grace, through the love and prayers of so many, has sustained us. Our hearts and prayers are with anyone who has ever been harmed through CSAM (child sex abuse material). 'In the days ahead, we will do all we can to surround our daughter-in-law Anna and their children with love and support. 'As parents, we will never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children. 'In each of life's circumstances, we place our trust in God. He is our source of strength and refuge. Thank you for your prayers.' Josh has been staying in solitary confinement for 'safety reasons' since he was taken into custody at Washington County Detention Center in Arkansas. That meant that he sat all alone in 'his own small cell ... away from other criminals' on Christmas Day, when he was served a meal that included turkey and gravy, candied carrots, mashed potatoes, a roll with margarine, and a spice cake, according to The Sun. Other scenes included some of the boys playing with a drone outside Though a man who looked like Jessa's husband Ben Seewald was seen in the video, Jessa was not The children celebrated midnight with confetti and streamers, which were tossed off the balcony 'Happy New Years!' Jana wrote, adding the hashtags #annualnewyearseveparty and #familyandfriends 'People in solitary do not get to eat with others,' a prison source said. 'They get served alone in their cell, but they get the same food everyone else does.' Josh will also not get to enjoy any conjugal visits with his wife of 13 years. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, the FBP 'does not permit conjugal visits,' with physical contact limited to 'handshakes, hugs, and kisses (in good taste) ... at the beginning and end of a visit.' While awaiting trial this year, Josh had been out on bail, but wasn't allowed to live at his own home. Instead, he was put on house arrest at the home of family friends LaCount and Maria Reber. Shockingly, this proved to be no obstacle for Josh and Anna's marriage, with The Sun reporting in August that Anna had 'pretty much moved in' to the Rebers' one-story house. According to two sources, she stayed in the 'mother-in-law suite.' It was unclear whether Josh was also staying in that room, though the stipulations of his bail did not bar him from sleeping with his wife. Though Anna, who was then pregnant with their seventh child, was able to stay there, Josh was barred from staying in the same house as their other six children: Mackynzie Renee, 12, Michael James, 10, Marcus Anthony, 8, Meredith Grace, 6, Mason Garrett, 4, and Maryella Hope, 2. Josh has been staying in solitary confinement for 'safety reasons' since he was taken into custody at Washington County Detention Center in Arkansa Faced with the choice to live with her kids or her husband, Anna prioritized her husband, relying on family members to care for their children. While the decision was no doubt shocking, it wasn't entirely surprising for those who have followed the Duggars closely over the years. The Duggars are strict fundamentalist Christians, and believe that it is a wife's duty to submit to her husband. When it comes to intimacy, Josh's mother Michelle has preached that women should always be 'joyfully available' to meet their husband's sexual needs. In a 2015 blog post, she recalled advice she took from a friend upon marrying Jim Bob. 'Anyone can iron Jim Bob's shirt, anybody can make lunch for him. He can get his lunch somewhere else,' she wrote. 'But you are the only one who can meet that special need that he has in his life for intimacy. You're it. You're the only one. 'So when you are exhausted at the end of the day, maybe from dealing with little ones, and you fall into bed so exhausted at night, dont forget about him because you and he are the only ones who can have that time together. No one else in the world can meet that need.' 'Smile and be willing to say, "Yes, sweetie I am here for you," no matter what, even though you may be exhausted and big pregnant and you may not feel like he feels. "Im still here for you and Im going to meet that need because I know its a need for you,"' she wrote. 'While I am always joyfully available for him, in turn, hell lay down his life in any way,' she added. A couple's gender reveal for their second child went hilariously awry when the mother set off a color blaster in the wrong direction and blasted her toddler with pink powder. Mom-of-two Gabrielle shared video of the messy snafu on TikTok last week, showing her February 2021 gender reveal that didn't go quite as planned. She and her husband each set off color blasters at the same time, but Gabrielle was holding hers upside-down, so her two-year-old daughter got a face full of the hot pink powder inside. The short clip has quickly gone viral, earning over 18.2 million views on the app in a a matter of days. A couple's gender reveal for their second child went hilariously awry when the mother set off a color blaster in the wrong direction Mom-of-two Gabrielle shared video of the messy snafu on TikTok, showing her two-year-old daughter get covered in pink powder when the blaster went off the wrong way The video begins with Gabrielle and her husband standing outside on their front law, which was covered in snow. Both wore matching dark blue jeans and long-sleeve black shirts for the photo opportunity. At their feet, their older daughter wears a matching outfit, as well as a fuzzy white vest. The little girl is standing just below her mother as the adults hold the color blasters in their hands, ready to set them off and reveal the gender of their baby. But while Gabrielle's husband struggles a bit, she manages to pop hers and realizes too late that the blasting end was pointed down toward her daughter and not up. The short clip has quickly gone viral, earning over 18.2 million views on the app in a a matter of days Gabrielle also assured viewers that her older daughter was just fine and she now has a little sister With a 'pop,' the little girl is immediately blanketed with a huge cloud of pink dust, which covers her hair as well as Gabrielle's jeans. Startled but unhurt, the toddler screams in terror and reaches for her mom for comfort. Both Gabrielle and her husband can't help but laugh excitement over the gender of their new baby girl tabled for the moment as Gabrielle lifts her older daughter up to comfort her. The funny viral video has been liked nearly two million times since it was posted, though comments have since been turned off. Gabrielle has also assured viewers that her older daughter was just fine and she now has a little sister. Though their gender reveal didn't go as planned and made quite a mess, it was certainly less disastrous than some other viral gender reveals. The man revved his dirt bike in a backyard with a brick under the front wheel while the expectant mother stood in front of the bike for the gender reveal Suddenly the bike lurched forward over the brick and almost knocked the mum-to-be off her feet The back wheel of the dirt bike spun in the grass and a small puff of blue smoke was revealed. 'What a disaster,' a number of people commented on the post In November, a pregnant mother-to-be nearly got run over by her partner's dirt bike in Australia. In the viral TikTok video, the man could be seen revving his dirt bike in a backyard while his pregnant partner stood near the wheel. Suddenly, the bike lurched forward over a brick that had been placed under the front wheel and nearly knocked the mother -to-be off her feet. As the back wheel spun in the grass, a small, anticlimactic puff of blue smoke was revealed. 'It's a boy!' yelled friends off camera while laughing at the stunt gone wrong. But worst of all was the gender reveal with a failed fireworks display in California that set off the El Dorado wildfire, which resulted in the evacuation of more than 20,000 people from their homes. The extensive damage burned 23,000 acres, destroyed five homes and 15 other buildings, and killed a firefighter. Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr. and Angela Renee Jimenez, the couple who set it off, were indicted for 30 crimes from the incident in July. The charges included a felony count of involuntary manslaughter, three felony counts of recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, four felony counts of recklessly causing a fire to inhabited structures, and 22 misdemeanor counts of recklessly causing fire to property of another. From Friday-night treats, cooking dinner from scratch, or grabbing lunch on the go, Marks & Spencer have revealed a delicious range of treats for Veganuary 2022. The upmarket high street retailer now has 175 vegan products in its range, as hundreds of thousands of Brits sign up to go meat and dairy free for January. Among the new items includes a Plant Kitchen Tikka Masala, which uses the same cooking techniques as the chicken version with 12 fragrant, balanced spices, creamy coconut milk, flame-grilled onions, roasted squash and cauliflower. The upmarket high street retailer now has 175 vegan products in its range, as hundreds of thousands of Brits sign up to go meat and dairy free for January. Pictured is the Plant Kitchen VLT (3.50, 196g ). The sandwich is made with a wheat and pea protein rasher, vegan baconnaise, lettuce and tomatoes on soft malted bread Plant Kitchen Veggie Mince 3.00, 250g Eat Well delicious vegan mince made with onions M&S Select Farm mushrooms. Deliciously versatile, can be made with nachos Also in the range is Cake Jar (4, 159g) Chocolate sponge cake layered with chocolate frosting, Belgian chocolate sauce, decorated with dark chocolate (left) and the Plant Kitchen No Lamb Shawarma (4, 228g) Wheat and vegetable protein, vine ripened tomatoes, vegan garlic dressing, tomato and chilli sauce, salt and vinegar potato fries, spinach and red onions on a flatbread (right) Marks & Spencer 2022 Veganuary Range in full Plant Kitchen Veggie Balls 3, 252g Eat Well savoury vegan mince balls made with onions and M&S Select Farm mushrooms Plant Kitchen Wood-fired Hot & Spicy Pizza 5, 450g Hand stretched sourdough base topped with vegan pepperoni, jalapeno and Roquito chilies Plant Kitchen Tikka Masala Curry 4, 400g Eat Well fragrant and spicy, with vegetables, coconut milk topped with cauliflower tikka Plant Kitchen Cheese Flavour Twists 125g 1.50 Cheese flavour puff pastry twists Plant Kitchen Vegan Fish Fingers 2.90, 320g 8 Packed with flavour, rice and potato flakes with zesty lemon coated in a crispy golden crumb Plant Kitchen 2 Chocolate Brownies 2.50, 112g Made with Belgian dark chocolate, a rich and sumptuous chocolate brownie Plant Kitchen Lasagne 4.00, 400g Rich and indulgent layers of mushroom & pea protein ragu, bechamel and a crispy topping Plant Kitchen Creamy Cookie Pots 3.50, 160g Cookie biscuit base, with cookie and coconut based vanilla flavoured batter, topped with Belgian dark chocolate ganache and cookie biscuit Plant Kitchen Vegan Chilli Con Carne 4, 400g Eat Well hot & smoky pea-based chilli, packed with plants Plant Kitchen Bravas Dirty Fries 3.50, 400g Fried potato chips with a rich and smoky tomato sauce and finished with a coconut cheese alternative Plant Kitchen Veggie Mince 3.00, 250g Eat Well delicious vegan mince made with onions M&S Select Farm mushrooms Plant Kitchen No Lamb Shawarma 4, 228g Wheat and vegetable protein, vine ripened tomatoes, vegan garlic dressing, tomato and chilli sauce, salt and vinegar potato fries, spinach and red onions on a flatbread Plant Kitchen VLT 3.50, 196g Sandwich with wheat and pea protein rasher, vegan baconnaise, lettuce and tomatoes on soft malted bread Plant Kitchen Chocolate Cake Jar 4, 159g Chocolate sponge cake layered with chocolate frosting, Belgian chocolate sauce, decorated with dark chocolate Plant Kitchen Chewy Cherry Bakewell Cookies 1.50, 200g Cookies filled with oats, almonds and cherries to give a delicious cherry Bakewell flavour Advertisement Also in the range is the Plant Kitchen Lasagne, which M&S chefs have taken a year to perfect. Described as an umami flavour bomb, it brings savoury richness to the ragu, combined with a creamy vegan bechamel and topped with Santarella tomatoes. And you dont even have to miss out on pizza night thanks to the Plant Kitchen Sourdough Hot & Spicy Wood-fired Pizza - topped with vegan pepperoni, creamy vegan mozzarella, pickled jalapeno chilies, spicy roquito chilies and tomato sauce spiked with hot smoked paprika. Also on offer is Plant Kitchen Veggie Balls and Veggie Mince. It's made up of top quality mushrooms, transformed with onions, garlic and miso to create delicious meat alternatives which can be cooked in exactly the same way as regular mince and meatballs. Theyre good for you too: gluten-free, a source of protein, high in fibre and low in fat. For plant power on the go, swap your BLT for the Plant Kitchen VLT, made with vine-ripened tomatoes, no-pork bacon and crisp lettuce on malted bread, and for those snack attacks were launching a first-to market vegan version of our famous Cheese Twists: Plant Kitchen Cheese Flavour Twists made with flaky puff pastry and vegan cheese. And you dont even have to miss out on pizza night thanks to the Plant Kitchen Sourdough Hot & Spicy Wood-fired Pizza - topped with vegan pepperoni, creamy vegan mozzarella, pickled jalapeno chilies, spicy roquito chilies and tomato sauce spiked with hot smoked paprika. Plant Kitchen Vegan Chilli Con Carne 4, 400g Eat Well hot & smoky pea-based chilli, packed with plants Plant Kitchen Plant Kitchen Cheese Flavour Twists 125g 1.50: Why not try Cheese flavour puff pastry twists? Also in the range is Bravas Dirty Fries 3.50, 400g Fried potato chips with a rich and smoky tomato sauce and finished with a coconut cheese alternative (right) Plant Kitchen Vegan Fish Fingers 2.90, 320g 8 Packed with flavour, rice and potato flakes with zesty lemon coated in a crispy golden crumb are also included Tesco's 2022 Veganuary range in full Prices TBC Wicked Kitchen Moq au Vin Try this flavoursome twist on a hearty classic, boasting a completely plant based formula, filled with soya and pea protein goodness. Featuring juicy mushrooms and onions, the dish is finished off with a rich red wine sauce with garlic, brandy and thyme. Wicked Kitchen Kickin Cauli Katsu Curry Prepare to fall head over heels with this crunchy cauliflower curry. Featuring tasty cauliflower florets covered in a spicy sweet Katsu curry sauce, this plant based dish is bound to convert any meat-lover. Wicked Kitchen Bigger Big Bros Enchiladas (4 pack) Start your new year with these delicious Mexican-style Enchiladas, featuring sweet potato, spiced beans, jalapenos and rice, all wrapped in a beautifully soft tortilla and topped with spiced red sauce and roasted corn salsa. Plant Chef Vegan BLT Sandwich 2.50 (also part of Tesco 3 Meal Deal) Enjoy this classic number with layered hickory smoked carrot, tomatoes, bac-no-naise vegan mayo and lettuce on soft tomato bread. Wicked Kitchen Mega Mac Get your hands on this mouth-watering mac & cheese dish, featuring smooth butternut squash and macaroni, finished off with crispy ciabatta crumbs, tasty soya pieces, smoky pieces of vegan chorizo, and sprinkles of parsley. This all-year-classic is the perfect on-the-go option at any time of day. Wicked Kitchen 2 Bangin Brownie Sundaes Feel easy like a sundae morning with this sweet treat, featuring layers of rich brownie cubes, chocolate mousse and thick chocolate sauce. All finished off with cocoa nibs. A truly choc-tastic number! Plant Chef All Day Breakfast Sandwich 2.75 (also part of Tesco 3 Meal Deal) This delightful recipe layers a Lincolnshire style vegan banger alongside a no-egg tofu mayo, meat-free rasher pieces and tomato relish on a malted brown bread. Advertisement And if you've made it through 2021, you deserve to treat yourself to one of a cake jars with a vegan-friendly version now available for the first time: Plant Kitchen Chocolate Cake Jar. It comes as Tesco also revealed its new plant-based food, including Moq au Vin, Cauli Katsu Curry and Bangin Brownie Sundaes, Customers can also enjoy delicious plant based meals for less with the new Wicked Kitchen Meal Deal. The offer which launches today - will allow customers to purchase one main, one side and one dessert for just 4 per head (8 total). Among the new items includes a Plant Kitchen Tikka Masala, which uses the same cooking techniques as the chicken version with 12 fragrant, balanced spices, creamy coconut milk, flame-grilled onions, roasted squash and cauliflower. Plant Kitchen Veggie Balls 3, 252g are also in the Eat Well. The savoury vegan mince balls made with onions and M&S Select Farm mushrooms Flamethrower burns down targets in attacking drill China Military Online) 14:03, January 03, 2022 A flamethrower operator assigned to a brigade under the PLA Navy's Marine Corps ignites a controlled fire to burn down the simulated target during an attacking drill in early December, 2021. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Li Ronghe) (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji) If you already subscribe to our print edition, sign up for FREE access to our online edition. Thanks for reading the Wharton Journal Spectator. Thousands of men with prostate cancer in the UK could be cured with an hour-long operation, doctors hope. The 'game-changing' treatment uses electrical currents to destroy difficult to reach tumours. Surgery to remove the prostate or radiotherapy are the options normally offered to men with the disease. The therapy, called Nanoknife, has been dubbed as 'amazing, simple and quick' after being found to have fewer side effects. The 'game-changing' treatment uses electrical currents to destroy difficult to reach tumours. Surgery to remove the prostrate or radiotherapy are the options normally offered to men with the disease How is the treatment carried out? NanoKnife involves no knives at all, according to a breakdown of the op by the King Edward VII's Hospital. 'The treatment is delivered via a needle puncture through the skin,' it says. 'Your surgeon will use ultrasound to locate your prostate tumour and then insert up to four needles around it. 'Then the NanoKnife machine passes an electric current through the needles, damaging the cell membranes of the cancerous cells which then shrink and die.' Nanoknife is carried out under general anaesthetic and takes around 45 minutes. The procedure is performed as a day case. Advertisement Surgeons at University College London Hospital (UCLH) have already used it to treat prostate cancer patients. And medics have called for bigger trials of the procedure, with it already used for liver and pancreatic cancers. The process called irreversible electroporation involves sending electrical pulses into tumours which cut open the membrane of the cells. This targeted style of treatment increases the level of precision while reducing risks to surrounding organs. It can take less than an hour and patients don't need to stay in overnight, freeing up valuable time and space in hospitals. Prostate cancer will affect one in six men across their lifetime as more than 50,000 cases are found every year. Diagnoses of the disease fell by almost a quarter during the pandemic. Professor Mark Emberton, one of the country's leading prostate surgeons, told The Daily Telegraph: 'The beauty of it is that it's such a simple technique to train surgeons in. That makes it a game-changer.' 'It's an amazing treatment, so quick, and it means we can reach tumours that are beyond where the knife can reach.' Alistair Grey, the consultant urologist who led the first operations, told The Telegraph: 'What is very exciting about this treatment is its precision in targeting and attacking the cancerous cells without damaging healthy tissue, and maintaining the prostate's important functions.' Helena Merriman woke with a start and patted the empty space in the bed. I glanced at the baby monitor and saw my husband holding our four-month-old baby, Sam, she recalls. It was strange because I hadnt been alerted by his cries. It happened again, once or twice a week, but I just put it down to fatigue from being a new mum, says Helena, 40, a BBC radio presenter and producer. But after several weeks, it became even more regular. I found that if I slept on my right side, with my left ear up, I could hear Sams cries, but not if my right ear was uppermost. Struggle: Helena Merriman with her son, Sam Yet I still had good enough hearing to be able to manage when I was up and about, so I didnt notice it much. And when I did, Id come up with reasons why it couldnt be a hearing problem. For example, I was forever apologising to my husband, Henry, for turning on the subtitles on the TV, but thought it was maybe because I was obsessed with seeing the dialogue. While Helena was on maternity leave, daytimes werent a problem because of the good hearing in her left ear and the baby monitor, which amplified sounds. But in the summer of 2017, as she started going out more, she was horrified to find that she couldnt hear conversations, particularly in crowded, noisy places. Id be in the pub and become very reliant on lip-reading, says Helena, who lives in South-West London with her husband Henry Hemming, 42, a bestselling author, and their children Matilda, eight, and Sam, now four. Id be slightly smiling and nodding when I couldnt hear and then Id see the bemused look on peoples faces which meant I wasnt making sense. I felt embarrassed and awkward. While Helena was on maternity leave, daytimes werent a problem because of the good hearing in her left ear and the baby monitor, which amplified sounds. But in the summer of 2017, as she started going out more, she was horrified to find that she couldnt hear conversations, particularly in crowded, noisy places Id always been the first to say yes to a night out, but over the following few months I stopped, as it wasnt enjoyable feeling like I was a bystander. After nearly three months of ignoring it, she made an appointment with her GP. She was sent to an audiologist in June 2017, who said Helena had lost a bit of her hearing, possibly due to congestion, and advised using a steroid nasal spray for six weeks. But the treatment didnt work. Helena saw another audiologist in late summer who took more detailed hearing tests, including one where she pressed a button whenever she heard a beep. I could hear them well at first but they gradually died away, she says. I had a sick feeling in my stomach. The audiologist showed me a graph of my left ear, and there was a line at the top showing it had good hearing. On the graph for the right ear, the line was about half-way down and he said Id lost a significant amount of hearing in that ear. She was diagnosed with otosclerosis and told that she would gradually lose her hearing. I felt numb, she says. That night I lay awake with so many questions in my head. I hadnt even asked how soon I might lose my hearing; I was just in shock. Otosclerosis is a degenerative ear condition, normally on both sides, which causes gradual hearing loss and even deafness. It affects up to 1.3 million people in the UK and generally develops between the ages of 15 and 35. It occurs when abnormal bone growth prevents movement of the stapes (or stirrup) one of three tiny bones in the middle ear that vibrate to amplify and transmit sounds. Warning signs include a gradual loss of hearing, difficulty hearing low sounds and speaking quietly, as your voice sounds loud to you. Its thought the condition may be caused by a combination of genetic factors or complications from a virus. But, as Helena discovered, the hearing loss can be accelerated by other factors, including pregnancy. She may have had some deterioration in her hearing when expecting her first child, but not enough to notice. There can be a rapid acceleration of the condition with hormonal change, says David Golding-Wood, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon at the private Chelsfield Park Hospital, in Bromley, Kent. Its most characteristic in the later stages of pregnancy. Here, its principally due to oestrogen, which is involved in certain kinds of bone formation. After her diagnosis, Helena returned to work in October 2017 as she mulled over her treatment options. By that point, I could hardly hear people when doing interviews, she says. Id put my headphone volume right up in desperation. In February 2018, Helena returned to her GP, who referred her to Jeremy Lavy, an ENT surgeon at the Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital in London. He suggested she try a hearing aid or choose surgery, where the stapes are removed and replaced with a prosthesis between 3mm and 6mm long. Surgery produces a more natural sound, but comes with a 1 per cent chance of total or partial hearing loss. Tinnitus can also occur, says Mr Golding-Wood. This may be triggered by the trauma of surgery. Helena found hearing aids too loud and metallic, and decided surgery was the only viable option. She had the operation in March 2019 under local anaesthetic. There was an incredible moment when the prosthesis was put in and I could hear everything in the room so loudly, she says. I could hear the sound of the instruments in the tray, people walking around, the odd laugh. It was all so sharp and clear. But two hours later she developed tinnitus. This noise like a whistling kettle suddenly came on. She was told it might subside, but it didnt. At home that night, I couldnt sleep and this incredibly loud noise wouldnt stop. Two days later the hospital gave me a course of steroids [thought to reduce perception of tinnitus by increasing blood flow to the ear], but the noise was still maddening. It turned out I was one of the 10 per cent of patients where tinnitus gets worse after surgery. That stage was really hard as Sam was saying his first words, adds Helena. I was recording him, but not always quite hearing what he was saying. Meditation, which is said to reduce the stress of the tinnitus, by training the brain to accept the sounds, has since helped her. Im now habituated to the tinnitus, though it can be draining, she says. I have trouble with lower frequencies and still need the subtitles on TV, but overall my hearing isnt too bad. She and Henry have, however, come to a tough decision. When Helena discovered that pregnancy could fast-track a deterioration in her hearing, she made what many would consider a difficult decision not to have a third child Since her diagnosis, Helena has devised a new Radio 4 series, Room 5, about people who have received real-life shock diagnoses. I thought of the idea on the bus on the way home from my own life-changing diagnosis, she says. Room 5 begins on Radio 4 and on the BBC Sounds app from January 11 at 9am. Millions more households could be plunged into fuel poverty this year, a charity has warned. Currently, there are four million homes in Britain in fuel poverty with 500,000 reaching this state in October, according to data from National Energy Action. After the expected price cap rise in April, it is predicted a further 1.5million will also be in poverty, totaling 6million households. It comes at a time when many are concerned about soaring energy bills with costs expected to double in the New Year. Millions more households could be plunged into fuel poverty due to rising energy costs Prices for fixed tariffs are likely to reach over 2,000 this year more than double what some were paying at the beginning of last year. Energy analysts, Cornwall Insight, have said prices will get even higher at the end of this year with its current forecast for the winter 2022 to 2023 price cap standing at approximately 2,240 per annum. Meanwhile, although Ofgem's current price cap prevents suppliers from charging more than 1,277 a year to a typical default tariff customer, the level is expected to increase by hundreds of pounds in April when reviewed. There are also much fewer switching options in the market now after the energy crisis led to 25 suppliers collapsing meaning half of the industry disappeared in just a few months. Now millions of homes will be worrying about how they will pay for the inflated bills in 2022. Adam Scorer, chief executive of National Energy Action, said: 'Every home should be a warm and safe place, but for millions of households the cold reality is very different and getting much worse. 'The cost of living in the UK is at its highest level in a decade with household energy bills the biggest driver. When the costs of essential services go up, those on lowest incomes are hit hardest. 'Bills have increased by well over 230 since last winter and millions now face a daily heat or eat dilemma. We estimate energy bills will rocket again in April, doubling the average householders' heating bills since last year. 'Over the same period, those on the lowest incomes have seen their income plummet by over 1,000 per year. For people already on a budgetary knife-edge, the cost of keeping a family warm has exploded while budgets have collapsed. 'No amount of useful tips or savvy shopping can cope with that.' Millions of homes will be worrying about how they will pay for the inflated bills in 2022 In response to the ongoing problems in the industry, Ofgem is consulting on spreading the cost of bailing out customers of failed suppliers, potentially over several years. The regulator said this could help to reduce the bills and perhaps spare customers a levy of up to 100. However, as yet, nothing has been agreed and talks are expected to continue. Experts are criticising the lack of action so far by Ofgem and the Government with many saying more needs to be done to stop bills spiralling out of control. Joe Malinowski, founder of energy price comparison website, the Energy Shop, said: 'The Government and Ofgem have watched the carnage in the energy markets unfold from a distance. 'They have relied on the energy price cap protecting consumers whilst keeping their fingers crossed, and desperately hoping that things would somehow resolve themselves. 'They have kicked the can down the road while allowing half of all active energy suppliers to crash and burn.' Despite the decrease in options, customers are still urged to use comparison sites to see if they could save money by switching provider or changing tariff. Whilst, previously, fixed tariffs were the best bet, the standard default deals are now likely to be the cheapest as they are capped. You can read more about what is likely to happen in the energy industry in 2022 - and to find out what support is available to consumers. Advertisement It was one of the most horrifying events in world history, resulting in the systematic murder of six million Jews as well as people from other groups considered by the Nazis to be inferior. But while the Holocaust ended as the Second World War finished in 1945, the physical traces of that horrific period remain around Europe in gloomy abandoned sites that serve as a reminder of the genocide. Now, photographer Marc Wilson has gone on a remarkable journey around 130 locations in 20 countries over six years to visit the areas and listen to the stories of survivors in English, French, Hebrew, Polish, Dutch and Russian. He has collated 360 images for his new book, 'A Wounded Landscape: Bearing Witness To The Holocaust', which document some of the 40,000 sites that were occupied by the Nazis between 1939 and 1945. Mr Wilson studied areas where Jews were killed along with the Roma, gay people, those with learning difficulties, the physically disabled, Jehovah's Witnesses, communists, and more than three million Soviet prisoners of war. The remains of Ravensbruck in Germany, which was the second-largest concentration camp for women; the largest being the women's camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau. In January 1945, Ravensbruck had more than 50,000 prisoners from 30 countries The disembarkation station in the valley below Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp in Nazi-occupied France. There were about 50 subcamps in the local system - and by 1944, there were 7,000 prisoners in the main camp and 20,000 in subcamps An area near the crematorium at Kulmhof extermination camp at Rzuchowski forest in Nazi-occupied Poland. The SS killed at least 172,000 people at the camp, also known as Chelmno, between December 1941 and March 1943 and in summer 1944 Prisoners from Mauthausen in Nazi-occupied Austria had to jump from this cliff to their death. It was known by camp guards as the 'parachute jump'. Some 197,000 prisoners passed through the Mauthausen system and at least 95,000 died there Rita Weiss, was born in Romania, survived being sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Stutthof concentration camps. Speaking at her home in Tel Aviv, she said: 'I had to survive, I had to stay alive because I had to tell, must tell, what happened' Radostowitz was a forest sub-camp of Auschwitz. Prisoners there worked felling trees, which were transported to Auschwitz II-Birkenau and used to burn bodies in the crematorium. The site, which was in Nazi-occupied Poland, is pictured in 2016 The roll call area and the remains of a barracks at Dachau concentration camp in Germany where more than 41,000 people were murdered. Dachau was the longest operating camp having been the first one established by the Nazis in March 1933 Bone fragments from burned and crushed corpses seep through the sandy soil at Kulmhof extermination camp at Rzuchowski forest in Nazi-occupied Poland, 2015. At least 172,000 prisoners were killed in the camp between 1941 and 1944. From 1942, bodies were burned in open-air ovens after the smell of decomposition from mass graves became apparent in nearby villages He said: 'These sites persist today throughout these countries. Together they formed a pathway to genocide: destroyed communities and ghettos, internment camps, transit camps, labour camps, sub camps, concentration camps, extermination camps and displacement camps. 'They are connected by the landscapes that surround them, and the forced journeys made between them. At these sites, individual killings and slaughter on a mass scale took place, the numbers involved almost beyond our understanding. 'These are sites where literal life or death decisions were made, but they are also sites of hope, survival and memory. Ben Barkow, former director of the Wiener Holocaust Library at the University of London, said: 'The Wiener Library has numerous opportunities to see artistic responses to the Holocaust, and I can state unambiguously that Marc's work is among the finest and most sensitive that we have seen in many years.' The house of Amon Goth, the notoriously sadistic commandant of Plaszow concentration camp in Poland. The Austrian Nazi officer was also known as an adversary of Oskar Schindler, who shielded Jews during the Holocaust. He was hanged in 1946 Shmuel Atzmon-Wircer is a Holocaust survivor who lives in Tel Aviv. He and his family escaped to Russia during the war, but were sent to a forced labour camp in Siberia. He has devoted much of his later life to Yiddish theatre to preserve the language The Krakow Ghetto. The 'liquidation' of the ghetto in March 1943 saw the SS kill around 2,000 Jews in the ghetto and transfer another 2,000 to the Paszow concentration camp. Some 3,000 more were sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, with most killed A former ghetto site at Mucachevo in Ukraine, pictured in December 2018. On August 27 and 28 of 1941, many Jews of Mucachevo were murdered by the Nazis in Kamianets-Podilskyi's massacre. The remainder were deported to Auschwitz Holocaust survivor Arthur Rose, in New York. He escaped with his sister Anna from the Ukranian ghetto in Lviv before it was liquidated, then went into hiding. The SS killed their parents, and the children reached Krakow on the eve of liberation The Ancienne Gare de deportation de Bobigny. The station was used to transport French Jews imprisoned at Drancy to Auschwitz - meaning it was where many of them took their last steps on French soil. It is located on the outskirts of Paris Grabnik square at Rivne, where 23,500 Jews were assembled and marched 2.5 miles (4km) to Sosenki forest to be killed on November 7, 1941. It is thought that ditches in the forest had been dug in advance of the massacre by Russian prisoners of war The book has 736 pages and features a foreword by James Bulgin, who is the head of content at the Holocaust Galleries at Imperial War Museums. The Nazis' concentration and extermination camps: The factories of death used to slaughter millions Auschwitz-Birkenau, near the town of Oswiecim, in what was then occupied Poland Auschwitz-Birkenau was a concentration and extermination camp used by the Nazis during World War Two. The camp, which was located in Nazi-occupied Poland, was made up of three main sites. Auschwitz I, the original concentration camp, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, a combined concentration and extermination camp and Auschwitz IIIMonowitz, a labour camp, with a further 45 satellite sites. Auschwitz was an extermination camp used by the Nazis in Poland to murder more than 1.1 million Jews Birkenau became a major part of the Nazis' 'Final Solution', where they sought to rid Europe of Jews. An estimated 1.3 million people were sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, of whom at least 1.1 million died around 90 percent of which were Jews. Since 1947, it has operated as Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, which in 1979 was named a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Treblinka, near a village of the same name, outside Warsaw in Nazi-occupied Poland Unlike at other camps, where some Jews were assigned to forced labor before being killed, nearly all Jews brought to Treblinka were immediately gassed to death. Only a select few - mostly young, strong men, were spared from immediate death and assigned to maintenance work instead. The death toll at Treblinka was second only to Auschwitz. In just 15 months of operation - between July 1942 and October 1943 - between 700,000 and 900,000 Jews were murdered in its gas chambers. Exterminations stopped at the camp after an uprising which saw around 200 prisoners escape. Around half of them were killed shortly afterwards, but 70 are known to have survived until the end of the war Belzec, near the station of the same name in Nazi-occupied Poland Belzec operated from March 1942 until the end of June 1943. It was built specifically as an extermination camp as part of Operation Reinhard. Polish, German, Ukrainian and Austrian Jews were all killed there. In total, around 600,000 people were murdered. Sobibor, near the village of the same name in Nazi-occupied Poland Sobibor was named after its closest train station, at which Jews disembarked from extremely crowded carriages, unsure of their fate. Jews from Poland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Soviet Union were killed in three gas chambers fed by the deadly fumes of a large petrol engine taken from a tank. An estimated 200,000 people were killed in the camp. Some estimations put the figure at 250,000. This would place Sobibor as the fourth worst extermination camp - in terms of number of deaths - after Belzec, Treblinka and Auschwitz. The camp was located about 50 miles from the provincial Polish capital of Brest-on-the-Bug. Its official German name was SS-Sonderkommando Sobibor. Prisoners launched a heroic escape on October 14 1943 in which 600 men, women and children succeeded in crossing the camp's perimeter fence. Of those, only 50 managed to evade capture. It is unclear how many crossed into allied territory. Chelmno (also known as Kulmhof), in Nazi-occupied Poland Chelmno was the first of Nazi Germany's camps built specifically for extermination. It operated from December 1941 until April 1943 and then again from June 1944 until January 1945. Between 152,000 and 200,000 people, nearly all of whom were Jews, were killed there. Majdanek (also known simply as Lublin), built on outskirts of city of Lublin in Nazi-occupied Poland Majdanek was initially intended for forced labour but was converted into an extermination camp in 1942. It had seven gas chambers as well as wooden gallows where some victims were hanged. In total, it is believed that as many as 130,000 people were killed there. Advertisement Mr Wilson told MailOnline that he had 'wanted - or perhaps without realising it felt the need - to make a piece of work about the Holocaust for over 20 years now, ever since I started taking photographs'. He continued: 'It is something I felt was of great importance, to talk about, to share, to start conversation about. But to be honest I simply never felt I could make the right photographs that a subject matter like this demands, or even therefore talk about it in the right way. 'I did not have the right voice or visual language. In 2015, after I had completed my previous book, The Last Stand, I felt, finally, that maybe I now did. A visual language that I hoped would be sensitive enough to talk about this tragedy. 'A quiet enough voice, but still insistent, to talk about a history that I felt does not need to be 'shouted' about but must not be ignored, forgotten or even worse, denied.' He added that he had ideas about how he wanted to make the book and what he wanted to talk about, and took these with him to the first location he visited in the South East of France. However, this all changed on his first late afternoon photoshoot, when he covered his head with a darkcloth and peered through the ground glass screen of my large format camera, which felt 'completely and utterly wrong to me', adding: 'I felt that I was gazing, objectively. And it was not right.' Mr Wilson continued: 'My initial though was to photograph these locations from a distance, on the wider landscape around them, as I had done my previous work, but these images I was making were objective, wrong, cold, calculated. 'But I already knew what I had to do and had avoided thinking about. So the next morning I went over the former internment camp boundary, climbing over the mass artworks border that surrounded it and into the space itself. 'And there, after two hours of searching for the Barrack 'K12' the former children's barrack, I found my voice. The fading paintings on the walls, made by the children over 70 years ago, with paint provided by a Swiss red cross worker, cracked roof tiles on the ground and some small flowers in the surrounding grass. 'I was told what I needed to do. To tell the stories of those children. One of those children. And more. Stories of individuals who could then reflect the stories of a countless hundred others, 1,000 others, a million others. 'I made work there and back in the UK spoke with others, showed them what I was doing, had conversations and began to plan the time ahead.' Asked what it felt like to visit the places, Mr Wilson said: 'Throughout making this work, over the six-year period, I was always very aware how lucky I was that I had this choice to visit these locations. I had the choice to make work there for a number of weeks and then return home. 'So I let them wash over me, both the locations themselves but also the details of events that I knew had happened there, that I had been told about, from someone who was there, during the war, in our conversations. 'Each place visited will stay with me but I don't think it is possible to successfully make work on this subject, this type of subject, from a distance. 'Today these places might be remembered or forgotten. Marked with a plaque or built over with a shopping centre, complete with McDonalds and multiplex. 'But each of the 150 plus locations visited is full of a history, full of individual stories, and in almost all of these places, full of horror and tragedy.' He said that throughout making the book, he had been very conscious of not placing one location over another, and not giving one story more importance than another. But Mr Wilson continued: 'Some places have left their mark on me perhaps more deeply than others. Either for the deep connection of a place to an event shared with me by one of the 22 survivors or family members or by what I saw, what that place made me feel. 'In some locations it was a faint and delicate shadow of a painting on a wall, drawn by a child's hand over 70 years ago and in another, at the at Kulmhof extermination camp in Rzuchowski forest, Poland, it was the human bone fragments seeping out of the sandy soil. 'Fragments of the murdered prisoners, whose bodies were burnt and crushed in an attempt to hide what had been done there. Each of these people, a murdered mother, father, child, grandparent, brother or sister, just like ourselves.' He added that it took him 'some time' to find the courage to meet Holocaust survivors, saying he wanted to 'feel confident about what I could bring to their lives and thus them feel comfortable enough to share their lives with me'. Mr Wilson continued: 'But each and every meeting, each one hour or four hour, or in some cases, two day conversation, left an indelible mark on me. Their kindness and compassion, their gentleness and their strength.' And asked if there was anything he was told by one of the survivors said that particularly stood out to him, Mr Wilson said: 'I sat for days with these individuals, listening intently as they spoke to me in various languages, taking in each and every word, each glance, not asking questions looking for specific answers but simply listening. 'Hearing what they wanted to share with me, what they want the world to know. But if there is one sentence that I can share with you, it was spoken to me by Rita, in December 2017, aged 96. An autopsy table in Buchenwald, which was was one of the biggest death camps established within Germany in 1937. From November 1938, more than 56,000 prisoners of the 280,000 kept at the camp were killed, including 8,000 Soviet soldiers Woods beyond the perimeter fence of Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp in Nazi-occupied France, about 30 miles south-west of Strasbourg. The camp, constructed in 1941, was enclosed by a 10ft (3m)-high electrified barbed wire fence The view from a train window in Romania in 2018. Between 1940 and 1944, Romania allied with Germany, and conducted a series of violent persecutions or 'pogroms' against the Jews living there. The worst was in Iasi, with 13,000 killed in June 1941 The Camp de Rivesalte internment camp, located near France's border with Spain, housed Jews of different nationalities as well as Catalan refugees and French gypsies. After the war, it was used as a prisoner of war camp for captured Germans A photograph taken of the deportation route from Mukachevo in Ukraine, in what was then Munkacs in Czechoslovakia A gas chamber at Auschwitz in Nazi-occupied Poland. The SS and police are estimated to have deported at least 1.3million people to the Auschwitz camp complex between 1940 and 1945. Of these, around 1.1 million people were murdered 'After she had told me the story of her childhood, her deportation from her village to an internment camp and onto a number slave labour camps, the murder of her family and finally the Death March from Stuthoff concentration camp in Northern Poland, and her group being left to float on a open barge in the Baltic Sea, with no food or water, left, on purpose, to die.' Rita Weiss, whom Mr Wilson visited in Tel Aviv, Israel, told him: 'In April 1945 they ordered us out of the camp. There was no train or bus, we were on foot. The Death March. 'We came to the sea and there were barges. We waited to die in the sea. A barge with prisoners from Norway, Poland, Greece After one day and one night we did not know what to do. One man said we must begin to swim. 'We did not know where we were, which country, which sea, we just wanted to swim so we did. We could die in the sea or we could die on the boat. I had to survive, I had to stay alive because I had to tell, must tell, what happened.' 'A Wounded Landscape Bearing Witness To The Holocaust' by Marc Wilson is published by two&two press and available for 55 on the author's website by clicking here Data from the ONS has revealed that families in some parts of the UK are paying as much as 66 percent more of their weekly budget on heating than their counterparts in London. Households in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern England are forced to spend far more of their weekly budgets on gas and electricity than any other place in the country. It comes as average UK household gas bills rose by 28.1 percent and electricity bills 18.8 percent in the year to October, meaning household finances in the regions are likely to have felt an even tighter squeeze. Meanwhile, the National Energy Action said the average household gas bill could increase by 467 from 466 a year in October last year to 944 in April next year, meaning the cost of heating the average home will have doubled since last winter. It also warned that average domestic dual fuel energy bills, which have already soared by more than 230 per customer compared to last year, could increase by a further 550 a year in the Spring amid exploding gas prices across Europe. Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced growing pressure to tackle the cost of living 'emergency' and save families from soaring energy bills. His backbenchers urged him to scrap the green taxes that make up a quarter of electricity bills and cost households as much as 200 a year and he is also facing demands to honour a Brexit campaign pledge to scrap VAT on fuel knocking another 60 off annual bills. Average UK household gas bills rose by 28.1 percent and electricity bills 18.8 percent in the year to October according to ONS data, prompting fears of a cost of living crisis (stock image) Households in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern England are forced to spend far much more of their weekly budgets on gas and electricity than any other place in the country Experts have warned that gas and electricity bills for millions of Britons could soar to a record 2,000-a-year from next year as the energy price cap is set to be doubled in the coming months. Households are expected to see a severe hike in the cost of their energy in April as suppliers are due to increase prices in line with soaring wholesale costs after changes to an industry price cap. As a result, millions of households and businesses have been passed on to new providers, so-called suppliers of last resort. The energy watchdog said it is consulting on changes, which would spread the cost of bailing out the customers of failed suppliers potentially over several years - instead of one larger hit to costs. Investment bank Investec has said that Britain's energy price cap will have to be lifted to 1,995-a-year per household from April when the regulator next alters the limit, reported the Financial Times. The current cap is set at 1,277-a-year per household since October, meaning Britons could have to may more than 700 extra annually unless the government or Ofgem provide 'mitigating actions'. Out of all UK regions, residents of Northern Ireland spend the biggest proportion of their household budget on gas and electricity according to the ONS. The data, which covers from the end of the 2018 financial year to the end of the 2020 financial year, shows that people in Northern Ireland spend 44 percent more of their weekly budget on gas and electricity than the average UK household, and a whopping 66 percent more than households in London. The data shows the average family in Northern Ireland also spends more of their weekly budget on electricity than they do on net rent (rent minus council tax and other allowances). Scotland meanwhile is the region second-worst hit by soaring gas prices, with households spending 41 percent more of their weekly budget on heating than residents of London, the area in which households spend the smallest proportion of their weekly budgets on fuel. Several energy suppliers collapsed across the UK this autumn after the price of gas spiked by as much as five times compared with the start of this year (stock image) Residents in Wales spend over a third (38 percent) more of their weekly household budget on heating their homes versus London, while households in the West Midlands and North West spend a third more (33 percent). Homes in the North East spend 28 percent more, while families in the East Midlands, South West and South East dedicate 23, 15 and 8 percent more than London respectively. While the average salary of a full-time employee in London stands at 39,700 for 2020-2021, workers in the North East, North West and Northern Ireland make on average 10,000 less per year, despite having to pay roughly the same or more for their energy. Myles Robinson, heating expert at Boiler Central who compiled the data said: 'Gas and electricity bills are absolutely skyrocketing in the UK due to soaring wholesale prices across the globe. 'As winter draws in, it's clear that some areas of the UK are already spending disproportionately more on electricity than other regions, and will likely be most impacted by the hike in energy prices. 'While the government is looking into alternatives to fossil fuels - such as hydrogen and heat pumps - it could be several years until these become viable for every household, and in the meantime, families have to deal with ever more unaffordable gas prices'. While the average salary of a full-time employee in London stands at 39,700 for 2020-2021, workers in the North Eat, North West and Northern Ireland make on average 10,000 less per year, despite having to pay roughly the same or more for their energy (stock image) At the moment the regulator caps the energy bills of more than 14 million households at 1,277 per year on average. A consultation on potential changes will end in February, and they could be implemented at the beginning of April, when the price cap is set to change. But even before potential changes, experts at analysts Cornwall Insight predict that energy bills will rocket to 1,660 per year for price cap customers. Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action (NEA) said: 'Every home should be a warm and safe place, but for over 4.5 million UK households the cold reality is very different and getting much worse.' A poll by the NEA conducted in November found six out of 10 British adults say they would reduce their heating use by a fair amount or a great deal if the cost of heating doubles. Some 85 percent of UK residential buildings, or 23 million homes, are still currently connected to the gas grid, using a boiler and central heating system. More than two dozen suppliers have gone bust since September, putting thousands of people out of work and leaving millions of homes in limbo as they wait for a new supplier via Ofgem Last month, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng held crunch talks with energy bosses and energy regulator Ofgem to try and solve the spiralling crisis. Fears of runaway household bills in the new year have been mounting since rising gas prices began bankrupting suppliers in September. Since then, they have rocketed from 54p per therm of gas to a staggering 4.50, forcing as many as 26 suppliers out of business. It was an unprecedented spike caused by something of a perfect storm on global markets. Firstly, last winter was unusually cold in the northern hemisphere. Gas is still a key fuel in heating homes and businesses in much of the world, so the cold temperatures led to a spike in demand, and countries started eating into their gas reserves. These reserves could have been topped up again over the summer, but once again the weather had other ideas. Those working from home full-time face paying an average 131 more for energy this winter An unusually windless summer meant that wind turbines produced less electricity so gas power plants had to burn more than normal. Meanwhile, less new supply came onto the market than first thought and demand from China was higher than expected. All in all, it meant that gas was in short supply, and as a result prices spiked. Which energy suppliers have gone bust so far December Zog Energy November Entice Energy Orbit Energy Limited Neon Energy Limited Social Energy Supply Ltd CNG Energy Omni Energy Limited MA Energy Limited Zebra Power Limited Ampoweruk Ltd Bluegreen Energy Services Limited October GOTO Energy Limited Daligas Limited Pure Planet Colorado Energy September Igloo Energy Symbio Energy Enstroga Avro Energy Green Supplier Limited Utility Point People's Energy PFP Energy MoneyPlus Energy August HUB Energy Advertisement For energy suppliers in the UK, this spelled disaster. Since 2019 they have been limited in what they can charge customers because of regulator Ofgem's price cap. The cap takes into account the price of energy, but does not change often enough to keep up with this year's steep rises - it is only moved twice a year. So when gas prices went up energy suppliers were soon put in a difficult situation where it cost them more to buy gas than they were allowed to sell it for. It is an unenviable position for any business, and since early September dozens of suppliers have bowed out of the market, with experts predicting further failures. The episode has exposed several flaws in how the market works, and will likely lead to permanent changes. The April cap will be announced by regulator Ofgem next month and experts believe it could hit almost 2,000 a year. Baroness Altmann, a former pensions minister, said: 'There are so many elderly people across the country who are already struggling with their energy bills. 'This could endanger their lives and will certainly endanger their health. It is an emergency. Some kind of temporary reprieve, ideally on the VAT side, is really important right now.' In 2015, green levies accounted for just 7 per cent of an average dual fuel bill (86 out of 1,165), according to Ofgem. By 2020 that proportion had doubled to 15 per cent (182 out of 1,189). Whitehall officials are said to be working on a loan scheme for energy firms that would make it possible for them to avoid having to impose sudden and massive hikes on bills. Robert Halfon was among 20 signatories including five former ministers of a letter to Mr Johnson this weekend calling for action. The Tory MP said: 'I have huge worries about the rise in energy costs for hard-working people and they're going to rise even more. 'This is not the Government's fault, this is because of the international price of energy, and I strongly believe, that given the price cap is going to go up this year in the spring, that the Government should look at other measures.' He said that green levies which subsidise renewable energy production but also pay for homes to be made more energy-efficient should be suspended. Greg Jackson, of Octopus Energy, said the Government could axe green taxes on consumers, warning: 'Unless action is taken, we will start to see those very, very high increases come through to the consumer market.' Labour has been calling for VAT on fuel bills to be axed. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'Right now, people are being hit by a cost-of-living crisis which has seen energy bills soar, food costs increase and the weekly budget stretched. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'Right now, people are being hit by a cost-of-living crisis which has seen energy bills soar, food costs increase and the weekly budget stretched' 'That's why Labour is calling on government to immediately remove VAT on household heating bills over the winter months.' As many as four million households in the UK are classed as living in fuel poverty and the charity National Energy Action believes another two million could soon join them. Chief executive Adam Scorer said: 'The Government needs to take special measures to try to help, given the particular circumstances we face.' Campaigners fear pensioners will be disproportionately affected as they have fixed incomes and are being denied a boost to their state pensions because ministers have suspended the 'triple lock'. Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said: 'If energy bills effectively double for most consumers this spring, compared with a year ago, it will precipitate a national emergency impacting millions of older people. 'Inflation is already eating into their pensions but this unprecedented hike in wholesale prices will be totally unsustainable.' A spokesman for the Government said: 'Protecting consumers is our top priority which is why our energy price cap will remain in place. 'We are also supporting vulnerable and low-income households further through initiatives such as the 500million household support fund, warm home discount, winter fuel payments and cold weather payments. Domestic fuels such as gas and electricity are also already subject to the reduced rate of 5 per cent of VAT.' Do you know more? Email charlotte.karp@mailonline.com A mother has recalled the horrifying moment she was dragged screaming across a campsite after a man allegedly ploughed his ute into her young family as they slept in their tent. Monique Turner, 27, and Sean Miller, 32, celebrated the new year on Friday with their children Jhett, 10, Elijah, five, and Lahlita, three, and her elderly parents at Kentish Park campsite in Tasmania's north. After watching the midnight fireworks, the family went to bed about 12.30am - an hour and a half before they were woken to blood-curdling screams as a vehicle struck their tent. The mother-of-four told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Miller managed to stand up as the tent was dragged through the dirt, but was eventually tossed out of a gaping hole in the canvas - leaving her alone and terrified inside. 'I was stuck in the tent screaming at my dad for help not knowing where my babies were,' she said. Pictured, Monique Tuner and Sean Miller with their children Lahlita, three, (on her father's lap), Jhett, 10, (far right) and Elijah, five, (far left). Abel, seven, is Ms Turners son from a previous relationship and sits next to Mr Miller Pictured: The campsite where Monique Turner, Sean Miller and their children were sleeping when a man allegedly ploughed into their tent 'When I finally got out of the tent I saw my 10-year-old laying face down on the ground and my three-year-old in my mother's arms with blood all over her top of her head.' Five-year-old Elijah was sitting with his grandmother with a headache and 'in complete shock'. Onlookers raced to the family and offered help, while about four people called police and ambulances. Ten-year-old Jhett suffered the worst injuries with a ruptured spleen, fractured ankle and pelvis, bruises all over his face, and friction burns. He was in agony - vomiting, screaming and crying when paramedics eventually arrived and tried to assess his damaged body. The family were taken to the Northwest Regional Hospital where doctors used skin glue to plug the cut on the back of three-year-old Lahlita's head before she and her brother Elijah were discharged. A 27 year old man has been arrested in connection with the terrifying incident at remote Kentish Park campsite, 40km south of Devonport and 280km north-west of Hobart The scene unfolded at about 2am Kentish Park campsite in Tasmania (pictured) on New Year's Day Jhett was flown to Royal Hobart Hospital while the rest of his shell-shocked family made the four-hour trip by car. When Ms Turner and Mr Miller realised they didn't have funds to pay for accommodation in the state's capital, generous family members stepped in covered the costs. Ms Turner's cousin Courtnie Brown set up a GoFundMe to help pay for a hotel room, food and parking while Jhett recovers in the children's ward. 'They have no money or savings to stay anywhere,' Ms Brownwrote on the fundraiser. 'If you are able to assist even with a modest donation it would be greatly appreciated by the family.' Jhett does not need surgery at this stage, but Ms Turner said he is still in a lot of pain. The Kentish Park campsite is on the banks of Lake Barrington (pictured) in Tasmania's north The mum-of-four thanked police and paramedics for sitting patiently with her son and holding his hand as he shrieked in pain on the way to the hospital. 'I'm also incredibly thankful that my parents pulled my babies out of the tent,' she added. A 27-year-old man who was allegedly causing trouble in the hours leading up to the incident at the campsite on the banks of Lake Barrington, 40km south of Devonport, is in police custody. No charges have been laid and investigations are still underway. Acting Sergeant Fabienne Jamieson said police were told the man was 'exhibiting anti-social behaviour prior to the crash'. He then allegedly got in his car and charged through the campsite, running over the family's tent as they slept inside before smashing his vehicle into a tree. 'Police will allege that the male crashed his vehicle through a tent which contained two adults and three children sleeping inside,' Tasmania Police said in a statement. 'The male then narrowly missed other camping sites and people in the area prior to colliding with a tree.' The furious vigilante hit squad armed with axes, like the one pictured here, had to be pulled off the man to save his life, before he was pinned down and held captive until police arrived Moments after the alleged collision, an angry lynch mob of campers grabbed axes and shovels and dragged the driver from his ute. The furious vigilante hit squad had to be pulled off the man to save his life, before he was pinned down and held captive until police arrived at the scene. 'The lynch mob wanted to make him pay,' said one camper told the ABC. 'We've removed him from his car so he couldn't drive any further. 'A couple of guys restrained him, put his hands behind his back and there was a karate guy who got him.' The camper said the tragedy could have been worse, adding that more people could've been struck had the car gone inches in either direction. Pictures from the scene showed the collapsed scaffold skeleton of a tent and a battered food container. Tasmanian police thanked the campers for their swift action in stopping the accused. Anyone with information has been asked to come forward. Cop-turned-killer Drew Peterson is hoping to get his murder conviction for the death of his third wife vacated. Peterson, 67, was sentenced to 38 years in prison for the 2003 murder of Kathleen Savio in 2012 and another 40 years in prison for plotting to kill James Glasgow, the prosecutor who helped put him behind bars, in 2016. Will County Judge Edward Burmilla scheduled a January 21 hearing into the murder conviction after Peterson filed a handwritten, six-page motion last October claiming he didn't get a fair trial. The disgraced Chicago-area police sergeant is also suspected of killing his fourth wife Stacy, who disappeared in 2007 at age 23 - just four years after Savio was discovered dead in a bathtub. Peterson said in the claim that his attorney Joel Brodsky provided ineffective council, and that two state witnesses - a pastor and an attorney - should not have been allowed to testify due to privilege, the Chicago Tribune reported. Wife killer Scott Peterson is hoping to get his murder conviction tossed later this month when an Illinois judge hears a motion to vacate the verdict in the 2003 death of his third wife. He's pictured in a May 8, 2009 file photo leaving the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, Illinois He also said that his lawyer forbade him from testifying in his own defense, and that he was pressured into giving media interviews ahead of the trial. Peterson also contended that Brodsky threatened other attorneys with removal from the case if they disagreed with, and alleged prosecutorial misconduct and witness intimidation. The judge found a 'gist of a constitutional' claim in Peterson's motion, the Tribune reported. Burmilla assigned Peterson a public defender and two investigators from the public defender's office. The body of his third wife Savio was found in a dry bathtub in 2004, weeks before a scheduled hearing to determine money and child custody issues related to her divorce from Peterson. Her death was initially ruled an accident, but her remains were exhumed after the 2007 disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy. Savio's death was subsequently ruled a homicide. Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio, was discovered dead in a dry bathtub in 2004, weeks before a scheduled hearing to determine money and child custody issues related to their split The disgraced Chicago-area police sergeant is also suspected of killing his fourth wife Stacy, who disappeared in 2007 at age 23 - just four years after Savio was discovered dead Stacy Peterson is presumed dead, although her body has never been found. Drew Peterson is a suspect in her disappearance, but has never been charged. Part of Peterson's argument to have the charge tossed relates to the testimony of a pastor and attorney who were allowed to take the stand under the state's hearsay law. The convicted killer argued that they should not have been permitted to testify. But the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous 2017 decision that hearsay testimony from Savio and Stacy Peterson did not violate Drew Peterson's constitutional right to confront his accusers because of evidence that he killed them to prevent their testimony. Savio's (left) death was initially ruled an accident, but her remains were exhumed after the 2007 disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy (right). Savio's death was subsequently ruled a homicide. Drew Peterson, 67, who is in prison after being convicted of killing his third wife Kathleen Savio in 2003, maintains his fourth wife 'ran off' The Will County State's Attorney's office said in a 23-page written response that there was no merit to Peterson's claims, and denied any misconduct or witness intimidation. Prosecutors pointed out that the state's higher courts, including the Supreme Court, ruled against Peterson, and provided court transcripts in which he told the judge that he chose not to testify but never mentioned that Brodsky prevented him from taking the witness stand. Brodsky agreed that Peterson's claims were or could have been raised in previous appeals and that higher courts have already ruled that there was nothing improper about the trial. 'Theres nothing here,' said Brodsky, whose law license was suspended for two years in 2019. Peterson reiterated claims during a Dateline interview last year that his missing wife Stacy 'ran off' and that he had nothing to do with her disappearance. Speaking to Natalie Morales from inside the Federal Correctional Institution, Terra Haute in Indiana, where he moved to in 2017, he maintained his innocence. He told the outlet: 'There's so much that hasn't been heard. Everybody on the opposition gets to talk, and I'm left in a cage.' Stacy and Peterson pictured together during their relationship In an interview with Dateline's Natalie Morales (left), Peterson (right) talks about Stacy for the first time in 10 years The pair began dating when Stacy was only a teenager and while Peterson was still married to Savio. 'All these people are out looking for a place I know she's not,' he told Morales, who questioned how he knew. 'Well, unless someone else threw her in a field somewhere, then, but I didn't. So, why should I go look for-' he replied before Morales cut him off and asked again how he knew she wasn't there. 'I don't know. I don't know for sure, but I would believe she ran off' he replied. A nurse who spent 28 days in a Covid coma fighting for her life has been saved after medics gave her Viagra as part of an experimental treatment regime . Double-jabbed asthmatic mother-of-two Monica Almeida, 37, from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, was admitted to hospital on November 9 after testing positive for coronavirus on October 31. She was moved to intensive care a week later before doctors put her into an induced coma on November 16. Mrs Almeida says they were just three days away from having her ventilator turned off when her condition started to improve and she woke up on December 14. When she woke up doctors at Lincoln County Hospital revealed they had given her a large dose of viagra as part of an experimental treatment regime that she agreed to before going into a coma. The erectile dysfunction drug enables greater blood flow to all areas of the body by relaxing the walls of blood vessels, and Mrs Almeida says it caused her condition to improve in just a week and the level of oxygen she needed to drop by half as it opened up her airways. Mother-of-two Monica Almeida (pictured), 37, from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, was just three days away from having her ventilator turned off Mrs Almeida (above) was given the erectile dysfunction drug by her colleagues at Lincoln County Hospital Can Viagra REALLY treat Covid? Its the little blue pill that helps men with erectile dysfunction. Yet doctors believe Viagras benefits could stretch way beyond impotence, and could also help in the fight against Covid. Severely ill patients can develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, a life-threatening condition where the lungs start to fail. It can lead patients to suffer pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the vessels supplying the lungs. Doctors already use sildenafil to treat PH because it can dilate arteries in the lungs, allowing blood to flow to the organs easier. For this reason, scientists searching for treatments in the war on Covid are hopeful that the drug could boost oxygen levels in critically-ill patients. Tests are being carried out in the US and Europe to see whether the impotence drug could be used in the same way as inhaling nitric oxide. The jury is still out on whether it works but trials have shown promising results for nitric oxide, which has a similar effect in boosting oxygen levels. Advertisement 'I had a little joke with the consultant after I came round because I knew him. 'He told me it was the Viagra, I laughed and thought he was joking, but he said 'no, really, you've had a large dose of Viagra.' 'It was my little Christmas miracle,' she told the Sun. The specialist respiratory nurse, who works for NHS Lincolnshire and was born in Portugal, first tested positive for the virus in October. Despite being double-jabbed, she lost her taste and smell and was coughing up blood on the fourth day. After visiting hospital when her oxygen levels dropped, she was discharged - but soon after was rushed to Lincoln County Hospital as she was unable to breathe. As her condition deteriorated she was taken to the ICU where she was placed in a medical coma on the 16 November. The nurse was so ill that her parents were advised to fly over from Portugal to say their goodbyes. But in the eleventh hour doctors decided to use the unusual treatment which had previously been suggested as a way to treat Covid patients as it dilates blood vessels and opens the airways. She emerged from her coma in time for Christmas on the 14 December and was allowed to return to her family on Christmas Eve. Tests are being carried out to see whether Viagra could be used to boost oxygen levels - in the same way as inhaling nitric oxide. Currently the drug can be given to Covid patients in Britain if they have agreed to be part of a study on experimental drugs. 'It was definitely the Viagra that saved me. Within 48 hours it opened up my airwaves and my lungs started to respond. 'If you think how the drug works, it expands your blood vessels,' she told the Mirror. Recovering with her husband Artur and their two sons, nine and 14, Mrs Almeida is now urging people to get the vaccine. The specialist respiratory nurse, who works for NHS Lincolnshire and was born in Portugal, tested positive for Covid in October Her condition deteriorated and became so severe that she was put in a coma on November 16 She told the Lincolnite: 'There are people out there saying the vaccine has killed people. Im not denying there are people who react and get poorly with the vaccine, but when we look at the amount of deaths we have in unvaccinated people there is a big message there to have your jab. 'It does worry me, especially in Lincolnshire, that people are against having the vaccine. 'I never expected at 37 years of age to get as ill as I did. I never thought this would happen to me and I want people to take it more seriously.' The Duke of Cambridge has paid tribute to Kenyan conservationist Richard Leakey, who has died at the age of 77. In a tweet signed W, Prince William, 39, said: 'I was very sad to hear of Richard Leakey's death. He was an inspirational & courageous conservationist and I was privileged to meet him. 'He transformed the Kenyan Wildlife Service & valiantly spearheaded efforts to stop elephant poaching. Conservation has lost a true visionary. W.' The world-renowned Kenyan paleoanthropologist and fossil hunter, whose groundbreaking discoveries helped prove that humankind evolved in Africa, died on Sunday, the country's president said. The legendary paleoanthropologist remained energetic into his 70s despite bouts of skin cancer, kidney and liver disease. 'I have this afternoon... received with deep sorrow the sad news of the passing away of Dr Richard Erskine Frere Leakey,' President Uhuru Kenyatta said late Sunday. The world-renowned Kenyan paleoanthropologist and fossil hunter (pictured), whose groundbreaking discoveries helped prove that humankind evolved in Africa, died on Sunday, the country's president said In a tweet (above) signed W, Prince William, 39, said: 'I was very sad to hear of Richard Leakey's death. He was an inspirational & courageous conservationist and I was privileged to meet him' Born on 19 December, 1944, Leakey was destined for palaeoanthropology - the study of the human fossil record - as the middle son of Louis and Mary Leakey, perhaps the world's most famous discoverers of ancestral hominids. Initially, Leakey tried his hand at safari guiding, but things changed when at 23 he won a research grant from the National Geographic Society to dig on the shores of northern Kenya's Lake Turkana, despite having no formal archaeological training. In the 1970s he led expeditions that recalibrated scientific understanding of human evolution with the discovery of the skulls of Homo habilis (1.9 million years old) in 1972 and Homo erectus (1.6 million years old) in 1975. A TIME magazine cover followed of Leakey posing with a Homo habilis mock-up under the headline 'How Man Became Man'. Then in 1981, his fame grew further when he fronted 'The Making of Mankind', a seven-part BBC television series. The world-renowned Kenyan paleoanthropologist and fossil hunter (pictured right), whose groundbreaking discoveries helped prove that humankind evolved in Africa, died on Sunday, the country's president said. Right: Leakey examines jawbone fossils in the laboratory of the National Museum in Nairobi in 1972. Prince William (left) paid tribute to Leakey on Monday At Kenya's national museum in Nairobi, school children look at the nearly complete skeleton of 'Turkana boy', today 1.6 million years old but aged about eight when he died. Yet the most famous fossil find was yet to come: the uncovering of an extraordinary, near-complete Homo erectus skeleton during one of his digs in 1984, which was nicknamed Turkana Boy. As the slaughter of African elephants reached a crescendo in the late 1980s, driven by insatiable demand for ivory, Leakey emerged as one of the world's leading voices against the then legal global ivory trade. President Daniel arap Moi in 1989 appointed Leakey to lead the national wildlife agency - soon to be named the Kenya Wildlife Service, or KWS. That year he pioneered a spectacular publicity stunt by burning a pyre of ivory, setting fire to 12 tonnes of tusks to make the point that they have no value once removed from elephants. He also held his nerve, without apology, when implementing a shoot-to-kill order against armed poachers. In 1993, his small Cessna plane crashed in the Rift Valley where he had made his name. He survived but lost both legs. 'There were regular threats to me at the time and I lived with armed guards. But I made the decision not to be a dramatist and say: 'They tried to kill me.' I chose to get on with life,' he told the Financial Times. Legendary paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey passed away on Sunday after battling skin cancer, liver disease and kidney disease Tonnes of ivory and rhino horn burn on a bonfire in Nairobi in 2016 in an anti-poaching stunt first made popular by Leakey Leakey was forced out of KWS a year later and began a third career as a prominent opposition politician, joining the chorus of voices against Moi's corrupt regime. His political career met with less success, however, and in 1998 he was back in the fold, appointed by Moi to head Kenya's civil service, putting him in charge of fighting official corruption. The task proved impossible, however, and he resigned after just two years. In 2015, as another elephant poaching crisis gripped Africa, President Kenyatta asked Leakey to again take the helm at KWS, this time as chairman of the board, a position he would hold for three years. Deputy President William Ruto said Leakey 'fought bravely for a better country' and inspired Kenyans with his zeal for public service. Softly-spoken and seemingly devoid of personal vanity, Leakey stubbornly refused to give in to health woes. 'Richard was a very good friend and a true loyal Kenyan. May he Rest In Peace,' Paula Kahumbu, the head of Wildlife Direct, a conservation group founded by Leakey, posted on Twitter. Prince Williams work on conservation is long-established, having been patron of the wildlife charity Tusk since 2005. And it was during a visit to Kenya, Namibia and Tanzania in the autumn of 2018, when he met frontline conservation workers and those from local communities, that William came up with the idea for his climate change initiative, the Earthshot Prize. An international student and her Indonesian family are suing the Commonwealth Bank after millions of dollars were lost in a money laundering scam. Delania Marundrury is studying make-up design and living with her mother Widyia in Australia. The pair have been receiving money from family back home to support Delania's education, buy land, and build a house. The family suddenly had millions of dollars seized by the Australian Federal Police after learning their account was being used by criminals to launder dirty money. The Marundrury's said they had no idea they were the target of the simple but effective scam known as 'cuckoo smurfing'. Delania Marundrury is studying make-up design and has been receiving money from family back home to support her education, buy land and build a house The family claim they had no idea their bank account was being used by criminals to launder money in a scam known as cuckoo smurfing The family had been sending money to a money changer, whose fees were lower, believing their funds were being deposited into their Commonwealth Bank account. Instead, the money changer was keeping their money and depositing dirty money made by criminals into their account, then sending their clean cash to overseas criminals. Once the AFP realised what was going on, everything in the account was seized as suspected proceeds of crime. The family claim they would not have continued to make any deposits had they been aware of what was happening. Ms Marundrury's family claimed police viewed them as 'soft targets' and took their money without them being charged with a crime or doing anything wrong They accused the Commonwealth Bank of breaching its anti-money laundering obligations by not reporting the suspicious activity. Banks and businesses are obliged to report potential cuckoo smurfing scams to the financial watchdog AUSTRAC. The Marundrury claim CBA had an obligation to protect its customers and prevent money laundering, and failed to do so. Their lawyers claim the family was victimised three times in Australia - first by the scammers, then the Australian Federal Police and Commonwealth Bank. Ms Marundrury's family claimed police viewed them as 'soft targets' and took their money without them being charged with a crime or doing anything wrong. The family claim they would not have continued to make any deposits had they been aware of what was happening (pictured, Delania's father Fona, who has been sending the money) The Commonwealth Bank filed an application to have the matter dismissed before it was rejected by Federal Court Judge Mark Moshinsky. The bank argued that AUSTRAC law prevented it from disclosing anti-money laundering activity to anyone else besides authorised law enforcement. Judge Moshinsky said he would give both parties four months to contact AUSTRAC chief executive Nicole Rose and ask her to use her discretion to allow CBA to discuss it for the case to proceed. Daily Mail Australia contacted Commonwealth Bank for comment. Suga of K-pop supergroup BTS has fully recovered from COVID-19 and been released from isolation, his agency said Monday. "Suga was released from isolation at noon as he was confirmed to have fully recovered from COVID-19," Big Hit Music said on the agency's fan community platform Weverse. The rapper tested positive for the virus Dec. 24 after returning home the previous day from Los Angeles, where the group had large-scale live concerts between late November and early December. He was fully vaccinated and showed no serious symptoms of the disease, according to the agency. "Suga showed no specific symptoms and is now recovering while taking a rest," it added. Two other BTS members who tested positive for the virus rapper RM and vocalist Jin are also expected to be declared fully recovered and released from isolation as early as Tuesday. (Yonhap) Cheney outlined reasons the panel could consider criminal charges against Trump and argued he shouldn't be 'anywhere near the Oval Office ever again' Ivanka Trump pleaded with her father, former president Donald Trump, at least twice on January 6 to stop the violence at the US Capitol. Jan. 6 Select Committee Vice Chair Rep. Liz Cheney revealed the first daughter's efforts to stop the siege, during an interview on Sunday. She added that the panel has firsthand testimony confirming Ivanka's requests. 'We know members of his family, we know his daughter - we have firsthand testimony that his daughter Ivanka went in at least twice to ask him to please stop this violence,' the Wyoming Republican said on ABC's This Week. Ivanka reportedly referred to the insurrection as an 'optics issue' as it was taking place, according to Michael Wolff's latest Trump book Landslide. She tried to stop the riot herself, tweeting: 'American Patriots - any security breach or disrespect to our law enforcement is unacceptable. The violence must stop immediately. Please be peaceful.' The tweet has since been deleted. Later, when a CNN reporter questioned her use of the word 'patriots' to describe the rioters she responded: 'No. Peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.' Ivanka Trump visited her father, Donald Trump, during the Capitol Riot 'at least twice to ask him to please stop this violence,' Rep. Liz Cheney revealed Sunday (Pictured: Ivanka Trump, left, and Donald Trump, right, on Jan. 6, 2020 before the riot) Cheney's confirmation of Ivanka's alleged pleas to her father, echoes an account by Washington Post reporters Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker in their book 'I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year.' The authors, who published the novel in July 2021, claimed Ivanka tried for hours to convince Trump to order his supporters to stop rioting at the Capitol Building on January 6. 'I'm going down to my dad. This has to stop,' Ivanka reportedly told her aides after the massive crowd of his supporters had breached the Capitol. The first daughter and adviser to the president left her second floor West Wing office and headed toward the Oval. She then spent 'several hours walking back and forth' between the two offices, trying to convince her dad to call off the MAGA assault. Jan. 6 Select Committee Vice Chair Rep. Liz Cheney revealed during an interview Sunday that the panel has firsthand testimony confirming Ivanka's visits Rep. Liz Cheney, the top Republican on the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, says former Pres. Trump is "clearly unfit for future office, clearly can never be anywhere near the Oval Office ever again." https://t.co/zo7wSq6hc1 pic.twitter.com/Q8v97iEqcY This Week (@ThisWeekABC) January 2, 2022 A number of people in the president's orbit allegedly asked Ivanka to tell her father to quell the crowd. Mark Meadows, who was serving as White House chief of staff, summoned her throughout the day. 'I need you to come back down here,' Meadows said. 'We've got to get this under control.' He then cleared out the Oval, saying: 'I only want Ivanka, myself and the president in here,' according to the authors. Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Trump's top allies on Capitol Hill, also called Ivanka on January 6. 'You need to tell him to tell these people to leave,' Graham said. Ivanka Trump responded with: 'We're working on it.' It is unclear if this account aligns with the 'firsthand testimony' Cheney referenced on Sunday. Ivanka Trump is photographed leaving her Washington, D.C. home on January 6, the day of the attempted insurrection Also during her interview, Cheney outlined reasons why the committee could consider criminal charges against Trump, arguing he shouldn't be 'anywhere near the Oval Office ever again'. She and Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson appeared on multiple news programs Sunday where they further clarified the emerging picture of the ex-president's movements as his supporters shattered windows and beat back law enforcement to enter the US Capitol building. 'We are learning much more about what former President Trump was doing while the violent assault was underway,' Cheney said, adding the panel now has 'firsthand testimony' alleging Trump watched the Capitol riot unfold on television as his allies frantically begged him to call off his supporters. 'The briefing room at the White House is just a mere few steps from the Oval Office,' she said. 'The president could have at any moment, walked those very few steps into the briefing room, gone on live television, and told his supporters who were assaulting the Capitol to stop.' 'Any man who would provoke a violent assault on the Capitol to stop the counting of electoral votes, any man who would watch television as police officers were being beaten, as his supporters were invading the Capitol of the United States is clearly unfit for future office, clearly can never be anywhere near the Oval Office ever again,' she argued. Trump's supporters are pictured storming the US Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021 Thompson told NBC's Meet The Press that his panel is looking at a timeline of 'about 187 minutes' during which Trump sat at the White House shunning appeals to stop the violence. He added that the committee is weighing whether it can subpoena sitting members of Congress linked to the riot as well. 'We've determined that a number of people made attempts to contact him through his chief of staff ... We also have information of other individuals who made calls trying to get some semblance of response out of the White House. But for that 187 minutes, nothing happened,' Thompson said. 'We do know now that several videos were made, we don't have them yet, before the right one was released.' He didn't elaborate on what those videos contained but said they were part of the committee's sweeping records requests to the National Archives. 'So, he - the president was told, "You need to say directly to your people to go home. Leave the Capitol." And so it took over 187 minutes to make that simple statement. Somethings wrong with that,' Thompson said. Thompson told NBC that the committee is actively exploring whether it can subpoena sitting members of Congress Of those 187 minutes, Cheney said on ABC: 'The committee has firsthand testimony now that he was sitting in the dining room next to the Oval Office watching the attack on television as the assault on the Capitol occurred.' She added that the White House briefing room was a 'mere few steps' away. 'He could have told them to go home, and he failed to do so. It's hard to imagine a more significant and more serious dereliction of duty than that,' Cheney said. Multiple reports have cited Trump as watching the riot unfold on television, but Sunday marks the first time those reports were confirmed by a member of the committee. Cheney said Trump's inaction that day proves he is 'clearly unfit for future office and clearly cannot be anywhere near the Oval Office ever again.' Asked about whether that inaction amounted to criminal negligence, Cheney said there are a 'number' of 'potential criminal statutes at issue here.' 'I think there is absolutely no question it was a dereliction of duty, and I think one of the things the committee needs to look at is... whether we need enhanced penalties for that kind of dereliction of duty,' the Wyoming lawmaker said. The Wyoming Republican Party ousted Cheney in November for her continued opposition to Trump and her work on the committee. On Sunday she issued an ultimatum for her fellow Republicans: 'The Republican Party has to make a choice. We can either be loyal to our Constitution or loyal to Donald Trump, but we cannot be both.' Thompson told Meet The Press host Chuck Todd that he believes Trump 'weaponized' his supporters on January 6 -- suggesting that some with no intention of storming the Capitol only did so after his Stop the Steal rally speech. The committee has 'firsthand testimony' of Trump's inaction on January 6, Cheney said, and Thompson said the inaction lasted 'about 187 minutes' "The president could have at any moment, walked those very few steps into the briefing room, gone on live television, and told his supporters who were assaulting the Capitol to stop," Rep. Liz Cheney says of former Pres. Trump's actions on Jan. 6. https://t.co/zo7wSq6hc1 pic.twitter.com/sUYg0wGKsi This Week (@ThisWeekABC) January 2, 2022 'I think a lot of people got caught up in the moment, had no intentions of going, but when the president said, "They are up there now taking your rights away from you. You need to go there. They need to hear from you. And I'll be there." Well, you know, that kind of weaponized the entire crowd to go to the Capitol,' he said. He also said the committee could also step up consequences for lawmakers in Trump's orbit who are somehow linked to the riot but refuse to cooperate. 'I think there are some questions of whether we have the authority to do it. We're looking at it. If the authorities are there, there'll be no reluctance on our part,' he said. Republican Reps. Scott Perry and Jim Jordan are currently under the panel's microscope. The committee said it was interested in Perry's links to ex-DOJ lawyer Jeffrey Clark, who allegedly had Trump's support in trying to oust Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen over his refusal to participate in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Perry refused to voluntarily cooperate. Jordan recently told Fox he had 'real concerns' about the committee's credibility, but was reviewing its December 22 letter to him. Private healthcare firms contracted to help the NHS in the pandemic pocketed millions of pounds in furlough cash while recording bumper profits. Last night there were calls for the global multi-billion pound companies who cashed in on the generous Government support scheme to pay back the cash they took. The NHS signed a series of contracts worth more than 2billion with private hospital firms in the first year of the pandemic to ease the burden of the crisis. Yet the companies delivered less than 0.1 per cent of the nations Covid care and took on fewer NHS patients than the year previously, the Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) said. The pandemic has led to soaring profits and increased revenues for these companies at a time when the NHS is on its knees and waiting lists are growing by the day (stock image) The think-tanks analysis of HM Revenue and Customs figures has revealed private health bodies collected as much as 72million in furlough support enough to pay the salaries of more than 2,000 nurses. The NHS paid HCA Healthcare as much as 190million in the pandemic, but the firm also claimed furlough money worth up to 3million. Accounts show the US parent company increased its profit margin nearly 40 per cent to 7billion. Australian firm Ramsay Health Care claimed up to 525,000 despite receiving 385million from the NHS. The companys income increased 15 per cent last year and its profit margin rose 13 per cent to 100million. CHPI director David Rowland said: It is increasingly clear that the mainly foreign-owned private hospital sector in the UK has the appearance of having gamed the pandemic to its advantage. They have received billions of pounds out of the NHS budget to cover their operating costs, while being required to provide very little support for the NHS in return and have furloughed staff to reduce their wage bills. This has led to soaring profits and increased revenues for these companies at a time when the NHS is on its knees and waiting lists are growing by the day. Aspen Healthcare also claimed 800,000 while it took 55million from the health service. The London-based firms accounts for 2020 show its revenue increased from 83million to 89million, while it made 5.7million profit. Labour MP Stella Creasy said: This is companies using our NHS as a cashpoint because of Covid. The furlough scheme was meant to keep businesses from going bust. Some of these guys have made billions in profit. There are businesses on their knees this Christmas because of Omicron. These health firms have to play their part and pay back public money they were given to stop them going out of business. For any responsible business committed to the NHS, this is the least they could do. UK medical giant Nuffield Health, a not-for-profit charity, claimed the bulk of the furlough cash, collecting 64.5million despite taking more than 224million from the NHS. Only UK firm Spire Healthcare has repaid 220,000 it received. In total, more than 1.3million firms claimed 70billion in furlough support to 11.1million workers wages. To date, 1.3billion has been paid back. Not all of the private companies on a NHS pandemic contract claimed furlough. Sara Gorton, head of health at trade union Unison, said: During times of crisis, everyone needs to pull together for the greater good. Returning money to the Exchequer would be the right thing to do. The Treasury would not say whether the Chancellor had asked any health firms for money back. A spokesman said: Furlough provided a lifeline to more than a million businesses across the UK and protected nearly 12million jobs, with businesses passing all the money they received from the scheme on to employees. A HCA Healthcare spokesman said: We furloughed some of the team whose roles did not directly impact patient safety or the delivery of care to patients. We used furlough on a partial and temporary basis and limited its use to where it was necessary. Aspen said it used furlough to protect the jobs of a small number of staff, adding: We delivered thousands of outpatient clinics, diagnostic scans and time-critical operations to NHS patients. Nuffield Health said curbs forced its fitness and wellbeing centres to close, impacting 6,000 of its 16,000 staff. It added these workers were furloughed to support the charitys financial sustainability and protect the jobs of our people. Police in New Hampshire are searching for a seven-year-old girl who was last seen two years ago after she was only just reported missing. Harmony Montgomery was last seen in October 2019, when she was five years old, Manchester Police confirmed this week. A missing person's report of her disappearance was only received in the final week of December 2021. Harmony is described as 4ft tall and weighs 50lbs. She has blonde hair, and blue eyes and is said to be wearing glasses due to being blind in her right eye. The last photographs taken of Harmony are from two years ago. 'Manchester police became aware of this this week, and I know people are going to say "Well here it is 2021, almost 2022, and nobody has seen this young girl since late October 2019. So what has happened in the last few years?" Fair question. 'That's why I'm here today. Because we need assistance. We need help. And we do not have many answers to many questions that we have,' said Manchester Police Chief Allen D. Aldenberg. 'I don't care if you saw this young girl a year ago and you think it's irrelevant call us.' Harmony Montgomery, 7, has been missing since October 2019. The last time she was seen was at a house in Manchester, New Hampshire, after a 911 call had been made Police said they were informed this week through the Division of Children Youth and Families in New Hampshire after several people filed reports of the missing child. Authorities have spoken with Harmony's family members but would not reveal which relatives those were. They said the girl was last seen in the area in October 2019 after police had responded to a call at a house where she was, but they did not disclose the details of the call. Aldenberg described the case as a 'top priority' for his investigators but added that there's isn't a lot of information out there for his department to go on about the girl's disappearance. It remains a 'very active investigation,' he said, adding that police is not searching for anyone in connection to the case, except Harmony. She was last enrolled in school in Massachusetts in 2019, according to the police chief, but detectives don't know what town. Aldenberg failed to answer whether Harmony was the subject of a custody dispute or if any child welfare agencies had previously alerted police. Harmony is described as four-feet tall and weighs 50-pounds. She has blonde hair, and blue eyes and is said to be wearing glass due to being blind in her right eye 'I have detectives working on this that all have children of their own,' Aldenberg said. 'I do not doubt their level of commitment.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Manchester police at 603-668-8711 or Detective Jack Dunleavy at 603-792-5561. You can also remain anonymous and call the Manchester Crimeline at 603-624-4040. A safety-obsessed wharfie who filed ten hazard reports a day was regularly called a 'rat dog' and 'dobber' by workmates, one of whom defecated in his gumboots. The stevedore alleged he was ostracised by colleagues and denied promotion due to his workplace safety diligence, but lost a legal claim he was the victim of bullying. The 50-year-old sued his former employer P&O Ports, now known as DP World, alleging it was negligent during the last years of his employment on the Melbourne docks from 2007 to 2012. He citied abuse and harassment including graffiti written about him in the staff toilets which included a tombstone drawn next to his name and 'RIP'. County Court of Victoria judge Philip Ginnane dismissed the man's claim after finding that while some of the wharfie's workmates clearly did not like him, he had not been subjected to bullying. A safety-obsessed wharfie who filed ten hazard reports a day was regularly called a 'rat dog' and 'dobber' by workmates, one of whom defecated in his gumboots The stevedore alleged he was ostracised by colleagues and denied promotion due to his workplace safety diligence but lost a legal claim he had been the victim of bullying 'The plaintiff was unpopular with certain co-workers,' Judge Ginnane found. 'However, dislike is not unlawful conduct.' The married father-of-three started with P&O Ports in 2004, four years after he drilled a hole through his finger while working as a panel beater. For much of his employment, the man's main job was driving a straddle truck moving containers to and from ships. He worked 'without incident' - apparently alongside some of the men he later implicated in bullying and harassment - until 2007 when he was elected by his peers as a health and safety representative. The court heard the waterfront was 'a robust workplace environment which was not for the faint-hearted'; there was 'salty language' and a 'rough and vulgar work culture' at the port. It was also a workplace 'rich with risks and hazards by sheer nature of the tasks involved', and the wharfie was obsessed with reporting safety breaches. 'The plaintiff is a stickler for safety,' Judge Ginnane found. 'Some doctors have suggested his concern for work safety borders on the obsessional. 'There is little doubt that safety was a central tenet of his daily work and the fear of death or injury to himself or his co-workers his steady companion.' County Court of Victoria judge Philip Ginnane dismissed the wharfie's claim after finding that while some of his workmates clearly did not like him, he had not been subjected to bullying The court heard the stevedore filed an average ten safety reports a day, amounting to 300 a year. This put him in conflict with workmates who called him a 'rat dog', 'dobber', 'lagger' and 'give-up'. Judge Ginnane accepted that on the highly unionised wharves using such words suggested the target was 'a lackey of management or a traitor to "worker" principles'. 'The words "rat" and "dog" certainly have a long, colourful and damaging lineage in Australian industrial history,' Judge Ginnane said. '[The wharfie] said he found the use of the word offensive, and I accept he did. 'However, I do not regard it as meeting the objective standard of conduct that is intimidating, undermining, or threatening. It was not an act of bullying.' The wharfie claimed to have suffered mental injury after being bullied, harassed and threatened by management and other stevedores for lodging so many safety breach reports. Eventually he felt forced to avoid the tea room and ate his meals alone next to his locker. The 50-year-old sued his former employer P&O Ports, now known as DP World, alleging it was negligent during the last years of his employment from 2007 to 2012. Stock image In December 2008 the wharfie made a radio report that a foreman was not present to give directions on a grid as was required by company policy. The foreman who was supposed to be there then contacted the wharfie over the radio and told him, 'I will be waiting for you in the canteen'. The foreman then met him and said: 'If you have a f**king problem with a foreman not being down there, don't say it over the f**king radio.' 'I have been out f**king lashing in the rain. I'm sick of you being a f**king d**k on the radio. You're making a d**k of yourself. No one gives a f**k about you, I can tell you right now. 'Saying it on the radio - you can f**king come and see that we were f**king there. You think you're so good, why don't you do every f**king job in the f**king place?' Then there was what became known during the 23-day County Court hearing as 'The Boots Incident'. The wharfie told the court that in December 2010 he arrived at his locker to get changed for work and found 'someone had s**t in me boots'. 'The plaintiff said he was disgusted and repulsed, enraged and disheartened,' Judge Ginnane found in his judgment. 'The plaintiff said as a result of the incident, he was fearful of what else would be done to him.' For much of his employment the man's main job was driving a straddle truck, moving containers to and from ships. Stock image of a straddle carrier 'He also said that he was the subject of jokes for a long time. Graffiti on the toilet wall read "DNA the s**t in the boot".' The wharfie claimed when he filed a hazard report about the incident the operations superintendent told him, 'Lucky it wasn't in your helmet'. Judge Ginnane noted evidence that while some of the port's casual employees were 'pretty disgusted' by the boots incident, 'some of the permanents thought it was quite funny and were laughing about it'. He said the operations superintendent's comment about it being better someone defecated in the wharfie's boots than in his helmet had been 'inappropriate'. 'However, I regard it as one that should be understood as a failed attempt at levity to try and lighten an otherwise exceptional incident to which the plaintiff had been exposed.' Judge Ginnane was satisfied someone had put faeces in the gumboots but it had been washed before the wharfie tried to put it on. He was not satisfied by the wharfie's claim he felt detritus when he put his hand in the toe of one boot. The court heard the port was 'a robust workplace environment which was not for the faint-hearted'; there was 'salty language' and a 'rough and vulgar work culture'. Stock image 'I find that this part of the plaintiff's evidence is another example in which he has embroidered an otherwise factual occurrence in its retelling in order to present it in even a worse light,' he said. Judge Ginnane found while the incident occurred it had not constituted bullying. 'It was not repeated,' he ruled. 'Nothing else akin to it was visited on the plaintiff.' P&O Ports did not owe the wharfie a duty of care 'that extended to ensuring that fellow workers on the docks did not mete out to one another from time to time offensive language in their verbal interactions', Judge Ginnane ruled. Despite the abuse the wharfie suffered on the job, Judge Ginnane said it appeared he had enjoyed working at the port. 'The plaintiff's evidence that throughout his employment, and despite the travails and ongoing verbal assaults and distressing behaviour to which he was subjected, that he nonetheless continued to enjoy his job was one of a number of the peculiar traits he exhibited,' he said. Judge Ginnane accepted that in a unionised workplace such as the wharves, calling someone a 'rat dog' suggested the target was 'a lackey of management or a traitor to "worker" principles' The judge criticised the wharfie for exaggerating some of his evidence. 'The plaintiff exhibited obsessional traits that were evident in listening to and observing him over the course of the trial,' Judge Ginnane found. 'He was prone to hyperbole and to adopt heightened descriptions of treatment including having been "hunted down" in the workplace by fellow employees and by management. '... I have found that a considerable amount of the plaintiff's evidence was unreliable and, unfortunately, in some instances, untrue. 'Apart from dishonesty, the plaintiff was in other respects a very unsatisfactory witness. 'Even in regard to some very limited instances in which I have accepted his evidence of the existence of conduct to which he was exposed, his descriptions were exaggerated and his language florid.' The wharfie left DP World in June 2012 and had not worked since due to what he claimed was psychological injury. Advertisement A 91-year-old woman from Colorado is one of two people missing and feared dead in the state's devastating new year wildfires. Nadine Turnbull, from Superior, has been missing for three days ever since Marshall Fire evacuations began on Thursday. Her family say that she was in a home with one of her nieces as the fire draw closer. Somehow, the pair became separated as firefighters set about evacuating the area. Nadine's family hope that rescuers may have taken her to an evacuation center. She was reported missing to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. A 58-year-old man suffering from Alzheimer's who had just week to live has been confirmed among the fire fatalities. Gonzalo 'Chalo' Quesada died on Friday morning after he was saved from his burning home in Superior. A former software engineer for IBM, Quesada was housebound and had no verbal or motor for ten years. Suffering from Alzheimer's and aphasia, doctors believe he would not have lived for much longer. Crews were still looking for a 91-year-old woman at a home in Superior. Nadine Turnbull, from Superior, has been missing for three days Another of those who lost their lives in the inferno is 58-year-old Gonzalo 'Chalo' Quesada Gonzalo 'Chalo' Quesada was suffering from Alzheimers and had just week to live The hospice confirmed that Quesada died from a combination of his illness, smoke inhalation and the sheer physical trauma he experienced by the evacuation Quesada was housebound and had no verbal or motor for ten years. Suffering from Alzheimer's and aphasia, doctors believe he would not have lived for much longer As tens of thousands of people began evacuating their homes, Quesada's wife and sister were able to summon an ambulance before the Marshall Fire wiped out their entire block. Quesada was taken to Avista Adventist hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation but then that too was forced to evacuate. Quesada was taken to a hospice in Denver. 'They got him cleaned up and he was resting comfortably,' says his wife Michelle Quesada to WWLP. 'But his breathing was very erratic, and we knew he wasn't going to make it through the night, the trauma from his body being jostled around and the smoke inhalation was really, really bad. 'It's really unfortunate that he was in the latter stages of his illness, and this was the way he was going to go out,' she added. The hospice center confirmed to the family that Quesada died from a combination of his illness, smoke inhalation and the sheer physical trauma he experienced by the evacuation. A GoFundMe page has been set up by the family who also lost their home in the fires. Charley Ferrera, 8, walks through what remains of her grandfather's house in a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire on January 2, 2022 in Louisville, Colorado Charley can be seen looking for anything salvageable as she scours the remains Denny Ferrera, top, looks into the remains of his home as his son, Joe Ferrera, bottom, sifts through the rubble in a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire Charley Ferrera, 8, left, and her parents, Raelynn Ferrera, center, and Joe Ferrera, walks through what remains of her grandfather's house in a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire Plastic is melted over a Colorado license plate in a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire on January 2, 2022 in Louisville, Colorado Colorado National Guard members secure locations burned by wildfire Sunday in Superior, Colorado Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings On Sunday, search teams were still looking for two missing people in the snow-covered but still smoldering debris from a massive Colorado wildfire, while people who barely escaped the flames sorted through what was left after the blaze and investigators tried to determine its cause. The flames ripped through at least 9.4 square miles and left nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings destroyed in suburbs between Denver and Boulder. It came unusually late in the year following an extremely dry fall and amid a winter nearly devoid of snow. Experts say those conditions, along with high winds, helped the fire spread. In hard-hit Louisville, Susan Hill walked her dog in the well-below freezing chill Sunday morning down a snowy street. She choked up as she remembered three days ago seeing the sky change color from the hill where she used to watch fireworks - and then the nervous sprint out of town with her college-age son and the dog, cat and the fire box with birth certificates and other documents. The flames stopped about 100 yards from her property, and she slept Saturday night in her home using a space heater and hot water bottles to stay warm since her natural gas service had not been turned back on. A car sits in what used to be a garage in a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire on Sunday in Louisville, Colorado People walk through a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire. Officials reported that 991 homes were destroyed in the fire, making it the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history People walk through a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colorado on Sunday A hole is burned in the corner of a Chuck E. Cheese's after wildfires ravaged the area Snow covers the burned remains of a shopping center after wildfires ravaged the area The remains of the shopping mall will need to be razed to the ground following the destructive fire Snow covers the burned remains of a Tesla dealership after wildfires destroyed the frontage Snow covers the burned remains of a car after wildfires ravaged the area in Superior, Colorado A burned truck in a destroyed neighborhood in Louisville, Colorado People whose homes didn't burn in a wildfire salvage some of their belongings over the weekend Snow covers the burned remains of a car after wildfires ravaged the area 'I dont even know how to describe it,' she said. 'Its so sad. Its so awful. Its just devastating.' In the burned-out neighborhood near Hills home, a U.S. Mail carrier checked the still-standing brick and stone boxes for outgoing mail. The fire came so quickly people might have put bills or other letters in there, and she didnt want someone to steal them. While homes that burned to the foundations were still smoldering in some places, the blaze was no longer considered an immediate threat - especially with Saturday's snow and frigid temperatures. 'A day late and a dollar short,' Hill said of snow, which scientists said typically prevents winter fires that spread in dry grass. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and federal emergency officials visited some of the damaged neighborhoods Sunday morning. 'I know this is a hard time in your life if you've lost everything or you dont even know what you lost,' Polis said after the tour. 'A few days ago you were celebrating Christmas at home and hanging your stockings and now home and hearth have been destroyed.' The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Utility officials found no downed power lines around where the fire broke out. Charley Ferrera, 8, plays on a swing at what remains of her grandfather's house People walk through a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire An Excel Energy truck drives through a destroyed neighborhood Officials reported that 991 homes were destroyed in the fire, making it the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history A woman looks at the remains of a home in a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire A search team walks through a neighborhood destroyed by the Marshall fire A car sits burned in a neighborhood decimated by the Marshall Fire Pelle said Saturday authorities were pursuing a number of tips and had executed a search warrant at 'one particular location.' The sheriff refused to give details again Sunday, including whether he thought the fire was set. 'Its complicated and its all covered with a foot of snow,' Pelle said of the scene where the fire started. 'The outcome of that investigation is vital - there is so much at stake. We are going to be professional. We are going to be careful.' Of at least 991 buildings destroyed by the fire, most were homes. But the blaze also burned through eight businesses at a shopping center in Louisville, including a nail salon and a Subway restaurant. In neighboring Superior, 12 businesses were damaged, including a Target, Chuck E. Cheese, Tesla dealership, a hotel and the town hall. The two towns are about 20 miles northwest of Denver with a combined population of 34,000. The Payanna family brings valuables back to their home in Superior, Colorado on Sunday, which was spared by the Marshall wildfire A woman brings a heater back to her home after the Marshall Fire, in Superior Marie Payanna brings photo albums back to her home in Superior, Colorado A police officer guides residents carrying heaters and supplies to their homes in Superior, Colorado Neighbors hug while bringing heaters and valuables back to their homes A police officer talks to residents trying to get back to their home after the Marshall Fire damaged property in the area A resident brings belongings back to her home that was spared by the Marshall wildfire The Payanna family brings valuables back to their home that was spared by the fire Utility crews expected to restore electricity to the homes still standing Sunday, but warned gas service might take longer to get back. People lined up to get donated space heaters, bottled water and blankets at Red Cross shelters. Xcel Energy urged other residents to use fireplaces and wood stoves to stay warm and keep their pipes at home from freezing. Superior resident Jeff Markley arrived in his truck to pick up a heater. He said he felt lucky to be 'just displaced' since his home is intact. 'We're making do, staying with friends, and upbeat for the new year. Gotta be better than this last one,' Markley said. Almost a foot of snow has been dumped on Colorado hampering recovery and rescue efforts in the wake of the wildfire that has less three missing presumed dead and thousands without homes Ten inches of snow has fallen on Boulder as it recovers from the devastating wildfire. Snow and temperatures in the single digits cast an eerie scene amid still-smoldering remains of homes - with an estimated six feet of snow still forecast for certain parts of the state Mike Jones of Boulder, Colorado shovels debris and snow out of his girlfriend's home which was destroyed by the Marshall Fire in the Rock Creek neighborhood in the town of Superior, Boulder County, Colorado on January 1, 2022 Snow-covered walls are all that remain at a residence destroyed by the Marshall Fire in the Rock Creek neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County Businesses destroyed by the Marshall Fire in the town of Superior in Boulder County, Colorado are closed off with police tape on January 1, 2022 Snow covers the charred remains of a home destroyed by the Marshall Fire in the Rock Creek neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County, Colorado Steam rises around the snow covered remains of a home destroyed by the Marshall Fire in the Rock Creek neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County A snow covered car destroyed by the Marshall Fire is seen near destroyed homes in the Rock Creek neighborhood of Superior in Boulder County A snow covered car destroyed by the Marshall Fire is seen near destroyed homes in the Rock Creek neighborhood of Superior Sunlight illuminates the walls of a residence destroyed by the Marshall Fire in the Rock Creek neighborhood of Superior The Marshall Fire was seen burning out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle told a press conference: 'We're very fortunate that we don't have a list of 100 missing. But unfortunately we do have three confirmed missing people. About 1,000 homes are thought to have been destroyed as the blaze raced through the towns of Superior and Louisville on Thursday, just outside the state's biggest city, Denver, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee with little notice. Shocking aerial footage showed whole streets as little more than piles of smoking ash, destruction that appeared almost total but somehow left a few homes oddly untouched. Pelle said the search for the missing had been hampered by the destruction and snow. 'The structures where these folks would be are completely destroyed and covered with about eight inches (20 centimeters) of snow right now.' Investigators found no credible evidence to back earlier reports that downed power lines may have caused the fire, with Pelle stating that some residents may have been confused by downed telecom lines. Louie Delaware embraces his wife Judy as his daughter Elise embraces her fiance McGregor Ritter after returning to the remains of their home in Louisville, Colorado Homes were burned in the Marshal fire in the neighborhood between Harper Lake and S Centennial Parkway. The Marshall fire that tore through parts of Boulder County may have destroyed up to 1000 homes However, investigators have 'executed a search warrant in one particular location' as part of an ongoing investigation that Pelle described as 'very active' and comprising federal and state partners. The fire, which was sparked in a tinder-dry landscape, was then fanned by winds gusting at more than 100 miles an hour on Thursday. 'This was a disaster in fast motion... over the course of half a day. Many families having minutes to get whatever they could -- their pets, their kids -- into the car and leave,' Governor Jared Polis said, 'just as in the blink of an eye.' Debris lies scattered in the basement of a home destroyed by wildfire in unincorporated Boulder County, Colorado At least 33,000 people in Superior and Louisville were told to flee, many doing so with little more than the clothes on their backs. Pelle said he spoke to the granddaughter of one of the missing on Saturday morning. 'They're trying to find grandma. And we're trying to find grandma for her,' he said. 'But the conditions right now don't make that possible to do quickly.' While snowfall had helped extinguish the fire, it was a 'hard thing for crime scenes, and recovery efforts and damage assessments,' Pelle said. The fire, which occurred just before the New Year's holiday, follows mid-December tornadoes in the state of Kentucky that left dozens dead and thousands of families in crisis mode ahead of Christmas. Although fires are a natural part of the climate cycle and help to clear dead brush, their scale and intensity are increasing. Scientists say a warming climate, chiefly caused by human activities such as the unchecked burning of fossil fuels, is altering weather patterns. One couple returned home Friday to find the mailbox about the only thing left standing. Charred cars and a burned trampoline lay outside smoldering houses. On some blocks, homes reduced to smoking ruins stood next to ones practically unscathed by the flames. A burned out car sits in the middle of the road amidst the remnants of a wildfire in Louisville, Colo., on Frida Pictured: John Peer finds a couple of plates as he looks through the rubble of his fire-damaged home after the Marshall Wildfire in Louisville, Colorado, Friday Renato D'Amario, left, hugs neighbor Lori Peer after finding their homes destroyed, Friday, while neighbors embrace after seeing the destruction left by the Marshall Wildfire, right The wildfire broke out unusually late in the year, following an extremely dry fall and amid a winter nearly devoid of snow so far. The sheriff said some communities were reduced to just 'smoking holes in the ground. He urged residents to wait for the all-clear to go back because of the danger of fire and fallen power lines. Cathy Glaab found that her home in the town of Superior where she lives with her husband had been turned into a pile of charred and twisted debris. It was one of seven houses in a row that burned to the ground. 'The mailbox is standing,' Glaab said, trying to crack a smile through tears. She added sadly. 'So many memories.' Despite the devastation, she said they intend to rebuild the house they had since 1998. They love that the land backs up to a natural space, and they have a view of the mountains from the back. Rick Dixon feared there would be nothing to return to after he saw firefighters try to save his burning home on the news. On Friday, Dixon, his wife and 21-year-old son found it mostly gutted with a gaping hole in the roof but still standing. Only smoldering rubble remained where several neighboring homes once stood in a row immediately next to theirs. 'We thought we lost everything,' he said, as he held his mother-in-law's china in padded containers. They also retrieved sculptures that belonged to Dixons father and piles of clothes still on hangers. The wildfire erupted Thursday in and around Louisville and Superior, neighboring towns about 20 miles northwest of Denver with a combined population of 34,000. Tens of thousands were ordered to flee as the flames swept over drought-stricken neighborhoods with alarming speed, propelled by guests up to 105 mph. At a Costco in Superior, two store employees came running toward the checkout lines, one of them shouting, 'Everyone evacuate, evacuate, evacuate!' said Katrina Peterson, who was inside. Pictured: a burned out car sit in the driveway of a home destroyed by the Marshall Wildfire in Louisville A fire still burns in a home destroyed by the Marshall Wildfire in Louisville Pictured: a man reacts to seeing the remains of her mother-in-law's home destroyed by the Marshall Wildfire A video she made showed dark skies and whirling debris outside. The falling ash filled her ears, and she had to squint to keep it from getting in her eyes. The store was left standing. With some roads still closed Friday, people walked back to their homes to get clothes or medicine, turn the water off to prevent the pipes from freezing, or see if they still had a house. They left carrying backpacks and pulling suitcases or wagons down the sidewalk. David Marks stood on a hillside overlooking Superior with others, using a pair of binoculars and a long-range camera lens to see if his house, and those of his neighbors, were still there, but he couldn't tell for sure whether his place was OK. He said at least three friends lost their homes. He had watched from the hillside as the neighborhood burned. 'By the time I got up here, the houses were completely engulfed,' he said. 'I mean, it happened so quickly. I've never seen anything like that. ... Just house after house, fences, just stuff flying through the air, just caught on fire.' A woman cries as she sees her burnt down home. Tens of thousands of Coloradans driven from their homes by a wind-whipped wildfire anxiously waited to see what was left of them Friday A Firefighter puts water on a hot spot after a wildfire in Louisville, Colorado, Friday Renato D'Amario, pictured center, tries to open his safe with family members Francisco Declaw, right, and Jessica DeClaw, left, after finding his home destroyed By first light Friday, the towering flames that had lit up the night sky had subsided and the winds had died down. Light snow soon began to fall, and the blaze, which burned at least 9.4 square miles, was no longer considered an immediate threat. 'We might have our very own New Year's miracle on our hands if it holds up that there was no loss of life,' Governor Jared Polis said, noting that many people had just minutes to evacuate. Sarah Owens, her husband, adult son and their dog got out of their Superior home within ten minutes of learning about the evacuation from a Facebook post. But as everyone tried leaving by way of the winding streets of the well-to-do Rock Creek neighborhood, it took them one and a half hours to go 2 miles. 'The good news is I think our house may be OK,' Owens said. But from now on, she said, she plans to have a bag packed in case of another fire. 'I never thought a brush fire could cause this kind of destruction,' Owens said. Residents fight the Marshall Fire in Louisville, Colorado, Thursday, as fire crews worked through the night battling the blaze that had destroyed more than 500 home Renato D'Amario looks over what remains after finding his home destroyed by the Marshall Wildfire in Louisville, Colorado, Friday 'I want to stay here. No matter where you live, there are always going to be natural disasters.' Superior and Louisville are filled with middle- and upper-middle-class subdivisions with shopping centers, parks and schools. The area is between Denver and Boulder, home to the University of Colorado. Scientists say climate change is making weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. Ninety percent of Boulder County is in severe or extreme drought, and it hasn't seen substantial rainfall since mid-summer. Denver set a record for consecutive days without snow before it got a small storm on December 10, its last snowfall before the wildfires broke out. Bruce and Mary Janda faced the loss of their Louisville home of 25 years in person Friday after learning it had been destroyed through a neighbor's photos. 'We knew that the house was totaled, but I felt the need to see it, see what the rest of the neighborhood looked like,' Bruce Janda said. 'We're a very close knit community on this street. We all know each other and we all love each other. It's hard to see this happen to all of us.' Britain's most popular bottles of wine are set to see a sharp price rise under tax changes claimed to make alcohol duty 'fairer'. The Chancellor Rishi Sunak flagged up duty based on alcohol strength as a centrepiece of his autumn Budget. He and Boris Johnson hailed the changes which will if any rising costs don't wipe them out deliver small price cuts on beer and cider bought on tap. Britain's most popular bottles of wine are set to see a sharp price rise under tax changes claimed to make alcohol duty 'fairer' The Chancellor Rishi Sunak (pictured) flagged up duty based on alcohol strength as a centrepiece of his autumn Budget A super-tax that applies to sparkling wine, prosecco and champagne will also be abolished. But experts say the changes come with a sting in the tail for those who enjoy wine with a high alcohol or ABV level above 11.5 per cent. Research by Wine Drinkers UK (WDUK) found 95 per cent of the most popular wines will suffer price hikes. For example, under a best case scenario, reds such as Hardy's Shiraz (14 per cent ABV) would go up 58p to 7.58 and Barefoot Merlot (13.5 per cent ABV) would rise 47p to 7.22. Research by Wine Drinkers UK (WDUK) found 95 per cent of the most popular wines will suffer price hikes (File image) Popular whites, such as Hardy's Crest Chardonnay (13 per cent ABV) would rise 35p to 7.35 and Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc (13 per cent ABV) would go up 35p to 8.35 (File image) Popular whites, such as Hardy's Crest Chardonnay (13 per cent ABV) would rise 35p to 7.35 and Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc (13 per cent ABV) would go up 35p to 8.35. WDUK, a coalition of trade and hospitality industry bodies, sellers and experts, is fighting the changes, due to come into effect in 2023. John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Simplifying duties is no bad thing but hiking taxes on our favourite wines will leave families short-changed.' Australians must continue to pay for rapid Covid tests because 'we can't go round and make everything free,' Scott Morrison claims. The UK Government has mailed free rapid tests to people's homes since April but the prime minister has refused to adopt a similar model in Australia over cost fears. Instead, rapid tests are free at testing centres but cost at least $10 per swab at pharmacies and supermarkets, which are low on stock due to a lack of supply. Members of the public queue in their cars for a COVID-19 PCR test at the Mascot Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic in Sydney on Monday Poll Should rapid tests be free for everyone? Yes No Should rapid tests be free for everyone? Yes 2009 votes No 528 votes Now share your opinion Several medical experts called for rapid tests to be free for everyone, including University of Sydney infectious disease specialist Robert Booy who said free tests 'could make a real difference to controlling disease'. But in an interview on Sunrise on Monday morning, the prime minister said this was a bad idea. 'We're at another stage of this pandemic now where we just can't go round and make everything free. We have to live with this virus. This isn't a medicine, it's a test. And so there's a difference between those two things,' he said. Australia's gross debt is expected to reach a record $1.2 trillion by 2024-25 after huge pandemic spending including $100 billion on the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme. The prime minister is keen to avoid further cost blowouts, saying on Monday he wants to 'take that pressure off the budget'. But Mr Morrison said he was working with states and territories to reduce the price for vulnerable groups with 'concessional access to pensioners and others'. The cost of subsidising the tests will be shared 50/50 with states and territories. Mr Morrison also said he would not make tests free because he didn't want to deter private companies from ordering them so they could make money. 'The private market, whether it's in the big warehouse pharmacies or the other pharmacies or the supermarkets, they can now go and stock their shelves with confidence that they won't be undercut by the government,' he told the Today show. Groups representing manufacturers and suppliers of rapid antigen tests said the industry supported tests being free for everyone. 'The industry doesn't have a position because we sell to the government for market price and we don't care if they are free or not,' Dean Whiting, the chief executive of Pathology Technology Australia told Guardian Australia. A Brisbane resident lines up for a test on Sunday Woolworths has denied lobbying against free tests while Coles declined to comment. University of NSW Professor of epidemiology Mary-Louise McLaws warned in a series of tweets that rapid tests are becoming reserved for the 'privileged and wealthy', saying governments need to rethink their current stance. 'To reduce cost, test hubs could use PCR on those with symptoms & rapid antigen test (RATs) on all others. Cheaper but still effective,' Professor McLaws tweeted on Sunday. 'Without providing free RATs to households, only privileged & wealthy will be able to protect themselves & reduce wider risk of spread. Mr Morrison's comments also sparked outrage from political opponents who demanded free tests. Independent Senator Rex Patrick wrote on Twitter: 'The case for widespread free RATs is clear, but Scott Morrison says ''you can't just make everything free''. He didn't say that to big business as they took $billions in JobKeeper money they didn't need.' The boss of Australia's biggest trade union, Sally McManus, also slammed the PM, writing: 'What's the price of people's health?' Aussies are still lining up to get tests in large numbers. Pictured: A testing queue at Mascot near the centre of Sydney Labor leader Anthony Albanese stopped short of demanding free tests, instead calling for a means-tested system. 'People who can't afford them should be given them,' he said. However, NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham backed the PM's position, saying the tests would be over-used if handed out for free. 'The problem with unlimited free rapid antigen tests, however, is over-use,' he said. 'The level of public fear and panic will have some people, the Covid Curiosity cohort, testing every few hours.' The need for rapid tests has become urgent as testing queues in Melbourne and Sydney stretched to five hours over the past week due to Queensland's entry test requirements, clinic closures and more people wanting a negative result before visiting family over the Christmas holidays. But there is a scarcity of supply after state governments failed to order the tests early enough. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has credited the Covid-19 booster and plenty of 'nanny naps' for helping him to recover from the virus with only mild symptoms. The TV scientist, 73, told his 339,000 Twitter followers on Sunday that he had tested positive for the virus. He said he experienced few symptoms and was able to quickly beat the virus due to a mix of much-needed rest and three vaccinations. 'Triple vaccinations worked really well,' he wrote. 'I didn't die, get ventilated in Intensive Care Unit, or even get really unwell.' Popular scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has credited the Covid-19 vaccine and plenty of 'nanny naps' for helping him to recover from the virus in just three days Dr Karl, 73, took to Twitter on Sunday to inform his 339,000 followers that he had tested positive for the virus 'I had 3 days of feeling off-colour, and needing nanny naps. I shudder to think of how my body would have responded to SARS-CoV-2, if I had NOT been vaccinated.' Dr Karl, who is dubbed the 'people's scientist', regularly tweets his support for Australia's Covid vaccine program. In a tweet made on December 29, he listed the benefits as helping to reduce symptoms, hospitalisation rates and chances of death. 'After virus enters your body, the vaccines give protection (approximately) against,' he wrote. '1) generating a viral load, with no symptoms, then clearing virus 60-70%. '2) viral load - mild symptoms (70-80%). '3) hospitalisation (80-90%). 4) intensive care (90+%). 5) death (99+%)' Another popular expert, former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth, doubled down on his claim that the 'pandemic will end in 2022'. 'The pandemic will come to an end in 2022 because the virus will become endemic, and that means that Covid will circulate in the community,' he told 2GB on Monday. 'It's circulating already in the eastern states so, to an extent, we're already there. It's not a very convenient time to be having very high case numbers but there never was a convenient time.' Dr Karl revealed he experienced few symptoms and that he was able to quickly beat the virus due to a mix of much-needed rest and vaccinations His most recent tweet comes as former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth doubled down on his claims the 'pandemic will end in 2022' Dr Coatsworth had made the same claims in an op-ed he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday. He stated that vaccination jabs and the spread of the mild Omicron strain will finally make the world immune to Covid. 'We will live our lives again as part of the incredibly social and incurably optimistic human species that thrives on this planet,' he wrote. '2022 will be the year the pandemic ends. It could even be sooner than we think.' Covid-19 cases have continued to surge across the country with NSW leading the charge with 20,794 new infections and four deaths recorded on Monday. Hospitalisation rates have soared to 1,204 - which is just shy of the record 1,268 on reported on September 21. '2022 will be the year the pandemic ends,' Dr Coatsworth wrote in an op-ed for Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday (pictured, New Years fireworks in Sydney) Dr Coatsworth said he was not too concerned about the increasing hospitalisation rates putting a strain on ICU beds as the Omicron strain was much milder than other variants. He said Australians should still be mindful of symptoms and take precautions to help protect the immunocompromised and vulnerable. 'So if we do have a cold, we don't go out,' he said. 'We are wearing masks when we're asked to. We can operate under limited restrictions by the government because as a community we now understand better what we need to do. 'We get a rapid antigen test if we're feeling unwell, we stay away from indoor spaces and so on. The public is well versed in this and I think we can do it.' The target of removing Grenfell-style cladding from tower blocks is set to be missed by more than half a decade. The Government wanted the work completed by the end of 2019 for social housing and by June 2020 for private properties. However research by the Labour Party shows that the likely completion dates are April 2025 and February 2024 respectively. Work to replace other types of dangerous cladding affecting more than ten thousand further blocks has been even slower. Meanwhile the Daily Mail can reveal that Michael Goves bid to slash the number of flats rendered unsellable by fire safety rules is set to fail, trapping hundreds of thousands of more leaseholders. Around 1.3million leaseholders have been left unable to sell or remortgage their properties in the wake of the Grenfell fire. The target of removing Grenfell-style cladding from tower blocks is set to be missed by more than half a decade Lenders wont provide mortgages until the properties have passed a fire risk assessment, but a shortage of engineers has created waits of up to ten years. Housing Secretary Mr Gove wants to tear up red tape to reduce the number of affected properties but draft guidance being developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) would extend checks to smaller properties such as period conversions. And the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said it could not ignore fire safety issues in smaller blocks. Martin Boyd, of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, said the PAS 9980 guidance from the BSI would drag hundreds of thousands of extra flats into the fire safety process. He added: Its an utter mess. No one wants to be culpable for saying we didnt need to bother to look at these buildings. A BSI spokesman said: PAS 9980 is currently going through its final approval process, and more information will be available in due course. A Government spokesman said the claims were based on a misunderstanding of PAS 9980. He added that the draft guidance set out a consistent method of assessing risk and ministers were committed to ensuring leaseholders are supported and protected and will be setting out further proposals in due course. The Government wanted the work completed by the end of 2019 for social housing and by June 2020 for private properties A year ago the Daily Mail launched a campaign to end the cladding scandal by this June. Ministers have announced a slew of measures in response to our demands, including tripling to 5.1billion the funding available to those with dangerous cladding. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has also confirmed that a new developer tax will ensure building firms pay 2billion into the fund over a decade. But campaigners say that, despite progress, huge holes remain and leaseholders still face crippling bills of up to 150,000 each for the fire-safety work. Matthew Pennycook, the Labour Partys housing spokesman, said Mr Gove must accelerate the pace of remediation. A spokesman for the End Our Cladding Scandal campaign said: The Daily Mails campaign has helped to put the injustice facing hundreds of thousands of leaseholders on the front pages where it belongs. 'Mr Gove may be starting to talk tough, but those promises need to be backed by tough action, too. Fire checks have been required on flats in the wake of the Grenfell fire, which claimed 72 lives in June 2017. Initially, these applied only to buildings above 18 metres, but in January 2020 Government guidance was extended to buildings of all heights, increasing the number of flats requiring an external wall survey from 307,000 to 1.3million. It wreaked havoc on the housing market, with thousands of deals collapsing and flat sales falling by half this year. However research by the Labour Party shows that the likely completion dates are April 2025 and February 2024 respectively Last July ministers sought to reverse the damage by declaring that surveys should not be required on buildings below 18 metres or six storeys. That aim is in doubt because of the guidance from the BSI and RICS. Some leaseholders are paying thousands of pounds for temporary fire safety measures while they wait for public funding to be released. The management company for Magellan House in Leeds submitted an application six months ago to the 5.1billion cladding fund but has not heard back. And because the fund does not cover non-cladding defects, leaseholders do not know whether they will have to pay part of the bill, which totals 43,000 a flat. The building also has flammable timber balconies and missing fire breaks, which could cost thousands of pounds for leaseholders to fix. Lilli Houghton, who bought her flat with her boyfriend for 145,000 in 2018, says she has already paid 7,000 for an evacuation manager, new fire alarms and soaring insurance premiums. She said: Its just an awful situation the fact that we havent received anything after six months is a bit of a joke. Tesla delivered more than 936,000 vehicles last year, a record figure that represents an 87 percent increase from its 2020 delivery count despite a number of hurdles the electric carmaker faced during the past year. The Austin, Texas-based company announced its fourth-quarter production and delivery results Sunday - just days after it recalled nearly half a million Model 3 and Model S cars to address issues that increase the risk of crashing. And last February, Tesla told workers it would temporarily halt some production at its car assembly plant in California as it faced a semiconductor shortage. Workers on a Model 3 sedan production line in Fremont were told their line would be down from February 22 until March 7, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News. Despite the challenges Elon Musk's electric car empire faced during the past year - including chip shortages and whistleblower scandals - demand for the sleek, futuristic cars has only grown. Tesla delivered a record 936,000 vehicles last year, up 87 percent from its 2020 delivery count despite a number of hurdles the electric carmaker faced during the past year The amount of cars delivered last year dwarfs company figures from yearend 2020, when 499,550 vehicles were shipped to customers. Tesla's fourth-quarter production and delivery results The amount of cars delivered last year dwarfs company figures from yearend 2020, when 499,550 vehicles were shipped to customers. Of the sales made last year, Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y rides accounted for 911,208 - or 97 percent - of the 936,172 vehicles delivered. Its most budget-friendly Model 3 sedan retails for $46,490 and up, while the Model Y midsized SUV starts around $61,000. It delivered 24,964 of its pricier Model S and Model X vehicles; its only full-sized SUV, the Model X is tagged about $110,000 while the flagship Model S starts about $100,000. Tesla in 2020 delivered 57,039 of its Model S and X vehicles in 2020, and 442,511 Model 3 and Model Y cars. It delivered 112,000 vehicles in 2019. Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives said the latest numbers are 'jaw-dropping' given the ongoing global chip shortage affecting the automotive industry. Ives said the production increase was likely boosted by growing demand from car buyers in China, as well as broader enthusiasm for electric vehicles. Musk also chimed in on the accomplishment, tweeting: 'Great work by Tesla team worldwide!' Despite the challenges Elon Musk's electric car empire faced during the past year - including chip shortages and whistleblower scandals - demand for the sleek, futuristic cars has only grown Tesla's brand image took some hits last year, most recently last week when it recalled 356,309 Model 3 vehicles made between 2017 and 2020 due to problems with the rearview camera and 119,009 Model S vehicles due to front trunk problems. Tesla warned that for the specific Model 3 vehicles, opening and closing the trunk could damage the cable harness attaching the rearview camera, causing the camera to suddenly fail. And the Model S issue could stop the front trunk from latching, allowing it to swing up while the vehicle is in motion. According to Tesla, only about one percent of the Model 3 cars have the flaw, compared with 14 percent of the Model S vehicles. Tesla's brand image took some hits last year, most recently last week when it recalled 356,309 Model 3 vehicles made between 2017 and 2020 due to problems with the rearview camera and 119,009 Model S vehicles due to front trunk problems How does Tesla's Autopilot work? Autopilot uses cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radar to see and sense the environment around the car. The sensor and camera suite provides drivers with an awareness of their surroundings that a driver alone would not otherwise have. A powerful onboard computer processes these inputs in a matter of milliseconds to help what the company say makes driving 'safer and less stressful.' Autopilot is a hands-on driver assistance system that is intended to be used only with a fully attentive driver. It does not turn a Tesla into a self-driving car nor does it make a car autonomous. Before enabling Autopilot, driver must agree to 'keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times' and to 'maintain control' of the car Once engaged, if insufficient torque is applied, Autopilot will also deliver an escalating series of visual and audio warnings, reminding drivers to place their hands on the wheel. If drivers repeatedly ignore the warnings, they are locked out from using Autopilot during that trip. Any of Autopilot's features can be overridden at any time by steering or applying the brakes. The Autopilot does not function well in poor visibility. Advertisement Also last year, former Tesla workers have come forward with damning allegations that Musk contributed to the risks posed by the vehicle's Autopilot system deaths because of his desire to use only cameras and ditch sensors. At least 10 people have been killed in eight accidents in which Tesla's Autopilot was engaged since 2016, according to reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency. When Tesla's Autopilot technology began, it initially incorporated cameras, radar and sensors. However, Musk, 50, earlier this year tasked engineers with building a car that relied only on cameras for its autopilot feature, sources told The New York Times. 'They said the Autopilot team continued to develop the system using radar and even planned to expand the number of radar sensors on each car, as well as exploring lidar 'light detection and ranging' devices that measure distances using laser pulses,' the outlet reported. 'But Mr. Musk insisted that his two-eyes metaphor was the way forward and questioned whether radar was ultimately worth the headache and expense of buying and integrating radar technology from third parties,' according to four people who worked on the Autopilot team. Tesla has been clear about the capabilities of its Autopilot technology, and on its website notes that its vehicles are not self-driving. 'Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability are intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment,' the company said. Separately, Tesla was forced to delay deliveries of its eagerly-awaited new Cybertruck due to a battery shortages. Tesla was also forced to hike the prices for its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, likely due to the global chip shortage that is expected to linger until 2023. It wasn't immediately clear how Tesla's yearend figures compared to other electric automakers. Actress Bae Doo-na plays astrobiologist and ethologist Song Ji-an in the Netflix series, "The Silent Sea." Courtesy of Netflix By Lee Gyu-lee Netflix's new Korean original series, "The Silent Sea," had been a much-anticipated drama even before its release, partly because of the star-studded cast and partly because of actor Jung Woo-sung's new role as an executive producer. As expected, the space series landed in third place on the streaming site's official weekly top 10 charts for non-English series, after premiering on Dec. 24. "Nowadays, a lot of series have eye-catching, striking elements, but 'The Silent Sea' didn't follow that equation. This series is like a whirlwind swirling amid the tranquility," the series' lead actress Bae Doo-na said during an interview with The Korea Times, Thursday. "The reason I decided to join the series is that I felt the strength of following the characters' emotion in such a tense moment." The subtle sci-fi series, set in a dystopian future where resources on Earth have been depleted, revolves around a group of astronauts played by Bae, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon, and Kim Sun-young going on a 24-hour mission to an abandoned research facility on the moon. While carrying out their mission to retrieve samples before permanently closing down the facility, the space explorers encounter an unexpected turn of events and a secret that has been kept hidden. The series is based on its director Choi Hang-yong's 2014 short film of the same name. A scene from the series / Courtesy of Netflix Bae plays the astrobiologist and ethologist Song Ji-an. She takes part in the mission to discover the mysterious death of her sister, who was a researcher at the facility five years ago. The actress said she was drawn to how the series portrays the characters' emotions. "When I watched the short film, I thought the director took a very smart approach in making a sci-fi flick. I was awed not by its technicality, but how it followed people's emotions," she said. "I've taken part in Hollywood's futuristic flicks like 'Cloud Atlas' so I wondered if it would be possible to make a sci-fi film with a limited budget. But I saw that director Choi could make it happen." Despite the limitations the series had with turnaround time and budget, the actress noted that she is satisfied with the outcome. Bae expressed that she also felt pressure in portraying her delicate character. "The most difficult part was that Song's role is to lead the audiences through the series. Song starts as a secluded person, but as the story develops, it unfolds from her perspective. So it felt overwhelming to portray her emotions delicately," she said. Adding that she enjoyed the experience of working in spacesuits, Bae said she also had a blast working with the co-stars. "I liked it because (wearing a spacesuit) was a new experience The good thing about being an actor is that I get to live different lives, which I'm thankful for," she said. "At first, it was hard since the suit weighs a lot, but it eventually became fun. It could've been so much harder, but the actors had such good chemistry around the set, so we had a blissful time." Bae, who has about 24 years of acting experience, expressed that she is still ambitious and wants to challenge herself with different roles. "I don't put limits in genres or have a set of roles that I prefer to play," she said. "It can either be a lead role or a supporting role. And I can take part in low-budget or independent projects or in a blockbuster. I aim to get my hands on anything that I want to do." What military titles does Prince Andrew currently hold? Vice-Admiral - Personal Aide-de-Camp to the Queen Colonel - Grenadier Guards Colonel-in-Chief - 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's); Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment); Small Arms School Corps; and Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot) Royal Colonel - Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland Honorary Air Commodore - Royal Air Force Lossiemouth Commodore-in-Chief - Fleet Air Arm Advertisement Prince Andrew could be forced to quit up to nine military roles as legal action against him comes to a head this month and growing anger about his 'toxic' friendship with convicted child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The Duke of York has reportedly not been at a single military event since he stepped back from royal duties two years ago over allegations he had sex three times with one of Jeffrey Epstein's young 'slaves'. This afternoon a legal document the Duke of York's lawyer believes will stop the civil sex lawsuit against the royal is expected to be unsealed and made public. A hearing will then be held tomorrow. If he fails to get Virginia Roberts Giuffre's civil case against him thrown out of a New York court this week, military chiefs have said that it could be time for him to go. On Friday he suffered a setback in his US sex case, after his lawyers admitted he has no proof over his notorious claim he cannot sweat after serving in the Falklands, as he said in a car crash Newsnight interview two years ago when denying her allegations. In his Newsnight interview he also told interviewer Emily Maitlis that on the date Miss Roberts says they slept together in London, he was at a Pizza Express in Woking. He has been told to prove this too. One source told the Daily Express: 'Events are moving very quickly. The Duke of York could be forced to give up all of his military titles in a matter of weeks', adding that Andrew's friendship with Maxwell and Epstein was 'toxic' and made his position 'untenable'. The final decision on military titles falls to the Queen, but military insiders hope he will quit to avoid being sacked by his mother. Today it also emerged the Grenadier Guards officers 'are uncomfortable having to drink to the health of Prince Andrew at the end of regimental dinners' as the first veteran goes on the record saying he should step down as regiment's Colonel ahead of key court battle in New York. Former lance sergeant and three-time veteran of Afghanistan, Julian Perreira said: 'Being allowed to retain his role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards and other military titles, Prince Andrew will put a stain on the regiment's proud history and will devalue the hard work of past and future generations of Grenadiers. He must step down immediately.' Prince Andrew, 61, inherited his ceremonial role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 2017 'Prince Andrew will put a stain on the regiment's proud history' said veteran Julian Perreira The Duke of York, in his role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards, lays a wreath at the Charles II memorial in Bruges in 2019 Andrew admits he has no proof over notorious claim he can't sweat Prince Andrew suffered a setback in his US sex case, after admitting he has no proof over his infamous claim he cannot sweat and also seeing the judge throw out an attempt to stall the case. Lawyers for his accuser, who is suing the prince for damages in a New York civil case, have demanded he hand over evidence he does not perspire, as he said in a car crash Newsnight interview two years ago when denying her allegations. But his legal team said 'no documents exist in his possession, custody or control' to back the claim. Advertisement Prince Andrew, 61, inherited his ceremonial role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards regiment from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 2017. He is now facing renewed pressure to give up his military titles after his former friend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of child sex-trafficking for her partner sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, The Times reports. It is the latest blow for the beleaguered Duke of York, who has staunchly denied claims by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, 38, that she was forced to have sex with him on three occasions in 2001 while she was held as a teenage sex slave by Epstein. Ms Roberts' civil claim against the duke is expected to reaching a turning point tomorrow, when a New York court unseals a confidential 2009 deal between Epstein and the alleged victim. Prince Andrew's lawyers are hopeful that Ms Roberts' agreement with Epstein could block her civil lawsuit, as they insist its terms protect him from any litigation. Federal judges said they can see no reason why the agreement should remain private. The duke, who famously served in the Falklands in 1982, holds a total of nine military titles which may only be withdrawn by the Queen. Retired colonel Richard Kemp said: 'If she decides it would be right for Andrew to forfeit his military titles she will do so, putting her duty to the forces above any family considerations or personal views.' In August, the Queen apparently 'let it be known' that she wanted the Duke of York to continue as colonel of the Grenadier Guards, even though he has largely cut back from other royal duties. Prince Andrew's lawyers are hopeful that Virginia Roberts' 2009 agreement with Jeffrey Epstein - set to be unsealed tomorrow - could block any further litigation In August, the Queen apparently 'let it be known' that she wanted the Duke of York to continue as colonel of the Grenadier Guards The Sunday Times reported today that royal courtiers had discussed proposals to stop the prince using his royal title if he loses the civil lawsuit brought by Ms Roberts. Such a move would also likely sever the prince's remaining links to various charities and lead to a possible 'internal exile'. On Friday, the prince's effort to block Ms Roberts' lawsuit on the grounds that she no longer lives in the US was rejected by a federal judge. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, in a written order, told the prince's lawyers they must turn over documents on the schedule that has been set in the lawsuit brought by Ms Roberts. She says she was abused by the prince on multiple occasions in 2001 while she was being sexually abused by financier Jeffrey Epstein. The prince's attorney, Andrew Brettler, called the lawsuit 'baseless.' EXCLUSIVE: Prince Andrew has been driving brand new 80,000 Range Rover around Windsor estate amid multi-million legal battle with sex assault accuser Virginia Roberts Prince Andrew has been pictured driving a brand new Range Rover as his multi-million legal battle with Virginia Roberts heats up. The Duke of York has taken the 80,000 Sport PHEV around the grounds of Windsor Castle since it was issued last month. The royal opted for a green hybrid model with a 2L engine and 25 miles of range on the electric plug-in - about the distance from his home to Buckingham Palace. It comes as his legal fight with Ms Roberts hots up as a judge denied a motion from his lawyers to halt the case while an issue of where his accuser lives is dealt with. Judge Lewis Kaplan denied Andrew's lawyers' request, stating Ms Giuffre's legal team are due to respond to request for documents on her domicile by January 14. Meanwhile the Prince is facing calls to step away from his military titles and charities amid the furore of the lawsuit. Other ideas allegedly being considered by the Royal household include sending the Duke into some form of 'internal exile'. MailOnline has asked Jaguar Land Rover whether the new vehicle was a gift. The Duke of York has been driving the 80,000 Sport PHEV around the grounds of Windsor Castle since it was issued last month The royal opted for a green hybrid model with a 2L engine and 25 miles of range on the electric plug-in - about the distance from his home to Buckingham Palace The Royal, who usually drives while his security sit in the passenger seats, last took a trip in it on New Year's Eve Range Rover Sport PHEV in numbers: Price: 78,035 Power: 398bhp @ 5,500rpm Torque 472 lb ft @ 1,500-4,000rpm Kerb weight: 2,539kg Max trailer weight: 2,500kg Max boot capacity: 1,413 litres Top speed: 137mph Acceleration: 0-62mph - 6.3sec Electric range: 25 miles Official consumption: 73.0-88.3mpg CO2 emissions 72-87g/km Advertisement The Prince has been spotted parading his new Range Rover around the grounds of Windsor Castle over the last few weeks. The Royal, who usually drives while his security sit in the passenger seats, last took a trip in it on New Year's Eve. He led a two-car convoy of his car and a Land Rover Discovery from his home at Royal Lodge to see the Queen at Windsor Castle for lunch. The Range Rover, which has a private number plate based on his Royal title, is dark green with tinted windows. It was first issued in December, it was insured in the same month and was built earlier in the year. The luxury car is worth about 80,000 but his may have been more depending on the extras included. They can reach speeds of up to 137mph and also accelerate from 0mph to 60mph in just 6.3 seconds. The off-roader has a combined electric and fuel engine, meaning it can switch to petrol when the electric motor runs out of charge. Using both of these will give the vehicle about 73 miles per gallon before he would need to top up. But the cars take a while to charge, with a normal home cable that comes with it taking 7.5 hours to recharge. The Duke's team has been approached for comment. He led a two-car convoy of his car and a Land Rover Discovery from his home at Royal Lodge to see the Queen at Windsor Castle for lunch The Range Rover, which has a private number plate based on his Royal title, is dark green with tinted windows Pictured: Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001 Q&A: What is Andrew accused of? The formal allegations are battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Bringing the New York case under her married name of Giuffre, Virginia Roberts alleges she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17 and a 'sex slave' to his friend, paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Unlike the Ghislaine Maxwell trial in Manhattan this is a civil case. Miss Roberts is seeking damages, probably totalling millions of pounds. Andrew cannot be jailed. Where are we at? The case was filed in August and is still at the early stages. On Tuesday, the judge will rule on a new Andrew application to dismiss it. If it continues there will be the taking of depositions formal statement given under oath. Who could be deposed? Miss Roberts' lawyer David Boies has said he will seek to depose the duke and possibly his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, among others. Andrew's side will depose his accuser and her associates, and perhaps her lawyers. And then? Judge Lewis Kaplan has set a tentative trial date for September, with the case to be decided by a jury made up of a dozen members of the public. Will Andrew testify? He can refuse to give a deposition but it could result in a default judgment against him. If he attends the trial, he can decline to give evidence in person, or 'take the fifth', refusing to answer questions in order to avoid incriminating himself. What evidence will be heard? Miss Roberts will tell her account and bring witnesses she says back up her claims. It is thought she will use flight logs from Epstein's private jets showing her being flown to locations she claims to have had sex with the duke. Evidence from Maxwell's trial could also play a part, including testimony from the victim known only as Carolyn, who says she was pulled into Epstein's sphere by Roberts herself. What about the FBI wanting to speak to Andrew? That is separate from this case. The FBI have been looking to speak to Andrew as a possible witness for at least the last two years as they continue to investigate Epstein's global sex ring. A request filed with the Home Office under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty is currently gathering dust and has not been actioned. Advertisement Earlier this week Andrew's lawyers called for the case against the royal in the US to be stopped because Ms Roberts is 'actually domiciled in Australia'. Ms Roberts is suing Andrew for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. But Judge Lewis Kaplan, in a ruling in New York dated December 31, denied Andrew's lawyers' request, stating that Ms Giuffre's legal team has previously received 'at least one comprehensive request for documents relating to her domicile, to which responses are due, and have been promised, by January 14'. The judge added his ruling was being made 'without determining the merit, or lack of merit' of an assertion by Ms Giuffre's team that Andrew's lawyers' motion was 'a transparent attempt to delay discovery into his own documents and testimony'. Ms Giuffre claims she was trafficked by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Andrew. She was pictured with the royal and his friend Ghislaine Maxwell during the period the alleged intercourse took place. Ms Giuffre has alleged in the past she had sex with Andrew in London and New York when she was aged 17, a minor under US law, and again aged 18 on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein where an orgy took place. Andrew has denied all the allegations. Oral arguments via a video teleconference on the prince's request to dismiss the case are scheduled for Monday in the US. Maxwell, 60, was convicted in the US on Wednesday of helping to entice vulnerable teenagers to the properties of Epstein, her former boyfriend, for him to sexually abuse between 1994 and 2004. She was labelled 'dangerous' by the prosecution and faces the rest of her life in jail. Her friendship with Andrew has seen renewed scrutiny of Ms Giuffre's civil claim for damages against the duke. Andrew was photographed, for the first time since Maxwell's conviction, driving himself in a Range Rover towards Windsor Castle at lunchtime on Friday. But on Sunday he faced fresh pressure to cut his ties with the military and charities amid the sex assault saga. The Duke stepped down from public duties in November 2019 'for the foreseeable future' over his friendship with Epstein. A source said: 'If [Prince Andrew] loses the case, the question is what do you do with him? 'You can't make him resign like you would a normal person but he would be asked to put his dukedom into abeyance.' Royal insiders said it would be difficult to persuade the Queen to remove the title of Duke of York as 'it was held by her father, George VI, before he became king. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said with regard to claims the Duke might lose his title: 'This is speculation and the comments are without foundation. We would not comment on an ongoing legal matter.' Entire classes may need to be merged into larger groups or sent home to work remotely due to teacher absences caused by coronavirus, the Education Secretary said yesterday. Schools may find it 'impossible' to deliver face-to-face teaching to all pupils as the Omicron variant leads to mass staff shortages, Nadhim Zahawi added. His admission came as the Department for Education confirmed that secondary school pupils will have to wear masks in classrooms and test themselves twice a week when they return tomorrow. In an open letter to schools sent yesterday, Mr Zahawi said remote learning 'should only be on a short-term measure' and schools 'should return to full-time in-person attendance for all pupils as soon as practicable'. He added: 'If operational challenges caused by workforce shortages in your setting make delivery of face-to-face teaching impossible, I would encourage you to consider ways to implement a flexible approach to learning.' This could involve using all available staff to 'maximise on-site education for as many pupils as possible' while schools 'flexibly deliver provision either on-site or remotely to some pupils'. However, he stressed that such arrangements must be only temporary. Pictured: The number of Covid infections in the UK yesterday He added: 'If operational challenges caused by workforce shortages in your setting make delivery of face-to-face teaching impossible, I would encourage you to consider ways to implement a flexible approach to learning.' This could involve using all available staff to 'maximise on-site education for as many pupils as possible' while schools 'flexibly deliver provision either on-site or remotely to some pupils'. However, he stressed that such arrangements must be only temporary. Short of sending children home to learn remotely, other options include bringing in supply staff and combining classes into larger groups. Less than 3 per cent of teachers were recorded as being off sick at the start of last month. But worries are growing that numbers could rise sharply with one of Britain's largest academy trusts saying it had experienced staff absence levels of 10 per cent. And unions have predicted some form of disruption 'looks sadly inevitable' as the new term starts. The Government has faced mounting criticism over its decision to reintroduce face masks, with critics saying it a 'declaration of war against children' (file image) The Government has faced mounting criticism over its decision to reintroduce face masks, with critics saying it a 'declaration of war against children'. However teachers and unions have broadly welcomed the move, stressing that it is preferable to remote learning. In August 2020, Boris Johnson called the notion of wearing masks in classrooms 'nonsensical'. But the recommendation was brought in for two months last March and will again be in place from the start of the coming term until at least January 26. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: 'Face coverings are already advised in communal areas for pupils in year 7 and above. 'Pupils are accustomed to their use and we are sure the reintroduction of face coverings in classrooms is something that schools and colleges will take in their stride.' Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said masks were unlikely to have a 'significant mental health effect' on pupils. She added: 'We have mask-wearing in secondary schools in Wales and Scotland, and I don't think that it is causing a huge problem.' And Rev Steve Chalke, the founder of academy trust Oasis Community Learning, said that while enforcing masks in classrooms was 'not optimum', it was 'better than working at home'. He told Sky News: 'We can't afford lost days of schooling for these children and we know from reports in the media that children being left on their own is not good for them, it's not good for society.' However, Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons education committee, told Sky News he wanted the Government to 'set out the evidence' in the Commons to justify the decision. 'If masks are not required in offices or restaurants, why are we getting young kids to put them on?' he said. And Us For Them, a parents' group which has campaigned against schools being closed during the pandemic, said it was 'dumbfounded' by the decision. 'Kids' faces should never be used as political pawns. This is a declaration of war against children', the group added. Some 7,000 air cleaning units will also be provided to schools, colleges and early-years settings to improve air quality, it was announced. And staff and pupils have been urged to self-test at home before they return and start testing twice-weekly at school. The Department for Education said schools and colleges can obtain tests through a separate supply route and 'will have access to more as needed'. A Government spokesman said masks and other measures will 'maximise the number of children in school' for the 'maximum amount of time'. The number of Australians on ventilators with Covid has dropped over three weeks despite a surge in cases. A total of 51 Covid patients are currently ventilated, down from 54 on December 15, Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Monday. The positive news came as former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth doubled down on his claim the pandemic will end this year because Covid will become a seasonal virus like flu. Australia has suffered a spike in cases since the turn of the New Year (pictured are revellers in Sydney on NYE) - but the number of patients on ventilators has gone down 'The pandemic will come to an end in 2022 because the virus will become endemic, and that means that Covid will circulate in the community,' he told 2GB on Monday. 'It's circulating already in the eastern states so, to an extent, we're already there. It's not a very convenient time to be having very high case numbers but there never was a convenient time.' Dr Coatsworth had made the same claims in an op-ed he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday. He stated that vaccination jabs and the spread of the mild Omicron strain will finally make the world immune to Covid. 'We will live our lives again as part of the incredibly social and incurably optimistic human species that thrives on this planet,' he wrote. '2022 will be the year the pandemic ends. It could even be sooner than we think.' Aussies are still lining up to get tests in large numbers. Pictured: A testing queue at Mascot near the centre of Sydney Victoria recorded three deaths and 8,577 new infections on Monday - jumping from 1,999 just seven days ago and 7,172 cases on Sunday. Pictured: Concert-goers in Melbourne Earlier Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia would never need lockdowns again because the dominant Omicron variant is 75 per cent less severe than the Delta strain. Mr Hunt said this helped explain why Australia's hospital system was coping well with increased cases which hit 32,216 on Sunday after a record 35,208 on Saturday. 'The fact that we now have a disease which right around the world is leading to more cases, but to vastly fewer severe cases... is an immensely heartening development,' he said in a press conference on Monday. 'There are challenges in every phase of this pandemic. But Australia has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world and one of the lowest rates of death and loss of life in the world.' There are currently 148 patients in ICU with Covid across the whole nation and Morrison is so confident in the hospital system that he has ruled out more lockdowns. Asked if Australia would need a 'circuit-breaker' lockdown to stop the surge in cases, Mr Morrison told the Today Show: 'No. Because it is not about numbers. Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth (pictured) doubled down on his claim the pandemic will end this year because Covid will become a seasonal virus like flu Scott Morrison says the hospital system is well-placed to cope with rising cases. Pictured: Nurses at a testing clinic in Wyndham Vale, Melbourne 'I keep making this point. This is a different type of variant which requires an evolution of our response.' 'The days of lockdown are gone. We're going forward. We're not going back. That's not how you manage this virus. 'There will be high case numbers but the severity is a lot less so you focus on your hospital system. 'I think you're seeing that. We've got 51 people on ventilators around the country. 148 people in ICU.' Mr Morrison said the vast majority of people who catch the Omicron strain, which was discovered in November in South Africa, have a mild illness that can be managed at home. 'If you are in hospital at the moment, the primary reason for that is you weren't vaccinated. The second reason is you've got Delta, not Omicron. 'With Omicron, there is only a very small number of cases that are in hospital,' he said. 'We're now dealing with a very different virus. We've really got to change the way we think about it and that's why talking about case numbers now is really not the point.' Senior ICU Registered Nurse Gabby McLoughlin (left) caring for COVID-19 positive patient Dr Isaac S Mordecai in the ICU of St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney in July On Monday NSW recorded 20,794 new cases with 1,204 in hospital and four deaths. An additional 12 people were admitted into ICU in hospitals across NSW overnight - up from 83 patients the day previous. Sunday marked the first time there were more than 1,000 Covid patients in NSW hospitals since October 2. The most ever recorded was 1,268 on September 21. Victoria recorded three deaths and 8,577 new infections on Monday - jumping from 1,999 just seven days ago and 7,172 cases on Sunday. There are 491 patients in Victorian hospitals - up from 472 on Sunday - with 56 people in ICU and 24 on ventilators. Monday's numbers come after it was revealed about half of patients counted in NSW's daily Covid hospitalisation tally are not in hospital because of the virus. Some have simply testing positive for Covid following routine checks after being admitted for broken bones or labour pains. Scott Morrison offers an extraordinary excuse for his refusal to make $10 rapid antigen tests free for everyone - but does he have a point? Australians must continue to pay for rapid Covid tests because 'we can't go round and make everything free,' according to Scott Morrison. The UK government has been mailing free rapid tests to people's homes since April but Mr Morrison has refused to adopt a similar model in Australia over cost fears. Instead rapid tests are free at testing centres but cost at least $10 per swab at pharmacies and supermarkets which are low on stock due to a lack of supply. Members of the public queue in their cars for a COVID-19 PCR test at the Mascot Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic in Sydney on Monday Poll Should rapid tests be free for everyone? Yes No Should rapid tests be free for everyone? Yes 2009 votes No 528 votes Now share your opinion Several medical experts have called for rapid tests to be free for everyone, including University of Sydney infectious disease specialist Robert Booy who said free tests 'could make a real difference to controlling disease.' But in an interview on Sunrise on Monday morning, the Prime Minister said this was a bad idea. 'We're at another stage of this pandemic now where we just can't go round and make everything free. We have to live with this virus. This isn't a medicine, it's a test. And so there's a difference between those two things,' he said. Australia's gross debt is expected to reach a record $1.2 trillion by 2024-25 after huge pandemic spending including $100billion on the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme. The Prime Minister is keen to avoid further cost blowouts, saying on Monday he wants to 'take that pressure off the budget'. But Mr Morrison said he was working with states and territories to reduce the price for vulnerable groups with 'concessional access to pensioners and others'. The cost of subsidising the tests will be shared 50/50 with states and territories. The Prime Minister also said he would not make tests free because he didn't want to deter private companies from ordering them so they could make money. 'The private market, whether it's in the big warehouse pharmacies or the other pharmacies or the supermarkets, they can now go and stock their shelves with confidence that they won't be undercut by the government,' he told the Today show. The comments sparked outrage from political opponents who demanded free tests. A Brisbane resident lines up for a test on Sunday Independent Senator Rex Patrick wrote on Twitter: 'The case for widespread free RATs is clear, but Scott Morrison says ''you can't just make everything free''. He didn't say that to big business as they took $billions in JobKeeper money they didn't need.' The boss of Australia's biggest trade union, Sally McManus, also slammed the PM, writing: 'What's the price of people's health?' Labor leader Anthony Albanese stopped short of demanding free tests, instead calling for a means-tested system. 'People who can't afford them should be given them,' he said. However, NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham backed the PM's position, saying the tests would be over-used if handed out for free. 'The problem with unlimited free Rapid Antigen Tests, however, is over-use,' he said. 'The level of public fear and panic will have some people, the Covid Curiosity cohort, testing every few hours.' The need for rapid tests has become urgent as testing queues in Melbourne and Sydney stretched to five hours over the past week due to Queensland's entry test requirements, clinic closures and more people wanting a negative result before visiting family over the Christmas holidays. But there is a scarcity of supply after state governments failed to order the tests early enough. Tributes for the 17-year-old girl who drowned after falling from a barge into a river have described a 'vivacious' teenager with a contagious smile. Amy Staunton fell into the Murray River a few hours before midnight on New Year's Eve, prompting an aerial, land and water search. Her body was discovered south of Swan Reach in South Australia 17 hours after she fell after police rescuers aided by helicopters and the State Emergency service were unable to locate the teenager on Friday. Amy was remembered by those closest to her as a 'gorgeous young lady' who always wore a bright smile on her face, especially around her beloved horses. Amy Staunton, 17, (pictured) fell into South Australia's Murray River a few hours before midnight on New Year's Eve, prompting an extensive aerial, land and water search Her body was discovered south of Swan Reach in South Australia 17 hours after she fell after police rescuers aided by helicopters and the State Emergency service were unable to locate the teenager on Friday (pictured, the area Amy went missing) The keen horsewoman regularly posted photos of the horses she helped care for at Danson Dressage in Birdwood, describing the animals as her 'safe space'. Her mentor and work manager Heather Currie expressed her shock at the teenager's death and sent her 'deepest condolences' to her family. 'Amy's daily smiling face, her energy and enthusiasm, her potential, her love and care for the horses will be deeply missed at Danson Dressage,' she wrote. 'Today we lost an angel.' The keen horsewoman (pictured) regularly posted photos of the horses she helped care for at Danson Dressage in Birdwood, describing the animals as her 'safe space' Amy's heartbroken sister Emily said her 'beautiful little sister left this world and became an angel'. 'Our world has been turned upside down and I refuse to believe this is real,' she wrote. 'We will never stop loving you Amy. Forever young baby girl.' Local boater William Hoddle, warned the river contained debris and that the area in which the teenage girl fell was 'quite a dangerous spot'. Her mentor and work manager Heather Currie expressed her shock at the Amy's death and sent her 'deepest condolences' to her family Local boater William Hoddle, warned the river (pictured) contained debris and that the area in which the teenage girl fell was 'quite a dangerous spot' 'That's why you've always got to wear your life jacket,' he told the ABC. Ms Currie said an esteemed Istan filly would be named in Amy's honour to pay tribute to her dream of owning her own. 'She would often talk to me, telling me her plans to breed or own an Istan foal and all of the possibilities ahead,' she wrote alongside a photo of the tiny foal. 'Danson Amy just happens to be an Istan daughter and her character, friendliness, braveness and potential will always remind us just how special Amy was.' Queensland has recorded a large spike in Covid-19 cases with 4,249 new infections and one death with the state warned everyone will be exposed to the virus. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, chief health officer Dr John Gerrard warned millions of residents will become infected in a matter of weeks. 'All of us are going to be exposed in the next few weeks, I think we just have to assume that all of us are going to be exposed,' he said. The warning comes as Covid-19 case numbers continue to surge with testing clinics put under strain and residents told to work from home to reduce their chances of contracting the virus. Queensland has recorded a large spike in Covid-19 cases with 4,249 new infections and one death with the state warned everyone will be 'exposed' to the virus The new cases in Queensland mark a significant uptick on the 3,587 reported on Sunday The new cases mark a significant uptick on the 3,587 reported on Sunday. The state also reported one new death after a man, aged in his 30s, died suddenly at his home in the Gold Coast. 'All I would say very strongly is that it's very, very unusual for a young man to die suddenly from Covid-19,' Dr Gerrard said. 'So it needs further investigation exactly what has happened here. Hospitalisation rates have also increased to 147 - up from 112 - while the number of patients being treated in ICU has doubled to 10. Only one patient, in his 80s, is on ventilation. 'We have over 20,000 active cases [in Queensland] and only one patient on a ventilator last night,' Dr Gerrard said. 'All of us are going to be exposed in the next few weeks. Even if you've had the two doses of the vaccine, that probably isn't enough to stop you from getting infected. That is why it is so critical to get the third vaccine.' The soaring case numbers prompted pleas for residents to work from home in a bid to reduce community transmission. 'With a degree of contagiousness of this virus, we are going to be seeing very large numbers of cases, even though the severity is clearly going to be less,' Dr Gerrard said. 'We are going to see very large numbers of cases and a small proportion of a very large number (who fall ill) is still a large number.' 'All of us are going to be exposed in the next few weeks, I think we just have to assume that all of us are going to be exposed,' Dr Gerrard said The state has also reported one new death after a man, aged in his 30s, died suddenly at his home in the Gold Coast Testing clinics are continuing to be put under immense strain as concerned residents queue for hours to get swabbed. 'We know there has been a strain on the testing in Queensland as there has been in every state of Australia in every country of the world,' Dr Gerrard said. 'There has been significant demand on the Gold Coast and we are increasing our capacity down there.' Health care workers conducted 30,806 COVID-19 tests in the 24 hours to 7am on Monday. Dr Gerrard also warned Omicron was 'far more severe' than the seasonal strains of influenza. 'The number of cases we will be seeing with Omicron will be vastly greater than that we experience in a typical influenza pandemic or epidemic or seasonal epidemic and so that has a huge impact on the hospitals. 'This is not influenza, it is more severe. We don't see this many people getting sick with influenza.' Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the death was a reminder to people of the health risks from the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. 'This is a highly infectious strain. And I want Queenslanders to think really carefully over the next month where they go especially if they haven't had their booster,' she said. Health care workers conducted 30,806 COVID-19 tests in the 24 hours to 7am on Monday Some 18 million rapid antigen tests have been secured by Queensland with six million to be directed to hospitals. Ms Palaszczuk said the tests would begin arriving in smaller batches over the coming weeks with a large shipment to arrive by the end of the month. 'This is a big issue for people out there wanting to get rapid antigen tests - I know it's the topic of conversation everywhere I go. 'We will be moving as we get supplies in, we'll be releasing those supplies and also, we've been speaking with the pharmacies. They're going to be getting all stockpiles in over the coming weeks as well.' The premier also urged Queenslanders to 'mask up' and to do the right thing by the entire community. 'I know it's holidays at the moment and everyone's out there enjoying themselves but think very carefully about where you're going,' she said. 'Think very carefully about your family, your friends, your interactions, and we'll get through this together if everyone does the right thing.' A flood of online Christmas returns is increasing a 7billion nightmare for retailers. As the festive period ends, return warehouse workers are scrambling to process millions of unwanted gifts at an average cost of 20 per package, according to nShift, a returns management company. ReBound, another returns specialist, said one in three fashion items bought online is sent back double the rate for goods bought in shops. Al Gerrie, chief executive of ZigZag Global, which provides online returns software for clients including Selfridges, Gap and Superdry, told The Sunday Times: 'It's not unusual to have a 30 to 50 per cent returns rate for womenswear and 20 per cent for menswear in the UK. 'Germany has the highest rate, which can be north of 50 per cent.' As the festive period ends, return warehouse workers are scrambling to process millions of unwanted gifts at an average cost of 20 per package, according to nShift, a returns management company (stock image) Professional services group KPMG said spiralling costs mean returns have become 'something of a Pandora's box' for retailers. It puts the bill for British retailers at around 7billion a year. And returns can slash profits by up to 30 per cent, according to the US-based Reverse Logistics Association. Many retailers do not charge customers a fee if they return goods, but some have introduced them, including Hollister, which charges 5, and Uniqlo which charges 2.95. Next charges 2 per collection. Many factories are running 24 hours a day throughout the year, with staff opening, checking and even sniffing the item before it is steamed, repressed, repackaged and resold as new. Thousands have risked snipers bullets to flee from brutal communist state North Korea to South Korea now someone has defected in the opposite direction. Troops from South Korea spotted an unidentified person cut through a barbed wire fence at the border to enter the Demilitarised Zone between the two countries on Saturday. The person took around an hour to make the perilous journey across an area bristling with land mines, electric and barbed-wire fencing, cameras and armed guards. South Korean army commanders said: Weve confirmed that the person crossed the Military Demarcation Line border and defected to the North. The person took around an hour to make the perilous journey across an area bristling with land mines, electric and barbed-wire fencing, cameras and armed guards More than 200 people a year used to defect from North to South Korea but the number has dwindled during the pandemic. South Korea sent a message to North Korea on Sunday morning to ensure the safety of the person, but the North hasn't responded, the officers said requesting anonymity citing department rules. It was unclear if this was a rare case of a South Korean hoping to defect to the North, or it could be a North Korean who briefly entered the South Korean territory for some reason before returning to the North. In September 2020, North Korea fatally shot a South Korean fisheries official found floating in its waters along a poorly marked sea boundary. North Korea has announced it had decided to place top priority on strict Covid restrictions at a high-profile ruling party meeting last week South Korea said that North Korea troops were under orders to shoot anyone illegally crossing the border to protect against the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier in 2020, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un placed a border city under total lockdown after a North Korean defector with COVID-19-like symptoms sneaked back home. The fate of that defector, who had lived in South Korea, is not known. On Saturday, North Korea announced it had decided to place top priority on strict virus restrictions at a high-profile ruling party meeting last week. The two Koreas are split along the world's most heavily armed border, called the Demilitarized Zone. An estimated 2 million mines are peppered inside and near the 248-kilometer (155-mile) -long, 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) -wide DMZ, which is also guarded by barbed wire fences, tank traps and combat troops on both sides. United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday said he had tested positive for COVID-19 in a breakthrough case, noting his symptoms are mild and he will retain all authorities as he quarantines at home for the next five days. 'I tested positive this morning for COVID-19,' Austin tweeted. 'My symptoms are mild, and I am following my physician's directions.' Austin, who is fully vaccinated and boosted, said he requested a test earlier on Sunday after having symptoms while at home on vacation. He has informed his leadership team of his positive test result, as well as President Joe Biden, so that his staff could begin contact tracing and testing all those he was in contact with over the last week. The defense secretary said he last met with Biden on Tuesday, December 21, more than a week before he started experiencing symptoms. He also encourages 'everyone eligible for a booster shot to get one,' citing the jabs as the reason for his symptoms being mild. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday said he had tested positive for COVID-19 and had mild symptoms. He is pictured in November Austin will quarantine at his home for the next five days, in accordance guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He intends to 'retain all authorities' as defense secretary and work remotely when possible. Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks will represent him if and when necessary. 'To the degree possible, I plan to attend virtually this coming week those key meetings and discussions required to inform my situational awareness and decision making,' he said. 'I will retain all authorities. Hicks will represent me as appropriate in other matters.' Although he will be working, Austin said his priorities are 'stemming the spread of this virus, safeguarding our workforce, and ensuring [his] own speedy and safe recovery.' Austin announced his diagnosis on Twitter, while also touting the benefits of the vaccines The defense secretary also used his diagnosis as an opportunity to tout the benefits of the vaccine, saying his physician claimed his infection would have been more severe had he not gotten his COVID shots. 'As my doctor made clear to me, my fully vaccinated status and the booster I received in early October have rendered the infection much more mild than it would otherwise have been,' Austin said. 'And I am grateful for that.' He added: 'The vaccines work and will remain a military medical requirement for our workforce. I continue to encourage everyone eligible for a booster shot to get one. This remains a readiness issue.' A spate of elected officials have had to quarantine after experiencing breakthrough COVID-19 cases Austin has informed his leadership team of his positive test result, as well as President Joe Biden who he last saw on Dec. 21, more than a week before he started experiencing symptoms (Pictured: Biden, left, and Austin, right, on Feb. 10, 2021) Most recently, Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley announced she tested positive for the coronavirus in a breakthrough case. 'After experiencing COVID-like symptoms, this morning I received a positive, breakthrough COVID test result. Thankfully, my symptoms are relatively mild, and I am grateful to be fully vaccinated and boosted. I am currently isolating and following all health protocols in order to mitigate further spread and keep my loved ones and community safe,' Pressley said in a statement Friday. 'I encourage everyone to do their part by getting vaccinated, boosted and masking up. I wish everyone a safe and happy new year and look forward to continuing to fight for the robust relief our communities in the Massachusetts 7th need and deserve,' she added. In addition to Pressley, other lawmakers who have come down with COVID-19 in the past few weeks include Democrats Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Antonio Delgado, Rep. James E. Clyburn, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Sen. Chris Coons, Rep. Kaiali'i Kahele, Rep. Bobby L. Rush, Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. and Republican New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. Austin's diagnosis comes as some states are reporting all-time highs for positive COVID cases amid the spread of the Omicron variant. Many states are reporting all-time highs for positive COVID cases amid the spread of the Omicron variant The latest figures from Johns Hopkins published Sunday show 115,984 new cases and 280 deaths in the last 24 hours The US reached a seven-day average of 402,998 cases on Sunday Experts think the latest surge of the virus will peak in the US mid-January, and hope numbers will fall as rapidly as they have in South Africa, where Omicron was first identified. The latest figures from Johns Hopkins University published Sunday show 115,984 new cases and 280 deaths in the last 24 hours, a lull on previous days caused by slower weekend reporting of figures. Dr. Anthony Fauci (pictured Sunday) warned that Americans may soon need to produce a negative COVID test to leave quarantine after the CDC cut the isolation period from 10 days to five for the asymptomatic The US reached a seven-day average of 402,998 cases on Sunday, as Dr. Anthony Fauci warned that Americans may soon need to produce a negative COVID test to leave quarantine after the CDC cut the isolation period from 10 days to five for the asymptomatic. The White House COVID tsar argued there 'has been some concern about why we don't ask people at that five-day period to get tested' and said that is 'something that is now under consideration.' He added: 'The CDC is very well aware that there has been some pushback about that. Looking at it again, there may be an option in that, that testing could be a part of that. And I think we're going to be hearing more about that in the next day or so from the CDC.' The CDC decision to slash the quarantine period in half for patients without symptoms came last Tuesday in an effort to prevent another devastating blow to the economy amid the spike in workers testing positive. Queenslanders hoping for a holiday dip will be disappointed with all beaches on the Gold Coast closed as an ex-tropical cyclone wrecks havoc across the state. Cyclone Seth will continue to deliver strong winds and dangerous surf to parts of the coast despite being downgraded to a Category 1 system on Saturday. 'All Gold Coast and Stradbroke Island beaches, some Sunshine Coast & Wide Bay Capricorn Beaches are closed due to dangerous surf,' Surf Life Saving Queensland posted to twitter on Monday. 'Please follow lifesavers and lifeguards' advice by not swimming at a closed beach.' Queenslanders hoping for a holiday dip will be left disappointed after all beaches on the Gold Coast are closed as an ex-tropical cyclone wrecks havoc across the state The closure of more than 40 beaches came as gigantic waves measuring nine metres high were measured off Brisbane and Tweed Heads. Hundreds of spectators rushed to the shore to watch the mammoth waves as others braved the water to surf the giant swell. A shipping container carried by powerful wave was recorded flying down the beach near Currumbin Surf Club after it was washed into the ocean. The Bureau of Meteorology Queensland warned dangerous surf and abnormally high tides would continue in the southeast for the next few days. As the ex-tropical cyclone Seth drifts towards the coast the bureau issued weather warnings for Wide Bay, Burnett and parts of the southeast. Weatherzone similarly warned the weather system would send strong winds, showers and large swell to southern Queensland and northern NSW coasts. The Bureau of Meteorology Queensland warned dangerous surf and abnormally high tides would continue in the southeast for the next few days (pictured, ex-tropical cyclone Seth) A shipping container carried by powerful wave was recorded flying down the beach near Currumbin Surf Club after it was washed into the ocean (pictured) Swells of four metres in southeastern waters have been created by strong easterly swell and strong gale-force winds. Queensland's Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the dangerous weather was only going to get worse as tides rose. In welcome news for holidayers in the Sunshine State, the wild conditions are forecast to ease from Tuesday afternoon as the cyclone weakens and heads south. However, NSW residents could be hit with some heavy rain as the system crosses the coast anywhere between southern Queensland and northern NSW. Fraser Island, 200km north of Brisbane, and parts of northern NSW were told to brace for heavy surf and strong winds as ex-cyclone Seth sits off the coast. Most of the rain from the cyclone - which despite its transition to a Category 1 still holds the same intensity - will cause a deluge near the NSW-Queensland border. NSW residents could be hit with some heavy rain as the system crosses the coast anywhere between southern Queensland and northern NSW (pictured, people shelter in Brisbane) Most of the rain from the cyclone will cause a deluge near the NSW-Queensland border (pictured, rain in Queensland's Townsville region) Deputy Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy warned residents the cyclone was expected to bring 'severe weather action' to the coast. He said anyone planning a trip to the beach over the next few days should be mindful of the powerful surf and strong winds. '(There will be) some damaging waves and some very high tides that will cause rips along the coast and some local flooding,' he said. Gold Coast City Council opened sandbagging stations in Pimpama, Tugun and Burleigh Heads in preparation for flash flooding. More than 500 sandbags have been distributed across the Gold Coast as areas along the coast and further inland at the Scenic Rim brace for 100km/h winds. On Sunday, Mayor Tom Tate said the city was monitoring conditions over the next 48 hours as the tropical cyclone tracks south. 'We are doing some modelling today to see what impact tomorrow's high-tide will have on low lying areas like Budds Beach,' he said. Weatherzone warned cyclone Seth would send strong winds, showers and large swell to southern Queensland and northern NSW coasts On Sunday, Mayor Tom Tate said the city was monitoring conditions over the next 48 hours as the tropical cyclone tracks south (pictured, a man walks through heavy rain in Brisbane) 'I advise everyone to keep their kids away from stormwater drains and local creeks such as Loders Creek and the main rivers feeding into our broadwater.' Flash flooding on Sunday caused several road closures across south-east Queensland with at least five people left stranded by floodwaters. Emergency services including a rescue 500 helicopter were called to McNamara Road in Rocksberg, east of Caboolture, on Saturday after several cars got stuck. Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said the motorists had become stranded near where the road crossed the Caboolture River. A rescue 500 helicopter was deployed to help the residents, but four hours later the river subsided and all five vehicles were able to cross safely. Tens of thousands of vaccine volunteers have been praised for giving up around two million hours of their time to help with the jabs rollout. NHS England said volunteers had helped especially in facilitating the ramped-up rollout of jabs and boosters last month. Paid roles have seen 17,500 people register their interest so far as the NHS launched a recruitment drive in the face of the spread of the Omicron variant. A further 48,000 people have registered as steward volunteers in just over a month. Paid roles have seen 17,500 people register their interest so far as the NHS launched a recruitment drive in the face of the spread of the Omicron variant. A man is pictured getting vaccinated last month NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said the efforts of volunteers would help to save many more lives. She said: I want to give my personal thanks to everyone who has given up their time to help us make the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme the biggest and most successful in health service history. Jaz Kaur Bangerh, from Leeds, promotes messages around the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in ethnic minority communities including translating information into Punjabi. The 51-year-old said: If you want to have an absolutely brilliant time, please do volunteer its really great fun. NHS England said volunteers had helped especially in facilitating the ramped-up rollout of jabs and boosters last month John Hardman, who has volunteered at jab sites in the capital including Wembley Stadium and the Science Museum, said he cant recommend it (volunteering) enough. The 38-year-old said: I absolutely love volunteering for the vaccination programme - from greeting and guiding people, helping the elderly and keeping people company while they queue. There are lots of opportunities to support locally, even if just for a few sessions. Meanwhile, 67-year-old Penny Champion said she is proud of her role at her local vaccination centre in Lewisham, south-east London. She said: Every shift is different, and Ive met some wonderful people and learned a lot about my own community. It would be great to have more friends and volunteers join us. You will enjoy it if you do. NHS England said people interested in getting involved can search NHS vaccine team online. Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, left, and main opposition People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol applaud during a New Year's bourse opening ceremony at the Korea Exchange (KRX) on Yeouido, Monday. Yonhap KOSPI, KOSDAQ both close higher on first day of 2022 By Anna J. Park Korea's two leading presidential candidates started the first week of the year by jointly attending the New Year opening ceremony of the stock market held at the Seoul office of the Korea Exchange (KRX) on Monday morning. Seeking to appeal to some 10 million retail investors in the country, both candidates wore red face masks which were provided by the KRX as well as red neck ties, signifying their wishes for a bullish market this year. In Korea, stock gains are marked in red, while losses are shown in blue. They each delivered a five-minute speech prior to participating in a countdown to the opening of stock trading at 10 a.m. Monday. Local stock markets usually open at 9 a.m., but was delayed by an hour on Monday. Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung delivers his speech during a New Year's bourse opening ceremony held at the Korea Exchange (KRX) on Yeouido, Monday. Yonhap In his speech, ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung stressed the need to boost investors' trust in the market, by taking stern measures to crack down on stock market manipulation. "Often, the country's retail investors, who now number around 10 million, leave the market after feeling alienated or backstabbed. In order to resolve such matters, the market needs to secure transparency," Lee said at the opening ceremony. "It is important to assure minor shareholders that they won't be harmed by some major shareholders' manipulations or uncontrollable power by the market," he added, stressing he hopes to bring about an era of the KOSPI index reaching 5,000 points. The former governor of Gyeonggi Province said he will prioritize eliminating the causes of the so-called Korea discount the tendency of Korean stocks to be generally undervalued due to perceived risks. He also vowed to streamline market regulations so that companies could bear the fruits of innovation. Main opposition People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a speech during a New Year's bourse opening ceremony held at the Korea Exchange (KRX) on Yeouido, Monday. Yonhap A North Korean gymnast who defected to the South last year by using his acrobatic skills to cross the border fence is thought to have fled back home by re-crossing the same border. South Korea's military said the man broke through the border fence unnoticed around 6.40pm on Saturday before crossing into North Korea around 10.40pm. The man is believed to be a North Korean defector in his 20s who came to the South in late 2020 after crossing the heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone. He was even rumoured at one point to have pole-vaulted over the barbed wire border fence. While in the South he is said to have been working as a cleaner, and became disenfranchised with his new life, according to The Times. Despite South Koreans enjoying more freedom than those across the border, defectors from the North often struggle to assimilate, and suffer from high levels of poverty, loneliness and suicide. Re-defections to North Korea are not unheard of. Military guard posts of North Korea, rear, and South Korea, front, are seen in Paju, near the border South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the man appears to have crawled under the fence this time, rather than going over it, and breached the border at 6.40pm local time on Saturday. The breach triggered an alarm, but this went unnoticed by South Korean troops until 9.20pm when additional sensors inside the DMZ picked the man up. It was only then that troops re-watched CCTV footage from several hours before and realised what had happened. Troops were dispatched into the DMZ - a miles-wide zone between the two Koreas that is littered with mines and guarded by machine gun-wielding soldiers - to stop the man, but he crossed into North Korean territory at 10.40pm. A message was sent to North Korean troops shortly afterwards to warn them of the crossing and seek guarantees about the man's safety, but it has gone unanswered. There are fears the man may have been killed, after a South Korea fisheries official who accidentally crossed the border last year was shot to death by Northern guards. Kim Jong Un later apologised for the shooting, saying troops were under strict orders to kill anyone trying to cross to prevent the spread of Covid. Earlier in 2020, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un placed a border city under total lockdown after a North Korean defector with COVID-19-like symptoms sneaked back home. The fate of that defector, who had lived in South Korea, is not known. On Saturday, North Korea announced it had decided to place top priority on strict virus restrictions at a high-profile ruling party meeting last week. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in raise their hands after signing on a joint statement at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea on April 27, 2018 This picture shows the North Korean border county of Kaepoong from a South Korean observatory in the southern boundary of the Demilitarized zone The gymnast's original defection took place in November last year, when he managed to cross the fence into South Korea without triggering an alarm. When asked by military officials how he did it, the man reportedly showed them he had used his gymnastics training to vault over the barrier. He repeated the move twice to prove he wasn't lying, South Korean media reported at the time. The man was arrested in Gangwon Province about 1.5km south of the border wearing blue civilian clothes, Chosun Ilbo reported. He had been wandering an area strewn with land mines and claimed to be a civilian seeking to defect. The reasons for his defection were never made clear. It is also unclear why he decided to go back to North Korea. The two Koreas are split along the world's most heavily armed border, called the Demilitarized Zone. An estimated 2million mines are peppered inside and near the 248km (155 mile) -long, 4km (2.5 mile) -wide DMZ, which is also guarded by barbed wire fences, tank traps and combat troops on both sides. Defecting via the DMZ is rare. At the height of their Cold War rivalry, both Koreas sent agents and spies to each other's territory through the DMZ, but no such incidents have been reported in recent years. About 34,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the late 1990s to avoid poverty or political oppression, but a vast majority of them have come via China and Southeast Asian countries. North Korea has yet to report any cases of the coronavirus while experts have questioned its claim of a perfect record. This egret seems to be a fan of John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever. It was spotted on the edge of the River Eden, on a shallow part that flows from the sea estuary close to the the town of Guardbridge in Fife, Scotland. Its white plumage and positioning of wings looked identical to that of the movie star in his 1970's white disco suit. The egret was spotted on the edge of the River Eden, on a shallow part that flows from the sea estuary close to the the town of Guardbridge in Fife, Scotland Glenrothes-based retiree-turned-wildlife photographer Kenneth O'Keefe, 62, said, 'I spent about five hours watching and photographing the wildlife in this area that morning. 'As I was watching the comings and goings of the wildlife I spotted the little egret making its way up the river and continually striking under the water to catch food. 'As I was keeping an eye on it through my camera it suddenly gave its wings a flap and I took the photo.' Hackers on Monday targeted the website of an Israeli newspaper on the 2020 anniversary of the killing of a prominent Iranian general, replacing its content with an image that threatened a site associated with Israel's undeclared nuclear weapons program. While no group immediately claimed responsibility, the image posted on the Jerusalem Post's website depicted a missile coming down from a fist bearing a ring long associated with Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed by a U.S. drone strike in Iraq two years ago on Monday. The image included an exploding target from a recent Iranian military drill designed to look like the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center near the city of Dimona. The facility is already home to decades-old underground laboratories that reprocess the reactor's spent rods to obtain weapons-grade plutonium for Israel's nuclear bomb program. Israel's Jerusalem Post newspaper said on Monday that its website had been hacked, in what it said was an apparent threat to the country Instead of displaying a main news page, the website showed an illustration that appeared to recall top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani who was assassinated Under its policy of nuclear ambiguity, Israel neither confirms nor denies having atomic weapons. In a tweet, the Jerusalem Post acknowledged being the target of hackers. 'We are aware of the apparent hacking of our website, alongside a direct threat to Israel,' the English-language newspaper wrote. 'We are working to resolve the issue & thank readers for your patience and understanding.' There was no immediate response from the Israeli government. The hack comes after Israels former military intelligence chief in late December publicly acknowledged his country was involved in Soleimani's killing. Soleimani was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq on this day in 2020 The remains of destroyed vehicles are seen during the second anniversary of the killing of Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a U.S. drone attack, at Baghdad Airport in Baghdad, Iraq, January 2, 2022 Soleimani rose to prominence by advising forces fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and in Syria on behalf of the embattled Assad Iran as well did not immediately acknowledge the hack early Monday. However, the country in recent days has stepped up its commemorations of the slain Revolutionary Guard general. Memorial services were scheduled to be held Monday marking his death. As the head of the Quds, or Jerusalem, Force of the Revolutionary Guard, Soleimani led all of its expeditionary forces and frequently shuttled between Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. Quds Force members have deployed into Syrias long war to support President Bashar Assad, as well as into Iraq in the wake of the 2003 U.S. invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, a longtime foe of Tehran. Soleimani rose to prominence by advising forces fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and in Syria on behalf of the embattled Assad. U.S. officials say the Guard under Soleimani taught Iraqi militants how to manufacture and use especially deadly roadside bombs against U.S. troops after the invasion of Iraq. Iran has denied that. Soleimani himself remains popular among many Iranians, who see him as a hero fighting Iran's enemies abroad. Mourners march during the funeral of Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani, 62, who was were killed in a U.S. airstrike in January 2020 A commemoration ceremony is held near Baghdad International Airport marking the second anniversaries of the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani on Monday in Bahgdad, Iraq Florida reported a record 75,900 new cases to the CDC on Friday New York state is smashing daily COVID records, with the most recent data showing a new high, and 85,47 infections She was photographed eating brunch outside and without a face mask, which some conservatives have said was hypocritical The Squad member has staunchly supported masks and vaccine mandates since the start of the pandemic Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was spotted partying in Miami on Sunday without a face mask together with actor Billy Porter Advertisement Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has long been an advocate for mask-wearing during the pandemic was spotted partying in Miami on Sunday without a face covering altogether as she socialized with actor Billy Porter. The New York congresswoman who has been in Miami since before the new year, appeared to be continuing her vacation in the Sunshine State at a packed drag bar event in the city. In a short clip posted to social media, Ocasio-Cortez could be seen waving to other bargoers to cheers and applause while being introduced on stage by the MC of the 'drag brunch' event. The compere could be heard lauding the politician, eliciting wild cheers from gathered diners. Ocasio-Cortez's presence in Florida, a state that she had long criticized for its lax coronavirus restrictions during earlier waves of the pandemic appeared to irk some Republicans and conservative journalists who became tired of her using the southern state as an example of how not to do things. 'AOC is STILL lounging it up in Florida, in large crowds and maskless. This time at a Drag Queen bar in Miami. Rules for thee but not for me,' wrote right wing journalist Brendon Leslie. 'For those of you with zero sense of humor: the whole point of this post is to expose hypocrisy. We dont actually care shes maskless. We care she fear mongers about Florida but then has the audacity to vacation here,' he added. 'AOC was spotted partying in a bar maskless in the great free state of Florida. Absolute hypocrite,' tweeted Twitter account Libs of Tik Tok. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is seen hugging host Billy Porter at an outdoors drag event the the Palace Bar over New Year's Weekend in a photo posted on Sunday Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is seen hugging Billy Porter at a party event in Miami The Democratic socialist Representative was first accused by many of 'frolicking in free Florida' while her home state enforced mask mandates, after her Miami lunch date with her boyfriend on December 30. AOC hit back on New Year's Day claiming that the backlash came purely because her critics 'want to date her'. 'If Republicans are mad they can't date me they can just say that instead of projecting their sexual frustrations onto my boyfriend's feet. Ya creepy weirdos,' she tweeted. She continued: 'It's starting to get old ignoring the very obvious, strange, and deranged sexual frustrations that underpin the Republican fixation on me, women,& LGBT+ people in general. 'These people clearly need therapy, won't do it, and use politics as their outlet instead. It's really weird.' The congresswoman also angered Republicans days earlier when a photo of her December 30 lunch in Miami was published, with her opponents noting that the strident supporter of mask mandates was also not wearing one then as well. 'Welcome to Florida, AOC!' tweeted the account of the state's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis. 'We hope you're enjoying a taste of freedom here in the Sunshine State thanks to @RonDeSantisFL's leadership.' The pair put their arms around one another to take a selfie together New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is seen hugging a drag performer onstage at an outdoors event hosted by Billy Porter AOC became the focus of the brunch after being spotted at by the presenter AOC was seen completely maskless at the event in Miami Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was spotted partying in Miami on Sunday without a face mask. Actor, Billy Porter, can be seen in drag, in a red jacket and dress as he hosted the brunch The New York congresswoman appeared to be continuing her new year's vacation in the Sunshine State at a packed drag bar. The crowd cheered her as the compere introduced her AOC could be seen blowing kisses to other diners who cheered her as she walked by There are no mask mandates in place in the state of Florida currently, despite the number of COVID-19 cases in the state having increased dramatically in the last 14 days by 948% - the highest in the nation There are no mask mandates in place in the state of Florida currently, despite the number of COVID-19 cases in the state having increased dramatically in the last 14 days by 948% - the highest increase in the nation. In Florida on Saturday, 56,865 new cases were reported. One day earlier, more than 75,900 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state. Friday's figures marked a single-day record for the number of new cases in the state. It breaks the record set a day earlier, on Thursday, when more than 58,000 cases were reported in the state. Currently both Miami-Dade and Broward counties are measuring positivity rates of 30 percent. Ocasio-Cortez's refusal to wear a face mask in public appeared to irk some Republicans and Conservative journalists who became tired of her using Florida as an example of how not to do things earlier in the pandemic Days earlier, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was pictured raising a class over sushi with her boyfriend, Riley Roberts while vacationing in Miami Ocasio-Cortez had swapped the New York chill for sunny Florida for a New Year getaway DeSantis, who has been attacked by Democrats for being absent while his state struggled with a COVID surge, attended a Miami faith event in Florida on New Year's Eve with his wife Casey who is battling cancer Florida Governor Ron ReSantis has been caring for his cancer-stricken wife while his critics like AOC and Joy Reid accused him of going 'missing' during the Omicron surge In response to DeSantis' team reaching out to the congresswoman and welcoming her to the state Ocasio-Cortez hit back, replying that he should take lessons from the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul. 'Hasn't Gov. DeSantis been inexplicably missing for like 2 weeks? 'If he's around, I would be happy to say hello. His social media team seems to have been posting old photos for weeks. 'In the meantime, perhaps I could help with local organizing. Folks are quite receptive here. 'I'd also be happy to share some notes from @GovKathyHochul's work in NY since he seems to be in need of tips!' Ocasio-Cortez appeared to be oblivious to the fact that the Florida Governor had spent the last two weeks accompanying his wife to cancer treatments. The Republican governor had reduced the number of public appearances he was making amid a spike in Covid-19 cases and has not held a public press conference since December 17. Democrats had criticized him for 'going missing' amid the current new spike in coronavirus cases. DeSantiss wife Casey was diagnosed with breast cancer in October. The couple have three children together. In other bizarre responses to GOP critics, Ocasio-Cortez couldn't help but hit back claiming that they were angry with her because they couldn't date her. The conversation generated a plethora of replies, with former Trump advisor Steve Cortes angered by Ocasio-Cortez 'frolicking in free Florida', while her home state enforced mask mandates. The New York mask mandate only applies indoors, and people are allowed to remove masks while eating, there are no such statewide mandates in place in Florida. Cortes tweeted: '1. If Leftists like AOC actually thought mandates and masking worked, they wouldn't be frolicking in free FL. '2. Her guy is showing his gross pale male feet in public (not at a pool/beach) with hideous sandals. 'O for 2' Ocasio-Cortez had earlier got into an online argument on social media as she called Cortes a 'creepy weirdo' for her remarks about her boyfriend's Birkenstock sandals. She suggested that those obsessing over her every action possibly 'wanted to date her' and held 'very obvious, strange, and deranged sexual frustrations'. 'These people clearly need therapy, won't do it, and use politics as their outlet instead. It's really weird.' Ian Haworth, editor of Daily Wire, tweeted: 'I definitely do not want to date you.' Ocasio-Cortez replied: 'I'm glad you felt the need to share that with the world. Don't worry, this is a totally normal thought to have and share as an editor of a right-wing website, and totally doesn't prove my point at all. 'I hear if you say it enough times you'll actually start to believe it.' Brian Mast, a Republican congressman for Florida, wrote on Twitter: 'Welcome to Florida AOC. Leave your politics in New York and enjoy a taste of freedom in our great state!' Shawn Farash, who runs the conservative group Long Island Loud Majority, said her visit amounted to an endorsement of DeSantis. 'Hey @AOC tell me you endorse @RonDeSantisFL without telling me you endorse @RonDeSantisFL,' he wrote. Republican anger was in part retaliation for her own criticism of Ted Cruz, the Republican senator for Texas. In February, Ocasio-Cortez demanded Cruz resign for making a trip to Cancun with his family while Texas was ravaged by a deadly winter storm. 'If Sen. Cruz had resigned back in January after helping gin up a violent insurrection that killed several people, he could've taken his vacation in peace,' she tweeted at the time. 'Texans should continue to demand his resignation.' In September 2021, in response to a thread on the storms in New York, she tweeted: 'I know Republicans' idea of 'disaster relief' is flying to Cancun while the power's still out, but unlike that approach I actually give a damn.' Ocasio-Cortez's trip came as COVID cases exploded again in New York. Residents have been forced to line up for hours for tests and many are planning to spend New Year's Eve at home, with restaurants closing and amid fears of the Omicron surge. New York State is starting 2022 with a new single-day COVID case record - 85,476 new infections. In New York City, more than one in five tests are positive, with the 7-day positivity rate just shy of 20%. Governor Kathy Hochul has also introduced her '2.0 Plan' to fight Omicron by extending her 'vax and mask' mandate until February 1. Towards the end of last week more than 20 percent of the city's police officers and 30 percent of paramedics were out sick. Travelers coming and going from LaGuardia Airport line up for COVID testing in the parking garage on Thursday The U.S. has been hit by massive testing shortages that the Biden administration has vowed to fix in the New Year On Sunday, top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said there was still a danger of a surge in hospitalization due to a large number of coronavirus cases even as early data suggests the Omicron COVID-19 variant is less severe. The Omicron variant was estimated to be 58.6% of the coronavirus variants circulating in the United States as of December 25, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). U.S. authorities registered at least 346,869 new coronavirus on Saturday with the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 rising by at least 377 to 828,819. Americans are still waiting hours in lines to be tested for COVID-19. Above, a health care workers tests residents in Miami, Florida, at a drive-through COVID testing site on Wednesday Fewer Covid patients in hospital are relying on ventilation compared to previous peaks during the pandemic, it has been revealed. In a further sign that the Omicron variant is less severe than other strains of coronavirus, figures from London hospitals suggest a lower rate of mechanical intervention is needed among recent patients. Yesterday, there were 3,744 patients in London's hospitals with Covid compared to around 1,000 at the end of November. Yet despite this, the number of mechanical ventilation beds in use increased from 175 to just 230. This equates to around six per cent of people in hospital who require help to breathe - a significant drop compared to around 20 per cent during the summer. Yesterday, there were 3,744 patients in London's hospitals with Covid compared to around 1,000 at the end of November. Yet despite this, the number of mechanical ventilation beds in use increased from 175 to just 230. This equates to around six per cent of people in hospital who require help to breathe - a significant drop compared to around 20 per cent during the summer While Covid admission in London hospitals have more than tripled since November, numbers in ventilation beds rose from just 175 to 230 London has fast become the UKs Omicron hotspot, with one in 20 people testing positive in the week leading up to Christmas. Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said the reduced need for ventilation is a hopeful sign. He told The Telegraph: 'The lower rate of mechanical ventilation bed occupancy seems to be consistent across multiple European countries. 'There was also data from South Africa that showed that people admitted to hospital with Omicron were still somewhat less likely to have a particularly bad outcome such as dying or being admitted to ICU.' Six individual studies suggest the Omicron variant multiplies more in throats instead of the lungs, which may be one reason why it seems more infectious but less deadly than previous strains. One study from the University of Liverpools Molecular Virology Research Group claimed the strain led to a less severe disease in mice. It stated: Those infected with the Omicron variant had less severe clinical signs (weight loss), showed recovery and had a lower virus load in both the lower and upper respiratory tract. This is also reflected by less extensive inflammatory processes in the lungs.' A growing body of evidence indicates the Omicron variant targets the throat instead of the lungs - leading to a milder illness. The latest research builds on a study from the University of Hong Kong last month showing less Omicron infection in the lungs. It found Omicron infects and multiplies 70 times faster than the Delta and original Covid variant, which may explain why Omicron transmits more easily. But the study also found that Omicron infection in the lungs was significantly lower than previous strains of the virus. Research led by Professor Ravi Gupta at the University of Cambridge found Omicron was better able to evade vaccines, but still less likely to cause severe illness in the lungs. Professor Gupta said: We speculate that the more efficient the virus is at infecting our cells, the more severe the disease might be. The fact that Omicron is not so good at entering lung cells and that it causes fewer fused cells with lower infection levels in the lab suggests this new variant may cause less severe lung-associated disease. A man has been charged after Old Parliament House was allegedly set on fire last week. The 30-year-old from Victoria has been charged with arson and damaging Commonwealth property and will face the ACT Magistrates court on Tuesday. The historic Canberra building went up in flames on Thursday as protesters were heard chanting 'let it burn'. The maximum punishment for arson in the ACT is 15 years in jail. Emergency services rushed to the scene to put out the flames but not before the fire had caused extensive damage Police believe the fire most likely started when an Aboriginal smoking ceremony approved by police got out of control. Pictured: The burned building Five fire engines and about 40 police officers attended the scene while crews extinguished the blaze, which caused no injuries. Police investigating the incident said a traditional smoking ceremony by Indigenous rights activists had got out of control. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy, a permanent protest occupation site near the building, said it had not approved the smoking ceremony and condemned violence. The fire came just one week after a similar blaze was lit at the historic site which served as Australia's federal parliament from 1927 until 1988. Australia's current Parliament House was established in 1988 on Capitol Hill a short distance away, with the historic building now used as a museum and heritage site. After firefighters distinguished the blaze, protesters continued to clash with media crews and police, some chanting 'long live us' and 'stop telling lies'. While leaders used a megaphone to talk about Indigenous rights and colonisation, baffled onlookers recorded the plumes of smoke pouring out of the building. A federal police forensic team was later seen examining the scorched front entrance of the building and taking samples from the fire damage An anti-vaccination protest group has denied being responsible, insisting its members only filmed the fiasco and were not involved. The group named Millions March Against Mandatory Vaccinations (MMAMV) Australia posted on its Facebook page that 'mainstream media' and Aussies online had accused it of starting the fire and refuted the allegation. 'This claim is entirely false. MMAMV did not start this fire, neither has it ever claimed that MMAMV was responsible for the fire, nor for the organisation of the event,' the post read. One of the group's leaders, Michael Simms, was attending the Aboriginal rights protest and smoking ceremony on Thursday before the fire. He live-streamed the event, capturing dramatic footage of police trying to contain rowdy protesters on the steps of Old Parliament House as the front door burned. His footage shows one policeman being knocked to the ground as several officers are pushed back by protesters. 'Michael was wearing an orange vest with 'media' on the back, which had been given to him by First Nations representatives to indicate he had permission to film the ceremonies,' the post read. 'Michael has been attending these events to spend time with First Nation Elders to learn their history and traditions.' Verizon and AT&T have rejected a request by the U.S. government to delay the rollout of next-generation wireless technology. A joint letter Sunday from the telecommunications giants to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Steve Dickson, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, sought to dismiss concerns brought by U.S. airlines that a new 5G wireless service could harm aviation. But Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon Communications, and John Stankey, CEO of AT&T, also wrote that they were willing to accept some temporary measures over the next six months to limit the service around certain airport runways. Verizon and AT&T have rejected a request by the U.S. government to delay the rollout of next-generation wireless technology. Verizon installs 5G telecommunications equipment on a tower in Orem, Utah, inn2019 Airlines had asked the Federal Communications Commission to delay this weeks scheduled 5G rollout, saying the service, set to launch Wednesday, could interfere with electronics that pilots rely on. Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. passenger and cargo carriers, said in an emergency filing that the FCC has failed to adequately consider the harm that 5G service could do to the industry. The group wants more time for the FCC and the FAA, which regulates airlines, to resolve issues around aviation safety. Those are related to a type of 5G service that relies on chunks of radio spectrum called C-Band, which wireless carriers spent billions of dollars to buy up last year. Siding in part with airlines, Buttigieg and Dickson wrote late Friday to the CEOs of AT&T and Verizon to propose a delay in activating 5G C-band service near an undetermined number of 'priority airports' while the FAA studies the potential for interference with aircraft operations. A joint letter Sunday from the telecommunications giants sought to dismiss concerns brought by U.S. airlines that 5G wireless service could harm aviation. File image AT&T and Verizon previously agreed to a one-month delay in 5G, which provides faster speeds when mobile devices connect to their networks and allows users to connect many devices to the internet without slowing it down. But the telecommunications executives said Sunday that further delays requested by the government would harm their customers. 'Agreeing to your proposal would not only be an unprecedented and unwarranted circumvention of the due process and checks and balances carefully crafted in the structure of our democracy, but an irresponsible abdication of the operating control required to deploy world-class and globally competitive communications networks that are every bit as essential to our countrys economic vitality, public safety and national interests as the airline industry,' the executives wrote. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver remarks at the US Capitol on Thursday to mark the first anniversary of January 6th insurrection. The pair will speak in one part of a series of events organized by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats in 'solemn observance' for the officers who died protecting the Capitol from the rioters. Although it is unknown what the pair will say Thursday, Biden has repeatedly condemned the rioters who breached the Capitol while Congress was certifying the 2020 presidential election and has referred to the insurrection as a 'dark day' in American history. He has also thanked the police officers who were on scene during the riot. The White House confirmed Biden and Harris' visit on Sunday, the same day House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy issued a letter to Republicans that slammed Democrats for failing to determine how the building was so easily compromised. President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris (pictured together on May 31, 2021) will deliver remarks at the US Capitol on Thursday to mark the first anniversary of January 6th insurrection McCarthy, a Republican from California, condemned the rioters, saying there actions were 'lawless and as wrong as wrong can be.' However, he also blasted the Democratic party for failing to determine how security was breached after an entire year and accused them instead of using the incident as a 'partisan political weapon' to divide the nation. 'Our Capitol should never be compromised and those who broke the law deserve to face legal repercussions and full accountability,' McCarthy wrote. 'Unfortunately, one year later, the majority party seems no closer to answering the central question of how the Capitol was left so unprepared and what must be done to ensure it never happens again. Instead, they are using it as a partisan political weapon to further divide our country.' He also said Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) would be sending a memo to each party member's office outlining 'meaningful and measurable steps' that should be taken to protect the Capitol from threats, adding they are 'steps that the current majority party is negligent in acting upon'. The White House confirmed Biden and Harris' visit on Sunday, the same day House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (pictured on Dec. 3) issued a letter to Republicans that slammed Democrats for failing to determine how the building was so easily compromised His letter, shown in part above, condemned the rioters but also accused the Democrats of not addressing Capitol security issues and using the insurrection as a 'partisan political weapon' to divide the nation The chaos on January 6 erupted as the Senate and House of Representatives met to certify Joe Biden's victory in November's presidential election. In what was said to be the most violent attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812, supporters of defeated Republican President Donald Trump forced lawmakers and Trump's own vice president, Mike Pence, to scramble for safety. Five people died in connection to the riot, and at least 100 law enforcement agents were injured. More than 700 people have been arrested for their alleged roles in the riots. Pelosi announced on December 20, ahead of Congress' winter recess, that she was planning a commemoration with a series of events at the Capitol on January 6. Last Thursday she revealed the events will begin with a 'pro forma' session at noon, where there will be a moment of silence and a statement from the chair presiding over the House chamber, site of a standoff between Capitol Police and rioters that day. In the historic Cannon Caucus room, site of the famed House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, presidential historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham will have a conversation moderated by the librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden 'to establish and preserve the narrative of January 6th.' The chaos on January 6 (pictured) erupted as the Senate and House of Representatives met to certify Joe Biden's victory in November's presidential election Five people died in connection to the Capitol Riot (pictured) and at least 100 law enforcement agents were injured Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Jan. 6th events House Pro Forma Session, 12:00 p.m. ET (House Floor): Prayer, Pledge, a statement from the Chair and a Moment of Silence (House Floor). Historic Perspective, 1:00 p.m. ET (Cannon Caucus Room): Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden will moderate a conversation between historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham to establish and preserve the narrative of January 6th. Members Testimonials, 2:30 p.m. ET (Cannon Caucus Room): Presided over by Rep. Jason Crow, Members will share their reflections of the day. Prayer Vigil, 5:30 p.m. ET (Center Steps, U.S. Capitol): for Members of the House and Senate to join in an observance of the day in prayer and music. Advertisement This will be followed by 'testimonials' from lawmakers, who were both participants and witnesses to some of the historic and tragic events that day. Presiding will be Crow, an Army Ranger and veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan who comforted Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., while police fought to keep protesters out of the chamber. Members 'will share their reflections of the day,' said Pelosi. This will be followed by a prayer vigil at 5:30 pm on the center steps of the Capitol, where lawmakers from both parties sang 'God Bless America' hours after the Sept. 11th attacks. Members of the Senate will 'join in an observance of the day in prayer and music. The House will not be in session next week, and some members may not be in town. But she said a 'full program' of events was being planned. 'These events are intended as an observance of reflection, remembrance and recommitment, in a spirit of unity, patriotism and prayerfulness,' she wrote in a letter to her Democrat colleagues. 'All events will be live-streamed, so that Members can watch and participate from their districts.' Meanwhile, Trump indicated earlier last month he had no intention of going along with the solemn remembrance Pelosi is lining up. He issued a statement bashing the House Jan. 6th committee and once again claimed the election was 'rigged.' 'Why isn't the Unselect Committee of highly partisan political hacks investigating the CAUSE of the January 6th protest, which was the rigged Presidential Election of 2020? Does anybody notice that they want to stay as far away from that topic as possible, the numbers don't work for them, or even come close,' Trump said in a statement issued by his Save America PAC. 'The only thing they can do is not talk about it.' 'Look at what is going on now in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, and, to a lesser extent, Michigan where the numbers are horrendously corrupt in Detroit, but the weak Republican RINOs in the Michigan House and Senate don't want to touch the subject,' Trump said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) described the insurrection commemoration events as conveying 'reflection, remembrance and recommitment'. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump (right) announced he will air his grievances about what he calls a 'rigged election' at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on January 6th He slapped the RINO label Republicans in Name Only on those who resisted efforts by Trump loyalists to claim fraud, although courts tossed out the claims by Trump allies in the days leading up to Jan. 6th. 'I will be having a news conference on January 6th at Mar-a-Lago to discuss all of these points, and more,' Trump said before slapping the 'insurrection' label on Election Day. 'Until then, remember, the insurrection took place on November 3rd, it was the completely unarmed protest of the rigged election that took place on January 6th,' Trump said. Five people died the day of the Capitol riot, including. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick. Trump supporters are allegedly planning 'vigils' across the country to show their support for those accused of participating in the riots, the Independent reported. According to the far-right group Look Ahead America, vigils are planned to commemorate Ashli Babbitt and Rosanne Boyland, who died inside the Capitol during the riot. A man fell on to train tracks after being pepper-sprayed and tasered as he wrestled with two police officers on the platform. Terrifying footage showed the man resisting arrest before stumbling towards the tracks at Redfern Station in Sydney was uploaded to TikTok on New Year's Day. One of the officers tries to wrench the man's hands behind his back as the other holds a taser out in front of him. In the terrifying video one of the officers can be seen trying to wrench the man's hands behind his back as the other holds a bright yellow taser out in front of him (pictured) As the man continues to struggle one of the officers pepper-sprays him in the face prompting him to let go and hold his face in both hands. The same officer then takes the opportunity to taser the man in his right arm causing him to stumble dangerously close to the platform edge. The officers quickly realise the man is about to go over and race to catch him but are too late, with the man seen falling head-first onto the tracks. Concerned commuters watching from a nearby train are seen rushing to the window to check if the man is ok, as others start filming on their phones. One of the panicked officers motions to Sydney Trains staff that a man is on the tracks, while his colleague peers over the edge. Two employees start to communicate over their radios as the police officers keep a close eye on the man below. The officers quickly realise the man is about to go over and run to catch him but are too late as the man is seen falling head-first over the platform (pictured) The video ends before the man is rescued from the train tracks, making some viewers question why nearby witnesses didn't act quicker. 'All these people just standing around,' one viewer wrote. 'That was obviously going to happen. Who on earth pepper-sprays someone on a train track,' a second commented. 'This whole charge can get dropped because he fell onto the tracks,' a third said. In a second video the man is seen sitting on a platform bench surrounded by six officers as one secures handcuffs around his wrists. A NSW Police spokesperson said officers were called to the station at about 1:15am on Saturday to find two men fighting on the ground of the platform. 'Police attempted to separate the men, but the pair continued to fight. Officers then deployed OC spray and the men separated and stood up,' the spokesperson said. In a second TikTok video the man is seen sitting on a platform bench surrounded by six officers as one secures handcuffs around his wrists (pictured) 'One of the men, a 31-year-old, was arrested without incident however the other man, a 34-year-old, resisted police and a struggle ensued.' The spokesperson said after the OC spray was deemed ineffective a taser was used on the man who then fell and rolled onto the tracks. They said the man was safely returned to the platform with no reported injuries and was arrested and taken to Mascot Police Station. The 34-year-old was charged with affray and resisting a police officer and granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on February 14. The 31-year-old man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for affray and is due to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on February 21. At least four people - including a corrections officer - were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after inmates set a series of fires inside a state correctional facility in Baltimore Sunday evening. The city's fire department responded at around 8 p.m. Sunday night to reports of a fire inside the jail alongside Baltimore fire officials. The state fire marshal and Maryland Department of Emergency was called in to help, as well as local EMS. Baltimore Fire officials said crews 'quickly extinguished' the flames. The Maryland Fire Marshal tweeted that 21 people were treated for minor smoke inhalation inside the facility. Crews descend on Baltimore City Jail Sunday night after at least five fires were set inside the facility Four people, including a corrections officer, were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Another 30 people had to be evacuated from the jail in Maryland's largest city due to the fires Another three inmates and one correctional officer were taken to local hospitals for reported non-life-threatening injuries. A local firefighters union said that the event started as a mattress fire and crews were forced to evacuate at least 30 more inmates. The Baltimore Fire Union said medical ambulance buses were called from other counties across the state. The state fire marshal said the investigation was still 'active.' No charges have been filed yet against anyone potentially involved with setting the fires. Getty Images Bank By Lee Kyung-min A sharp rise in global oil prices and the subsequent spike in energy costs will be the biggest threat to export-reliant Korea, as implied by the country's trade balance registering a deficit last month despite record-breaking export volumes over the past year. Korea registered a trade deficit of $590 million (702 billion won) in December, its first in 20 months, according to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. This was the result of a 37.4 percent year-on-year increase in imports offsetting an 18.3 percent year-on-year rise in exports. The last trade deficit in the amount of $950 million was logged in April 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other than the health crisis-sparked deficit two years ago, Korea has registered trade surpluses every month since 2008 when the global financial crisis hit the economy. Businesses say corporate profitability will be hurt significantly by commodity price volatility, the biggest risk factor alongside logistics cost increases and currency fluctuations. Global crude oil price surpassed $80 a barrel and the London Metal Exchange (LME) index, a comprehensive metal price indicator, hit an all-time high of 4762.80 in October. Data from the energy ministry showed December imports of crude oil spiked 73.8 percent from a year earlier, whereas fuel prices and natural gas skyrocketed 177.5 percent and 97.1 percent. Robust growth in exports, they add, could be bogged down by the base effect from last year and unresolved global supply chain disruption vulnerabilities, fanning concerns that an economic recovery long underpinned almost exclusively by the growth driver could become elusive. Most of the firms say government price stability measures will be critical to limit exposure to unforeseen external risks, a prerequisite to sustaining the momentum for double-digit year-on-year growth in exports, amid slow yet clear signs of a global trade recovery. According to a survey conducted by Korea Economic Research Institute, a private think tank, of 150 firms on the list of Korea's top 1,000 exporters by sales, more than a third, or 36.4 percent, said raw materials cost increases were the biggest risk to their business conditions. This was followed by a new wave of the pandemic (33.8 percent), diplomatic issues including the U.S.-China trade war (13.5 percent), won-dollar exchange rate volatility (5.1 percent) and the spread of global trade protectionism (3.1 percent). The firms surveyed said that export growth this year will be limited to around 3 percent, far lower than the year-on-year growth of 26.6 percent in the first 11 months of last year. The pessimistic view, the institute said, is largely in line with the year-on-year growth projections of 1.1 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively, by the Bank of Korea and Korea Development Institute, a state-run think tank. Over two in five, or 41.3 percent said this year's exports will decline from last year, due to the overall weakening of export competitiveness brought on by tightening corporate regulations and soaring labor costs (28.9 percent), followed by deteriorating economic conditions in Korea's trading partner countries (27.6 percent) and diplomatic issues such as U.S.-China friction and Korea-Japan row (16.4 percent). Some 13.2 percent said supply bottlenecks from global supply chain disruptions, while 16.4 percent said strong exports last year translating into lower year-on-year performances. Over half or 52.7 percent said corporate profitability would be similar to last year. Some 29.3 percent of companies said their profits would deteriorate, outnumbering those that expected the opposite outcome (18 percent). Nearly half, or 47.4 percent of the former said so citing rising raw material prices, followed by logistics costs increase. Similarly, according to a Korea International Trade Association survey of 1,260 export firms, over a quarter, or 26.1 percent, considered rising raw materials prices the biggest risk. A Korea Small Business Institute survey showed 64 percent of the surveyed viewed the economy will not be able to recover for the time being, with 59 percent most concerned about production cost rises brought on by soaring raw material prices. A brazen anti-vaxxer claims she somehow managed to board two planes without a face mask or a vaccine passport during a bizarre 14 hour jaunt between three Australian states - before bragging about it online. Anna-Rose Richards, whose Instagram account was shut down last year for spreading misinformation about Covid-19, posted a series Instagram stories on Sunday to document her trip from Perth to the Gold Coast, with a detour via Hobart. Western Australia's borders are closed to all states until February 5, but it is possible to book a seat from there on limited flights to other capital cities, so when Richards saw one to Tasmania, she jumped at the opportunity. In her lengthy stories, she repeatedly claimed 'I know my rights' and boasted about her 'flawless strike rate' navigating her way around different Covid rules. Anna-Rose Richards (pictured) had her Instagram deleted last year for spreading misinformation about Covid Richards (pictured) is an influencer who flew from Perth to the Gold Coast and claims she has not had any Covid-19 vaccinations Richards claimed she read every government website and rule to ensure she squeezes through every loophole but never actually breaks any laws, before realising she may be caught out upon arrival at Hobart Airport. 'So I get off the plane and everyone is showing their phone. "F**k", I thought. I knew immediately I missed a very important piece of information,' she wrote. 'Turns out I missed several.' What Richards missed was that Tasmania requires all arrivals to be vaccinated, and to have registered their details with the state government before travel. 'I had neither. And I had no mask,' she said. 'But I know my rights.' Richards claims she maintained a happy disposition while refusing to show her non-existent vaccine passport to state border forces. Richards boasted about sitting at the departures lounge at Hobart Airport with 'a glass of bubbles' (pictured) In a series of lengthy Instagram stories, Richards bragged about dodging Covid rules (pictured) When four police officers threatened to take her to hotel quarantine, the influencer claims she said: 'Sir, I'm not leaving this airport, I'm going to the Gold Coast and I'm not going into hotel quarantine'. Richards said they eventually agreed to let her through the gates because she was catching a connecting flight. 'So here I sit in Hobart departures, with a glass of bubbles, having narrowly avoided hotel quarantine,' she said. Daily Mail Australia contacted the Tasmanian Department of Health and Richards for comment. After a bizarre rant about the government's Covid policies and bragging about her 'very wealthy, very influential girlfriends', she posted a selfie at home on the Gold Coast. Richards (pictured) refuses to get a Covid vaccine and won't wear a mask in public spaces Queensland recorded a hefty 4,249 new infections and one death overnight. Pictured: Richards after arriving home to the Gold Coast The stories prompted backlash on Twitter, with one person pointing out that it was 'annoying/distressing for all those [she] may infect'. Another wrote: 'No doubt some immuno-compromised passengers on board. Throw her in jail.' A range of others simply said: 'What the f**k.' While Western Australia only has a dozen known active cases of Covid-19, it is possible for asymptomatic people to pass the virus on to others. The stories prompted backlash on Twitter, with one person pointing out that it was 'annoying/distressing for all those [she] may infect' Queensland recorded a hefty 4,249 new infections and one death overnight on Monday, before chief health officer Dr John Gerrard warned millions of residents will become infected in a matter of weeks. Hospitalisation rates have also increased to 147 - up from 112 - while the number of patients being treated in ICU has doubled to 10. 'We have over 20,000 active cases [in Queensland] and only one patient on a ventilator last night,' Dr Gerrard said. 'All of us are going to be exposed in the next few weeks. Even if you've had the two doses of the vaccine, that probably isn't enough to stop you from getting infected. That is why it is so critical to get the third vaccine.' The head of Australia's largest pharmacy chain has slammed the federal government over the bungled rapid antigen test situation. Chemist Warehouse boss Mario Tascone spoke to 2GB Radio on Monday morning saying the government could lessen the financial burden on sick Aussies by removing GST on the tests if they won't immediately subsidise them. 'I'm sure they can get on Zoom and run an emergency session of parliament because the thought the government is making 10 per cent off millions and millions of packets off sales of rapid antigen tests really doesn't sit right,' he said. Chemist Warehouse boss Mario Tascone says the federal government should cut GST on rapid antigen tests to help make the kits more affordable to sick Australians The demand for tests around Australia has seen single kits sell for as much as $100 - with many chemists unable to re-order stock Poll Should rapid tests be free for everyone? Yes No Should rapid tests be free for everyone? Yes 2009 votes No 528 votes Now share your opinion There have been reports of rapid tests costing as much as $100 per unit as Covid cases skyrocket throughout Australia due to the emergence of the highly-infectious Omicron variant. On Monday NSW recorded 20,794 new Covid cases and four deaths, Victoria's tally hit 8,577 infections and Queensland saw 4,249 as the strain rips through the east coast. Mr Tascone said the federal government need to be doing significantly more to ensure sick Australians have easy and affordable access to rapid tests. 'They really need to be as affordable as possible,' he told 2GB. The Chemist Warehouse director said the demand for RATs was 'unprecedented', similar to that of the toilet paper hoarding at the start of the pandemic, and said dropping GST would see immediate results. 'They'll be 10 per cent cheaper overnight we'll drop the price, its not much but that $50 pack of five becomes $45 overnight,' he said. 'So that's one thing they can do immediately, apparently it needs parliament sitting. Mr Tascone said the federal government need to be doing significantly more to ensure sick Australians have easy and affordable access to rapid tests The UK Government has mailed free rapid tests to people's homes since April but the PM has refused to adopt a similar model in Australia over cost fears Chemist Warehouse customers can only buy two rapid antigen tests at one time to ensure they were available for everyone. 'When you've got 25 million people who want a rapid antigen test within the space of a week, that's impossible,' he said. The calls were dismissed by the prime minister on Monday however, with Scott Morrison saying 'we can't go round and make everything free.' The UK Government has mailed free rapid tests to people's homes since April but the PM has refused to adopt a similar model in Australia over cost fears. Instead, rapid tests are free at testing centres but cost at least $10 per swab at pharmacies and supermarkets, which are low on stock due to a lack of supply. Members of the public queue in their cars for a COVID-19 PCR test at the Mascot Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic in Sydney on Monday Several medical experts called for rapid tests to be free for everyone, including University of Sydney infectious disease specialist Robert Booy who said free tests 'could make a real difference to controlling disease'. But in an interview on Sunrise on Monday morning, the prime minister said this was a bad idea. 'We're at another stage of this pandemic now where we just can't go round and make everything free. We have to live with this virus. This isn't a medicine, it's a test. And so there's a difference between those two things,' he said. Australia's gross debt is expected to reach a record $1.2 trillion by 2024-25 after huge pandemic spending including $100 billion on the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme. The prime minister is keen to avoid further cost blowouts, saying on Monday he wants to 'take that pressure off the budget'. But Mr Morrison said he was working with states and territories to reduce the price for vulnerable groups with 'concessional access to pensioners and others'. The cost of subsidising the tests will be shared 50/50 with states and territories. Mr Morrison also said he would not make tests free because he didn't want to deter private companies from ordering them so they could make money. 'The private market, whether it's in the big warehouse pharmacies or the other pharmacies or the supermarkets, they can now go and stock their shelves with confidence that they won't be undercut by the government,' he told the Today show. Groups representing manufacturers and suppliers of rapid antigen tests said the industry supported tests being free for everyone. 'The industry doesn't have a position because we sell to the government for market price and we don't care if they are free or not,' Dean Whiting, the chief executive of Pathology Technology Australia told Guardian Australia. A Brisbane resident lines up for a test on Sunday Woolworths has denied lobbying against free tests while Coles declined to comment. University of NSW Professor of epidemiology Mary-Louise McLaws warned in a series of tweets that rapid tests are becoming reserved for the 'privileged and wealthy', saying governments need to rethink their current stance. 'To reduce cost, test hubs could use PCR on those with symptoms & rapid antigen test (RATs) on all others. Cheaper but still effective,' Professor McLaws tweeted on Sunday. 'Without providing free RATs to households, only privileged & wealthy will be able to protect themselves & reduce wider risk of spread. Mr Morrison's comments also sparked outrage from political opponents who demanded free tests. Independent Senator Rex Patrick wrote on Twitter: 'The case for widespread free RATs is clear, but Scott Morrison says ''you can't just make everything free''. He didn't say that to big business as they took $billions in JobKeeper money they didn't need.' The boss of Australia's biggest trade union, Sally McManus, also slammed the PM, writing: 'What's the price of people's health?' Aussies are still lining up to get tests in large numbers. Pictured: A testing queue at Mascot near the centre of Sydney WHAT ARE THE 15 RAT KITS APPROVED FOR USE IN AUSTRALIA? VERY HIGH SENSITIVITY - 95% CLINICALLY SENSITIVE All Test Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test - (Nasal Swab) - China Lyher Novel Coronavirus Antigen Test Kit (Nasal Swab) - China OnSite Covid-19 Ag Self Test (Nasal Swab) - USA Panbio Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test (Nasal Swab) - Germany V-Chek Covid-19 Antigen Test (Saliva) - China HIGH SENSITIVITY - 90 PER CENT CLINICALLY SENSITIVE All Test Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Oral Fluid) - China Hough Covid-19 Home Test (Nasal Swab) - China My Covid Test Antigen Rapid Test - (Oral Fluid) - China Orawell Covid-19 Ag Rapid Test (Saliva) - China RightSign Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Cassette (Nasal Swab) - China Testsealabs Covid-19 Antigen Test Cassette (Nasal Swab) - China ACCEPTABLE SENSITIVITY - 80 PER CENT CLINICALLY SENSITIVE Roche Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test (Nasal Swab) - South Korea InnoScreen Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Nasal Swab) - Australia Ecotest Covid-19 Antigen Saliva Test kit (saliva) - China CareStart Covid-19 Antigen Home Test (Nasal Swab) - USA Advertisement Labor leader Anthony Albanese stopped short of demanding free tests, instead calling for a means-tested system. 'People who can't afford them should be given them,' he said. However, NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham backed the PM's position, saying the tests would be over-used if handed out for free. 'The problem with unlimited free rapid antigen tests, however, is over-use,' he said. 'The level of public fear and panic will have some people, the Covid Curiosity cohort, testing every few hours.' The need for rapid tests has become urgent as testing queues in Melbourne and Sydney stretched to five hours over the past week due to Queensland's entry test requirements, clinic closures and more people wanting a negative result before visiting family over the Christmas holidays. But there is a scarcity of supply after state governments failed to order the tests early enough. An infectious diseases expert with a track record of alarming but wrong predictions about Covid-19 believes the virus may always be a threat to Australia. UNSW Professor Raina McIntyre predicts the disease will never become endemic - a term that refers to a contagious illness that is always around but does not spread out of control. Instead she fears the virus may continue to cause severe illness and death on a large scale and wants Australia 'to do whatever we can to protect people'. UNSW Professor Raina McIntyre (pictured) said the disease will never become endemic which would mean it is always around but does not spread out of control 'Case numbers can rise very quickly, requiring surge capacity in the health system,' she told Nine News. 'If case numbers overwhelm the health system, people who could have survived with oxygen or other therapy are unable to get into hospital and the death rates rises. 'The death rates we quote depend on everyone who needs hospital care receiving it.' In February 2020 Professor McIntyre predicted that 400,000 Australians would die of Covid but to date there have been 2,266 deaths. She also wrongly forecast that Sydney's Northern Beaches outbreak over Christmas 2020 would cause 3,000 cases by January 8 but there were only 11 new cases in NSW that day. Professor McIntyre's belief that Covid will remain an ever-present danger contradicts former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth who predicts Covid will this year evolve into being a low-mortality seasonal virus like influenza. Australia has suffered a spike in cases since the turn of the New Year (pictured are revellers in Sydney on NYE) - but the number of patients on ventilators has gone down 'The pandemic will come to an end in 2022 because the virus will become endemic, and that means that Covid will circulate in the community,' he told 2GB on Monday. 'It's circulating already in the eastern states so, to an extent, we're already there. It's not a very convenient time to be having very high case numbers but there never was a convenient time.' Dr Coatsworth made the same prediction in an op-ed he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday. He wrote that vaccination and the spread of the milder Omicron strain would finally make the world immune to Covid. 'We will live our lives again as part of the incredibly social and incurably optimistic human species that thrives on this planet,' he wrote. '2022 will be the year the pandemic ends. It could even be sooner than we think.' Disease expert Paul Griffin also predicts Covid will become endemic but warned we may need variant-specific booster shots to develop herd immunity. 'Most of us are thinking it will be endemic and here to stay, but exactly what that looks like is dependent on what the next variants are like,' he told Nine. Professor McIntyre all but dismissed a universal vaccine as a 'holy grail' that would only 'reduce' the need for variant-specific boosters. The gloomy academic said she still expected mass deaths and overrun hospitals even with the milder Omicron due to many more cases. 'Omicron may be 30-50 per cent less severe than Delta, but Delta was twice as severe as Alpha and the 2020 virus,' she said. 'And the super-transmissibility of Omicron means much higher case numbers will translate to high numbers of severe cases compared to previous variants.' Recent studies of the Omicron variant concluded it was far more mild than her figure, up to 80 per cent less virulent than Delta. Aussies are still lining up to get tests in large numbers. Pictured: A testing queue at Mascot near the centre of Sydney Victoria recorded three deaths and 8,577 new infections on Monday - jumping from 1,999 just seven days ago and 7,172 cases on Sunday. Pictured: Concert-goers in Melbourne The debate came as the number of Australians on ventilators with Covid dropped over three weeks despite a surge in cases. A total of 51 Covid patients are ventilated, down from 54 on December 15, Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Monday. Earlier Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia would never need lockdowns again because the dominant Omicron variant is 75 per cent less severe than the Delta strain. Mr Hunt said this helped explain why Australia's hospital system was coping well with increased cases which hit 32,216 on Sunday after a record 35,208 on Saturday. 'The fact that we now have a disease which right around the world is leading to more cases, but to vastly fewer severe cases... is an immensely heartening development,' he said in a press conference on Monday. 'There are challenges in every phase of this pandemic. But Australia has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world and one of the lowest rates of death and loss of life in the world.' There are 148 patients in ICU with Covid across the whole nation and Morrison is so confident in the hospital system that he has ruled out more lockdowns. Asked if Australia would need a 'circuit-breaker' lockdown to stop the surge in cases, Mr Morrison told the Today Show: 'No. Because it is not about numbers. Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth (pictured) doubled down on his claim the pandemic will end this year because Covid will become a seasonal virus like flu Scott Morrison says the hospital system is well-placed to cope with rising cases. Pictured: Nurses at a testing clinic in Wyndham Vale, Melbourne 'I keep making this point. This is a different type of variant which requires an evolution of our response.' 'The days of lockdown are gone. We're going forward. We're not going back. That's not how you manage this virus. 'There will be high case numbers but the severity is a lot less so you focus on your hospital system. 'I think you're seeing that. We've got 51 people on ventilators around the country. 148 people in ICU.' Mr Morrison said the vast majority of people who catch the Omicron strain, which was discovered in November in South Africa, have a mild illness that can be managed at home. 'If you are in hospital at the moment, the primary reason for that is you weren't vaccinated. The second reason is you've got Delta, not Omicron. 'With Omicron, there is only a very small number of cases that are in hospital,' he said. 'We're now dealing with a very different virus. We've really got to change the way we think about it and that's why talking about case numbers now is really not the point.' Senior ICU Registered Nurse Gabby McLoughlin (left) caring for COVID-19 positive patient Dr Isaac S Mordecai in the ICU of St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney in July On Monday NSW recorded 20,794 new cases with 1,204 in hospital and four deaths. An additional 12 people were admitted into ICU in hospitals across NSW overnight - up from 83 patients the day previous. Sunday marked the first time there were more than 1,000 Covid patients in NSW hospitals since October 2. The most ever recorded was 1,268 on September 21. Victoria recorded three deaths and 8,577 new infections on Monday - jumping from 1,999 just seven days ago and 7,172 cases on Sunday. There are 491 patients in Victorian hospitals - up from 472 on Sunday - with 56 people in ICU and 24 on ventilators. Monday's numbers come after it was revealed about half of patients counted in NSW's daily Covid hospitalisation tally are not in hospital because of the virus. Some have simply testing positive for Covid following routine checks after being admitted for broken bones or labour pains. Scott Morrison offers an extraordinary excuse for his refusal to make $10 rapid antigen tests free for everyone - but does he have a point? Australians must continue to pay for rapid Covid tests because 'we can't go round and make everything free,' according to Scott Morrison. The UK government has been mailing free rapid tests to people's homes since April but Mr Morrison has refused to adopt a similar model in Australia over cost fears. Instead rapid tests are free at testing centres but cost at least $10 per swab at pharmacies and supermarkets which are low on stock due to a lack of supply. Members of the public queue in their cars for a COVID-19 PCR test at the Mascot Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic in Sydney on Monday Poll Should rapid tests be free for everyone? Yes No Should rapid tests be free for everyone? Yes 2009 votes No 528 votes Now share your opinion Several medical experts have called for rapid tests to be free for everyone, including University of Sydney infectious disease specialist Robert Booy who said free tests 'could make a real difference to controlling disease.' But in an interview on Sunrise on Monday morning, the Prime Minister said this was a bad idea. 'We're at another stage of this pandemic now where we just can't go round and make everything free. We have to live with this virus. This isn't a medicine, it's a test. And so there's a difference between those two things,' he said. Australia's gross debt is expected to reach a record $1.2 trillion by 2024-25 after huge pandemic spending including $100billion on the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme. The Prime Minister is keen to avoid further cost blowouts, saying on Monday he wants to 'take that pressure off the budget'. But Mr Morrison said he was working with states and territories to reduce the price for vulnerable groups with 'concessional access to pensioners and others'. The cost of subsidising the tests will be shared 50/50 with states and territories. The Prime Minister also said he would not make tests free because he didn't want to deter private companies from ordering them so they could make money. 'The private market, whether it's in the big warehouse pharmacies or the other pharmacies or the supermarkets, they can now go and stock their shelves with confidence that they won't be undercut by the government,' he told the Today show. The comments sparked outrage from political opponents who demanded free tests. A Brisbane resident lines up for a test on Sunday Independent Senator Rex Patrick wrote on Twitter: 'The case for widespread free RATs is clear, but Scott Morrison says ''you can't just make everything free''. He didn't say that to big business as they took $billions in JobKeeper money they didn't need.' The boss of Australia's biggest trade union, Sally McManus, also slammed the PM, writing: 'What's the price of people's health?' Labor leader Anthony Albanese stopped short of demanding free tests, instead calling for a means-tested system. 'People who can't afford them should be given them,' he said. However, NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham backed the PM's position, saying the tests would be over-used if handed out for free. 'The problem with unlimited free Rapid Antigen Tests, however, is over-use,' he said. 'The level of public fear and panic will have some people, the Covid Curiosity cohort, testing every few hours.' The need for rapid tests has become urgent as testing queues in Melbourne and Sydney stretched to five hours over the past week due to Queensland's entry test requirements, clinic closures and more people wanting a negative result before visiting family over the Christmas holidays. But there is a scarcity of supply after state governments failed to order the tests early enough. A woman has drowned in rough surf as ex-tropical Cyclone Seth smashes the east coast of Australia with massive waves. The 47-year-old woman died at Park Beach in Coffs Harbour, on the NSW Mid-North Coast, on Monday afternoon during a trip with her family. NSW Ambulance Inspector Joel Casey said just before 1pm there were reports of a woman unconscious in the water. Surf Life Saving volunteers found the swimmer struggled in the 'very severe water conditions' and gave her CPR until emergency crews arrived. Fun times at Currumbin Surf Club this morning. Shout out to the lovely Leslie who shared this video with me as I was too slow to get my phone out. pic.twitter.com/6b8THNU2gp Peter Robertson (@pagrobertson) January 2, 2022 A shipping container carried by powerful wave was recorded flying down the beach near Currumbin Surf Club after it was washed into the ocean (pictured) A 47-year-old woman lost her life at Park Beach (pictured) in Coffs Harbour on Monday afternoon during a trip to the popular resort area with her family 'Unfortunately, even with all the resources down here at the beach the 47-year-old has passed away, she was unable to be revived,' Inspector Casey said. Farther north, all of the Gold Coast's more than 40 beaches were closed due to dangerous swells that flung a shipping container across the beach. Ex-tropical Cyclone Seth continues to deliver strong winds and dangerous surf to parts of the coast despite being downgraded to a Category 1 system on Saturday. The shipping container carried by a powerful wave was recorded flying down the beach near Currumbin Surf Club after it was dislodged by the strong currents. Spectators of the dramatic moment ran to higher ground as the container came hurtling towards them with beer kegs and other gear left floating in the water. A crane has been called in to move the container from where it became stuck. Swimmers have been advised to stay out of the water as hazardous surf conditions continue across large parts of the coast, triggered by the ex-tropical cyclone Seth. 'All Gold Coast and Stradbroke Island beaches, some Sunshine Coast & Wide Bay Capricorn Beaches are closed due to dangerous surf,' Surf Life Saving Queensland posted to twitter on Monday. 'Please follow lifesavers and lifeguards' advice by not swimming at a closed beach.' The powerful currents have eroded tonnes of sand from Gold Coast beaches (pictured) Queenslanders hoping for a holiday dip will be left disappointed after all beaches on the Gold Coast are closed as an ex-tropical cyclone wrecks havoc across the state The breathtaking scenes came as gigantic waves measuring nine metres high were measured off Brisbane and Tweed Heads. Hundreds of spectators rushed to the shore to watch the mammoth waves as others braved the water to surf the giant swell. The Bureau of Meteorology Queensland warned dangerous surf and abnormally high tides would continue in the southeast for the next few days. As the ex-tropical cyclone Seth drifts towards the coast the bureau issued weather warnings for Wide Bay, Burnett and parts of the southeast. Weatherzone similarly warned the weather system would send strong winds, showers and large swell to southern Queensland and northern NSW coasts. The Bureau of Meteorology Queensland warned dangerous surf and abnormally high tides would continue in the southeast for the next few days (pictured, ex-tropical cyclone Seth) Swells of four metres in southeastern waters have been created by strong easterly swell and strong gale-force winds. Queensland's Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the dangerous weather was only going to get worse as tides rose. In welcome news for holidayers in the Sunshine State, the wild conditions are forecast to ease from Tuesday afternoon as the cyclone weakens and heads south. However, NSW residents could be hit with some heavy rain as the system crosses the coast anywhere between southern Queensland and northern NSW. Fraser Island, 200km north of Brisbane, and parts of northern NSW were told to brace for heavy surf and strong winds as ex-cyclone Seth sits off the coast. Most of the rain from the cyclone - which despite its transition to a Category 1 still holds the same intensity - will cause a deluge near the NSW-Queensland border. NSW residents could be hit with some heavy rain as the system crosses the coast anywhere between southern Queensland and northern NSW (pictured, people shelter in Brisbane) Most of the rain from the cyclone will cause a deluge near the NSW-Queensland border (pictured, rain in Queensland's Townsville region) Deputy Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy warned residents the cyclone was expected to bring 'severe weather action' to the coast. He said anyone planning a trip to the beach over the next few days should be mindful of the powerful surf and strong winds. '(There will be) some damaging waves and some very high tides that will cause rips along the coast and some local flooding,' he said. Gold Coast City Council opened sandbagging stations in Pimpama, Tugun and Burleigh Heads in preparation for flash flooding. More than 500 sandbags have been distributed across the Gold Coast as areas along the coast and further inland at the Scenic Rim brace for 100km/h winds. On Sunday, Mayor Tom Tate said the city was monitoring conditions over the next 48 hours as the tropical cyclone tracks south. 'We are doing some modelling today to see what impact tomorrow's high-tide will have on low lying areas like Budds Beach,' he said. On Sunday, Mayor Tom Tate said the city was monitoring conditions over the next 48 hours as the tropical cyclone tracks south (pictured, a man walks through heavy rain in Brisbane) Weatherzone warned cyclone Seth would send strong winds, showers and large swell to southern Queensland and northern NSW coasts 'I advise everyone to keep their kids away from stormwater drains and local creeks such as Loders Creek and the main rivers feeding into our broadwater.' Flash flooding on Sunday caused several road closures across south-east Queensland with at least five people left stranded by floodwaters. Emergency services including a rescue 500 helicopter were called to McNamara Road in Rocksberg, east of Caboolture, on Saturday after several cars got stuck. Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said the motorists had become stranded near where the road crossed the Caboolture River. A rescue 500 helicopter was deployed to help the residents, but four hours later the river subsided and all five vehicles were able to cross safely. Victorians have been begged by emergency services to avoid trips to hospital unless they're critically ill, as the state's Covid case numbers climb. Victoria recorded 8,577 new cases on Monday, a new daily record for new infections for the state and a 20 per cent increase from Sunday's figure. Long queues for PCR tests, lengthy waits for results and the scarcity of rapid antigen tests has led many Victorians to flock to hospital emergency departments in the hope of getting a faster test. The resultant demand has prompted one of Melbourne's busiest health networks to urge patients with mild symptoms to stay away. This is despite the fact just 44,168 tests were conducted on Sunday, a significant drop to the number earlier in 2021 when there were no such long queues and delays in results. For example, 67,544 daily tests were taken on December 4 - with Victorians only waiting up to 48 hours for their results and no problems with queues. Fed up Victorians who can't get a PCR test at overwhelmed testing sites (pictured) are now flocking to hospital emergency departments 'Our emergency departments at Sunshine, Footscray, and Williamstown Hospitals are currently under extreme pressure,' Western Health posted. 'They are responding to high levels of demand from across the community during this holiday weekend. 'Please do not attend the emergency department unless absolutely necessary. 'It is essential that we preserve the emergency department capacity for our sickest patients. 'Those with mild Covid symptoms seeking PCR or rapid tests should not attend. Thank you for your co-operation.' The strain on hospitals is not due to patient numbers - the 491 people in Victorian hospitals with Covid was a long way short of the 851 at the peak of the Delta wave in October. 'Significant staff shortages due to COVID; a high number of people with mild COVID symptoms presenting seeking a COVID test,' Western Health executive director Suellen Bruce said in identifying the factors. 'The typical high demand during a public holiday period; and limited available beds within our hospitals (in part due to furloughing of staff).' Melburnians with mild symptoms are urged to not add unnecessary demand on emergency departments. Pictured is Sunshine Hospital in the city's west, under 'extreme pressure' Health Minister Martin Foley described Western Health's response as 'sensible' and says other health networks will follow suit. 'We are seeing business as usual - for want of a better phrase - demand continue to grow as people get out more and as people come forward for all the normal things that a health service needs to deliver,' Mr Foley told reporters on Monday. Hospitalisations rose slightly from 472 to 491 on Monday, while ICU admissions went from 52 to 56. Victoria has recorded 23,000 cases in the first three days of 2022 and has already exceeded its annual total in 2020. Sunshine, Footscray, and Williamstown Hospitals in Melbourne's west were inundated with emergency department presentations, sparking this plea from Western Health WHAT ARE THE 15 RAT KITS APPROVED FOR USE IN AUSTRALIA? VERY HIGH SENSITIVITY - 95% CLINICALLY SENSITIVE All Test Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test - (Nasal Swab) - China Lyher Novel Coronavirus Antigen Test Kit (Nasal Swab) - China OnSite Covid-19 Ag Self Test (Nasal Swab) - USA Panbio Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test (Nasal Swab) - Germany V-Chek Covid-19 Antigen Test (Saliva) - China HIGH SENSITIVITY - 90 PER CENT CLINICALLY SENSITIVE All Test Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Oral Fluid) - China Hough Covid-19 Home Test (Nasal Swab) - China My Covid Test Antigen Rapid Test - (Oral Fluid) - China Orawell Covid-19 Ag Rapid Test (Saliva) - China RightSign Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Cassette (Nasal Swab) - China Testsealabs Covid-19 Antigen Test Cassette (Nasal Swab) - China ACCEPTABLE SENSITIVITY - 80 PER CENT CLINICALLY SENSITIVE Roche Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test (Nasal Swab) - South Korea InnoScreen Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Nasal Swab) - Australia Ecotest Covid-19 Antigen Saliva Test kit (saliva) - China CareStart Covid-19 Antigen Home Test (Nasal Swab) - USA Advertisement With infection numbers doubling every four days, Victoria could get up to 100,000 daily infections within weeks, although demand for testing was likely to drop after the Christmas-New Year period and because the definition of a contact requiring testing was also being contracted. Around 20 per cent of test takers were returning a positive PCR result, according to the state's Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar - on Monday it was 19.42 per cent. He has apologised for the lengthy delays to get tested and results, which are taking up to five days to process as labs now have to process all tests individually. 'I'd like to apologise to everybody who's waiting on your PCR results it's because we are seeing far more positive cases,' Mr Weimar said. A newborn baby boy was abandoned in a cardboard box in Alaska's frigid winter temperatures with a note from his mother expressing that she couldn't afford to feed the child. Roxy Lane, of Fairbanks, found the infant on New Year's Eve by a row of mailboxes near her home. She posted a video of the child, whose mother called him Teshawn, and the note on her Facebook page. 'Please help me!!!' the note said. 'My parents and grandparents don't have food or money to raise me. They NEVER wanted to do this to me.' 'Please take me and find me a LOVING FAMILY. My parents are begging whoever finds me. My name is Teshawn.' Teshawn was taken to an area hospital by paramedics shortly after he was found and is said to be in good health, state police reported. Authorities are still working to identify his mother. A preemie baby boy was found abandoned in a cardboard box in Fairbanks, Alaska on Dec. 31 with the above note from his mother When Roxy Lane (left) found the infant - whose mother named him Teshawn (right) - he was swaddled in blankets and cooing. Teshawn was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation and is said to be in good health Lane found Teshawn in a box, cooing and swaddled in blankets, at the intersection of Dolphin Way and Chena Point Avenue, near Fairbanks, around 2pm on December 31. Temperatures were in the single digits with a wind chill of 12 below at that time, according to the National Weather Service. The infant had entered the world earlier that day around 6am, his mother wrote in her note. 'I was born 12 weeks premature. My mom was 28 weeks when she had me,' the note read. 'My parents lived on Cormorant Street. My mom is so sad to do this.' Although the she is grateful Teshawn was found in good health, Lane is asking her neighbors to help locate his mother. Based on her note, she said she doubts the family could have afforded to take the woman to the hospital and worries she may be in need of medical care. 'Please, someone knows this new mom, check on her! She might be in a desperate situation, feeling abandoned herself. We don't know, there could be a whole backstory here behind closed doors,' Lane wrote. 'Clearly, someone in our community felt so lost and hopeless that they made probably the hardest choice of their lives to leave that innocent life on the side of the road with nothing but some blankets and a name.' She continued: 'But she named him! There's some love there, even if she made a terrible decision.' Lane said she has spent a lot of time processing the situation and trying to understand why someone who abandoned their child outside. According to her note, Teshawn's mother lived on Cormorant Street. He was abandoned about a mile away at the intersection of Dolphin Way and Chena Point Avenue Teshawn was found near the mailboxes pictured above 'Today I saved a baby and I'll probably think about Teshawn for the rest of my life,' she wrote. 'I've been processing my feelings all day and running through all the different scenarios and reasons, with my bf and family, as to why something like this could have happened.' She suggested Teshawn's parents may have been young and unaware of Alaska's Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to give up their unwanted children at safe places. 'There is always a safer, humane choice to surrender a baby and you will not get in trouble or even have to answer any difficult questions. Take the baby to a fire station, or church, or hospital and they will take care of them,' she wrote. However, despite the woman making a 'terrible decision,' Lane hopes 'the mother gets the help she might need'. Advertisement The Omicron variant is continuing to create a surge in new COVID-19 cases through the United States in the new year, with former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb warning that we will be in the throes of the new wave in infections for the next month before cases drop off - even as the death rate remains relatively low. The country recorded its highest seven-day average number of cases on January 2, with 413,304 people testing positive for the virus over the past week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. At the same time, on a seven-day average, there were 1,350 new deaths. That number is far lower than the seven-day average recorded at the peak of winter in January 2021, where the US averaged around 3,300 deaths. Cases may continue to rise over the next few days due to a lag in reporting over the weekend, and on Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci told PIX 11 News: 'It is going to go higher. 'What we hope will happen is what we've seen in South Africa, you see a spike and then it turns around,' he said. The country, which was one of the first in the world to fall victim to Omicron, hit its peak in the seven days leading up to December 17, when an average of 23,437 cases were recorded. But by December 28, the number had plummeted by 38 percent to 14,390 cases. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former FDA commissioner, also said on Monday that he believes 'this is not going to last very long,' estimating 'we'll be in the throes of this for maybe a month.' 'Here in the northeast, I think you're going to see infections peak out within the next two weeks,' he claimed in an interview on CNBC's Squawk Box. 'So hopefully, here in New York City does find a peak within the next two weeks.' He said that London, which was struck by the Omicron wave several weeks before it came to New York City, 'has already peaked and is probably on the way down.' New York City saw 85,476 new cases reported in the state over the weekend, whereas London saw 19,951 on January 2. Both Fauci and Gottlieb, as well as a number of other experts now say catching the highly-contagious Omicron variant could actually be beneficial to society, as it has been proven to be less virulent than other strains but could create herd immunity. This comes after a study by Columbia University revealed that Omicron-fueled cases could peak to around 2.5 million by January 9 with others estimating the surge to go to 5.4 million. Meanwhile, another covid variant has been found in France, according to scientists. The mutant strain has 46 mutations that are thought to make it both more vaccine-resistant and infectious than the original virus. About 12 cases have been recorded so far near Marseille, with the first linked to travel to the African country Cameroon. But there is little sign that it is outcompeting the dominant Omicron variant, which now makes up more than 60 per cent of cases in France. It is yet to be spotted in other countries or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization. As of Monday, the United States saw 254,091 new cases and a weekly average of 254,091 new cases Gottlieb said he expects infections in the northeast to peak over the next two weeks before the number of new cases trends downward, like it did in London "In the Northeast I think you're going to see infections peak out within the next two weeks," says @ScottGottliebMD. "The prerogative very clearly needs to be to try to open the schools. If you keep the kids in very strict social pods you can control the risks." pic.twitter.com/uYCfM4lcH5 Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) January 3, 2022 In another interview with the Today Show's Hoda Kotb on Monday, former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control Richard Besser said he expects 'these next few weeks are going to be really rough in terms of numbers of new cases.' Denmark health chief says Omicron is bringing about the END of the pandemic and 'we will have our normal lives back in two months' A Danish health chief has said the Covid-19 Omicron variant is bringing about the end of the pandemic, saying 'we will have our normal lives back in two months'. Speaking to Danish TV 2, Tyra Grove Krause - the chief epidemiologist at Denmark's State Serum Institute - said a new study from the organisation found that the risk of hospitalisation from Omicron is half that seen with the Delta variant. This, she said, has given Danish authorities hope that the Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark could be over in two months. 'I think we will have that in the next two months, and then I hope the infection will start to subside and we get our normal lives back,' she said on Monday. Despite early fears that Omicron could prolong the pandemic due to its increased level of infection, Ms Krause said it actually could spell the end of the pandemic. According to the study: 'Omicron is here to stay, and it will provide some massive spread of infection in the coming month. When it's over, we're in a better place than we were before.' But while infection numbers in countries with the variant are soaring, the expert said that the highly infectious Omicron appears milder than the Delta variant, and therefore more people will be infected without having serious symptoms. As a result, she said, this will provide a good level of immunity in the population. Denmark has seen a spike in new cases in recent weeks, and on Sunday recorded its highest ever seven-day average infections, recording an average of 20,886 across the previous week, or 3,592.74 per million people - one of Europe's highest rates. It reported its highest ever new infections on December 27 (41,035). By comparison, the UK's seven-day average daily new confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people sits at 2,823.31 as on Monday, while in the United States, that number is 1,215.76 - lower than many countries in Europe. Ms Krause stressed that there was still work to be done to beat the pandemic in the coming months, however. 'Omicron will peak at the end of January, and in February we will see declining infection pressure and a decreasing pressure on the health care system,' she said. 'But we have to make an effort in January, because it will be hard to get through.' The epidemiologist said Danes should continue to follow the now well-known measures to help slow the spread, such as good hygiene, social distancing where possible, and staying at home when symptoms present themselves. Omicron's increasing spread will continue to put pressure on Denmark's healthcare system, she said. 'This is definitely what will be the challenge in the future.' Professor Lars stergaard, chief physician at the Department of Infectious Diseases at Aarhus University Hospital, also looked towards the end of the pandemic in comments made on January 1. He said that while the coronavirus will not be characterised as a pandemic forever, it will likely never fully disappear. I never think we'll ever wave goodbye to the corona,' he said. 'But we want such a good immunity in the population - partly because of new vaccines, partly because people have been infected - that we can handle it as another of the infections we know that come especially in the winter month.' Ms Krause agreed, saying: 'In the long run, we are in a place where coronavirus is here, but where we have restrained it, and only the particularly vulnerable need to be vaccinated up to the next winter season.' Advertisement But, he said, 'this could be the path out of this pandemic - as this variant spreads around and infects more and more people. 'Hopefully, the protection you get from having had an Omicron variant will provide some protection from other variants,' he continued, noting: 'The key, I think, is focusing on global protection. We have done a terrible job at providing vaccines around the globe and as we've seen with Omicron, new variants can arise anywhere. 'So from an equity and justice standpoint, we need to do more - but in terms of our self interest and being protected against future variants we need to do a lot more to make vaccines available.' As of Monday, 9.2 billion people worldwide have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, and as of Thursday, 73.3 percent of all Americans have received at least on dose and 62 percent are fully vaccinated. But just 33.4 percent of all fully-vaccinated Americans have received a booster dose, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control, as federal health officials consider changing the definition of 'fully vaccinated' to include booster doses amid a surge in children being hospitalized with the virus. A Danish health official has also said that the Omicron variant is bringing about the end of the pandemic, saying 'we will have our normal lives back in two months'. Speaking to Danish TV 2, Tyra Grove Krause - the chief epidemiologist at Denmark's State Serum Institute - said a new study from the organization found that the risk of hospitalization from Omicron is half that seen with the Delta variant. This, she said, has given Danish authorities hope that the Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark could be over in two months. 'I think we will have that in the next two months, and then I hope the infection will start to subside and we get our normal lives back,' she said on Monday. Despite early fears that Omicron could prolong the pandemic due to its increased level of infection, Ms Krause said it actually could spell the end of the pandemic. According to the study: 'Omicron is here to stay, and it will provide some massive spread of infection in the coming month. When it's over, we're in a better place than we were before.' But while infection numbers in countries with the variant are soaring, the expert said that the highly infectious Omicron appears milder than the Delta variant, and therefore more people will be infected without having serious symptoms. As a result, she said, this will provide a good level of immunity in the population. Denmark has seen a spike in new cases in recent weeks, and on Sunday recorded its highest ever seven-day average infections, recording an average of 20,886 across the previous week, or 3,592.74 per one million people - one of Europe's highest rates. It reported its highest ever new infections on December 27, with 41,035 new cases. As of Monday, the United States saw 254,091 new cases with just 244 new deaths. That number is likely to be higher due to a lag in reporting over the weekend. But other experts have said that society is going to have to live with COVID, with Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious disease specialist at the Yale School of Public Health saying: 'Certainly COVID will be with us forever. 'Were never going to be able to eradicate or eliminate COVID, so we have to identify our goals.' At some point, the World Health Organization will determine when enough countries have tamped down their COVID-19 cases sufficiently - or at least, hospitalizations and deaths - to declare the pandemic officially over. Exactly what that threshold will be isnt clear. But even when that happens, some parts of the world still will struggle - especially low-income countries that lack enough vaccines or treatments - while others more easily transition to what scientists call an 'endemic' state. Theyre fuzzy distinctions, said infectious disease expert Stephen Kissler of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He defines the endemic period as reaching 'some sort of acceptable steady state' to deal with COVID-19. The omicron crisis shows were not there yet but 'I do think we will reach a point where SARS-CoV-2 is endemic much like flu is endemic,' he said. For comparison, COVID-19 has killed more than 800,000 Americans in two years while flu typically kills between 12,000 and 52,000 a year. Exactly how much continuing COVID-19 illness and death the world will put up with is largely a social question, not a scientific one. 'Were not going to get to a point where its 2019 again,' said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. 'Weve got to get people to think about risk tolerance.' Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, is looking ahead to controlling the virus in a way 'that does not disrupt society, that does not disrupt the economy.' In his interview with PIX 11 on Monday, Fauci said that if people comply with the CDC recommendations and get a booster shot 'we will get through this quicker.' Even as the case rate is soaring in the United States amid the Omicron surge, the death rate remains relatively low Deja vu: French scientists detect ANOTHER variant and say it carries 46 mutations that may make it more vaccine-resistant and infectious Another Covid variant has been found in France, according to scientists. The mutant strain has 46 mutations that are thought to make it both more vaccine-resistant and infectious than the original virus. Some 12 cases have been spotted so far near Marseille, with the first linked to travel to the African country Cameroon. But there is little sign that it is outcompeting the dominant Omicron variant, which now makes up more than 60 per cent of cases in France. The strain was discovered by academics based at the IHU Mediterranee Infection on December 10, but has not spread rapidly since. It is yet to be spotted in other countries or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization. Professor Philippe Colson, who heads up the unit that discovered the strain, said: 'We indeed have several cases of this new variant in the Marseille geographical area. 'We named it "variant IHU". Two new genomes have just been submitted.' The variant has been dubbed B.1.640.2 and its discovery was announced in a paper posted on medRxiv. This has not been published in an academic journal. Scientists say the lineage is genetically different to B.1.640, which is thought to have emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo in September. Tests show the strain carries the E484K mutation that is thought to make it more resistant to vaccines. It also has the N501Y mutation first seen on the Alpha variant that experts believe can make it more transmissible. It is a distant relative of Omicron, which scientists say likely evolved from an older virus. Omicron or B.1.1.529 carries around 50 mutations and appears to be better at infecting people who already have a level of immunity. But a growing body of research proves it is also much less likely to trigger severe disease. Advertisement Last week, the CDC halved the isolation period for people infected with COVID from 10 days to five, for anyone who is asymptomatic or has not had a fever for 24 hours. But on Sunday, Fauci suggested that Americans could be forced to test negative before exiting the newly-shortened virus isolation of five days, as the country braces itself for mass staff shortages. He said in an interview with ABC News: 'You're right there has been some concern about why we don't ask people at that five-day period to get tested. That is something that is now under consideration. 'The CDC is very well aware that there has been some pushback about that. Looking at it again, there may be an option in that, that testing could be a part of that. And I think we're going to be hearing more about that in the next day or so from the CDC,' Fauci said. Following his remarks, people took to social media to express their frustrations over such consistently changing guidance, with many taking issue that the CDC would only change its advisory after receiving 'pushback.' Twitter user Ferd Berfle wrote, 'If the CDC amends their positions because of *pressure* it tells you everything you need to know about the voracity of the CDC. Even under Biden the CDC is a politically driven joke.' Rook0914 wrote, 'I mean. Come on already (this coming from someone who supports Fauci for the most part).' User Jerry Watkinds wrote, 'So they change the Protocols because of fact-based science and research but now want to add a negative test because of push back? Wow.' And a user named BirdJunkie wrote, 'Just one of the many reasons humanity is failing this. The only consistent guidance we've received has been the consistently inconsistent guidance.' Fauci's comments also come as the federal government is now considering changing the definition of 'fully vaccinated,' to include those who have had a booster shot. In an interview with the New York Times last week, Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control, said she and other health officials were 'working through that question' now. 'There really isn't debate here in what people should do,' she added, noting the 'CDC is crystal clear on what people should do: If they're eligible for a boost, they should get boosted.' Fauci has also said that he is most concerned 'about the tens of millions of people who are not vaccinated at all because even though many of them are going to get asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic, a fair number of them are going to get severe disease.' He told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Sunday that he thinks Americans should be more concerned about whether the vaccines will protect people from severe disease leading to hospitalization - which, the Times reports, data has suggested they do - claiming Americans should stop focusing on the number of infections and more on the number of hospitalizations. In another interview with the Today Show's Hoda Kotb on Monday, former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control Richard Besser, left, said he expects 'these next few weeks are going to be really rough in terms of numbers of new cases' I think these next six weeks are going to be really rough in terms of number of cases, but this could be the path out of this pandemic. -@DrRichBesser, former acting director of the CDC, on herd immunity pic.twitter.com/15a3ZtguXS TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 3, 2022 Fauci noted in the interview that many new infections, especially in people who are vaccinated and boosted, result in no symptoms or mild symptoms, saying: 'As you get further on and the infections become less severe, it is much more relevant to focus on the hospitalizations as opposed to the total number of cases.' But concern has spread among parents throughout the country as children returned to school on Monday from the holiday break. For the week ending December 23, almost 199,000 child COVID cases were reported, a 50 percent increase over weekly new cases from the beginning of December, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children represented 20.8 percent of all COVID cases that week and are also being hospitalized at record high rates. During the week of December 22 to December 28, an average of 378 children 17 and under were admitted each day to hospitals with coronavirus - a 66 percent increase from the week before. Americans have continued to wait on long lines for COVID tests as the Omicron variant surges. Here, people stood on line in New York City, which saw 85,476 new cases reported in the state over the weekend The Omicron variant has spread rapidly throughout the United States since it was first detected last month As of Monday, 9.2 billion people worldwide have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, and as of Thursday, 73.3 percent of all Americans have received at least on dose and 62 percent are fully vaccinated Meanwhile, the death rate from COVID-19 in the United States remains stubbornly high compared to the United Kingdom and other developed nations. It is likely that differences in vaccination rates and overall health play a key role in the higher US death rate, with less widespread adoption of vaccines in America fueling more severe illness and death. The US overtook the UK in June as the G7 nation hardest hit by COVID deaths on a total per capita basis, and has maintained the ignominious title ever since. Since November 1, the US has averaged about 3.8 COVID deaths per million people each day, more than double the UK rate of 1.8, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of data from Our World in Data. The difference has remained consistent even as the UK saw COVID case rates spike well above US levels as the Omicron surge took hold. This could be due to the simple fact that deaths lag well behind new cases, or another indicator that Omicron causes less severe illness and death than prior variants. But the difference in death rates has been persistent for some time and is not fully explained by variations in the prevalence of Omicron, which spread a few weeks earlier in the UK than in the US, and which experts say causes milder symptoms than other variants, including Delta. Since November 1, the US has averaged about 3.8 COVID deaths per million people each day, more than double the UK rate of 1.8, according to a DailyMail.com analysis The UK surpassed the US in vaccination rate in June and has remained higher ever since The UK has seen per capita cases soar in comparison to the US as the Omicron variant takes hold, but deaths have yet to rise commensurately Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention admitted a serious error in calculating the prevalence of the Omicron variant in the US, overblowing the figure recorded in mid-December by as much as 50 percentage points and sowing confusion as the nation breaks records for new cases. The agency released a revised chart showing that the new variant accounted for 23 percent of all COVID-19 cases for the week ending on December 18, as opposed to the 73 percent it originally reported. The chart showed that the Omicron variant accounted for 59 percent of all new cases for the week ending on December 25, meaning the Delta variant has been accounting for far more infections than the agency initially thought, though Omicron is gaining ground quickly. In England, which is several weeks ahead of the US in the Omicron wave, the new variant went from zero to 92 percent of all new cases in the four weeks leading up to December 27, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency. There are a number of variables that might explain the difference in deaths between the US and UK, including difference vaccination rates and overall health in the two countries. In the US, 61.9 percent of the total population is fully vaccinated, compared to 70.4 in the UK. That is a difference of some 29 million Americans who are unvaccinated, but would have the shot if the US matched the UK's vaccine uptake rate. The US is also an unhealthier country than the UK overall in some key respects, with a higher death rate from cardiovascular disease and a much higher prevalence of diabetes. And the US adult obesity rate is above 40 percent, compared to 28 percent in the UK. Obesity and other pre-existing health conditions, as well as age, are key risk factors for developing severe illness with COVID. The UK's pre-pandemic life-expectancy of 81.3 years, versus 78.9 in the US, is another signal of the better overall health quality in Britain. Other potential demographic factors, such as age and urban living rate, don't appear to be at play. Boris Johnson has admitted he does not like the idea of schoolchildren having to wear facemasks - and has promised they would not be kept longer than 'is necessary'. The Prime Minister - under pressure after a series of sleaze allegations engulfed the Tories last year - insisted science backed the restrictions. His own MPs have criticised the guidance, which will also see every secondary school pupils be tested for Covid. Mr Johnson said there was scientific evidence the face coverings could cut transmission rates. He added: 'There's an increasing body of scientific support for the idea that face masks can contain transmission. 'We don't want to keep them. I don't like the idea of having face masks in (the) classroom any more than anybody else does, but we won't keep them on a day more than is necessary.' It came as schools said the Government's plans for more testing and the facemasks will be 'challenging' and could inadvertently spark the return of online learning. The Department for Education says head teachers have access to their own supply of coronavirus swabs to meet demand. This is despite there being a nationwide test shortages - with ministers saying a stash has already been sent to each school. They will be swabbed on site on the first day, then pupils will be expected to take lateral flow tests themselves at home twice a week as well. Caroline Derbyshire, executive head at Saffron Walden County High School in Essex, and leader of Saffron Academy Trust, said: 'We know that (staff shortages) will be a factor and there will be schools in particular parts of the country where rates have been extremely high where staffing will be difficult. 'But this sort of mass of supply teachers that are supposed to be there - that's not happened, has it, so if we have got shortages it'll be colleagues who are in school who'll be doing most of the covering.' She said the idea of merging classes, as suggested by Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi in the event of shortages, had already been carried out by schools 'all term last term', but it was 'not a long-term solution'. She said staff shortages would 'absolutely' make remote learning more likely, adding: 'If you hit a certain point with staff absences in a big school you're talking about maybe 10 members of staff being off. 'You've suddenly got the inability to run a year group - that's when you start having either year groups or whole parts of schools having to go online, so that's when you're going to have that mixed economy of some students being in school and some at home.' She said this would be 'a feature of this half term that we will have to manage, I don't think anyone's looking forward to it at all'. Darren Gelder the head of Grace Academy in Solihull, which has 1,000 people and sits on the NASUWT union, told the Today programme: 'The testing we knew before the Christmas break so that was something we had already set up 'The organisation of that was already in place and ready to go. 'We had already started to put tests in place. We have been carrying a fairly large stock.' Pupils will be expected to take lateral flow tests twice a week as well when they go back tomorrow Department for Education says head teachers have access to their own supply of coronavirus swabs to meet demand It comes after the Education Secretary said entire classes may need to be merged into larger groups or sent home to work remotely due to teacher absences caused by coronavirus. Schools may find it 'impossible' to deliver face-to-face teaching to all pupils as the Omicron variant leads to mass staff shortages, Nadhim Zahawi added. But the idea they will also have to wear masks for much of the day has been slated by former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith. He told the Telegraph: 'I think this move is premature. I think we'll see Covid spike and start to fall like it did in South Africa. The Prime Minister said that he didn't want children to have to wear face masks for 'longer than necessary' 'It's far better to test pupils for Covid than to mandate masks. They will be worn badly and won't stop contact between kids. 'I don't know who they're going to protect - the teachers should be triple jabbed by now. It's very important that the schooling isn't wrecked as a result of this.' His admission came as the Department for Education confirmed that secondary school pupils will have to wear masks in classrooms. He said this morning on LBC: 'We know from the UK health and security agency that wearing facemasks does introduce some mitigation. The Government has faced mounting criticism over its decision to reintroduce face masks, with critics saying it a 'declaration of war against children' (file image) Pictured: The number of Covid infections in the UK yesterday Masks in class 'for not a day longer than needed' insists MP Nadhim Zahawi said he hoped guidance that secondary school children should wear masks in the classroom again would not be in place 'for a day longer than we need it'. He told Times Radio: 'It really is based on a couple of things. 'One, obviously UK Health and Security Agency recommendation, Omicron being far more infectious, and when you look at the epidemiological data from SPI-M on this, and we've done a piece of work in the department at the end of last year, with 123 schools, where we've done an observational study where they've adhered to mask wearing in classrooms. 'It's one of a number of, I think, really important mitigations to make sure that education is fully open and children are in school, in class. 'What we're saying is, look, with Omicron, because it's so infectious, we want to make sure that we give you as many tools to be able to make sure that education is open.' But he admitted it was 'more challenging, of course, to deliver education with masks on in the classroom'. He said: 'This is an aerosol-transmitted virus and if you're wearing a mask, if you're asymptomatic, then you're less likely to infect other people.' Advertisement 'And if the choice is I want children in a classroom with their friends learning, then this is one of the measures we have. 'We review it by the end of the month. As long as we see Omicron being managed, my priority are that the kids are in school learning. Teacher absenteeism is why we have used these additional mitigations because we want less infection in schools.' People struggling to get lateral flow tests 'should just refresh' their webpage, the Education Secretary has suggested. He told Sky News he had organised a separate supply of tests for schools ahead of children's return to the classrooms. He promised: 'All exams are going ahead this year, this summer. 'I think there's a big difference from last year to this year.' 'The priority is to keep schools open. The testing, the staffing support we're putting in place, and of course the ventilation is going to make a big difference to schools this year. 'The most important thing is to keep them open. We monitor staff absenteeism, I just said to you we're running at about 8% last year. If that rises further then we look at things like merging classes, teaching in bigger numbers. 'This is an aerosol-transmitted virus and if you're wearing a mask, if you're asymptomatic, then you're less likely to infect other people.' In an open letter to schools sent yesterday, Mr Zahawi said remote learning 'should only be on a short-term measure' and schools 'should return to full-time in-person attendance for all pupils as soon as practicable'. He added: 'If operational challenges caused by workforce shortages in your setting make delivery of face-to-face teaching impossible, I would encourage you to consider ways to implement a flexible approach to learning.' This could involve using all available staff to 'maximise on-site education for as many pupils as possible' while schools 'flexibly deliver provision either on-site or remotely to some pupils'. However, he stressed that such arrangements must be only temporary. Pictured: The number of Covid hospitalisations in London up until December 31 He added: 'If operational challenges caused by workforce shortages in your setting make delivery of face-to-face teaching impossible, I would encourage you to consider ways to implement a flexible approach to learning.' Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said schools were 'taking the additional measures announced over the weekend in their stride' through arranging testing for pupils and informing parents and carers about the new rules on face coverings. 'They are hoping the extra measures will be enough to minimise disruption to education this term, but only the next few weeks will show how effective they really are,' he said. 'The biggest concern is staffing. Teachers and school staff will be testing and reporting their results at the start of this week and only then will school leaders know who they have available and be able to properly plan. 'School leaders will be doing everything possible to ensure a smooth return and a successful term for their students, but depending on how infection rates progress, it could be another stressful time.' Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, posted an open letter to Mr Zahawi on Twitter which said it would be 'yet another school term which we fear will be filled with illness and disruption, as we try to keep our children's education going during this new wave of the pandemic'. He said the Department of Education's announcement of 7,000 air cleaning units for schools, colleges and early years settings on Sunday, 'while welcome, falls far short of the adequate number which are required, and will still leave most schools without'. He added that the council would like face coverings recommended for older primary pupils too, while close contacts should be 'required to isolate until they can show a negative PCR test'. 'The educational disruption this will cause will be less than that caused by allowing this highly transmissible variant to take hold in our school communities,' he said. This could involve using all available staff to 'maximise on-site education for as many pupils as possible' while schools 'flexibly deliver provision either on-site or remotely to some pupils'. However, he stressed that such arrangements must be only temporary. Short of sending children home to learn remotely, other options include bringing in supply staff and combining classes into larger groups. Less than 3 per cent of teachers were recorded as being off sick at the start of last month. But worries are growing that numbers could rise sharply with one of Britain's largest academy trusts saying it had experienced staff absence levels of 10 per cent. And unions have predicted some form of disruption 'looks sadly inevitable' as the new term starts. The Government has faced mounting criticism over its decision to reintroduce face masks, with critics saying it a 'declaration of war against children'. However teachers and unions have broadly welcomed the move, stressing that it is preferable to remote learning. In August 2020, Boris Johnson called the notion of wearing masks in classrooms 'nonsensical'. But the recommendation was brought in for two months last March and will again be in place from the start of the coming term until at least January 26. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: 'Face coverings are already advised in communal areas for pupils in year 7 and above. 'Pupils are accustomed to their use and we are sure the reintroduction of face coverings in classrooms is something that schools and colleges will take in their stride.' Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said masks were unlikely to have a 'significant mental health effect' on pupils. She added: 'We have mask-wearing in secondary schools in Wales and Scotland, and I don't think that it is causing a huge problem.' And Rev Steve Chalke, the founder of academy trust Oasis Community Learning, said that while enforcing masks in classrooms was 'not optimum', it was 'better than working at home'. He told Sky News: 'We can't afford lost days of schooling for these children and we know from reports in the media that children being left on their own is not good for them, it's not good for society.' However, Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons education committee, told Sky News he wanted the Government to 'set out the evidence' in the Commons to justify the decision. 'If masks are not required in offices or restaurants, why are we getting young kids to put them on?' he said. And Us For Them, a parents' group which has campaigned against schools being closed during the pandemic, said it was 'dumbfounded' by the decision. 'Kids' faces should never be used as political pawns. This is a declaration of war against children', the group added. Some 7,000 air cleaning units will also be provided to schools, colleges and early-years settings to improve air quality, it was announced. And staff and pupils have been urged to self-test at home before they return and start testing twice-weekly at school. The Department for Education said schools and colleges can obtain tests through a separate supply route and 'will have access to more as needed'. A Government spokesman said masks and other measures will 'maximise the number of children in school' for the 'maximum amount of time'. Advertisement Covid-related staff shortages continued to have a major impact on British life today just hours before much of the country returns to work - with bin collections suspended, rail services cancelled and one in ten NHS staff off sick. As some employees prepare go back into the office after the Christmas and New Year break while others continue to work from home, figures showed nearly a third of rail services have been axed at some stations in recent days. Nearly one in ten rail staff across all train firms in the UK are thought to be off with sickness including Covid, while major engineering works on key commuter routes are scheduled to continue until midway through next week. Councils across the UK are having to redistribute staff between essential services to keep everything running, and the public sector has been asked to prepare for a worst-case scenario of up to a quarter of staff off work. The Cabinet Office said that, so far, disruption caused by Omicron had been controlled in 'most parts of the public sector', but it said leaders had been asked to test plans against 10, 20 and 25 per cent workforce absence rates. Councils in Buckinghamshire, Essex, Manchester and Somerset have all reduced or cancelled bin collections and Chelmsford is suspending three days of food waste collections with 23 staff absent, according to The Times. In the health service, one in ten NHS employees were not in hospitals on New Year's Eve due to illness, according to official figures - but less than half had coronavirus, amounting to fewer than 50,000 of the 110,000 not in work. It comes as: Bin collections were cancelled in areas including Manchester, Essex and Somerset due to staff shortages; The number of NHS workers staying at home for Covid reasons has doubled in recent days, figures showed; Local council officials said they were having to redeploy staff between services to keep everything running; A fruit and vegetables chain said its absence rates were at 15 per cent as they move staff between stores; The Fuller's pub group said absence rates were improving in London and now appeared to be past their peak. Overflowing bins at a recycling point in Ashford, Kent, after Christmas are pictured this afternoon Rubbish bins have been left overflowing and open in the South Heaton area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne This dog bin off in Canford Heath near Poole in Dorset has been 'overflowing for days' according to one social media user Glasgow-based Joe McCauley, culture spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said there had been an 'increase in reports of bins overflowing' in recent weeks An overflowing recycling point in Ashford, Kent, is pictured this afternoon, with plenty of cardboard packaging Clothes and other materials have been left outside Oxfam bins at an overflowing recycling point in Ashford, Kent, today Bottles piled up in recycling bins in Ashford, Kent, are pictured this afternoon A view of an overflowing recycling point in Ashford, Kent, this afternoon This graphic shows the planned Southern closures until January 4 - a period that has now been extended until January 10 James Jamieson, chair of the Local Government Association, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning: 'There are existing pressures that were already there before Christmas - bins, due to a shortage of HGV drivers, that's certainly been an area of pressure. 'But our biggest concern is social care, because not only will we potentially see plenty more staff absences, we're actually going to see more demand as the NHS seeks to discharge more people to hospital.' How Covid-related staff shortages are affecting train services across UK Avanti West Coast : Says it is 'doing everything we can to run our full timetable but there may be some short notice cancellations'. All peak restrictions removed until January 4. : Says it is 'doing everything we can to run our full timetable but there may be some short notice cancellations'. All peak restrictions removed until January 4. c2c : Normal service. : Normal service. Caledonian Sleeper : Normal service. : Normal service. Chiltern Railways : Operator warns it 'may have to make some short notice changes to our timetable' because of the 'impact of Covid-19 on our train crews' : Operator warns it 'may have to make some short notice changes to our timetable' because of the 'impact of Covid-19 on our train crews' CrossCountry : Removed around 50 trains from its timetables until January 8, and warns of disruption 'until further notice'. Tells passengers to avoid travelling on New Year's Eve due to RMT strike. : Removed around 50 trains from its timetables until January 8, and warns of disruption 'until further notice'. Tells passengers to avoid travelling on New Year's Eve due to RMT strike. East Midlands Railway : Revised timetable due to a 'high level of staff sickness including drivers and train crew'. Some services being replaced by buses. : Revised timetable due to a 'high level of staff sickness including drivers and train crew'. Some services being replaced by buses. Eurostar : Normal service. : Normal service. Gatwick Express : No services 'until further notice' because of the 'ongoing effect of coronavirus isolation and sickness'. : No services 'until further notice' because of the 'ongoing effect of coronavirus isolation and sickness'. Grand Central : Normal service. : Normal service. Great Northern : Reduced service on all routes 'until further notice' because of the 'significant ongoing impact of coronavirus, particularly in terms of staff sickness'. : Reduced service on all routes 'until further notice' because of the 'significant ongoing impact of coronavirus, particularly in terms of staff sickness'. Great Western Railway : Cancellations because of 'rising numbers of staff unavailable to work due to self-isolation requirements' . : Cancellations because of 'rising numbers of staff unavailable to work due to self-isolation requirements' . Greater Anglia : Some services removed from timetable 'due to falling passenger numbers and 'to plan for our staff being affected by the Omicron variant'. : Some services removed from timetable 'due to falling passenger numbers and 'to plan for our staff being affected by the Omicron variant'. Heathrow Express : Normal service. : Normal service. Hull Trains : A temporary timetable will operate until February 12 to 'minimise disruption'. : A temporary timetable will operate until February 12 to 'minimise disruption'. LNER : Reduced timetable up until at least January 7 'due to a shortage of train crew as a result of an increase in the number of staff self-isolating with Covid-19'. : Reduced timetable up until at least January 7 'due to a shortage of train crew as a result of an increase in the number of staff self-isolating with Covid-19'. London Northwestern Railway : Services are 'subject to cancellation or alteration' due to a shortage of train drivers. : Services are 'subject to cancellation or alteration' due to a shortage of train drivers. Lumo : Normal service. : Normal service. Merseyrail : Some trains will be cancelled on certain lines from 'today until further notice' because of the 'impact of Covid-19 and other sickness affecting staff availability'. : Some trains will be cancelled on certain lines from 'today until further notice' because of the 'impact of Covid-19 and other sickness affecting staff availability'. Northern : Operating 'several amended timetables' because of 'Covid and its impact on the availability of our train crew'. : Operating 'several amended timetables' because of 'Covid and its impact on the availability of our train crew'. ScotRail : It is 'being forced to bring in a temporary timetable' until January 28 'as we continue to see colleagues off sick because of Covid-19'. : It is 'being forced to bring in a temporary timetable' until January 28 'as we continue to see colleagues off sick because of Covid-19'. South Western Railway : Services subject to 'short-term alterations' due to the 'impact of the Omicron variant on staff numbers' with new timetable coming in January 17. : Services subject to 'short-term alterations' due to the 'impact of the Omicron variant on staff numbers' with new timetable coming in January 17. Southeastern : Warns that services may change at short notice if there 'may be occasions when our staff are sick or self-isolating due to Covid-19'. : Warns that services may change at short notice if there 'may be occasions when our staff are sick or self-isolating due to Covid-19'. Southern : Cancels a raft of services and its hub at London Victoria station will stay closed until January 10 'owing to the significant ongoing impact of coronavirus'. : Cancels a raft of services and its hub at London Victoria station will stay closed until January 10 'owing to the significant ongoing impact of coronavirus'. Stansted Express : Half-hourly service running. : Half-hourly service running. Thameslink : Reduced service on all routes 'until further notice' because of the 'significant ongoing impact of coronavirus, particularly in terms of staff sickness'. : Reduced service on all routes 'until further notice' because of the 'significant ongoing impact of coronavirus, particularly in terms of staff sickness'. TransPennine Express : Services may be cancelled at short notice 'due to lack of available staff'. : Services may be cancelled at short notice 'due to lack of available staff'. Transport for London : Mostly normal service, but delays in recent days on Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines due to cancellations. : Mostly normal service, but delays in recent days on Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines due to cancellations. Transport for Greater Manchester: Reduced Metrolink services 'due to the increasing impact of Covid-19 on tram driver staffing levels'. Reduced Metrolink services 'due to the increasing impact of Covid-19 on tram driver staffing levels'. Transport for Wales : 'Emergency timetable' to 'prepare for an expected rise in staff shortages due to the emergence of the Omicron variant'. : 'Emergency timetable' to 'prepare for an expected rise in staff shortages due to the emergence of the Omicron variant'. West Midlands Railway : Some trains 'may be cancelled at short notice' because 'many colleagues are currently unable to attend work'. Advertisement He added that more 'redeployment' of workers would be required to minimise disruption to services in the event of a 25 per cent absence rate. Meanwhile David Josephs, owner at All Greens, a fruit and vegetable importer and wholesaler based in London, also spoke to the programme and said: 'Before Christmas we were running at around 15 per cent off - and we cover both importation, wholesale and retail. Our retail side was probably affected the worst. 'We've had to deploy staff from different stores into other stores to keep them moving. So far we haven't had to close down any stores.' He added that a 25 per cent absence rate could mean one store would have to close to keep the other stores open. But Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller, Smith & Turner which has more than 400 pubs and hotels, told BBC Radio 4: 'Things are getting better (on staff absence) actually - our business is centred around London and actually the peak that we had was before Christmas. 'And I think the signs in London are actually starting to turn - we had about 450 of our 4,000 staff ill before Christmas, that's now down to 250, so things are actually improving.' He said they had to close 20 pubs in the heart of the City of London last month after the working-from-home guidance changed. Mr Emeny also said that sales were 'significantly down' last month by about 20 to 25 per cent on what the chain would have otherwise expected. Rail firms all over the country have been removing hundreds of trains from their timetables in recent weeks as the Omicron isolation staffing crisis deepens for industries after days of short notice cancellations. ScotRail will be making temporary changes to its timetable from tomorrow lasting until at least January 28 after scores of services were cancelled in recent days while hundreds of its staff self-isolate or are off sick. Nine routes in and out of Glasgow's main two stations will be on a reduced timetable along with three routes to and from Edinburgh Waverley. The operator's latest data from last Wednesday showed 320 of its staff were absent. A total of 23 UK train companies from Southern to Merseyrail and Great Western Railway to Northern have either already reduced services or will do so in the coming days in response to pandemic-related staff shortages. Among those also impacted include East Midlands Railway, Thameslink, Avanti West Coast, Greater Anglia, Hull Trains, London Northwestern Railway, Great Northern, Thameslink and TransPennine Express. The Rail Delivery Group said nearly one in ten staff (8.9 per cent) across all UK train firms were off sick in the week to last Wednesday due to all causes including Covid - up from 8.7 per cent last week and 7.6 per cent last month. It comes after analysis by ontimetrains.co.uk yesterday found passengers at Manchester Airport have been among the worst hit, where 30 per cent of scheduled services were axed on New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve 30 per cent were also cancelled and 26 per cent on 30 December. Nearby Manchester Piccadilly, a key north-south and east-west hub serving the West Coast Mainline, was also among the worst for cancellations, with 16 per cent, 20 per cent and 15 per cent of services axed respectively on those days. Elsewhere, Birmingham Moor Street had 17 per cent, 26 per cent and 22 per cent cancelled respectively. For Cardiff Central, the figures were 14 per cent, 19 per cent and 14 per cent while at Edinburgh 23 per cent of services were cancelled on 31 December and 20 per cent the day before. At some stations, less than 50 per cent of services arrived on time on some days. On one day at Manchester Airport, December 19, a staggering 39 per cent of services were cancelled, with 35 per cent the day before, causing havoc for air passengers trying to reach the airport by train. One of the highest cancellations figures recorded was 53 per cent of services at Manchester Oxford Road on 19 December. On that day, just 20 per cent of services arrived on time. The rate of cancellations does not bode well for commuters looking to return to the network in the coming days, with large swathes returning to work from tomorrow following the Christmas period. Industry body the Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators, insisted only about 5 per cent of services across the whole mainline network were axed on New Year's Day. Operator Southern has announced that no trains will run into or from London Victoria, Britain's second busiest station, until January 10. This is due to high levels of 'coronavirus isolation and sickness' among staff. Many other operators have cancelled trains due to staff being off sick or isolating amid soaring Covid infections. They include Avanti West Coast, Greater Anglia, London North Eastern Railway, Northern, ScotRail, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales. How other countries compare to UK's isolation requirements The UK is being urged to follow the lead of others and cut Covid isolation requirements down to five days from the current seven. Here are the requirements in the other countries with five day limits: America Americans who test positive for Covid only have to isolate for five days, as long as they have no symptoms. Those who leave isolation must still wear a mask everywhere - even at home around others - for at least five more days, according to official guidance. People who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive can also leave isolation after five days of being alerted. Greece Greece followed the US lead in halving quarantine for people who test positive. According to new guidance by Greece's public health agency, people infected with Covid can return to work after five days if they have no or mild symptoms, and must wear high protection masks. France Yesterday, France announced that fully vaccinated people who test positive will only have to isolate for seven days, and can leave quarantine after five days if they show a negative test. People who test positive for the virus, but who are not fully vaccinated, can leave quarantine after seven days if they have a negative test. UK Self-isolate for ten days after a positive test or when your symptoms start, although negative tests on days six and seven mean you can leave the house early. Advertisement At least nearly one in ten rail staff across all train firms are thought to be off with Covid-related sickness. Services were also hit by a 24-hour strike among CrossCountry staff on New Year's Eve, orchestrated by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union. The dispute involved train managers and senior conductors in a row over the role of guards. Further disruption will be caused while Network Rail finishes the last of 370 engineering works projects scheduled over the Christmas and New Year period. Passengers on the West Coast Mainline face disruption between tomorrow and 12 January while flood protection upgrades are carried out between Milton Keynes and Rugby. Trains will be diverted via Northampton, adding at least 25 minutes to journeys. It means London Northwestern Railway will run fewer services between Crewe and London Euston, with passengers needing to change trains at Rugby. James Dean, Network Rail's West Coast South route director, confirmed the works would mean fewer services, more tightly packed carriages and longer journey times. Meanwhile upgrades to signalling and track on the Transpennine Route will hit services in and out of Manchester until at least tomorrow. Anthony Smith, chief executive of independent watchdog Transport Focus, called on operators to temporarily withdraw some services on a planned basis. He said this would avoid chaotic last-minute cancellations, adding: 'These are harder for passengers to deal with and more likely to lead to overcrowding.' A Rail Delivery Group spokesman said: 'Our colleagues, like those in other industries, have been impacted by the virus. 'While we're working hard to provide a reliable train service to key workers and other passengers with reduced staff, some rail companies are introducing amended timetables owing to much less demand for train services.' It comes as France yesterday became the latest country to introduce a five-day isolation period for those with Covid, as pressure grew on UK ministers to follow suit. Despite cases surging in Europe, French authorities cut the isolation period from ten days to five for those who are double-vaccinated and produce a negative test. While England's quarantine rules remain in place negative tests on days six and seven mean you can leave the house the number of NHS staff off sick or isolating continues to rocket. In recent days the number of NHS workers staying at home for Covid reasons has doubled. NHS figures show that on December 12, NHS England recorded 12,240 staff absent due to Covid sickness or self-isolation. Two weeks later, on December 26, this had doubled to 24,632, and by New Year's Eve it had doubled again to almost 50,000 accounting for nearly half of all staff absences, The Sunday Times reported. Chris Hopson, chairman of NHS Providers, said staff absences were having a greater impact than during last January's Covid wave. He tweeted: 'Staff flat out, especially given level of staff absences. We will need to ask them to perform flexible heroics again if hospital Covid numbers continue to rise. We can't keep doing this.' America was the first country to shorten the isolation period, followed by Greece and France. Professor Tim Spector, who leads the Zoe Covid Study at King's College London, has described the five-day period as 'sensible' as long as the individual has had two negative lateral flow tests. 'A reduction in isolation days would help many frontline services by allowing low-risk staff to go into work and avoid people staying home unnecessarily,' Professor Spector said. But allowing people to stop isolating five days after they experience Covid symptoms could actually spread the virus and worsen NHS staff shortages, the UK Health Security Agency said. It said that between 10 and 30 per cent of people would still be infectious after five days, compared with 5 per cent under the seven-day rule. Health minister Ed Argar said the Government had not yet received scientific advice on cutting the isolation period. A baby murderer has been caught on camera crying crocodile tears while being arrested for killing his girlfriend's 12-week-old son as she lies to try and protect him. Kane Mitchell, 32, of St Neots, Cambridgeshire, was jailed for a minimum of 18 years for murdering baby Teddie, who died in hospital on November 11, 2019, after ten days on a life support machine. A four-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court heard that Teddie had suffered injuries consistent with being 'gripped hard', 'shaken vigorously', and 'having his head struck against a hard surface'. Baby Teddie died with 17 broken ribs, fractures to his skull and collarbone, a bleed on the brain and brain, spinal and eye damage. Mitchell had been in a relationship with Teddie's mother, Lucci Smith, 30, for about eight months and the pair lived together. During an interview Smith was asked by detectives how her son suffered such horrific injuries and she simply replies 'no idea'. She then goes on to say she would tell police if there had been any violence toward Teddie because, 'hes my son at the end of the day and he means more to me than anybody'. And it has been revealed that social services and Cambridgeshire Police had been alerted to concerns from worried neighbours weeks before Teddie died. Scroll down for video. Kane Mitchell, 32, was jailed for a minimum of 18 years for murdering baby Teddie. Pictured: Mitchell reacts to being arrested in hospital The clip shows the moment Mitchell is arrested while pretending to be a caring father in hospital with baby Teddie. He said: 'I don't f***** think so. Oh my god, I would never hurt a baby. I'm not leaving my son' Footage from just before Mitchell's arrest shows him holding his victim in hospital while he sobs and says: 'Come on baby, Daddy's here.' At 3pm on November 1, 2019, the ambulance service was called to Pattison Court, St Neots, where Teddie was found to be unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Smith had left Teddie in the care of Mitchell that day while she did the morning school run. Harrowing footage from the Channel 4 series 24 Hours in Police Custody has revealed the moment the heartless killer starts spouting crocodile tears as he is arrested. Detective Inspector Lucy Thompson says of Mitchell, 'He is completely devoid of any remorse or empathy, that's the thing I find really hard. It's all about Kane and not what Teddie's been through,' according to The Mirror. The clip shows the moment Mitchell is arrested while pretending to be a caring father in hospital with baby Teddie. During an interview Smith was asked by detectives how her son suffered such horrific injuries and she simply replies 'no idea' She then goes on to say she would tell police if there had been any violence toward Teddie because, 'hes my son at the end of the day and he means more to me than anybody' Kane Mitchell (left), who lived with Teddie's mother Lucci Smith (right) in St Neots, Cambs., was found guilty of murder, after a jury ruled he had inflicted the fatal injuries A four-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court heard that Teddie, pictured, had suffered injuries consistent with being 'gripped hard', 'shaken vigorously', and 'having his head struck against a hard surface' He said: 'I don't f***** think so. Oh my god, I would never hurt a baby. I'm not leaving my son.' However officers were able to prove Mitchell had killed Teddie because of the types of injuries how they were inflicted. Teddie died as a result of his fractured skull and lack of oxygen to the brain. His death is reminiscent of the injuries which killed 16-month-old Star Hobson who was murdered by Savannah Brockhill, 28, the girlfriend of her mother Frankie Smith. Mrs Justice Lambert said the 'fatal punch or kick' to Star caused the toddler to lose half the blood in her body and damaged her internal organs. Brockhill was jailed for 25 years for murdering Star and Smith was jailed for eight for doing nothing to stop her. Footage from Channel 4's documentary 24 Hours in Police Custody: Cold to the Touch reveals the moment Lucci Smith lied to protect her murdering boyfriend Police released a picture of Star smiling happily before the torment from her mother and her murdering girlfriend began Partners in death: Savannah Brockhill, 28 and Frankie Smith, 20, have both been convicted over killing Star Hobson Mrs Justice Lambert added: 'Frankie Smith, it was your role to protect Star from harm, you failed to protect her, allowing her death.' 'The level of force required to inflict these injuries must have been massive - similar to those forces associated with a road traffic accident.' Medical staff were concerned about how Teddie received his serious injuries and Mitchell and Smith were both arrested. During the trial at Cambridge Crown Court, the jury heard how Teddie had suffered weeks of neglect and rough handling during his short life at the hands of Kane Mitchell, who isn't his biological father. Channel 4's new documentary, 24 Hours in Police Custody: Cold to the Touch, probes the council as to what they did in response to concerns from worried neighbours about the safety of the children living in the home Mitchell and Smith lived in. A council spokesperson told The Express: 'A serious case review is underway and the findings should be published later this year. We cannot comment further until it is published.' It comes after the Government announced an inquiry into how social services and local authorities liaise after six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was beaten and tortured before being murdered by his stepmother. Six-year-old Arthur was beaten and tortured before his murder at the hands of stepmother Emma Tustin at her home in Solihull The case prompted a national outpouring of grief and ministers vowed to take action after Tustin was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 29 years and Arthur's father, Thomas Hughes, was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter Emma Tustin brutally murdered Arthur at her home in Solihull and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 29 years. Arthur's father, Thomas Hughes, was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter. Ms Thompson, who led the investigation into Teddie's death, added: 'This was a tragic and terrible case in which an 11-week-old baby lost his life at the hands of a person who should have been there to protect him. 'Our year-long investigation found that Teddie had suffered multiple horrific injuries during his short life, which neither Mitchell or Smith could account for. 'Viewers will see the complexities and intricacies of such an emotive and tragic case. 'The show highlights that we will work tirelessly to bring those responsible for such heinous crimes to justice, no matter what it takes. 'We hope it will encourage anyone with any concerns for a child's welfare to come forward and report it to us without delay.' During the trial, the jury were read statements from neighbours who said they had heard arguments coming from the address on a regular basis and that the household had been unsettled since Mitchell moved in. During police interview, Mitchell said he believed he was Teddie's biological father. However, DNA results following the death revealed he was not. More footage from the TV programme shows how police officers were constantly monitoring the couple while they were in hospital with Teddie before making their arrests. Mitchell was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in jail at Cambridge Crown Court in February. Smith was found guilty of neglect after she didn't dial 999 for more than half an hour after her GP urged her to do so. 24 Hours in Police Custody: Cold to the touch will be shown on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight and tomorrow South Korean soldiers patrol along a barbed-wire fence in Paju, near the border with North Korea, Jan. 2. AP-Yonhap South Korea's defense ministry said Monday that the person who crossed the eastern inter-Korean border into North Korea over the weekend is presumed to be a North Korean who previously defected to the South. The ministry's statement came amid reports that the man appeared to be the same person who crossed a barbed wire fence on the heavily fortified border to enter the South in November 2020. "Regarding the border crossing, the authorities presume the person is a North Korean defector and are in the process of verifying any related facts," the ministry said in the statement. An artist has claimed Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell 'shopped her around' for sex with wealthy older men at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Rina Oh, 42, has been accused by Epstein's 'sex slave' Virginia Giuffre of being part of the financier's inner circle and recruiting underage girls for him. But Oh says she was groomed by Epstein as a young artist and suffered sexual abuse. Speaking of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, Oh said: 'It was Ghislaine and Jeffrey together. It was like I was being groomed to be someone else's mistress.' Rina Oh, 42, has been accused by Epstein's 'sex slave' Virginia Giuffre of being part of the financier's inner circle and recruiting underage girls for him. But Oh says she was groomed by Epstein as a young artist and suffered sexual abuse (pictured: Oh, left, Epstein and Maxwell, right) Oh met Epstein in the summer of 2000, she was just 21 years old and had recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend She told The Sun: 'It felt like they were soliciting me. That's when I started realising that something was awfully wrong. Up until then, I was very naive. 'Jeffrey and Ghislaine carried themselves like a king and queen and lived that way too.' Oh met Epstein in the summer of 2000, she was just 21 years old and had recently broken up with a long-term boyfriend. She was introduced by a friend who said he was very wealthy and interested in art. 'He had his own island, a beautiful house and he was a great art collector. I bought my art portfolio and I showed it to him,' Oh told The Sun. 'The following day, his secretary told me Jeff loved my artwork and that he wanted to offer me a scholarship. 'That was the way he manipulated me into coming back. It escalated from then. I was so young I didn't realise it was sexual abuse.' Oh, a mother-of-two from New Jersey, filed a defamation lawsuit against Giuffre in October after she claimed that she should be in jail like Maxwell. Epstein's former lover Maxwell is facing 65 years behind bars after she was found guilty last week of procuring underage girls for the financier. Epstein was found hanged in his prison cell in New York while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in August 2019. In a series of tweets in 2020, Giuffre claimed that Oh was part of Epstein's inner circle and had once taken her to buy a schoolgirl outfit when she was just 17. Giuffre, who is suing Prince Andrew in a separate legal action, tweeted in October 2020: 'Rina - if you read this I hope you live in shame for the rest of your life.' Virginia Giuffre is being sued by Oh for claims she made on Twitter in October 2020 Oh cited a series of year-old tweets in the suit, which sought $20million in damages, where Giuffre said: 'Rina - if you read this I hope you live in shame for the rest of your life' It continued: 'You don't intimidate me any longer & the physical & mental scares you left me with should be enough to put your a** in jail.' Another tweet cited in the lawsuit said Giuffre accused Oh of leaving a six-inch scar on her leg from one of their encounters two decades ago. 'The sliced leg bleeding is exactly what she used to do to me, I have a six-inch scar on my left leg from her cutting me. I can let a lot of s**t go, but this I will never forget,' she tweeted before adding: '#PureEvil #LockHerUp' and tagging the FBI. However, the lawsuit claimed that none of that was true and Giuffre 'has maliciously reiterated and republished these defamations and slanders in prior and subsequent tweets and interviews on podcasts, TV and for magazines, as well as in her memoirs entitled Billionaire's Playboy Club.' It added that the 'defamations and slanders' are causing Oh 'great harm,' including 'humiliation, shame, disgrace, mental anguish, loss of life enjoyment and anxiety and emotion distress,' according to the suit. The lawsuit seeks $20million in damages and is aimed at stopping 'false and defamatory bile'. Advertisement Sydneysiders have washed off Covid fears and flocked to packed beaches as NSW infections keep surging towards record levels. NSW recorded 20,794 new cases on Monday, a jump of more than 2,500 within 24 hours as the state's third highest daily infection tally, with neighbouring states the ACT, Victoria and Queensland reported record figures. Hospital admissions in NSW also rose from 1,066 to 1,204 while ICU patients increased by 12 to 95. But the grim figures didn't stop thousands of carefree Sydneysiders shrugging off concerns and hitting the beach on Monday as many made the most of their last day of the Christmas-New Year break before they return to work on Tuesday. While the pictures show reasonably fully-packed beaches, there has been little to no transmission of Covid outside in Australia - particularly between strangers not talking directly to one another - meaning the sunbakers are likely to be safe from the virus. Even when talking directly to a friend, the chances of catching Covid are greatly reduced when outside or in a very well-ventilated space. It comes after government data revealed patients in NSW and Victoria are being admitted to hospital for other reasons are being included in the Covid figure. The shock revelations sparked questions from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who will now seek a nationwide standard definition of Covid patients in hospital. What pandemic?: Sydneysiders flocked to the beach on a day NSW recorded 20,794 new cases, its third highest daily total (pictured, friends enjoying Bondi Beach on Monday) Both the sand and the surf were swarming with carefree beachgoers at Bondi on Monday, which was a public holiday With Monday declared a New Year's Day public holiday, hordes of Sydneysiders and tourists flocked to Bondi to get a dose of vitamin D with similar scenes along the city's coast from Palm Beach and Manly in the north to Cronulla in the south. But not all everyone was at Bondi to soak up the sunshine and swim in the ocean. The beachside drive-through testing clinic was also busy as Omicron cases continue to soar. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have been basking under clear skies and temperatures in the mid to high 20s during the first three days of 2022, after heavy rainfall dampened the final weeks and months of 2021. Both Victoria and Queensland recorded their highest ever daily Covid cases totals of 8,577 and 4,249 respectively on Monday. The ACT's tally of 514 was also a record for the nation's capital. The summer sunshine will remain along much of Australia's east coast until midway through the week when it is quickly replaced by heavy thunderstorms and rain - which is set to last through the weekend. All of the Gold Coast's more than 40 beaches were closed due to dangerous swells on Monday, as ex-tropical Cyclone Seth continues to deliver strong winds and dangerous surf to parts of the coast despite being downgraded to a Category 1. Sydneysiders threw caution to the wind and spent the New Year's Day public holiday soaking up the sunshine at Bondi Bondi's grassy knoll was typically packed with sunbakers (pictured on Monday) as thousands made the most of the balmy temperatures Bondi lifeguards were on high alert on Monday, just like NSW health officials as they try and keep on top of soaring Covid infections The Bondi drive-through Covid testing clinic (pictured) was also busy on Monday with a long queue of motorists just metres from the beach Sydney has been basking under clear skies and temperatures in the mid to high 20s on the first three days of 2022 (pictured, Bondi on Monday) Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has demanded a standard definition of Covid hospitalisations across Australia. Hundreds of patients counted in NSW's daily Covid hospitalisation tally are not in hospital because of the virus, with some simply testing positive in routine checks while being admitted for broken bones or labour pains. 'I make the point on hospitalisation, and this is one of the things we're going to have to discuss this week, I'm heading down to Canberra today, with the premiers is this definition of hospitalisation,' Mr Morrison told Nine's Today on Monday. 'There are people being counted as being in hospital for Covid. They didn't go there for Covid. They went there for some other reason and that's why they were admitted, and they've been tested when they're there, and they've been found to have Covid. 'So we need to get a standard definition on that because these are the key things we have to track now. The case numbers, I mean, there'll come a time, and I suspect it shouldn't be too far away, where reporting case numbers is really not the point. What matters is the impact on the hospital system.' His comments come after NSW government data shows as many as 50 per cent of 'Covid patients' in the state's hospitals on one particularly day were actually admitted for other reasons - such as a broken leg, labour pains or even mental health issues - and later tested positive to the virus during routine tests. Scott Morrison (pictured on Monday) has called for a nationwide standard definition of Covid patients in hospital NSW hospitalisations of Covid cases reached four digits for the first time since October (pictured, ICU staff at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital) - but it has emerged not all the patients are in hospital for Covid-related reasons Bondi Beach crowds spilled onto the grassed hill as Sydneysiders enjoyed beachside picnics or sunbathed Many Sydneysiders headed to the beach before returning to work for the first time in 2022 on Tuesday after a string of public holidays NSW health minister Brad Hazzard admitted that over two days during the week, up to half of those cases were in hospital for something else entirely - raising questions about how hospitalisation figures are reported. 'A reasonable proportion of cases being classified as Covid hospitalisations are actually people with other reasons for admission,' Mr Hazzard said. 'Heart attacks, births, falls, none of that stops just because there is Covid. They come into hospital, they have a swab taken and it confirms Covid. 'This shows us its out in the community, but we aren't necessarily seeing that as the primary reason for all of the admissions.' Similar data is being recorded south of the border in Victoria, the state's health minister Martin Foley told reporters on Monday. Victoria has recorded 23,000 cases in the first three days of 2022 and has already exceeded its annual total in 2020. Carefree Sydneysiders shrugging off concerns and hitting the beach on Monday from Palm Beach in the north and Cronulla in the south to Australia's most iconic beach at Bondi (pictured) Beachgoers were physically distanced across the shoreline at Australia's most iconic beach despite it looking packed from afar The warm summer weather has seen thousands of people hit the beach over the Christmas break (pictured, Bondi on Monday) Hospital admissions in NSW rose from 1,066 to 1,204 while ICU patients increased by 12 to 95 as carefree Sydneysiders flocked to the beach for some fresh ocean air and vitamin D (pictured, Bondi on Monday) The Home Office has 'all but given up' on striking a new deal with France to tackle Channel migrant crossings before the French presidential election in April, it was claimed today. Priti Patel's officials are working on plans to stop people making the perilous journey in small boats after 2021 saw a new record high. But the proposals are only expected to be presented to Paris 'once the heat of the election is over' as Emmanuel Macron battles to keep his job. Priti Patel's officials are working on plans to stop people making the perilous journey in small boats after 2021 saw a new record high But the proposals are only expected to be presented to Paris 'once the heat of the election is over' as Emmanuel Macron battles to keep his job Estimates suggest that more than 27,000 people reached the UK last year after navigating busy shipping lanes from France in small boats. That is more than three times the 8,420 people who were recorded crossing in 2020 which was the previous record high. The sinking of a boat in November last year which resulted in the death of 27 people prompted emergency talks between London and Paris as they sought to hammer out an agreement to stop the crossings. But a breakthrough remained elusive amid a rumbling dispute between Boris Johnson and Mr Macron over a number of issues including Brexit fishing rights. One Home Office official who took part in talks in Paris told The Times: 'Macron's officials just sat there saying "non, non, non," to all our proposals. 'They didn't have to say it but they were basically saying there's no chance of a breakthrough before the election.' Estimates suggest that more than 27,000 people reached the UK last year after navigating busy shipping lanes from France in small boats. Migrants are pictured arriving at the Port of Dover onboard a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat on December 16 Officials believe Mr Macron is politically unable to offer any significant concessions on the issue before the election. They are now targeting a breakthrough after the poll in April and are hoping the next French president, whether Mr Macron or someone else, will return to the negotiating table with fresh ideas. The UK Government is currently pushing its Nationality and Borders Bill through Parliament which will radically overhaul the asylum system. Alex Williams, who lives in north Wales, flew to the Spanish island on December 20 for a Christmas break with his brother and friend. But when the trio took Covid tests in order to fly home, two tested positive, including Mr Williams (pictured left) and his friend (right) Three British tourists have said they were forced to leave their hotel and were left wandering the streets for hours after testing positive for Covid-19 in Lanzarote. Alex Williams, who lives in north Wales, flew to the Spanish island on December 20 for a Christmas break with his brother and friend. But when the trio took Covid tests to fly home, Mr Williams and his friend both tested positive. The pair took another test, only to find the same result. But Mr Williams says after the test, there was 'no information about what to do next' beyond advice that they should return to their hotel Hotel Lancelot in Arrecife. 'We were given a helpline to call, they basically told us to go back to hotel and that the hotel would be informed we had tested positive,' 25-year-old Mr Williams told the Manchester Evening News (MEN). 'We were in our rooms from December 30 to 31, when we were supposed to fly home. 'We asked the helpline what we should do as we were due to check out and had nowhere to go. They put us in touch with a support service for tourists with Covid in the Canary Islands, run by AXA, which said it would find accommodation for us but couldn't promise anything. 'But by the time we were supposed to check out, we still had nowhere to go. My brother asked if we could stay in the hotel, but the staff said 'they have to leave, this hotel is to nice', and that they were fully booked. 'But I don't think that's true because the hotel was half empty. As soon as they found out we had Covid, they just wanted us out. 'We felt like we were being kicked out onto the streets with positive result. It felt like we'd done something wrong, like we'd broken some kind of law. There was no information whatsoever, really.' The hotel firmly denied Mr Williams' comments and said the hotel was fully booked. A spokesperson for Hotel Lancelot said: 'We are very sorry about the contagion but we have not lied. It is Christmas and the hotel is full. 'We are currently assisting three families with isolated Covid and we do the best we can. The argument is not true.' They added they were not responsible for booking or managing alternative arrangements. Mr Williams said that he was left trying to ring alternative help lines to try and get reassurance and information on what they needed to do. Mr Williams says after the test, there was 'no information about what to do next' beyond advice that they should return to their hotel Hotel Lancelot in Arrecife (pictured) He explained: 'It took us three hours to find any information and we had to use toilets and get something to eat in that time. 'I resorted to calling the British Embassy - one number I found online rung out and said the mailbox was full, someone on a different line told me I should go to the government website's terms and conditions for when you test positive in Spain, which I'd already read and hadn't helped. 'We were in a serious situation, it was New Year's Eve and we couldn't be out all night with our bags. It wasn't safe. 'My girlfriend and parents were calling me worried, I couldn't tell them what was happening because I didn't know myself. We were fine in ourselves, it was the uncertainty of not knowing what was going to happen next.' The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said travel advice for Spain is available online which sets out the measures in place if someone tests positive for COVID-19 whilst in Spain. Mr Williams says he and his travel companion were picked up by an ambulance (pictured left) but said the paramedic was angry with the group, and told him to stop filming on his phone The advice includes the possibility that they may be required to enter a quarantine hotel, and that British nationals should follow the advice of the local authorities at all times. A FCDO Spokesperson told the MEN: 'Consular staff are available 24/7, 365 days a year to provide assistance to those who request our help.' Mr Williams said alternative accommodation was eventually made available for them, and they were later picked up by an ambulance. He said: 'Eventually, we were told that we would be getting picked up back at the hotel by an ambulance. 'Neither of us had any symptoms at this point, was the ambulance going to take us to hospital? We didn't know. 'When we were collected by the ambulance, I got my camera out. I wanted to film it as I'm doing a film degree. But then the paramedic started shouting at me, and wouldn't tell us where we were going until I put the camera away. 'The paramedic started getting so angry that he said he would call the police. 'We were then taken to an apartment, which is really nice, where we have been isolating since. We're grateful that we're here and we've been told by AXA that we don't have pay for it and that they will also pay for the flight home, which is helpful. 'But if I thought this was going to happen, I wouldn't have booked to come away.' A spokesperson for AXA said: 'We are unable to comment until we can fully investigate this matter.' Israel's prime minister has warned that a 'storm' of Covid cases is coming as he asked all over-60s and medical workers to get a second booster shot to protect themselves. Naftali Bennett, giving a TV speech on Sunday, urged older Israelis to protect themselves from the 'Omicron wave' of Covid with a fourth vaccine, while warning that daily case tolls will soon reach record levels. Bennet predicted that infections will top '50,000 per day soon', which would be more than double Israel's previous peak of 22,000 cases in September last year. The country is currently logging around 6,000 cases per day. However, he also noted that Omicron is milder than previous variants and announced he would be re-opening the country to foreign travellers - reversing a ban imposed in late November. 'I closed the skies five weeks ago when everything was good,' Bennett said. 'And, over the coming week, it would be reasonable for us to reopen anew.' Israel is bracing for a 'storm' of Omicron Covid cases that could see daily infections soar to around 50,000, the Prime Minister has warned (pictured, current case totals) But Israel health officials have welcomed data showing Omicron appears to cause milder infections that are linked to fewer deaths (pictured, virus-linked deaths in Israel) Foreigners from medium-risk ('orange') countries who have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 will be admitted from next week, the health ministry confirmed Monday. The United States, Britain, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mexico, Switzerland and Turkey remain on Israel's red list, the health ministry said. Visitors from those countries require advance special permission from an Israeli committee to enter. It comes after Nachman Ash, director general of Israel's health ministry, said the country is likely to reach herd immunity during the Omicron wave through a combination of infection and vaccination. Herd immunity means a population is protected from a disease because enough people have developed antibodies to fight it. Once herd immunity is achieved the virus should stop spreading so widely because people are harder to infect, and even when people are infected the disease should be less severe because their bodies are primed to fight it. 'The (infection) numbers will have to be very high in order to reach herd immunity,' Ash told 103 FM Radio earlier. 'This is possible but we don't want to reach it by means of infections, we want it to happen as a result of many people vaccinating.' But the head of the health ministry's coronavirus task force, Salman Zarka, said herd immunity was far from guaranteed, because experience over the past two years showed that some COVID-19 patients who recovered were later reinfected. Israel was a world-leader with Covid vaccines, having completed its initial roll-out faster than most other countries which allowed it to lift lockdown early in 2020. Israelis aged over 60 and medical workers are now being offered a fourth jab - or second booster - to help prevent severe illness and death from Omicron But it has since fallen well behind other nations in terms of total coverage, largely because uptake among children and young people has been low. Israel has fully vaccinated around 64 per cent of its total population, lower than the EU average of 70 per cent and well-below world leaders such as Portugal - on 90 per cent - and Spain - on 80 per cent. Vaccines, which were developed to fight earlier variants of Covid, are thought to be markedly less effective at preventing the spread of Omicron - a super-mutant variant of the virus which is harder for the body's immune system to recognise. However, they are still thought to be highly effective at preventing serious illness and death which is why world leaders are encouraging their populations to get boosters. Omicron has caused global cases of Covid to soar since it was first identified in South Africa in November last year, with an average of just over one million cases detected each day between Dec. 24 and 30, Reuters data showed. Deaths, however, have not risen to the same degree, raising hopes that the new variant is less lethal and may herald the pandemic 'end game' in which Covid becomes a low-level endemic disease similar to flu. As Israel braces for an Omicron wave, Bennett said testing eligibility could be tightened to help relieve long lines at testing stations. Israel also approved Merck & Co's molnupiravir anti-viral pill for use in COVID-19 patients over 18. Naftali Bennett, the country's prime minister, issued a health warning Sunday as Omicron began to spread - though welcomed news that infections appear to be milder The UK was the first to approve use of the pill in November last year, described by health secretary Sajid Javid as a 'gamechanger' for elderly, vulnerable, and immunosuppressed people who catch Covid. Studies have shown the pill halves the risk of hospitalisation and death for at-risk patients who catch the virus. Another study put the figure slightly lower, around 30 per cent. Israel also said last month it ordered 100,000 units of Pfizer's Paxlovid anti-viral pill for people aged 12 and older at risk of serious disease. Around 1.3 million coronavirus cases have been documented in Israel since the start of the pandemic. But between two to four million people may well be infected by the end of January when the Omicron wave could subside, according to Eran Segal, data scientist at the Weizmann Institute of Science and an adviser to the government. Over the past 10 days, daily infections have more than quadrupled. Severe cases have also climbed but at a far lower rate, rising from about 80 to around 100. In Germany, the head of the country's association of senior hospital doctors said that the Omicron variant could ease pressure on its health system if it turns out to produce milder illness, even though infections are rising. South Australia's Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has tested positive for COVID-19 as cases continue to rise in the state with a record 2552 new infections and a warning the surge is yet to reach its peak. In a statement SA Police said the commissioner attended a testing site after getting a sore throat and on Monday evening he was informed he had tested positive for coronavirus. 'He is isolating in a private residence and he will continue to carry out his role while completing the required isolation period,' the statement said. Premier Steven Marshall said earlier on Monday that 94 people were now in hospital, up from 82 on Sunday, with nine of those in intensive care. The premier also cautioned that cases would continue to rise with the peak of daily infections not likely until later in January. SA moved to clarify the definition of close contacts which now includes anyone in face-to-face, unmasked indoor contact with a COVID-19 positive case for more than 15 minutes (pictured, queues outside an Adelaide supermarket) 'We still haven't got anywhere near the peak in our state. We are seeing large surges in other parts of the world, in other parts of the country,' Mr Marshall said. 'We don't have a projection in terms of the numbers, but we do have forecasting which will be coming back to us towards the end of the week in regards to what that peak date is likely to be. 'I believe it will certainly be before the end of January.' But the premier said in regards to the Omicron strain of the virus, 'nobody has a crystal ball'. 'We've been working very hard to make sure we can get on top of it,' he said. 'It really has been a very stressful time for the people of our state.' Premier Steven Marshall (pictured) said earlier on Monday that 94 people were now in hospital, up from 82 on Sunday, with nine of those in intensive care The new virus cases on Monday included that of Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas who reported feeling well but with minor cold-like symptoms. He did not indicate how he might have contracted the disease but said his wife Annabel and their three children had all tested negative. 'This is an experience I share right now with thousands of other South Australians,' he said in a statement. 'My thoughts are with every South Australian affected by this pandemic, whether it be those who have tested positive, those in isolation, families with holidays ruined, through to those businesses and workers who are grappling with the full impact of restrictions.' Mr Marshall said SA's efforts to slow the spread of the Omicron variant would continue to include putting people into isolation where necessary. 'Nobody wants to get COVID, so putting people who are very, very likely to have it into isolation is the right thing to do,' he said. The premier also cautioned that cases would continue to rise with the peak of daily infections not likely until later in January (pictured, testing queues in Adelaide) AUSTRALIA'S NEW COVID RULES Who should get a PCR test? Anyone who has symptoms or who has got a positive rapid antigen test New definition of close contact: Someone who has spent at least four hours in a household or a care facility with a positive case. Workplaces do not count. New isolation period: Positive people and close contacts must isolate for seven days or 10 in SA. This is regardless of whether the close contacts test negative or not Timing: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT implemented the new rules on New Year's Eve. Tasmania followed on January 1 while the Northern Territory and Western Australia will not adopt the scheme until they get more Covid cases in the weeks ahead. Advertisement As such, SA moved to clarify the definition of close contacts which now includes anyone in face-to-face, unmasked indoor contact with a COVID-19 positive case for more than 15 minutes. The premier said it was very likely that people in those circumstances would test positive for the virus. The revised definition was in addition to those people who are close contacts as family members or intimate partners or those people considered at higher risk because they attended a specific venue. All close contacts are required to isolate and get tested. 'This is the final piece of the puzzle, the final piece of advice people have been looking for,' Mr Marshall said. 'I think this provides the clarity that people have been seeking.' Boris Johnson has been handed a New Year Brexit headache as unionists threaten to collapse Northern Ireland's power sharing government unless he gets tougher with the EU over trade rules. DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson demanded that Foreign Secretary Liz Truss set a 'clear date' for talks with Brussels about the Northern Ireland to end, with or without an agreement. He warned that if the talks dragged on there would be 'major implications for Stormont. His warning comes ahead of elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly in May in which the hardline unionists could be replaced as the largest party by nationalists Sinn Fein. Days after the EU's chief negotiator Maros Sefcovic claimed 'London has breached a great deal of trust' with Europe over the protocol, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told the Telegraph: 'We need a clear date now, we need a clear timeline in which there is an expectation of real progress or the Government takes the action that is necessary. 'It is crucial that Liz Truss moves this process forward quickly and that we get real and meaningful progress on a range of issues, not least of which is removing the checks on the movement of goods within the United Kingdom internal market.' Sir Jeffrey would not specify a reasonable deadline for Ms Truss to make progress when asked by the Telegraph, but said: 'January is going to be an absolutely crucial month.' 'If we don't get rapid and decisive progress, and one side or the other is kicking the can down the road, this will have major implications for the stability of the political institutions in Northern Ireland,' Sir Jeffrey added. DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson demanded that Foreign Secretary Liz Truss set a 'clear date' for talks with Brussels about the Northern Ireland to end, with or without an agreement. His warning comes ahead of elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly in May in which the hardline unionists could be replaced as the largest party by nationalists Sinn Fein. Ms Truss took over responsibility for post-Brexit talks with the EU following the dramatic resignation of Lord Frost before Christmas over Covid restrictions. Ms Truss took over responsibility for post-Brexit talks with the EU following the dramatic resignation of Lord Frost before Christmas over Covid restrictions. It is an addition to her role as Foreign secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities. The Government has already delayed new controls on goods moving from the island of Ireland to Great Britain that were due to come into effect from January 1. The checks on incoming goods from the European Union - covering mainly food and agricultural products - bring post-Brexit customs arrangements with the bloc in line with those with the rest of world. The Government is seeking major changes to the protocol, arguing the checks required are damaging business and fuelling community tensions. Britain left the EU's single market at the beginning of 2021 but has thrice delayed implementation of some post-Brexit import controls. European Commission vice president Mr Sefcovic on Thursday told German news website Der Spiegel that problems with the protocol - a way to maintain a free-flowing land border on the island of Ireland after Brexit - meant the UK 'broke international law' in trying to get round the arrangement. Mr Sefcovic told Der Spiegel he is 'pragmatic' about Ms Truss taking on responsibility for post-Brexit negotiations with the EU, after Brexit minister Lord Frost resigned last month. But he warned if Ms Truss was to trigger Article 16, a move that would effectively unilaterally suspend the treaty agreed between the UK and the EU, it would throw into jeopardy 'the foundation of the entire deal' reached between the two sides. Ms Truss has said she remains prepared to invoke Article 16 if issues are not resolved. A group of determined Britons have been queuing for more than 24 hours in the freezing cold and rain to secure a much sought-after beach hut for the summer. Just 12 cabins were available for summer or all-year rental at Avon Beach in Christchurch, Dorset, and the dedicated staycationers went to extreme lengths to make sure they got their hands on one. The huts were not available to book until 8am today but staff arrived at the beach shop on Sunday morning at 7.30am to find several people already braving the elements. Travel restrictions from coronavirus lockdowns has led to a boom in the staycation industry and holiday accommodation in Britain has soared over Christmas and New Year. Despite the fact most don't have toilets or running water, the prices for beach huts have soared by 40 per cent in some areas. In July one hut in Mudeford near Bournemouth in Dorset went for a whopping 320,000 - the same price as a four-bedroom home in Shropshire. The queue in Dorset grew through the day, with dozens camping out overnight and around 50 people waiting by the time the administration office opened this morning. Just 12 cabins were available for summer or all-year rental at Avon Beach in Christchurch, Dorset. Pictured: Dedicated holidaymakers queue overnight to be in the running to rent a cabin Pictured: Margaret Davis and daughter Nicola arrived at 4am this morning and are one of the lucky few who managed to secure a hut The huts were not available to book until 8am today but staff arrived at the beach shop on Sunday morning at 7.30am to find several people already braving the elements The mostly 6ft by 4ft huts, which cost 3,570 to rent out for the year, are typically booked up within minutes of opening. Avon Beach has 130 huts lining the quiet sandy beach, which is popular with dog walkers, tourists and water sport enthusiasts. Some of the huts change hands privately for as much as 80,000 and have gas-powered fridges and gas hobs inside. This year, there were 40 huts up for grabs for different periods of the year and just 12 available for the full summer holidays or whole year. One of the first in the queue was Ken Ryder, 72, and his partner, Jan Manton, 70, who arrived at 4am on Sunday and waited 28 hours. The queue grew through the day, with dozens camping out overnight and around 50 people waiting by the time the administration office opened this morning People queue in the early hours of the morning in a desperate attempt to secure one of the sought-after beach huts The mostly 6ft by 4ft huts, which cost 3,570 to rent out for the year, are typically booked up within minutes of opening Ken said: 'This is the 6th year I've queued to get a beach hut - we've been here for 28 hours. 'You read books and chat - that's all you can do to pass the time. 'Luckily we're under cover beneath a canopy by the ice cream kiosk - the first dozen or so people get under there but the rest are out in the open. 'My wife came down from 8am until 10 yesterday morning so I could go and get breakfast, then she came back from 12 until 2pm and I stayed overnight. 'The reason we retired here was to be close to the beach and having a hut is just the icing on the cake.' Nicola Davies arrived at 4am this morning and is one of the lucky few who secured a hut. Some of the huts change hands privately for as much as 80,000 and have gas-powered fridges and gas hobs inside One of the first in the queue was Ken Ryder, 72, and his partner, Jan Manton, 70, who arrived at 4am on Sunday and waited 28 hours Beach hut manager Laura Huxtable-White said: 'They are very sought after, which is why people are willing to queue up for so long' Avon Beach has 130 huts lining the quiet sandy beach, which is popular with dog walkers, tourists and water sport enthusiasts The 38-year-old mother of two said: 'My grandfather made me promise to get one for the whole family but he passed away in November aged 93 so never got to see it happen. 'He loved to come down and watch his eight great grandchildren play by the sea. 'It's such a beautiful and friendly beach which is so clean and the kids feel safe here. It was well worth the wait.' Beach hut manager Laura Huxtable-White said: 'They are very sought after, which is why people are willing to queue up for so long. 'We have tried to be careful and asked people queuing to be mindful of social distancing. Ken said: 'This is the 6th year I've queued to get a beach hut - we've been here for 28 hours. 'You read books and chat - that's all you can do to pass the time' Pictured: People walk along the beach front past the colourful huts at Avon Beach 'Avon Beach is a beautiful place to be, with lovely views of the Isle of Wight and we have our lovely restaurant, coffee cabin and soon-to-be new deli. 'With the pandemic and staycations, I think people are even more keen to get one this year. 'In lockdown last year the phones were extremely busy and yesterday we had a lot of calls from people checking they have the right date.' Jill Taylor, who owns South View Lodges in Exeter, Devon, said: We have been booked for Christmas and New Year for six months. However, we had a cancellation two weeks ago as the guests were coming from South Africa and we havent yet managed to book it. Experts said rising UK demand will help plug this gap. James Starkey, of holidaycottages.co.uk, said: Demand has been really strong over the past few weeks, with a lot of people looking to get away from it all with family and friends over Christmas. We expect this level of demand to continue into 2022 as travel plans may need to be put on hold with the potential of restrictions. The brother of one of the victims of the Colorado truck driver who killed four in a fiery crash has slammed the state's Governor for commuting his sentence. Duane Bailey's brother Bill Bailey, 67, was killed in April 2019 when an out-of-control semi-truck loaded with lumber barreled into cars on the interstate, causing a mass pile-up and fireball explosion. Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, 26, was sentenced last month to 110 years behind bars after being found guilty on 27 counts, including reckless and careless driving. But after widespread public backlash, including from Kim Kardashian, Governor Jared Polis made the rare decision to slash the sentence to just ten years. Duane Bailey called the Democrat a 'despicable human being' and accused the governor of using the wildfires in the state to distract from his decision. 'You also have to realize [Aguilera-Mederos] will not spend the entire 10 years the governor put his sentence at. He could get out in as little as 5 years,' Bailey told CBS Denver. 'Would your brother's life be adequately compensated if he spent one and a quarter years per death in prison?' Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, 26, caused a two-dozen car pile-up in April 2019 after his semi-truck breaks failed, which resulted in a fireball explosion that killed four people The impact caused a fireball explosion that incinerated cars and trucks, killing four people and injuring several others. Aguilera-Mederos testified that the brakes on his semitrailer failed as he was descending a steep grade of Interstate 70 in the Rocky Mountain foothills Colorado Gov Jared Polis (pictured) said the 'atypical' sentence was 'unjust He said that Aguilera-Mederos lied about his experience in his job application and 'exaggerated job titles.' 'He drove his car so hard, by time he got to Berthoud Pass, 30 miles from the crash site, his brakes were already smoking... Yet, he still drives above the speed limit. There's people on I-70 who talk about how they passed him at a high-rate of speed,' Bailey told ABC. 'He's testified he's panicked. Who wouldn't be? But, he put himself in that position. It wasn't an accident.' Bailey said that the victims' families had agreed that the 110-year sentence was severe - but that reducing it to ten was too lenient. 'It's turned the point where people think he's the victim now, and it's not. He's not the victim. This crash killed four people and four good people,' Bailey said. 'He [Governor Polis] felt that the 110-year sentence was too severe. And we told him that we agreed with that. We also told him, he should stay out of it,' he added. Aguilera-Mederos, of Texas, was working for a Houston-based trucking company at the time of the fatal crash, when he was driving an 18-wheeler loaded with lumber. Prosecutors said he barreled eastbound down the interstate from the mountains at speeds of 85 mph. Victim William Bailey is pictured with his wife Gage Evans Among the victims of the deadly crash were Stanley Politano, 69, of Arvada, Colorado, left, and Miguel Angel Lamas Arrelano, 24, of Denver, right, Doyle Harrison was also killed in the inferno They say he also swerved at times, forcing others off the road before he crashed into two dozen vehicles causing a giant fireball. It left behind a scene of 'significant, just unbelievable carnage,' Lakewood Police Spokesman Ty Countryman said in a news conference following the deadly crash, noting that some bodies were still in the wreckage hours later, with video showing cars stopped in every direction as the huge fire spread, sending smoke billowing. 'This is looking to be one of the worst accidents we've had here in Lakewood,' Countryman said. Four victims were killed in the crash, including: Doyle Harrison, 61, of Hudson, Colorado; William Bailey, 67, of Arvadal; Miguel Angel Lamas Arrellano, 24, of Denver; and Staney Politano, 69, of Arvada. Six others were taken to the hospital for their injuries. Aguilera-Mederos had claimed the brakes in his truck had failed and he lost control, but prosecutors argued in court that he could have taken steps to prevent the crash, including using a runaway truck ramp miles before the crash near the Denver West Colorado Mills Parkway, and said he made a 'bunch of bad decisions' instead. His defense attorney claimed he did not know that his truck brakes were smoking or that he would not be able to stop. He also argued that Aguilera-Mederos' actions were a series of negligent decisions, and that he did not intend to hurt anybody. The explosion was so big, it created a large plume of smoke to form over the highway After the explosion, Aguilera-Mederos was convicted of 27 charges But in October, a jury found him guilty of 27 criminal charges, including: Four counts of vehicular homicide Two counts of vehicular assault Six counts of assault in the first-degree with extreme indifference 10 counts of criminal attempt to commit assault in the first degree One count of reckless driving Four counts of careless driving causing death He was also found not guilty of 15 counts of criminal attempts to commit assaults in the first degree. Before his sentencing last month, Aguilera-Mederos pleaded with the judge to be lenient on him, breaking down in tears as he spoke. 'It's hard. This was a terrible accident, I know,' he said. 'I take the responsibility, but it was an accident. 'I have never thought about hurting anyone in my entire life and Jesus Christ, he knows that, he knows my heart,' he continued. 'I am not a criminal, I am not a murderer. 'The accident - it wasn't intentional, it wasn't intentional Your Honor. I did all that I can as a man. I put myself in harms way to avoid harming anyone else.' He claimed that he tried to avoid the traffic, and noted that he did not flee in the aftermath 'because I respect the laws. 'I want to say sorry, sorry for the loss, sorry for the people injured,' he concluded, noting: 'I ask ... God many times why them and not me.' Advertisement Thousands of mourners lined the streets to pay tribute to 'unique' Cornish comedian, Jethro, at his funeral which took place this afternoon at Truro Cathedral where friend and fellow comic Jim Davidson lead tributes to the popular funnyman. The Cornish comic lost a short battle with coronavirus on December 14 at the age of 73. Real name Geoffrey Rowe, the comedy star built his name in the 1980s and 1990s, only announcing his retirement in 2020 after almost 50 years of touring. Paying tribute to him today, Jethro's partner Jennie said his death had left 'a big void' in their lives. His partner of 38 years added: 'He was a countryman, he loved his horses, he loved the countryside and he was the same indoors as he was on the show. 'He was just a normal person. He used to go to his shows and he would never sit in the dressing room, he would always sit in his truck and he would smoke a pipe. He wasn't a real showman - showman. 'He loved the local pub. He'd go down every night to the local pub. He just loved the local people and he was genuinely a home person really. 'He knew every part of Cornwall. He'd take me all over Cornwall and say this is where my dad built a wall, and he'd show me the walls his dad built. 'We were together 38 years, you know it was a long time. He's left a big void in our lives.' A funeral procession set off from Lewdown, Okehampton, at 10am on Monday, and travelled through Lifton before going on to Truro where a procession was held at the War Memorial. Thousands of people gathered along the route of his final journey from his former Jethro's Club in Lewdown on the Devon border with Cornwall, down the A30 to Truro Cathedral. The service, at Truro Cathedral, began at around midday and was conducted by the Reverend Canon Alan Bashforth and Reverend Tim Hodge. Jethro's family have have asked for donations in his memory to be made to Children's Hospice South West charity The funeral of popular Cornish comedian Jethro, real name Geoffrey Rowe, took place Truro Cathedral this afternoon following his death from Covid-19 last month. Pictured: The car carrying the coffin, with number plate J35TER, arrives The car carrying the coffin, with personalised number plate J35TER, arrives for the funeral at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall Mourners line the streets of Truro as family and friends arrive for the funeral of Cornish comic Jethro who died last month Pictured: Crowds of mourners gathered outside Truro Cathedral, in Cornwall, ahead of the funeral for Cornish comic Jethro Friend and fellow comic Jim Davidson (pictured) led tributes to Jethro during the funeral service in Truro this afternoon Pictured: Mourners arrive for the funeral of Cornish comedian Jethro at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall this afternoon The funeral cortege leads the mourners as they arrive for the funeral after a procession began at Lewdown, Okehampton Pictured: Parts of Devon and Cornwall came to a standstill this morning as the procession made its way to Truro Cathedral A donation box for Children's Hospice South West at the funeral of Cornish comedian Jethro at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall Pictured: Family and friends of comedian Jethro arrive at Truro Cathedral, in Cornwall, ahead of his funeral service Pictured: Pallbearers carry the coffin into the funeral of Cornish comedian Jethro at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall Jethro was placed in a wicker basket on a Cornish tartan in the final Landcruiser, his beloved car, which had been especially adapted - like the Duke of Edinburgh did with his Land Rover for his funeral. Among the crowd at Truro Cathedral were three brothers called Rowe - who were not related - but had travelled from their homes in France, Scotland and Cornwall to pay their respects to the proud Cornish funnyman. Banners hung from bridges on the route and the cathedral was packed with people wearing tartan, Cornish rugby shirts and St Piran flags - and a round of applause rang out as the hearse arrived. Jethro's partner Jennie and sons Jesse and Lanyon led the mourners at the cathedral service which was opened up to the public, before going onto a private family burial service. Outside one woman wept: 'He is incredible and we will never see his like again.' A man said: 'He was a brilliant comedian, a hell of a guy.' Pictured: Mourners packed a public funeral service at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall before a private family service later today Reverend Canon Alan Bashforth leads the funeral service of Cornish comedian Jethro at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall Hundreds of mourners packed into Truro Cathedral for the funeral of Cornish comedian Jethro, real name Geoffrey Rowe A mourner holds an order of service (pictured) at the funeral of Cornish comedian Jethro at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall Hymns including The Old Rugged Cross and Trelawny were sung accompanied by Cornish folk band The Oggymen Mourners watch as Jethro's wicker coffin is carried by pallbearers out of Truro Cathedral after the funeral service Pictured: pallbearers carry out Jethro's wicker coffin after the public funeral service at Truro Cathedral this afternoon Jethro's wicker coffin had been transported in a black Toyota 4x4 with a number plate reading J35TER, resting on a Cornish tartan blanket. He was then carried into the church by six pallbearers to the song Welcome To My World, by Jim Reeves. Reverend Canon Alan Bashforth and Reverend Tim Hodge who led the service called Jethro 'one of Cornwall's most significant people of recent times'. Rev Hodge then spoke of Jethro's life, describing him as a 'well-loved and cantankerous character'. His long-time manager and friend John Miles MBE detailed Jethro's rise to stardom, but said: 'Fame never changed Jethro.' Mr Miles's anecdotes included Jethro having to clean up his explicit act to perform for the Queen and her friends at Ascot Racecourse and that the Prince of Wales, who he met and performed for on a number of occasions, joked that the comedian owned more land in Cornwall than him. Mr Miles added: 'There will never ever be another Jethro. 'You gave us so much enjoyment Jethro, bless you. Rest in Peace.' Hymns including The Old Rugged Cross and the traditional song Trelawny were sung, accompanied by Cornish folk band The Oggymen. And a poem called, Ever Since I Heard The News, written by Paul Jackson in tribute to Jethro from the point of view of his fans, was read out and included the words: 'Oh I laughed each time I saw you, so much I almost cried. 'Tears fell once again this week, when I heard that you had died. 'The cream of British comedy, lesser mortals were in awe. And every time I saw you, I simply wanted more.' Pictured: Jim Davidson speaks during the funeral service of Cornish comedian Jethro at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall Jim Davidson (right) speaks during the funeral service and had the crowds laughing with anecdotes about the popular comic Pictured: Members of the Oggymen Cornish Choir perform in Truro Cathedral during Jethro's funeral service Pictured: the coffin of Cornish comedian Jethro is carried out of Truro Cathedral in Cornwall following his funeral It was followed by an eulogy by friend and fellow stand-up comedian Jim Davidson who induced burst of laughter from the attendees by regaling them with tales about Jethro's performances and how he viewed the world. But Mr Davidson also spoke emotionally of a hope that he would one day see his friend again, and said: 'I look at it this way, my old boy, what a caterpillar calls death a wise man calls a butterfly, so you go fly Geoff.' Jethro was then carried from the cathedral to tune of his own rendition of Red Rocks And White Waters, written by Franc Yonco. A private burial was to be held for immediate family members only including his life partner Jennie, sons Jesse and Lanyon, stepdaughter Sarah, daughter-in-law Stacey and his grandchildren. During the service a brown leather bag was placed on his coffin, which was said to have gone with him for every appearance he made, but its contents have been and will remain a secret. Large crowds had also gathered outside to hear the speeches and loudspeakers were set up for those unable to fit inside the historic building Speaking shortly before the service, canon chancellor for Truro Cathedral Rev Alan Bashforth said: 'Funerals are about celebrating a person's life and giving thanks for that life. Some of his friends will be speaking and telling stories about him. Hundreds of mourners surrounded the cathedral in Truro to listen to eulogies and tributes read out during the funeral service The coffin of comic Jethro is carried out of Truro Cathedral in Cornwall and put in the back of the personalised Range Rover After the ceremony the family will stage a small private burial and there will be no formal wake due to the pandemic Pictured: Members of the public outside Truro Cathedral in Cornwall before Jethro's funeral service earlier today Banners hung from bridges and the cathedral was packed with people wearing tartan, Cornish rugby shirts and St Piran flags 'As well as a tear or two I expect quite a lot of laughter in this place that will reflect the kind of life he had. 'At the same time we will come together in common human solidarity to stand with a grieving family and we will remember them in our prayers. We pray Jethro has found rest and peace in god's presence.' Over 5,000 people tuned in to watch the service which was broadcast virtually on YouTube by his friend and driver Andy Reed. His family have have asked for donations in his memory to be made to Children's Hospice South West. Manager John Miles said Mr Rowe had battled Hodgkin Lymphoma two years ago but was in remission and was otherwise in good health when he caught the virus. Speaking shortly after his death, Mr Miles said: 'They did all they could do - it was just so aggressive and fast.' He told MailOnline Mr Rowe was fully vaccinated and had had a booster jab but contracted the virus just 10 days before his death. Comedian Jethro, real name Geoffrey Rowe, who was famed for his west country take on life died after battling Covid-19 The much loved 73-year-old comic (pictured, left, and, right, with boxer Chris Eubank) shot to fame in Cornwall in the 1980s and made his first TV appearance in 1990 on the Des O'Connor Show and later appeared on Jim Davidson's programmes Paying tribute to his friend of more than 40 years, Mr Miles said Jethro brought a lot of joy to millions of people. He added: 'He was a lovely guy, a very kind guy and very funny. At least he brought a lot of enjoyment to many people.' Friend and fellow comic Jim Davidson is expected to lead tributes at the service this afternoon. In a video tribute shared last month, he said: 'We're all broken-hearted. It is devastating. It's an understatement to say we're broken-hearted. 'We're all in shock. These things happen so quickly. 'He was a great comedian, Jethro. He just liked to tell jokes - his timing was immaculate. Pictured: Jethro was fully vaccinated and had received a booster before he contracted Covid and died in hospital 10 days later Cornishman Jethro (pictured) shot to fame in the 80s and made his first TV appearance in 1990 on the Des O'Connor Show In December 2020, Jethro (pictured) announced he was 'hanging up my mic' and retiring from the comedy circuit 'He was unique, he didn't follow fashion, certainly not. But I never met anyone who had a bad word to say about him and that's the measure of a man for me. 'A great guy and I'll miss him. We're going to do a tribute for him on Christmas Day.' Born in St Buryan, the youngest of four children, he first worked as a carpenter's apprentice and then for a time down one of the mines that were still working in Cornwall at that time. He loved rugby, playing for the Penzance Pirates, and clay pigeon shooting, winning the English Open in 1990, but his main passion was performing. Jethro built his name as a comedian in the 1980s and 1990s with his brand of observational comedy, rocketing to fame after making his first national television appearance on the Des O'Connor Show. In 2001, he performed in the Royal Variety Show and went on to become one of the biggest stars from Cornwall selling over four million DVDs. He only announced his retirement in 2020 after almost 50 years of touring. He was due to perform his last tour dates but they were later postponed due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Health workers wearing protective gear prepare for public testing at a temporary COVID-119 screening clinic in Seoul, Dec. 31. AP-Yonhap South Korea reported two deaths connected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Monday, the first fatalities here linked to the highly transmissible strain of the coronavirus. The Health authorities in Gwangju, 329 kilometers south of Seoul, said two recently deceased coronavirus patients in the city, both in their 90s, tested positive for the Omicron variant posthumously. Private healthcare firms contracted to help the NHS battle the pandemic pocketed millions of pounds in furlough cash while recording bumper profits, it was revealed today. Health chiefs signed a series of contracts with private hospital operators worth over 2billion during the first year of Covid to ease the burden of the crisis. Yet the companies delivered less than 0.1 per cent of the nation's virus care and took on fewer NHS patients than in the previous year, according to the Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI). MPs last night called on the multi-billion pound companies involved to pay back the 72million furlough support they shared. But private hospitals today insisted only staff who weren't able to work and could not be used in the war on Covid were furloughed. The independent sector has previously criticised the health service for failing to take advantage of its willingness to help. Ministers struck a deal so that private healthcare facilities can be used to help tackle the pandemic-fueled record backlog of patients waiting for routine operations, such as hip and knee replacements. In a letter sent to Downing St officials, trade association the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) admitted every day staffed capacity 'which could be made available to treat NHS patients is going unused'. NHS bosses who have started cancelling operations again because of Omicron and rising staff absences insisted that trusts work 'very closely' with independent firms. Healthcare companies took 72million in furlough support - Ramsay Health Care (poster pictured) claimed 525,000 despite receiving 385million from the NHS The letter, leaked to the The Daily Telegraph in October, prompted the Department of Health to say: 'We expect trusts to make full use of available capacity.' The original copy, written by the IHPN's chief executive David Hare, welcomed extra funding to help trusts 'deliver higher levels of activity', as part of a 10billion deal. But it added: 'Many NHS systems are struggling to meet the challenge of achieving higher utilisation of independent sector capacity. 'This means that every day, staffed independent sector capacity which could be made available to treat NHS patients is going unused.' Yet health service insiders last winter accused the private sector of 'taking the p*** and walking off with the money'. The Health Service Journal, a trade publication for health chiefs, reported that some within the NHS 'expressed the view' that the private industry needed to be 'shamed' into providing more help. Meanwhile, the thinktank behind the new furlough report previously admitted the under-utilisation of the private sector was unsurprising because of its reliance on NHS staff. Sid Ryan, who authored the CHPI's earlier review in October, claimed the issue 'begs the question: why then did the Government agree to this generous deal?'. The CHPI's new analysis of HM Revenue and Customs figures revealed private health bodies collected as much as 72million in furlough support enough to pay the salaries of more than 2,000 nurses. The NHS paid HCA Healthcare as much as 190million in the pandemic, but the firm also claimed furlough money worth up to 3million. Accounts show the US parent company increased its profit margin nearly 40 per cent to 7billion. Australian firm Ramsay Health Care claimed up to 525,000 despite receiving 385million from the NHS. The company's income increased 15 per cent last year and its profit margin rose 13 per cent to 100million. The pandemic has led to soaring profits and increased revenues for these companies at a time when the NHS is on its knees and waiting lists are growing by the day (stock image) Lincolnshire hospitals declare staffing emergency and warn Omicron-fuelled crisis has 'compromised care' Hospitals in Lincolnshire have declared a staffing emergency amid Omicron-fuelled absences as the NHS draws up plans to recruit reservists to help ease winter pressures. United Lincolnshire Hospitals warned in leaked documents that so many doctors and nurses were now absent from shifts that care was 'compromised', especially for stroke and heart patients. The trust which runs four major hospitals in the county had 7.5 per cent of employees, or 643 out of 8,500, off sick on December 26, including 150 who were absent due to Covid. Yesterday it declared a 'critical incident', meaning hospital bosses are calling in support from nearby trusts to help manage the crisis. It comes amid mounting concerns over a staffing crisis in the NHS 110,000 employees or one in ten off sick due to the virus in late December, including 50,000 suffering from Covid. Trusts have been told to brace for one in four being absent. But former vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi sought to calm concerns today, saying the NHS could get through the crisis because it was 'very good' at redeploying staff to the frontlines. The now-Education Secretary told BBC Breakfast: 'The NHS is very good at being able to move staff around within the system. They now have an infrastructure to do that. '(The NHS) is very good at sort of making sure that staff shortages are monitored and dealt with pretty well. They've done it over many years in winter when we've been, you know, had big flu viruses around.' NHS trusts are already drawing up plans to deal with staffing crises and pressures from the virus over the winter months. Several including trusts in London, Yorkshire and Essex have now banned visitors for patients, with some saying Covid transmission on their wards had been linked to people visiting patients. Sajid Javid has also revealed plans for clinical and non-clinical staff to be recruited into a thousands-strong reservist force for the NHS to call on over the winter months and periods of high pressure. Advertisement CHPI director David Rowland said: 'It is increasingly clear that the mainly foreign-owned private hospital sector in the UK has the appearance of having gamed the pandemic to its advantage. 'They have received billions of pounds out of the NHS budget to cover their operating costs, while being required to provide very little support for the NHS in return and have furloughed staff to reduce their wage bills. 'This has led to soaring profits and increased revenues for these companies at a time when the NHS is on its knees and waiting lists are growing by the day.' Aspen Healthcare also claimed 800,000 while it took 55million from the health service. The London-based firm's accounts for 2020 show its revenue increased from 83million to 89million, while it made 5.7million profit. Labour MP Stella Creasy said: 'This is companies using our NHS as a cashpoint because of Covid. The furlough scheme was meant to keep businesses from going bust. 'Some of these guys have made billions in profit. There are businesses on their knees this Christmas because of Omicron. 'These health firms have to play their part and pay back public money they were given to stop them going out of business. 'For any responsible business committed to the NHS, this is the least they could do.' UK medical giant Nuffield Health, a not-for-profit charity, claimed the bulk of the furlough cash, collecting 64.5million despite taking more than 224million from the NHS. Only UK firm Spire Healthcare has repaid 220,000 it received. In total, more than 1.3million firms claimed 70billion in furlough support to 11.1million workers' wages. To date, 1.3billion has been paid back. Not all of the private companies on a NHS pandemic contract claimed furlough. Sara Gorton, head of health at trade union Unison, said: 'During times of crisis, everyone needs to pull together for the greater good. Returning money to the Exchequer would be the right thing to do.' The Treasury would not say whether the Chancellor had asked any health firms for money back. A spokesman said: 'Furlough provided a lifeline to more than a million businesses across the UK and protected nearly 12million jobs, with businesses passing all the money they received from the scheme on to employees.' A HCA Healthcare spokesman said: 'We furloughed some of the team whose roles did not directly impact patient safety or the delivery of care to patients. 'We used furlough on a partial and temporary basis and limited its use to where it was necessary.' Aspen said it used furlough to protect the jobs of a small number of staff, adding: 'We delivered thousands of outpatient clinics, diagnostic scans and time-critical operations to NHS patients.' Nuffield Health said curbs forced its fitness and wellbeing centres to close, impacting 6,000 of its 16,000 staff. It added these workers were furloughed 'to support the charity's financial sustainability and protect the jobs of our people'. The deal Virginia Roberts Giuffre made with her abuser Jeffrey Epstein won't hamper her ability to sue Prince Andrew, it was claimed today. This settlement struck with the billionaire paedophile in 2009 will be unsealed in New York this afternoon before the Duke of York's lawyers will use it to urge a judge to throw out the case tomorrow. Andrew B Brettler, who represents the duke, had argued at a previous hearing that Ms Giuffre, who is suing the Queen's son for unspecified damages, had entered into a 'settlement agreement' that would end her lawsuit against Epstein. But David Boies, who represents Ms Giuffre, has described the deal with Epstein as 'irrelevant' to the case, which could go to trial in the Autumn. The Telegraph reports that the the Epstein/Giuffre settlement 'does not name the Duke and contains only broad references to Epstein's associates'. MailOnline has asked Prince Andrew's spokesman to comment. A remote hearing with US District Judge Lewis A Kaplan, who is presiding over the civil case in New York, will be held tomorrow when a request by the duke's legal team to dismiss the case will be heard. If the ninth in line to the throne's team fails, and he doesn't settle out of court, his aides, bodyguards and members of the Royal Family could be dragged into a potentially damaging discovery and deposition process. The deal Virginia Roberts Giuffre made with her abuser Jeffrey Epstein won't hamper her ability to sue Prince Andrew, it was claimed today. The Duke of York was photographed with his arm around the bare waist of then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts. In the background, Ghislaine Maxwell. Ms Roberts claims she was forced to have sex with the royal three times The Duke Of York leaves Royal Lodge and heads to Windsor Castle to have lunch with the Queen on Friday Mr Brettler had previously told the New York hearing the agreement 'releases Prince Andrew and others from any purported liability arising from the claims Ms Giuffre asserted against Prince Andrew here'. Prince Andrew may be forced to QUIT his nine military roles 'within weeks' as Grenadier Guards veteran calls for him to step down as regiment's Colonel after not attending any official functions since sex scandal broke Prince Andrew could be forced to quit up to nine military roles as legal action against him comes to a head this month and growing anger about his 'toxic' friendship with convicted child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The Duke of York has reportedly not been at a single military event since he stepped back from royal duties two years ago over allegations he had sex three times with one of Jeffrey Epstein's young 'slaves'. This afternoon a legal document the Duke of York's lawyer believes will stop the civil sex lawsuit against the royal is expected to be unsealed and made public. A hearing will then be held tomorrow. If he fails to get Virginia Roberts Giuffre's civil case against him thrown out of a New York court this week, military chiefs have said that it could be time for him to go. On Friday he suffered a setback in his US sex case, after his lawyers admitted he has no proof over his notorious claim he cannot sweat after serving in the Falklands, as he said in a car crash Newsnight interview two years ago when denying her allegations. In his Newsnight interview he also told interviewer Emily Maitlis that on the date Miss Roberts says they slept together in London, he was at a Pizza Express in Woking. He has been told to prove this too. One source told the Daily Express: 'Events are moving very quickly. The Duke of York could be forced to give up all of his military titles in a matter of weeks', adding that Andrew's friendship with Maxwell and Epstein was 'toxic' and made his position 'untenable'. The final decision on military titles falls to the Queen, but military insiders hope he will quit to avoid being sacked by his mother. Today it also emerged the Grenadier Guards officers 'are uncomfortable having to drink to the health of Prince Andrew at the end of regimental dinners' as the first veteran goes on the record saying he should step down as regiment's Colonel ahead of key court battle in New York. Former lance sergeant and three-time veteran of Afghanistan, Julian Perreira said: 'Being allowed to retain his role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards and other military titles, Prince Andrew will put a stain on the regiment's proud history and will devalue the hard work of past and future generations of Grenadiers. He must step down immediately.' Advertisement Ms Giuffre is suing the Queen's son for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. She is seeking unspecified damages, but there is speculation the sum could be in the millions of dollars. She claims she was trafficked by disgraced financier Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was aged 17 and a minor under US law. Andrew has denied all the allegations. Judge Kaplan last week denied a motion from Andrew's lawyers to halt the civil proceedings while the issue of where Ms Giuffre lives is dealt with. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend and Andrew's friend, faces the rest of her life in jail after she was convicted last week of helping to procure teenage girls for the disgraced financier to sexually abuse. Buckingham Palace 'sleepwalked' into the Prince Andrew crisis and has been paralysed with indecision over how to handle things, it was claimed. Senior royal insiders said the duke operated with 'impunity' as a member of the Royal Family because staff were 'too scared' to stand up to him. And they say the idea he could still return to public life, despite the swirling controversy around his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, must be quashed. The comments came as Andrew suffered two setbacks in his US sex case, admitting he has no proof over his infamous claim he cannot sweat and also seeing the judge throw out an attempt to stall the case. Lawyers for his accuser Virginia Roberts, who is suing the prince for damages in a New York civil case, have demanded he hand over evidence he does not perspire, as he said in a car crash Newsnight interview two years ago when denying her allegations. But his legal team said 'no documents exist in his possession, custody or control' to back the claim. And the judge denied Andrew's requests to delay the case after he claimed Miss Roberts cannot sue in the US on the grounds that she lives in Australia. The prince was seen in public yesterday for the first time since his friend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted of multiple counts of child sex trafficking for her boyfriend Epstein, driving himself to Windsor Castle. In his Newsnight interview he also told interviewer Emily Maitlis that on the date Miss Roberts says they slept together in London, he was at a Pizza Express in Woking. He has been told to prove this too. Miss Roberts, now Giuffre, claims she slept with Andrew three times in 2001, at a time when she was 17 and under the control of Epstein. The prince vehemently denies the accusations. But pressure has increased on him this week following Maxwell's conviction. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior former royal adviser stressed that while there was no knowledge of the extent of the duke's friendship with Epstein and Maxwell to anyone outside of the prince's private office, the 'Andrew problem' was a long-running issue for the royal household in general. 'Anyone who even dared to offer their professional advice that maybe his way wasn't the right one was met with a decisive 'f*** off out of my office',' the source said. Lawyers for Prince Andrew's accuser are demanding he hand over any documents which explain why he doesn't sweat - his alibi for never having met her. He is pictured at a Trump nightclub in 2001 The account is backed up by other former royal staff, all of whom claim the prince acted as if he 'didn't have to answer to anyone' and was allowed to 'go rogue'. Andrew admits he has no proof over notorious claim he can't sweat Prince Andrew suffered a setback in his US sex case, after admitting he has no proof over his infamous claim he cannot sweat and also seeing the judge throw out an attempt to stall the case. Lawyers for his accuser, who is suing the prince for damages in a New York civil case, have demanded he hand over evidence he does not perspire, as he said in a car crash Newsnight interview two years ago when denying her allegations. But his legal team said 'no documents exist in his possession, custody or control' to back the claim. Advertisement Particularly troublesome, it was said, was Andrew's role as a roving trade 'ambassador', which saw him repeatedly criticised for cosying up to highly controversial world leaders and businessmen. A former Buckingham Palace staff member recalled how it was an 'impossible job' to persuade the prince or his advisers to take any instruction. 'The duke made clear that the only person he answered to was the Queen,' they said. 'He wouldn't take advice from anyone. [He] acted with total impunity and staff were just too scared to stand up to him as a member of the Royal Family. Her Majesty almost always backed him and he fully exploited that. 'There's an element of Buckingham Palace sleepwalking into this whole crisis. Andrew would tell his family that it was all untrue and it would all go away.' Andrew stepped back from official duties following the Newsnight interview. But the insiders said it was 'unsatisfactory' the option of his return to public life remained open. 'It would be better for all concerned to lance that boil now, once and for all,' they said. On Tuesday, Andrew will try again to have the case brought by Miss Roberts thrown out. But in court papers filed on Friday, her legal team made it clear they would test his Newsnight alibi, when he disputed her claim he was sweating while they danced together in a London nightclub by saying he had a 'peculiar medical condition' which made it 'impossible' for him to perspire. Lawyers want the court to order him to hand over proof about his 'alleged medical condition of anhidrosis'. And they could ask for his former police bodyguards to testify about the duke's whereabouts at the time Miss Roberts says they were having sex. Buckingham Palace declined to comment last night. The peak of Australia's Omicron outbreak could be in sight, scientists say, just weeks after the first community transmission was recorded. Australia tallied its highest number of daily Covid-19 infections since the pandemic began on Monday with 36,742 cases, after enjoying nearly two years of relatively low infection rates. Almost 60 per cent, 20,794 infections, were in NSW as the state recorded its third biggest daily total while Victoria, Queensland, the ACT and South Australia all reported their highest ever numbers of cases. Fears remain that NSW and Victoria could record up to 100,000 cases a day by the the end of January as horror maps of both states break down the worst-hit regions. But federal health officials are quietly hopeful the worst of the Omicron wave could be over within weeks with international modelling showing promising signs that the variant peaks quickly before petering out just eight weeks later. This map from NSW Health shows how far Omicron has spread across the state and which areas have been worst hit (in black) and regions least affected (in yellow) Australia recorded 36,742 new Covid infections on Monday with the vast majority predicted to be of the Omicron variant (pictured, a woman in Sydney) TOP 10 NSW COVID HOTSPOTS 1. Canterbury-Bankstown: 10,301 2. City of Sydney: 8,236 3. Blacktown: 8,031 active cases 4. Sutherland Shire: 6,393 5. Cumberland: 6,285 6. Liverpool: 5,567 7. Fairfield: 4,999 7. Bayside: 4,958 8. Randwick: 4,824 9. The Hills Shire: 4,231 10. Penrith: 4,149 Source: NSW Health Advertisement Senior officials are keeping a close eye on the latest data from South Africa, which has experienced a sharp decline in infections, just two months after the Omicron variant was first discovered there. They're optimistic about reports from South Africa that it's over the worst of the Omicron outbreak. 'We are not willing to call it yet, but we are heartened by the direction in South Africa,' a senior health official told The Australian. 'There are genuine grounds for hope. And the hope is that this is an indication of what is happening globally.' The data from South Africa is backed up by modelling from Columbia University in the US, which shows a rapid surge in infection is often short-lived. South Korea has also announced the peak of its Omicron wave is over with no spike in hospitalisations or deaths. A western Sydney primary school pupil became Australia's first known locally-acquired infection of the Omicron variant on December 2. Four weeks on, most of the 140,000 active cases in NSW are believed to be Omicron with at least 1,000 active cases in every Sydney local government area except four. Three are on Sydney's lower north shore with North Sydney, Mosman, and Willoughby, along with Burwood in the city's inner-west. In terms of active cases, the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area in western Sydney is the highest with 10,301, followed by City of Sydney, Blacktown, Sutherland Shire and Cumberland. In regional areas, Central Coast leads the way with 3,959 active cases, followed by Lake Macquarie (2,989), Newcastle (3,081) and Wollongong (2,488). Every Sydney local government area except four has more than 1,000 active cases (shaded in black) This map shows the breakdown of in Sydney cases on December 16, where no council area was yet to hit 1,000 cases recorded. Areas in yellow had less than 10 cases Just two weeks ago on December 22, only small pockets of Sydney had more than 1,000 cases (in black) Western Sydney has taken over as the state's worst hit local health district with 4,047 of the 20,794 cases on Monday, closely followed by South Western Sydney with 3,966, South Eastern Sydney (3,576) Sydney CBD (2,122) and Northern Sydney (1,889). Omicron cases also continue to soar in regional areas with 1,612 of Monday's cases in the Hunter New England local health district, 535 in the Illawarra Shoalhaven south of Sydney and 514 on the and Central Coast. If you're looking to escape Omicron, the least likely regional areas of being potentially exposed to the virus include Hay, Gilgandra, Brewarrina, Murray River, Central Darling, Balranald, Weddin, Bland and Narranderra. University of NSW epidemiologist James Wood predicts the Omicron wave to rise and taper off rapidly, based on the outbreaks experienced in South Africa, New York and London. He believes cities were likely to see a peak before the regions and that different states will be hit worst at different times. 'In general, I expect the case peak to be within the next one to three weeks in NSW (delayed a week or two in other states), with hospital occupancy peaking about a week later,' Professor Wood told the Australian. Health officials are quietly hopeful the worst of Australia's horror Omicron wave will be over within weeks (pictured, Sydneysiders at Bondi on Monday) Victoria's cases are also mostly spread across the centre of Melbourne (pictured in dark blue) Of the 38,118 active cases across Victoria, the vast majority (34,466) are in Melbourne. Pictured is how cases are spread out across the state Victoria recorded 8,577 new cases on Monday, a new daily record for new infections for the state and a 20 per cent increase from Sunday's figure. The local government area of Melbourne has the highest number of active cases in the state with 2,362, followed by Brimbank (2,018), Casey (1,832) and Hume (1,653). VICTORIA'S TOP FIVE COVID HOTSPOTS 1. Melbourne: 2,362 active cases 2. Brimbank: 2,018 3 Casey: 1,832 4. Hume: 1,653 5. Moreland: 1,311 Source: Victoria Health Advertisement But in case rate per 100,000 residents, Port Phillip is leading with 1,333.9, followed by Melbourne (1,319.9), Stonnington (1,184.5), Yarra (1,096.6) and Maribyrnong (1,000.6). Of the the state's 38,118 active cases, the vast majority (34,466) are in the Melbourne. Outside of Melbourne, the Greater Geelong region has 835 active cases, followed by Ballarat (166), Latrobe (157), Surf Coast (148) Greater Bendigo (147), Mildura (130) and Shepparton (126). Victoria has recorded 23,000 cases in the first three days of 2022 and has already exceeded its annual total in 2020, which included a horror wave where Melbourne spent 112 days in lockdown. 'It shows you how fast Omicron is moving across the eastern seaboard,' the state's Covid commander Jeroen Weimar said on Monday. 'It shows you how rapidly we all need to move and adapt our behaviours to meet this oncoming challenge and this wave is now certainly right upon us.' Victoria recorded 8,577 new cases on Monday, a new state daily record for new infections (pictured, a Melbourne drive-through clinic) Victoria has recorded 23,000 cases in the first three days of 2022. Pictured is a breakdown of cases in regions across the state AUSTRALIA'S NEW COVID RULES Who should get a PCR test? Anyone who has symptoms or who has got a positive rapid antigen test New definition of close contact: Someone who has spent at least four hours in a household or a care facility with a positive case. Workplaces do not count. New isolation period: Positive people and close contacts must isolate for seven days or 10 in SA. This is regardless of whether the close contacts test negative or not Timing: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT implemented the new rules on New Year's Eve. Tasmania followed on January 1 while the Northern Territory and Western Australia will not adopt the scheme until they get more Covid cases in the weeks ahead. Advertisement Testing centres are still experiencing huge demand with queues stretching back several kilometres in some areas (pictured, queues back up outside a testing centre in Mascot, NSW, on Monday) Queensland is also racing toward a peak of the highly contagious Omicron variant, with most of the population likely to be exposed 'within weeks', the state's health boss has warned. Daily cases in the Sunshine State surged to a record 4,249 from 30,806 tests on Monday, taking the state's active tally to 20,239. Chief health officer John Gerrard warned Omicron continued to defy predictive modelling trends But he believes the peak would last for weeks rather than months. 'It's very different, what we're experiencing at the moment. The Omicron strain has made it a little bit more difficult because of the rapid rise in the number of cases we're seeing,' he said. 'We're expecting in the next few weeks very substantial numbers of people to get infected - all of us are going to be exposed in the next few weeks.' Queensland also recorded its highest daily total on Monday with the state's health boss predicting most of the population likely to be exposed 'within weeks' (pictured, Brisbane women queuing to be tested on Sunday) Hospital cases are creeping up across all states (pictured, Covid ICU staff at St Vincent's in Sydney) A courier who was told by bosses 'we are not a charity' after he suffered a heart attack and was refused sick pay has won nearly 30,000 for unfair dismissal. Peter Strickland was ignored by his employers at All Job Trading Ltd after he was left unable to drive due to suffering a focal seizure resulting in blackouts. When he did eventually speak to his manager, David Gibson, to query problems with his pay, he was dismissed and told 'we're not a charity you know'. Mr Strickland, who had been a courier for the company for 17 years, told an employment tribunal he was left 'humiliated'. Peter Strickland was ignored by his employers at All Job Trading Ltd after he was left unable to drive due to suffering a focal seizure resulting in blackouts Employment judge Alan Strain awarded him nearly 25,000 for unfair dismissal and a further 5,000 for 'injury to feelings'. Judge Strain said: 'On the basis of the evidence given by the claimant, the tribunal accepted and found that the reason, or principal reason, for the termination of his employment was the claimant's absence from work due to his myocardial infarction. 'The claimant had been dismissed without any prior warning or notice. 'The first he was aware was when he made numerous attempts to clarify his status with the respondent, which were ignored and was met with hostility and derision by Mr Gibson. 'The tribunal concluded that, in all the circumstances, the termination of his employment in this manner was substantively and procedurally unfair.' The tribunal heard Mr Strickland began working as a courier in 2002 and was transferred between different companies - the most recent being All Job Trading Ltd in Bathgate, West Lothian. He primarily carried out work for DX Document Exchange, a private business-to-business network. On November 13, 2018, he suffered a heart attack and had to undergo surgery. While in hospital he suffered a focal seizure resulting in blackouts and a lack of awareness of what was happening around him. He was required to disclose this to the DVLA and his licence was revoked for one year. His wife notified his bosses about the heart attack. Mr Strickland submitted sick notes and, at first, was paid sick pay - but in June the following year, he discovered he had not been paid. The tribunal judgment states: 'He called the respondent's director, Tomas Jajko, to query this and was told he was too busy to speak to him. 'The claimant made several further attempts to contact the respondent about his employment status and sick pay. He received no response. 'He sent emails and texts to the respondent's directors David Gibson and Tomas Jajko. 'Eventually he did get to speak to Mr Gibson in June 2019 by telephone. 'Mr Gibson told the claimant 'we're not a charity you know'. 'The respondent did not make any further payment of sick pay to the claimant and the claimant considered his employment had been terminated with effect from June 2, 2019.' Judge Strain found Mr Strickland suffered disability discrimination and harassment at the hands of his bosses and awarded a 10 per cent uplift on his award due to the way they handled his case. The judge said: 'The comments made to the effect that the respondent was not a charity were insensitive, inappropriate and unreasonable. 'The remarks were clearly unwanted conduct related to his disability* and the tribunal had no doubt as to the impact of the comments on the claimant. 'The comments had the purpose or effect of violating the claimant's dignity and created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for him.' Iran has vowed revenge against the 'assassin' Donald Trump unless he faces trial and 'retribution' for an airstrike that killed revered Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. President Ebrahim Raisi issued the vengeful diatribe on the second anniversary of Soleimani's death as thousands gathered for memorial services at mosques in Iran and allied countries across the Middle East. The day of mourning exploded with violence in Baghdad this morning as two 'suicide drones' were shot out of the sky after targeting US troops at the airport. A photo of one of the drones showed 'Soleimani's revenge' was scrawled in Arabic on its wing. Hackers also hijacked media in Iran's sworn enemy country, Israel, with an ominous image of a missile being fired from a finger with a ring like Soleimani used to wear appearing on the homepage of the Jerusalem Post. Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the shadowy operations arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, with links to jihadists in Iraq, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Syria and Yemen. The commander was blown up in his motorcade by a Reaper drone missile outside Baghdad airport in 2020 in a strike ordered by Trump after intelligence revealed Soleimani was planning attacks on American soldiers in Iraq. Addressing Tehran's largest mosque, Raisi said: 'The aggressor and the main assassin, the then president of the United States, must face justice and retribution' alongside former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo 'and other criminals'. 'Otherwise, I will tell all US leaders that without a doubt the hand of revenge will emerge from the sleeve of the Muslim nation.' A soldier inspects the wreckage after the drone targeting US forces at Baghdad airport was shot down this morning Scrawled in Arabic across one of the wings of the drones shot down this morning was the message 'Soleimani's revenge' Soleimani (pictured in 2013) headed the Quds Force, the shadowy operations arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, with links to jihadists in Iraq, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Syria and Yemen The commander was blown up in his motorcade by a Reaper drone missile outside Baghdad airport in 2020 in a strike ordered by Trump (pictured in July) after intelligence revealed Soleimani was planning attacks on American soldiers in Iraq Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi delivers a speech during a ceremony in the capital Tehran, on January 3 Iranians take part in a ceremony marking the the second death anniversary of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force Qasem Soleimani at the Mosallah Mosque in Tehran The wreckage of a drone is seen at Baghdad airport, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Two armed drones were shot down at the Baghdad airport on Monday, a U.S.-led coalition official said, Terrorist general with the blood of THOUSANDS on his hands Qassem Soleimani was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies. The 62-year-old head of the Quds, or Jerusalem, Force of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Soleimani shaped Tehran's foreign policy throughout the Middle East. US officials say the Guard under Soleimani taught Iraqi militants how to manufacture and use especially deadly roadside bombs against US troops after the invasion of Iraq. Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power and Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard in its wake. He deployed to Iran's northwest with forces that put down Kurdish unrest following the revolution. In 1980, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries long, bloody eight-year war. Soleimani became known for his opposition to 'meaningless deaths' on the battlefield, while still weeping at times with fervor when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually. Soleimani's charisma propelled him to the senior officer ranks. In 1998, he was named commander of the Quds Force. His profile rose suddenly when he was pushed forward as the public face of Iran's intervention in the Syrian conflict from 2013, appearing in battlefield photos, documentaries - and even being featured in a music video and animated film. Western leaders saw him as central to Iran's ties with militia groups including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas. Advertisement Trump - under whom tensions over Iran's nuclear programme escalated, leading to a new and painful sanctions regime - ordered the assassination which brought the enemies to the brink of a direct military confrontation. Washington said at the time that Soleimani was planning imminent action against US personnel in Iraq, a war-battered country long torn between principal allies Washington and Tehran. The January 3, 2020 US strike killed Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy leader of the Iran-backed Hashed al-Shaabi coalition of armed groups. The night-time strike ordered by Trump struck a convoy in which Soleimani and Muhandis were travelling on the edge of the airport. Soleimani, commonly known as the second-most powerful man in Iran and tipped as a future president, was so badly maimed in the strike that he had to be identified by a large ring he wore on his finger. He had just landed in Baghdad airport on a plane from either Syria or Lebanon around 12.30am when he was met on the tarmac by Muhandis, deputy commander of the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq. Muhandis pulled up to the aircraft steps in two cars before Soleimani and Mohammed Ridha Jabri, public relations chief for the PMF who had been traveling with him, climbed inside and were driven away. Moments later, as the cars passed through a cargo area headed for an access road leading out of the airport, the convoy was struck by missiles fired by an MQ-9 Reaper drone - a deadly unmanned aircraft that is designed primarily for offensive strikes. Both vehicles were instantly reduced to smoldering wrecks - killing Soleimani, Muhandis and three others. Iran responded days later by firing missiles at bases hosting US troops in Iraq. No one was killed but Washington said dozens suffered traumatic brain injuries. Amid the heightened tensions Iran also accidentally downed a Ukrainian passenger jet on January 8, 2020, killing all 176 people aboard. Soleimani's funeral drew millions, and his martyr's portrait can now be seen on streets, in squares and on buildings from Tehran to southern Lebanon and Gaza. Mourners, including members of Iraq's al-Hashed al-Shaabi ex-paramilitary alliance, take part in a symbolic funeral procession towards the tomb of slain Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in the central holy shrine city of Najaf, on Monday, with photos of Al-Muhandis (right) and Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani (left) held aloft Yemeni Huthis supporters attend a vigil commemorating the second anniversary of the killing in Iraq of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani (potrait) and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a US raid, in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on January 3 Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force Qassem Soleimani Instead of displaying a main news page, the website showed an illustration that appeared to recall top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani who was assassinated Commemorations were held this year across Iran as well as at Baghdad airport, in the Iraqi Shiite holy city of Najaf, in Gaza City and elsewhere. Before dawn on Monday, two armed drones targeted a Baghdad airport site used by the US-led coalition against the Islamic State group. 'Two fixed-wing suicide drones, or improvised cruise missiles, attempted to attack Baghdad Airport this morning at approximately 4:30 am' (0130 GMT), a coalition official told AFP in the Iraqi capital. A counter-rocket, artillery and mortar, or C-RAM, system 'engaged them and they were shot down without incident,' added the source, speaking on condition of anonymity. Photos obtained by AFP from the coalition official show remains of one of the drones, with the message 'commanders' revenge operations' written on it. The drone after being shot down following an attempted attack on a compound at Baghdad airport in the early hours of Monday The aftermath of the deadly Reaper drone strike on Soleimani's convoy outside Baghdad airport The death of Soleimani (left), a figure deeply ingrained in the Iranian regime who many had assumed would be the country's next leader, brought Iran and America to the brink of all-out war. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis had been instrumental in leading attacks on the US embassy (pictured right, outside the building) A massive funeral with thousands all dressed in black lined the streets of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani's hometown of Kerman in Iran in January 2020 Hackers also attacked media in Iran's other sworn enemy country, Israel, with a threatening message that appeared linked to the Soleimani killing. The website of the English-language Jerusalem Post and the Twitter account of Hebrew-language Maariv were taken over with a picture of a fist firing a shell out of a ring with a red stone, like one Soleimani used to wear. The Jerusalem Post said its website was hacked to feature an image of a model of Israel's Dimona nuclear facility being blown up, along with the message 'we are close to you where you do not think about it' in English and Hebrew. Israel fears Iran's nuclear programme aims to acquire weapons to harm the Jewish state, and the two countries regularly issue hints threatening strikes against one another. In the Palestinian coastal enclave of Gaza, a ceremony was also held Monday to commemorate the second anniversary of the killings. Later Monday the leader of Lebanon's Iranian backed Hezbollah movement, Hassan Nasrallah, was also due to speak. A social media influencer has apologised after a series of racist tweets she wrote 10 years ago resurfaced. Elle Darby, 26, had written a series of 'shameful' messages when she was a teenager, using racial slurs and insulting several ethnic groups. Mother-of-one Ms Darby, who has 770,000 Instagram followers, had called foreigners 'meatheads' who 'speak in grunts', and said she 'hates Polish people and Indians really' on an old Twitter account, which has since been deleted. Ms Darby, who uploads family vlogs and lifestyle videos, has now apologised and said she feels ashamed of her historic posts, adding that she wants to 'take responsibility' for her actions. In one of the resurfaced tweets, originally posted in 2011, she wrote: 'Why do foreign people follow me? I don't speak your grunts, meatheads.' She also posted: 'I really miss my laptop. Wish that effin charger from HK (Hong Kong) would hurry up. Come on ch***s, you're upsetting me.' Ms Darby also wrote: 'This bus is sweaty and stinks of Indians.' She had also said that she prefers her 'pretty four labrador retrievers to my ugly, spiteful, mongrel cat. That b***h can go back to the RSPCA.' Elle Darby, 26, had written a series of 'shameful' messages when she was a teenager, using racial slurs and insulting several ethnic groups Mother-of-one Ms Darby, who has 770,000 Instagram followers, had called foreigners 'meatheads' who 'speak in grunts', and said she 'hates Polish people and Indians really' on an old Twitter account, which has since been deleted Fans also said that old accounts belonging to her fiance and fellow influencer Connor Swift contained similar racist words. One screenshot posted online appeared to show him tweeting: 'Looked like a black man after work, through all the dust I collected. #StillLookedhot.' The couple have now apologised, writing just before the new year: 'Christmas and New Year are traditionally a time for reflection and as such we decided to take some time to look through both of our histories on social. 'We are ashamed to admit that we did not like what we found. 'The both of us were shocked, surprised and devastated by some of the language used in our very old tweets in particular over a decade ago. 'We feel that we all have a responsibility for our own mistakes and to try and take responsibility for our actions, especially the ones that don't paint us in the best light. 'These comments are not a reflection of who either of us are as grown adults, nor who we were at the time they were made, and do not align with what we stand for. 'We are beyond angry at ourselves and ashamed that our behaviour will have been hurtful to some of you who have supported our family for so long. 'We can only wish for your forgiveness.' Ms Darby, who uploads family vlogs and lifestyle videos, has now apologised and said she feels ashamed of her historic posts, adding that she wants to 'take responsibility' for her actions Ms Darby, who uploads family vlogs and lifestyle videos, has now apologised and said she feels ashamed of her historic posts, adding that she wants to 'take responsibility' for her actions' Some social media users expressed anger over the comments and were sceptical about the apology Some social media users expressed anger over the comments and were sceptical about the apology. One user wrote: 'I'm not sure why @elledarby claims she did her own reflecting and looked through her own socials. You were caught out and never would have owned up otherwise.' A second said: 'Woke up in 2022 to find out Elle Darby is a racist happy new year.' Another wrote: 'The recent news on Elle Darby should be a lesson to every single one of us that glorifying and idolising ''influencers'' is so beyond ridiculous, I don't even have words. I get it assuming the worse is beyond draining, but you don't know these people or their true intentions.' One tweet, which has more than 1,300 likes, posts screenshots of the historic comments. The author, Mollie Ben, writes: 'Elle Darby and Connor Swift are presented as a couple online to look up to as 'goals' but their views and language are inexcusable. How do they have the following they have? Shame on the brands working with them #BLM.' MailOnline has contacted Ms Darby's management, Gleam Futures, for comment. A Danish health chief has said the Covid-19 Omicron variant is bringing about the end of the pandemic, saying 'we will have our normal lives back in two months'. Speaking to Danish TV 2, Tyra Grove Krause - the chief epidemiologist at Denmark's State Serum Institute - said a new study from the organisation found that the risk of hospitalisation from Omicron is half that seen with the Delta variant. This, she said, has given Danish authorities hope that the Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark could be over in two months. Speaking to Danish TV 2, Tyra Grove Krause (pictured) - the chief epidemiologist at Denmark's State Serum Institute - said that a new study from the organisation found that the risk of hospitalisation from Omicron is half that seen with the Delta variant 'I think we will have that in the next two months, and then I hope the infection will start to subside and we get our normal lives back,' she said on Monday. Despite early fears that Omicron could prolong the pandemic due to its increased level of infection, Ms Krause said it actually could spell the end of the pandemic. According to the study: 'Omicron is here to stay, and it will provide some massive spread of infection in the coming month. When it's over, we're in a better place than we were before.' But while infection numbers in countries with the variant are soaring, the expert said that the highly infectious Omicron appears milder than the Delta variant, and therefore more people will be infected without having serious symptoms. As a result, she said, this will provide a good level of immunity in the population. Denmark has seen a spike in new cases in recent weeks, and on Sunday recorded its highest ever seven-day average infections, recording an average of 20,886 across the previous week, or 3,592.74 per million people - one of Europe's highest rates. It reported its highest ever new infections on December 27 (41,035). By comparison, the UK's seven-day average daily new confirmed Covid-19 cases per million people sits at 2,823.31 as on Monday, while in the United States, that number is 1,215.76 - lower than many countries in Europe. Ms Krause stressed that there was still work to be done to beat the pandemic in the coming months, however. 'Omicron will peak at the end of January, and in February we will see declining infection pressure and a decreasing pressure on the health care system,' she said. 'But we have to make an effort in January, because it will be hard to get through.' Pictured: People queue for rapid COVID-19 test in the center of Aalborg, Denmark, to the test site at Budolfi Church, Thursday, December 23, 2021. Danish officials are hopeful that Omicron could spell the end of the pandemic The epidemiologist said Danes should continue to follow the now well-known measures to help slow the spread, such as good hygiene, social distancing where possible, and staying at home when symptoms present themselves. Omicron's increasing spread will continue to put pressure on Denmark's healthcare system, she said. 'This is definitely what will be the challenge in the future.' Professor Lars stergaard, chief physician at the Department of Infectious Diseases at Aarhus University Hospital, also looked towards the end of the pandemic in comments made on January 1. He said that while the coronavirus will not be characterised as a pandemic forever, it will likely never fully disappear. I never think we'll ever wave goodbye to the corona,' he said. 'But we want such a good immunity in the population - partly because of new vaccines, partly because people have been infected - that we can handle it as another of the infections we know that come especially in the winter month.' Ms Krause agreed, saying: 'In the long run, we are in a place where coronavirus is here, but where we have restrained it, and only the particularly vulnerable need to be vaccinated up to the next winter season.' Ms Krause's optimistic comments came three days after the World Health Organisation made a similarly hopeful statement about Omicron. 'If we put an end to inequality, we will put an end to the pandemic and the global nightmare that we have all gone through,' WHO chief Tedro's Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a speech on New Years Eve. But the WHO also warned warned of trying times ahead, saying Omicron could lead to 'a tsunami of cases'. 'This... will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers, and health systems on the brink of collapse,' Ghebreyesus said. Many Western leaders have been hesitant to reimpose strict controls seen in 2020, for fear of sparking a new economic downturn. But on-again-off-again restrictions have still prompted frequent, vocal and occasionally violent anti-lockdown, anti-vaccine and anti-government protests. Experts and non-experts alike hope that 2022 may be remembered as a new, less deadly phase of the pandemic. A further 3.75 million Australians are eligible to get a Covid booster jab from Tuesday, after the waiting time following a second dose was slashed to just four months. This means anyone who got their second jab on September 4 or earlier can now get a booster, and should contact their GP or local pharmacy to organise an appointment. The decision was made back in December to change the rules on January 4 to help give people a fighting change at beating off the Omicron variant, thought to make up the majority of the country's new cases. A record 36,742 cases were recorded across the country on Monday, with the likely number thought to be much higher. Research from UNSW found that while two jabs of a Covid vaccine are not as effective at tackling Omicron than other variants, a booster shot can provide as much as 98.2 per cent protection against severe infection and 86.2 against symptomatic infection. The gap for a booster will shorten further to three months from January 31, Health Minister Greg Hunt said. HOW CAN I GET A BOOSTER? Covid boosters are being administered at GP clinics, pharmacies and other types of health care provides. Click here to scan the full list and book your appointment. Australians can opt for either the Pfizer or Moderna jabs, regardless of what type of vaccine they've received previously. You must be fully-vaccinated, ie two doses of one jab, to be eligible for a booster. A booster is different from a third dose, which is recommended for severely immunocompromised people, and is a different dosage to a booster. Advertisement 'On the basis of advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, it's no surprise we will be bringing forward the eligibility for the booster dose to four months as of 4 January,' Mr Hunt said. 'It will be expanded again on the 31st of January to three months and that will take it out to 16 million Australians who will be eligible at that point in time. 'As we have said all along, eligibility is the beginning of access, it doesn't mean that somebody is overdue the very day they become eligible.' Professor Kelly said receiving one of the first two doses of a Covid vaccine was still the most important priority for the vaccination program. 'We have seen a rise in intensive care patients in New South Wales in recent days, almost all of those have been unvaccinated,' Prof Kelly said. Anyone who got their second Covid vaccine four months ago - so on September 4 or earlier - can now get a booster (pictured, a Pfizer vaccine is given out in Sydney) He said the reasons for bringing forward the booster dosing was to protect those most at risk of severe disease and because, based on international advice, protection from two doses of a Covid vaccine began to wane over time. 'I will stress, just because you get to three months or five months or six months, it doesn't mean that you immediately that day lose your protection. That is not the case,' Prof Kelly said. 'It does decrease over time. It remains in place for severe infection but it is diminished for Omicron compared with Delta. 'Again, with the booster, it [protection] goes back towards the same levels as Delta. It will be an important and is already becoming an important part of our control of the current Omicron wave in Australia.' A record 36,742 cases were recorded across the country on Monday, with the likely number thought to be much higher, as Australians race to get their booster jabs (pictured, a vaccine queue on Sydney's Pitt Street) Professor Kelly urged vulnerable people - the elderly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those with chronic disease and those who are immunocompromised - to come forward first for booster jabs. 'And just a real shoutout to anyone who is pregnant or is planning to be pregnant - these vaccines are very safe in pregnancy,' Prof Kelly said. 'We know now very clearly that both the woman who is pregnant and their unborn child, they are both at risk from this virus and vaccine does protect and is safe.' Prof Kelly said the delay in switching to three months for a booster after a second vaccine jab was an implementation issue. 'Throughout this vaccination schedule, there's a sense that everyone wants to be vaccinated on the first day an announcement is made, that is not necessary and indeed is not possible.' The planned vaccination of 5-11-year-olds beginning on January 5 was not a factor in the delay of the announcement regarding boosters, Mr Hunt said. Prof Kelly said there were now 10,000 places in Australia people could get the third jab. 'We have our GPs, our pharmacists, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, they're all available, they'll all do booster shots, they're already doing booster shots and that will roll out as we go,' he said. Mr Hunt claimed extra supplies ordered of Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax would accommodate a fourth or even fifth booster for the Australian population in 2022. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was rushed to hospital early Monday morning for treatment of a probable intestinal obstruction. Bolsonaro, 66, was on vacation at the beach in the southern state of Santa Catarina when the pain started, leading to an evacuation to Sao Paulo in the presidential plane. He was seen disembarking on foot surrounded by his entourage before being admitted to Vila Nova Star hospital and later posted a picture of himself in bed, flashing the thumbs-up sign. The President was stabbed during a campaign rally three years ago, causing intestinal damage and serious internal bleeding, which has required at least four surgeries. President Jair Bolsonaro, 66, was on vacation at the beach in the southern state of Santa Catarina when the pain started, leading to an evacuation to Sao Paulo in the presidential plane. He later posted a picture of himself (above) in bed on Twitter, flashing the thumbs-up sign Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (pictured in Brasilia in November) was rushed to hospital early Monday morning for treatment of a probable intestinal obstruction In July, he was admitted to hospital for further treatment after suffering from hiccups for ten days straight as a result of his gastrointestinal trouble. 'I started feeling unwell after lunch Sunday. I arrived at the hospital at 3:00 am today,' he tweeted after being admitted to Vila Nova Star hospital in Sao Paulo. 'They gave me a nasogastric tube,' a device to carry food and medicine to the stomach through the nose. 'They'll be doing more exams to decide if I need surgery,' he added. Bolsonaro's office said he was 'doing well.' Brazilian channel TV Globo carried images of him walking unassisted as he disembarked from his plane with his entourage. Bolsonaro's medical team said he was suffering from an 'intestinal subocclusion,' a partial blockage of the intestinal tract. 'He is stable, undergoing treatment and will be reevaluated throughout the morning,' his doctors said in a statement. In July (pictured), Bolsonaro was hospitalised after suffering from hiccups for ten days straight as a result of his gastrointestinal trouble 'At the moment, there is no forecast for his release.' The surgeon who has operated on Bolsonaro in the past, Dr. Antonio Luiz Macedo - who was himself on vacation in the Bahamas - will arrive at 3.00pm local time, the president said. Macedo told news site UOL the president would undergo a battery of tests. About a month before he was elected president, Bolsonaro was stabbed at a campaign rally by a man who was found to be psychologically unfit for trial. The horrifying moment was caught on several cameras as the assailant struck Bolsonaro in the stomach. The politician was being carried on the shoulders of a supporter while shaking hands with his fans when the assailant rushed up to him and plunged the blade into his torso. Bolsonaro was seen collapsing and clutching his stomach in agony. The then-candidate would normally have been wearing a bullet-proof vest provided by the federal police but on this occasion had decided to forego protection. Scotland's top disease expert was facing a backlash today after suggesting that the country's current Covid ban on large public gatherings could be in place until April. National Clinical Director Jason Leitch raised the spectre of restrictions lasting well into spring when asked about how hospitality firms could recoup 20million lost when Hogmanay was cancelled. Speaking to The World This Weekend on BBC Radio 4, the national clinical director dismissed calls to reschedule Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party to April as being too soon for mass events. His comments come as hospitality firms continue to struggle under restrictions which mean pubs and restaurants must have table service only, and one metre social distancing between groups. Night clubs were closed on December 27 for at least three weeks. And he faced pushback from the industry and opposition MSPs. Former Scots Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said: 'This cannot be allowed to happen. Businesses and fans were promised a three-week breaker. ScotGov cannot extend in perpetuity when the evidence suggests the opposite.' And Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UK Hospitality, added: 'If it is too early to think about gatherings in April in Scotland, it is time serious support was provided to tourism and hospitality businesses.' Daily coronavirus cases in Scotland are the highest on record at 20,217, according to the latest data. National Clinical Director Jason Leitch raised the spectre of restrictions lasting well into spring when asked about how hospitality firms could recoup 20million lost when Hogmanay was cancelled. Around 30,000 people were due to attend Hogmanay in Edinburgh (2020 event pictured) but it was cancelled on December 21 as Omicron spread. Former Scots Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said: 'This cannot be allowed to happen. Businesses and fans were promised a three-week breaker' The figures published by the Scottish Government today show 65,860 new tests for Covid-19 reported results and 34.9 per cent were positive. The figures include a note advising of delays in between tests being taken and results being reported but saying Public Health Scotland is monitoring the situation. There were 1,031 people in hospital on Sunday with recently confirmed Covid-19 and 38 were in intensive care. A total of 4,383,212 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, 4,017,051 have received a second dose, and 2,992,583 have received a third dose or booster. On the BBC yesterday, Nick Stewart, managing director of Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh, suggested Edinburgh's party could be held later this year. Around 30,000 people were due to attend but it was cancelled on December 21 as Omicron spread. Mr Stewart said: 'I would love to see Scotland choosing to reschedule the whole of Hogmanay. 'Edinburgh [should have] a huge party around April when we know that everyone can come, pretty much all restrictions will no longer be in place, and the whole city decides this is what we are doing.' However, Professor Leitch said a mass public event in April 'might be slightly too early'. He said: 'I like an Edinburgh night out like any other person. Whether we can bring that forward to April, the jury is still out. 'We are hopeful. We have now got data from South Africa, from University College London, from Denmark and, crucially, Edinburgh that suggests serious disease is certainly less with this variant, maybe as much as three-quarters less. 'But let's put that in perspective 2,500 Delta cases [per day] gets you 50 people in hospital. 'You need 10,000 Omicron cases for the same number of admissions and Scotland is at 15,000. Omicron is encouraging compared to Delta, but Delta was a very low bar.' Gavin Stevenson, vice-chairman of the Night Time Industries Association in Scotland, claimed there had been an 80 per cent drop in footfall on Hogmanay, which may have cost the sector 20million. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Monday it has created a new branch of the military dedicated to developing the country's space security capabilities. The launch of the Military Space Branch, Saturday, came as South Korea has been striving to craft space operation concepts and strategies based on inter-service cooperation amid an intensifying rivalry among major space powers in the emerging security domain. "Space powers, including the United States, China, Russia and Japan, have been expanding budgets substantially to get the upper hand in the space domain and making all-out efforts to develop related technologies," the JCS said in a press release. The JCS also stressed that a country's ability to use space is "directly linked" to its overall national capabilities. The military has recently been stepping up efforts to devise inter-service space operations to enhance efficiency as all branches of the armed services had been separately working on their own concepts. The country's space development efforts gained traction after Seoul and Washington agreed to lift "missile guidelines" restrictions in May. The guidelines had barred Seoul from developing or possessing ballistic missiles with a range greater than 800 kilometers. (Yonhap) Gino D'Acampo's My Pasta Bar chain has gone under after running up debts of 5million, with the Italian TV chef calling in liquidators after the firm lost thousands over its 10 years in business - while staff are still owed 37,000 in wages. Mr D'Acampo, 45, is understood to earn around 2 million annually from television work, including hosting Family Fortunes and regular appearances on This Morning. He is also a former winner of ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!. However, the celebrity chef's chain owes 4,939,332 to 49 creditors, in addition to 113,975 to HMRC and 37,887 in staff wages, according to paperwork lodged with Companies House. Accounts from the parent company show it has 1.65m in investments, which includes 821,494 in property, The Sun reports. Celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo pictured on the set of ITV's This Morning All three of the My Pasta Bars are located in London. The first opened in Fleet Street in 2013, followed by Leadenhall Market and Bishopsgate Gino D' Acampo My Pasta Bar in Leadenhall Market, London, one of three restaurants in the city Gino (centre) pictured with Fred Sirieix (left) and Gordon Ramsay (right) while filming Gordon, Gino, Fred Go Greek for ITV Gino also hosts Family Fortunes on ITV and is believed to earn around 2 million from his television work How Gino's My Pasta Bar lost hundreds of thousands every year The celebrity chef's chain owes 4,939,332 to 49 creditors, in addition to 113,975 to HMRC and 37,887 in staff wages, according to paperwork lodged with Companies House. Accounts from the parent company show it has 1.65m in investments, which includes 821,494 in property. The documents show the Pasta Bar Specialists Ltd had shareholder funds of -139,992 in 2013, which rose to more than 5 million by 2020. 2013: -139,992 2014: -147,090 2015: -1,688,799 2016: -2,398,951 2017: -3,179,965 2018: -3,705,575 2019: -4,370,932 2020: -5,053,225 Advertisement All three of the My Pasta Bars are located in London. The first opened in Fleet Street in 2013, followed by Leadenhall Market and Bishopsgate. Inspiration for the restaurant chain was taken from 'Gino's own experience of the fresh food markets of Naples', while it also contains his 'own breakfast rotolini pastries, authentic antipasti, salads, pastries, speciality breads and Italian desserts'. His separate restaurant chain, named Gino D'Acampo with venues in Birmingham, Manchester, Harrogate, Leeds, Liverpool and Hull, is unaffected. That chain, though was bailed out by Iceland supermarket boss Sir Malcolm Walker after facing losses even before lockdown struck. They are now listed as being part of the Individual Restaurant Group, which is run by Iceland bosses. Mt D'Acampo's agency has been contacted for comment. The chef grew up in Naples, before moving to the UK and opened his first restaurant age 21. He told The Daily Mail yesterday that it is important to bank memories, not money, in relation to his work-life balance. Gino said: 'Well, I can see you run here, you run there. The danger is that by running everywhere, youre missing out on the many beautiful things the world has to offer. My suggestion is to stop running, stop working and enjoy what youve built up. 'Now I work for six months running my restaurants, then we spend half the year at our vineyard in Sardinia. I dont do one day more of work than I do of holiday. 'Otherwise, I see myself as a failure as a father and a husband, because I dont give enough time to the people around me. Id rather bank memories than money.' The amount of office space in England dropped by 18million square feet during the pandemic, according to official data - with expects saying it will continue to plunge. The 2 per cent fall in the 12 months to March 2021 was a reduction equivalent to around 35 times the floor space in the Gherkin building in the City of London. Commercial property analysts said the fall would be a 'trend going forward' as people continue to work from home or go into the office a few days each week, with up to one in ten offices expected to be no longer needed within just five years' time. The Valuation Office Agency data, which was analysed by law firm Boodle Hatfield, also showed the fall was bigger in smaller cities and not in central business districts. The worst-hit area was the city of Derby - and experts added that much of the UK's decommissioned office space is expected to be converted to residential property. Average office occupancy levels in England fell to just 10 per cent in the week before Christmas after new restrictions came in, having previously got above 20 per cent. A hand sanitiser station is pictured next to empty chairs in a Central London office today Rows of empty chairs in an office in Central London on bank holiday Monday today The data revealed a huge plunge in national office usage in the year following the country being put into its first national lockdown, reported the Financial Times. This was partially because construction work was also halted in many areas when restrictions first began in March 2020, with developers having 'remained wary since'. Top 10 areas with the largest proportion of office space being taken out of use Derby -20% Brent (North London) -19% Brentwood (Essex) -18% Sout h ampton - 18% Ealing (West London) - 14% Woking (Surrey) - 10% Blackpool (Lancashire) -7% Copeland (Cumbria) -6% Fylde (Lancashire) -6% Bassetlaw (Nottinghamshire) -6% Percentage is the difference when 2021/20 is compared to 2019/20 level Advertisement The analysis found office space in Greater London fell by 3 per cent over the period, while the plunge was more than twice that in outer London. The areas with the highest proportion of office space lost were Derby (20 per cent), Brent in North London (19 per cent), Brentwood in Essex and Southampton (both 18 per cent) and Ealing (14 per cent) in West London. The analysis looked at office space that has been permanently taken out of use, rather than space that is currently vacant without a tenant. David Rawlence, an associate at Boodle Hatfield, said: 'Coronavirus has shaken up the commercial property landscape, resulting in substantial quantities of office space being put out of use. This has been particularly evident in smaller cities and outer London suburbs.' He added: 'Businesses are increasingly looking for high-spec office space with all the mod cons in order to tempt workers back into the office. 'Spaces that facilitate collaboration between colleagues, with amenities that promote mental wellbeing such as gyms and relaxation rooms. Such spaces will be the most attractive to prospective commercial tenants.' The firm added that offices in prime locations with good connections to public transport links and local amenities will continue to appeal to businesses. Commuters on a Bakerloo line Underground train carriage at 5.25pm during the evening rush hour on December 13 last year, the day new working from home guidance came into force Office workers walk through Canary Wharf in London in the morning rush hour last October However, its experts added that commercial landlords may need to be prepared to offer more flexible lease terms, better quality office space and amenities. What is the official Government advice on working from home? The following is taken from Gov.UK: Office workers who can work from home should do so from Monday 13 December. Anyone who cannot work from home should continue to go into work - for example, to access equipment necessary for their role or where their role must be completed in person. In-person working will be necessary in some cases to continue the effective and accessible delivery of some public services and private industries. If you need to continue to go into work, consider taking lateral flow tests regularly to manage your own risk and the risk to others. Employers should consider whether home working is appropriate for workers facing mental or physical health difficulties, or those with a particularly challenging home working environment. Advertisement Analysts said the amount of office space has probably fallen further since March 2021 because of a shift towards a more long-term model of working from home. Commercial property expert Mat Oakley told the FT: 'Our view is we don't need as much office space in the UK or anywhere else if high levels of agile working remain.' The Savills head of European commercial property research said it was 'reasonable to say' the fall in space is 'a trend going forward and a trend that needs to happen'. Just today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterated the Government's advice in place since last month that people should work from home where possible. Similar advice has been a common feature of the lockdowns, and was most recently brought in as part of Plan B measures to help combat the Omicron variant. Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to a vaccination hub at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, he said: 'I think the way forward for the country as a whole is to continue with the path that we're on. We'll will keep everything under review. 'The mixture of things that we're doing at the moment is, I think, the right one. 'So, number one, continue with Plan B, make sure that people take it seriously, do what we can to stop the spread, use the Plan B measures, work from home if you can, wear a mask on public transport... take a test before going out to meet people you don't normally meet, think about the the requirements under Plan B, but also get the boost.' People who have a cold or the flu should stay at home and self-isolate 'for a few days', one of the UK's leading scientists has suggested. Sir Frank Atherton, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said the coronavirus crisis should prompt the nation to 'think about how we behave as a society' when people are ill. He said 'we probably need to move to a position' where anyone who has a viral infection self-isolates to prevent making other people sick. The comments came as the UK struggles with the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Sir Frank Atherton, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said the coronavirus crisis should prompt the nation to 'think about how we behave as a society' when people are ill Current coronavirus rules in England, Wales and Northern Ireland state that anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 must quarantine for a period of seven days. They can then leave self-isolation if they test negative on days six and seven. It is 10 days in Scotland. The current surge in Covid cases combined with the self-isolation rules is putting pressure on key services because a significant proportion of the workforce is having to stay at home. There are growing calls from business leaders and MPs for the Government to cut the self-isolation period to just five days but ministers have so far insisted they are sticking with the seven day rule. Sir Frank told Times Radio yesterday that the coronavirus crisis should prompt a discussion about how people behave in the future when they have a cold or the flu. He said: 'Looking beyond the current wave, even, we need to think about how we behave as a society when we have any of these infections. Sir Frank said 'we probably need to move to a position' where anyone who has a viral infection self-isolates to prevent making other people sick (stock image) 'Whether it's flu or the common cold, or coronavirus, we probably need to move to a position where anybody who has a viral infection of that nature self-isolates, whether they're an adult or a child, for a few days, just to stop it transmitting.' He suggested that 'anybody who has a cold' should stay at home to curb the spread of disease. He said: 'I would say anybody who has a cold, or symptoms of a cold a runny nose, a cough, sneezing, is it really appropriate for you to go on a train or a plane or a bus? You know, stay home, get better.' A woman and her pitbull were shot dead at a store Sunday night in what appears to be the second murder of the new year after a 2021 that saw the highest number of homicides in a decade. Jennifer Ynoa, 36, stood in front of the counter at Salim Smoke Shop and & Lottery Corp on Dekalb Avenue in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn shortly before 10pm Sunday. Surveillance footage shows her holding a leash as a man approaches the door and points a gun at her from outside of the store. She was pronounced dead at Brooklyn Hospital and her dog also died, according to the New York Police Department. It has been reported that she was caught in the middle as the gunman opened fire on someone inside the store, but a NYPD spokesman told DailyMail.com that it's unclear whether she knew the gunman or if he was aiming at someone else. The killing comes as New York City reported 481 murders through December 30, up from 468 in 2021 and the highest since 2011's 515 murders. Jennifer Ynoa, 36, was pronounced dead at Brooklyn Hospital after she was shot dead at a Brooklyn smoke shop Sunday night Ynoa held her dog on a leash in front of the counter at Salim Smoke Shop and & Lottery Corp in Bed-Stuy shortly before 10pm Sunday Police say her pitbull, above, also died at the scene and was covered with a trash bag as officers investigated Overall crime in the city is also up by 6 percent - setting up a challenge for incoming mayor Eric Adams as he tries to rehabilitate the city's image following a crime-ridden year under previous mayor Bill de Blasio. As of Thursday, the city has recorded 481 murders which has been fueled by an increase in gun crime, according to city data. The last time the city hit over 500 murders was in 2011, under then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, when homicides ended up totaling 515. The rest of the decade had seen a sharp decrease in murders, going down to 419 in 2012 and heading as low as 292 in 2017 under de Blasio. No arrests have been made in the Sunday night murder of Ynoa. Police are still investigating whether she knew the gunman or if he was even aiming at her. She reportedly left a trail of blood as she left the store. Her dog died on the sidewalk. Police covered its body with a trash bag as they investigated. Ynoa's Twitter states that she lives in the neighborhood where she died. Ynoa's Twitter states that she lives in the neighborhood where she died A man approached the door and points a gun at Ynoa from outside of the store. No arrests have been made in her death yet Murders have gone up in New York City each of the last three years, with numbers hitting a 10-year high in 2021 Crime overall went up 6.13 percent in New York City from 2020 through December 26, with felony assaults up nearly 10 percent Eric Adams, whose term began on New Year's Day, faces the task of rehabilitating the city's image after a crime-ridden year under former mayor Bill de Blasio Sunday night's incident appears to be the second murder of the new year, after an unidentified woman was found lying on the sidewalk in Astoria, Queens just before 9pm on Saturday. She had been stabbed multiple times and later died at Astoria General Hospital. No witnesses or suspects have been identified in the killing. Between November 28 and December 26, homicides were double what they were in the same period in 2020, with 41 murders compared to 24 in 2020. Overall, crime has risen 6.13 percent in New York City over 2020 through December 26. A woman was found stabbed to death near a diner in Queens on New Year's Day, making it the first known murder of 2022 The biggest rise came in felony assaults like the ones previously mentioned, which rose 9.6 percent from 2020. Murders (4.1 percent), shooting victims (0.6 percent), rapes (3.3 percent), and robberies (4.7 percent) also rose in 2021. On New Years' Day, an off-duty cop was shot in the head while he was taking a nap in his car between shifts in East Harlem. The officer, who has only been identified by the name Keith, was finishing a late shift in the area when he decided to take a nap in the police parking lot outside the 25th precinct to rest before his next in the early morning. He then woke up at around 6.15am when he noticed the window of his vehicle was shattered and blood dripping profusely from his head. A sergeant from the precinct assisted the officer to the New York Presbyterian Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. The wounded officer had the bullet fragments removed from his head and was found to have suffered a fractured skull. He is expected to make a full recovery. A NYPD officer woke up on Saturday morning to discover he received a bullet to the head while he was sleeping in his car between shifts in East Harlem The bullet, which has since been recovered, was shot through the officer's window Adams spoke about the incident outside of the hospital as he is determined to end gun violence on the streets of NYC during his term. 'We must not only find a gun but we must also find the person who discharged the weapon and we must find those who believe they will destroy our city with gun and gang violence,' Adams said at the conference. 'That is not going to happen.' The new NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell joined Adams at the hospital who also promised to resolve gun violence issues that have been plaguing the city. 'We are extremely grateful that our officer is recovering as we know this could have been a very tragic outcome,' Sewell said. 'I also do believe this incident underscores that there are far too many guns out there in the wrong hands.' Keechant Sewell, 49, is the new NYPD commissioner after being chosen by incoming Mayor Eric Adams At the conference, Sewell also showed spectators where the bullet had hit the vehicle and noted that other officers in the area did not hear the gunshot at the time. She also noted that NYPD officers were working long hour shifts due to staffing problems related to the pandemic. A motive for the shooting has not been released yet as it remains unclear if the officer had been target. Patrick Lynch, the President of the Police Benevolent Association, also spoke out on the current hazards facing NYPD officers as it shows the severity of problems facing the city. 'He was in a police parking lot and was still shot,' he said. 'It shows us the dangers police officers face always.' The investigation of the shooting remains underway as police are offering a $10,000 to those with more information. Two lost 19-year-old hikers wrote 'SOS' in the deep snow on Oregon's Swastika Mountain and were spotted by rescuers on January 1st - nine days after first setting out. Christian Farnsworth and Parker Jasmer, both of Oregon, gave themselves the 'best chance of being rescued' by leaving the signal for rescuers, staying near their vehicle and keeping close to major logging roads, said Lieutenant Maggie Champin, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard's Sector North Bend, who rescued the pair. The pair were unharmed and were evacuated from Umpqua National Forest via helicopter to the nearby Eugene Airport. When the pair were found, they hadn't eaten a meal in five days, Farnsworth's mother, Katrina Crawford, told DailyMail.com. Periodically, they turned on the heat in their vehicle to keep warm - until they ran out of gasoline. The two teens drove up the mountain on December 23rd around 5.30 pm and erected a wooden teepee with wood they found in the area on top of tarps while there were just inches of snow on the ground. When they woke up the next morning, an additional foot of snow had accumulated. 'Then, the next day it DUMPED and they were flat-out stuck,' Mrs. Crawford said, leaving them unable to drive back down the mountain. Farnsworth's parents alerted police when he failed to come to their Utah home for the Christmas holiday on December 29th after he'd told them he was going winter camping on December 23rd with his friend, 'Parker.' With no information on where, precisely, her son was camping in Oregon, Mrs. Crawford told Dailymail.com that she feared her son would 'literally freeze to death before we found his location.' Scroll down for video Christian Farnsworth, 19 (pictured left) and Parker Jasmer, 19 (pictured right) were stranded in the wilderness for nine days on Swastika Mountain in the Umpqua National Forest From a helicopter, rescuers spotted the 2003 red Chevy Blazer LS that the pair had traveled in around 2 pm on January 1st 'All we got, was that he was with his friend Parker, whom we knew little about, he left out his last name,' Mrs. Crawford said. 'No location, No vehicle information. And he neglected to check the weather. So, when he didnt return home the next morning, we contacted police to report them missing.' Mrs. Crawford launched a robust social media campaign, spreading the boys' faces and scant information that she had as soon as she was able to identify her son's friend. The pair were found on Swastika Mountain in Umpqua National Forest Initially, Farnsworth's family listed the Terwilliger Hot Springs in Blue River Oregon and the Molalla Hills Area as 'possible locations' for the two teens. Due to especially heavy snow in the area, the Lane County Sheriff's Department needed the Coast Guard's help to find the two teens. Pictured is the Sector North Bend Coast Guard's search and rescue team Chris Farnsworth (pictured) left his parents with scant information, telling them he was going winter camping on December 23rd with his friend, 'Parker.' When he never returned home, they were left to piece together where he had gone Initially, she listed the Terwilliger Hot Springs in Blue River Oregon and the Molalla Hills Area as 'possible locations' for the two teens. Parker Jasmer, pictured, sent his parents a text message on December 23rd telling them that he and Farnsworth would be on Swastika Mountain in Oregon. Were it not for that message, Farnsworth's mother told DailyMail.com, 'those boys would still be out there' Farnsworth's family combed their son's social media accounts for friends named 'Parker,' but were unable to find his camping companion. However, the missing boy's sister recalled that Parker was a licensed Certified Nursing Assistant, and was able pinpoint her brother's friend's identity by trawling through CNA licensing data online to find nursing assistants named 'Parker' that lived in the same area in Oregon. From there, Farnsworth's family reached out to Jasmer's, and were able to confirm that their sons were friends and were camping together. On December 23, Jasmer sent his parents a text message, telling them that the pair were headed out to Swastika Mountain. 'Had that not been the case, those boys would still be out there,' Mrs. Crawford told DailyMail.com With his parents' cooperation, the Marion County Sheriff's Department was able to get a ping from his phone from a nearby cellphone tower, giving searchers a place to start. Due to especially heavy snow in the area, the Lane County Sheriff's Department needed the Coast Guard's help to find the two teens. Mrs. Crawford launched a robust social media campaign, spreading the boys' faces and scant information that she had as soon as she was able to identify her son's friend From a helicopter, rescuers spotted the 2003 red Chevy Blazer LS that the pair had traveled in around 2 pm on January 1st - Mrs. Farnsworth told DailyMail.com that the vehicle is still out on the mountain, although the boys were winched up into the helicopter and whisked to safety. Not only did the Sector North Bend Coast Guard's rescue team find the two boys - they also spotted two more hikers on the mountain who needed help, and told Lane County searchers where they were. Hurricane-level wind gusts of 55-60 miles per hour were predicted along the Oregon coast the next day. Mrs. Crawford told DailyMail.com that her son was 'convinced he could have made it out there another two weeks.' But she told DailyMail.com that she 'wanted people to talk about this with their kids,' and stressed the 'the absolute importance of clear communication, because this was hell.' Advertisement President Joe Biden was finally able to disembark from Air Force One on Monday after he was stuck on board for 30 minutes while airport personnel struggled to get the stairs through the thick snow on the tarmac. The truck hauling the stairs moved slowly through the thick snow with ground workers helping to push it as a winter storm Frida swept through the capital and forced federal government buildings and schools to close. Biden, 79, walked down the stairs carefully, one hand on the rail and the other held up to his face to brace himself from the wintry conditions that have brought parts of the East Coast to a halt. He swayed in the snow as he landed in D.C. faced with the task of trying to reverse disastrous poll numbers that sit in the low 40s, reignite his stalled agenda on Capitol Hill and battle the surge of Omicron that has seen record-breaking rates of infections across the country. Vice President Kamala Harris is also struggling to define her role and the Democratic Party faces a possible Republican landslide in the 2022 midterm elections. In an unusual move, a Secret Service agent walked right behind the president on the stairs. Usually they keep a few feet back to stay out of the camera shot. Last March, the president slipped and fell on the stairs while boarding the presidential plane. The presidential car, known as The Beast, was waiting for him. For the snowy drive back to the White House, Biden used the SUV version of his car instead of the armored limousine. It took the motorcade over an hour to make the journey from Joint Base Andrews. Typically, given that roads are cleared for the president and sirens are blaring, it takes about half that time. President Joe Biden was finally able to disembark from Air Force One on Monday after he was stuck on board for 30 minutes as airport personnel struggled to get the stairs through the thick snow on the tarmac Biden, 79, walked down the stairs carefully, one hand on the rail and the other held up to his face to brace himself from the driving snow. Snow rained down hard, causing the president to sway as he made his way off the plane Biden was stuck on the plane while airport personnel struggled to bring the stair lift through the snow so he could exit Biden boards his SUV for the drive back to the White House President Joe Biden's motorcade parks in the snow outside of the West Wing after delivering him from Joint Base Andrews to the White House White House staff and reporters walk in the snow outside of the West Wing of the White House President Biden's motorcade waits for him by Air Force One Air Force staff de-ice the president's plane At times the motorcade went about 20 mph - it usually speeds along at over 60mph. The convey of cars stopped at one point for six minutes on the snowy road way. Reporters traveling with the motorcade reported their van slipped around on the drive, that trees were downed alongside the road and some cars were stranded on the sidelines. Biden was one of many D.C. area residents struggling with the heavy snow fall that has blanketed the area. On Capitol Hill, U.S. Capitol Police closed the grounds as snow caused tree branches to fall. As much as 10 inches of snow is forecast for the District of Columbia, northern Virginia and central Maryland. Additionally COVID cases are causing a mini lockdown across the nation and inflation continues to run rampant, causing a surge in prices of food, energy and rent. Midterm elections are almost always a referendum on the current president and most modern presidents have seen their party lose seats in Congress during them. After a bruising holiday week of flight cancellations and record surges in COVID-19 cases, the powerful winter storm Monday further snarled US transport, with nearly 3,500 flights canceled by 10 am on Monday. Many COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites were closed in Virginia and in Maryland due to the inclement weather. The snow also grounded President Joe Biden's helicopter, so he drove to the White House from Andrews Air Force Base in suburban Maryland after a weekend in Delaware. According to the NWS, the snow storm is expected to affect the East Coast through Thursday at 7 am. Biden's low poll numbers come as he tries to coax the Senate into passing his mammoth social safety program, Build Back Better. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin essentially killed it when he announced he could not support it in its current form. He is reportedly open to negotiations, particularly if the enhanced child tax credit extension is limited. Meanwhile, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced Monday the Senate will vote on filibuster rules changes to advance stalled voting legislation that President Biden is pushing. Additionally, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, the country recorded its highest seven-day average number of cases on January 2, with 413,304 people testing positive for the virus over the past week. At the same time, however, there were 1,350 new deaths on a seven-day average. That number is far lower than the seven-day average recorded at the peak of winter in January 2021, where the US averaged around 3,300 deaths. The president was returning from his six-day New Year's holiday break in Wilmington, Delaware, as snow caused the federal government to close and schools to be canceled. He was originally scheduled to fly on Marine One from Delaware straight to the South Lawn of the White House. Instead of he took Air Force One to Joint Base Andrews and took the presidential motorcade back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Additionally, the White House canceled Jen Psaki's first press briefing of the new year on Monday. 'Because federal offices in the Washington, DC area are closed, there will be no press briefing today,' the White House said. Psaki's last press briefing was December 23. She did not brief over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Biden, meanwhile, will go ahead with his plan to meet virtually with farmers and ranchers to discuss rising meat prices. Traffic was forced to wait longer at intersections lining the motorcade route, with Biden's trip from Joint Base Andrews from the White House taking an hour rather than the usual 30 minutes The Washington Monument is seen surrounded by thick snow in a photo taken from the press bus in Biden's motorcade On Capitol Hill, U.S. Capitol Police closed the grounds as snow caused tree branches to fall The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning until 4 pm EST Monday for certain areas in the East Coast Trucks and cars slip and slide on the I-495, the Capitol Beltway, in the winter storm that swept Washington D.C. Workers clear snow from the sidewalks adjacent to the White House A man from Austin, Texas, braves the wintry conditions to take a selfie at the White House with his family Forecast Map of Winter Storm Frida moving across the East Coast, with up to 10 inches of snow forecast in areas Forecast Map of Winter Storm Frida - Large winter weather system moving across Washington DC and the mid-atlantic Monday January 3 Two girls visiting from Boulder, Colorado, enjoy the flurries as a winter storm delivers heavy snow to the Capitol in Washington President Joe Biden boarded Air Force One in the snow to travel from his New Year's break in Wilmington, Del., back to Washington D.C. Up to 10 inches of snow is forecast for Washington D.C. and the surrounding area The decision to cancel Psaki's press briefing came after the White House Correspondents Association decided to scale down the number of reporters in the White House press briefing room as the Omicron variant of COVID continues to cause a spike in case numbers. Washington D.C. has become a hot spot for the disease with one of the highest case rates and hospitalization rates in the nation. In Virginia and Maryland, the highest case spikes are in the DC suburbs. 'Given the virulence of the spread, medical experts have once again advised that it would be prudent to substantially reduce the number of people working in the cramped, poorly ventilated workspace that we share,' WHCA president Steven Portnoy wrote in a message to correspondents on Sunday evening. The 49 seats in the briefing room has been decreased to 14, a practice that was in place during the height of the pandemic in order to maintain social distancing and help contain the spread of COVID. Over the past few weeks, the correspondents association has encouraged reporters to wear N95 masks and not to come to the White House unless necessary for work. There have been a few breakthrough cases of COVID among the reporters who cover President Joe Biden. The WHCA will review the arrangement and the latest COVID figures later this month to determine if the reduced seating needs to remain in place. The White House imposed those severe limits on the room's capacity for the first time on March 16, 2020, when the pandemic caused the country to shut down. Capacity in the press room was increased to 50 percent, or 24 seats, on May 24. It returned to full capacity in June 2021. AOC's ex-communications director says Biden is 'old as s***', 'deeply unpopular', has been 'largely ineffective' and the Democrats will get 'demolished' in the midterms Corbin Trent (right, pictured with Ocasio-Cortez in 2019 when he worked as her communications director) co-founded Justice Democrats, the progressive group that discovered and backed the firebrand lawmaker's successful primary bid against former New York Rep. Joe Crowley Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's former communications director tore into President Joe Biden over the weekend, calling the 79-year-old commander-in-chief 'old as s***' and predicting he'll get Democrats 'demolished' in this year's November midterms. Corbin Trent, who worked in the Democrat firebrand's Congressional office and then her re-election campaign before abruptly departing in March 2020, told Politico that Biden is 'deeply unpopular' and vulnerable to a left-wing primary challenge. 'People will smell opportunity, and D.C. is filled with people who want to be president,' he said. 'Hes deeply unpopular. Hes old as shit. Hes largely been ineffective, unless were counting judges or whatever the hell inside-baseball scorecard were using. And I think hell probably get demolished in the midterms.' Trent co-founded the progressive group Justice Democrats, which guided Ocasio-Cortez to her stunning upset victory against former New York Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley. He also worked for Bernie Sanders' 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, the latter of which posed a significant challenge to Biden's own White House bid. Multiple polls have projected Republicans taking back control of Congress in November. Last year's off-year races, which were seen by some as a referendum on Biden's first year, saw Democrats finish with a lackluster performance in multiple state legislatures, local offices and even lose the governorship of Virginia. Another fellow Sanders alum, the Vermont senator's former presidential campaign manager Jeff Weaver, told Politico that Biden is certain to face a primary opponent but said the possibility only grew likely after Senator Joe Manchin delivered a massive blow to his Build Back Better bill last month. 'Will there be a progressive challenger? Yes,' Weaver said. He added that an opponent on the left would be more a symbol of progressives' rising popularity than a rebuke of Biden's presidency. 'Progressives are ultimately ascendant. And if nothing else, a progressive running who gets a lot of support will demonstrate that the ideas that the progressive movement embraces are, in fact, popular,' Weaver said. But rather than a big name challenger like Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or Cory Booker, one progressive is quoted in the report predicting lower-profile Democrats will come to the forefront. Advertisement Snow falls at the White House on Monday. Winter storm Frida has closed schools and shut government officers in D.C. The White House as snow falls in Washington D.C. Snow caused the federal government to shut down on Monday - above the White House in the snow fall Meanwhile, the capacity of the 49-seat White House briefing room will be decreased to 14 reporters as COVID cases are on the rise (above, Psaki briefs a smaller capacity room on March 4) The press room had its capacity reduced during Donald Trump's administration when the country was on lockdown for COVID; it returned to normal capacity in June 2021 Snow blows sideways in gusty wind as a woman strolls with a dog at Federal Hill Park View of a stranded car on the highway as major winter snow storm hitting the Northern Virginia area cripples traffic at the start of the work week in the new year View of a stranded bus as a major winter snow storm hitting the Northern Virginia area cripples traffic at the start of the work week in the new year A street is covered in snow in Bethesda, Maryland on January 3, 2022. - A winter storm is bringing heavy snow to Washington, DC and the mid-Atlantic region on Monday Lily Siu, left, and Maya Siu play on a snow-covered playground at Federal Hill Park, Monday, January 3, 2022, in Baltimore YouTube has removed Joe Rogan's interview with the scientist who helped invent mRNA vaccines and who claimed that the US is now like Nazi Germany with society 'hypnotized' to believe in vaccines and extreme pandemic measures. Dr Robert Malone's Twitter account, where he boasted more than 500,000 followers, has also been suspended for violating the platform's rules. During the three-hour and six-minute interview on the now-viral episode #1757 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Malone claimed to be part of the team that invented the mRNA technology used in Covid-19 vaccines. He also talked about vaccine mandates, and said there were similarities between America's current state in the pandemic and Nazi Germany. Similar to Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, the doctor alleged on the podcast posted on New Year's Eve that American society is experiencing a 'mass formation psychosis'. YouTube has removed Joe Rogan's (left) interview with the scientist who helped invent mRNA vaccines Dr Robert Malone (right) and who claimed that the US is now like Nazi Germany with society 'hypnotized' to believe in vaccines and extreme pandemic measures The 61-year-old doctor's account was suspended and Twitter cited a violation of the platform's rules The Joe Rogan Dr. Robert Malone interview is OUT!!! pic.twitter.com/Fwcgi3Dac5 Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) December 31, 2021 Joe Rogan questions big tech for censoring one of the most qualified people in the world to talk about vaccinesDr. Robert Malone. Dr. Robert Malone responds to big tech censoring him. pic.twitter.com/uJiny7449r Mythinformed MKE (@MythinformedMKE) December 31, 2021 Malone, 61, said: 'It was from, basically, European intellectual inquiry into what the heck happened in Germany in the 20s and 30s. Very intelligent, highly educated population, and they went barking mad. 'And how did that happen? The answer is mass formation psychosis. When you have a society that has become decoupled from each other, and has free floating anxiety, in a sense that things don't make sense. We can't understand it. And then their attention gets focused by a leader or series of events on one small point, just like hypnosis. They literally become hypnotized and can be led anywhere.' Rogan later talked about Malone's ban from Twitter, which happened just one day before the podcast was released. 'They removed you for not going along with whatever the tech narrative is because tech clearly has a censorship agenda when it comes to Covid in terms of treatment, in terms of whether or not you are promoting what they would call 'vaccine hesitancy' - they can ban you for that,' Rogan said, adding that Malone is 'one of the most qualified people in the world to talk about vaccines'. Malone responded by questioning: 'If it's not okay for me to be a part of the conversation even though I'm pointing out scientific facts that may be inconvenient, then who is?' Watch the latest video at foxbusiness.com Fox News Privacy Policy Malone questioned the effectiveness of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine in a tweet (pictured) posted the day before his account was suspended on December 30 One Twitter user called the suspension 'vax propaganda' and another said that Malone paid 'the price of being more correct than most, earlier than most' 'Whether or not I'm factually correct or not - and I freely admit no one's perfect. I'm not perfect. It's one of my core points is people should think for themselves. And I try really hard to give people the information and help them to think, not to tell them what to think,' the doctor added, pointing out that 'no one can debate the dispute that I played a major role in the creation of this tech'. Dr Robert Malone's role in developing Covid-19 vaccines Dr Robert Malone came under criticism for speaking out - and tweeting - against vaccines when he was reportedly a key player in developing the mRNA technology used in the Covid-19 jabs. According to Malone's LinkedIn profile, he is the inventor if mRNA and DNA vaccines and a worldwide expert in RNA technologies. Before being suspended from the social media platform, the Harvard Medical School grad's Twitter bio even read: 'I literally invented the mRNA technology when I was 28.' Malone, 61, claims to have invented the mRNA technology used in Covid-19 vaccines when he was just 28 years old Malone, now 61, did, in fact, do intense research in the field of gene transfer. According to a 6,000-word essay written by his wife Jill and reviewed by The Atlantic, Malone in the late 1980s - as a graduate student in biology at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies - injected DNA and RNA into the cells of mice in efforts to create a new kind of vaccine. He authored a 1989 paper telling how RNA could be delivered to cells via lipids - fatty acids - as well as a 1990 paper demonstrating how injecting pure genetic material (DNA or RNA) into a mouse's muscle cells could lead to the creation of new proteins. Malone theorized in the 1990 paper that if the same would go for human cells, the technology 'may provide alternative approaches to vaccine development'. A fellow mRNA-vaccine researcher and lead author of a 2019 history of mRNA vaccine development Rein Verbeke told The Atlantic that he believes Malone 'sparked for the first time the hope that mRNA could have potential as a new drug class'. However, he went on to add that 'the achievement of the mRNA vaccines of today is the accomplishment of a lot of collaborative efforts'. Advertisement In a tweet on Wednesday, the day before his account was suspended, the renowned doctor - who went by @RWMaloneMD on the social media site - wrote: 'Pfizer 6 month data which shows that Pfizer's Covid-19 inoculations cause more illness than they prevent. Plus, an overview of the Pfizer trial flaws in both design and execution.' He accompanied the tweet with a link to the Canadian Covid Care Alliance website. One Twitter user called the suspension 'vax propaganda' and another said that Malone paid 'the price of being more correct than most, earlier than most'. Malone later alleged on the podcast that many of the pharmaceutical companies administering vaccines - such as Pfizer and Moderna - have 'financial conflicts of interest'. In what appeared to be an effort to establish his credibility, Malone reassured: 'I think I'm the only one that doesn't. I'm not getting any money out of this.' Meanwhile, as the creator of the mRNA technology used in Covid vaccines, many questioned why Malone would then speak so strongly against getting jabbed. Malone claimed the answer was simply 'because it's the right thing to do'. 'For me, the reason is: Because what's happening is not right. It's destroying my profession, it's destroying the practice of medicine worldwide, it's destroying public health in medicine.' He continued: 'I'm a vaccinologist. I've spent 30 years developing vaccine. A stupid amount of education learning how to do it and what the rules are. 'And for me, I'm personally offended by watching my discipline get destroyed for no good reason at all except, apparently, financial incentives, and - I don't know - political a**-covering'. The controversial doctor also offered his expertise on the government's Covid-19 response. 'Our government is out of control,' he said, adding: 'They are lawless. They completely disregard bioethics. They completely disregard the federal common rule. they have broken all the rules that I know of - that I have been trained on for years and years and years.' He went on to say that government-imposed vaccine mandates 'are explicitly illegal' as they do not align with the Nuremberg Code and the Belmont Report. According to a research team at the University of North Carolina, the Nuremberg Code is a ten-point system determining what medical experimentation is justifiable on human subjects. Similarly, the Belmont Report established basic ethical principles to guide medical research involving human subjects, as stated by the US Department of Health & Human Resources (HHS). 'They are explicitly illegal and they don't care,' Malone reiterated. The doctor also noted that he has been contacted by multiple lawyers looking to help him file a suit against Twitter. He referenced independent journalist Alex Berenson, who filed a federal lawsuit against the social media platform last month challenging his ban from the service over a tweet questioning the effectiveness of Covid vaccines. The episode was also posted in full on an account not affiliated with Joe Rogan but was also later removed. YouTube cited a violation of Community Guidelines, The Post Millennial reported. However, the audio-only version of the episode is still on Spotify. Yet, despite Malone's claims on the podcast, 62 percent of the American population is vaccinated, according to the Mayo Clinic. Another 73.3 percent have at least one dose of a vaccine. But the jabs haven't stopped the ultra-transmissible Omicron variant from spreading throughout the United States. As of Sunday, Johns Hopkins reported 115,984 new Covid-19 cases and 280 Covid-related death in the previous 24 hours. That same day, the US reported a seven-day average of 402,998 cases. In a study by Columbia University, researchers speculated that the Omicron-fueled cases in the US may reach the peak by January 9, which would see from 2.5million cases to 5.4million cases per week. As the potential peak nears, health experts continue to push Americans to take precautions and get their Covid shots. In response, about 68.8million of the fully vaccinated have also received a third dose - or a booster shot - since August 13, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A wealthy Russian businessman indicted in Boston late last year on hacking and insider trading charges could have access to documents and information about the 2016 election hacking in the U.S. Vladislav Klyushin was extradited to the U.S. from Switzerland late last month and charged with overseeing a multinational scam that pried privileged documents that companies were filing with U.S. regulators before they were public, then trading on the information. Among his employees, and also named in the indictment, is Ivan Yermakov who was among a dozen Russian military intelligence officers former special counsel Robert Mueller indicted in 2018 on charges related to 2016 election hacking. Sources close to the Kremlin and Russia's intelligence sources believe Klyushin has access to documents related to the 2016 hack of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton allies, Bloomberg News reported. Vladislav Klyushin, also known as "Vladislav Kliushin," 41, of Moscow, Russia, was arrested in Switzerland on March 21, 2021 and was extradited to the United States on Dec. 18, 2021 According to the report, the documents establish that a team from Russia's GRU military intelligence unit led the hack, providing the first detailed evidence of the alleged hacking effort. The U.S. is pursuing the case but has not been able to try any of the alleged hackers, who remain outside the U.S. Indictments of people identified as members of the 'Fancy Bear' hacking team charge them with computer hacking, wire fraud, and identity theft. According to the Bloomberg report, Klyushin was approached by U.S. and British spy agencies in the years before he left Russia by private jet for a ski trip with his family in Switzerland. People characterized the extradition as a 'serious intelligence blow' to the Kremlin. If he has documents central to the election hack, Klyushin could try to leverage the information about the election hack in exchange for leniency in the financial crimes he is charged with carrying out. Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Klyushin the Russian medal of honor in 2020 Prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging Klyushin with hacking and securities fraud Nikolai Rumiantcev (left) and Ivan Yermakov (right) were also charged in the scheme Prosecutors working for former special counsel Robert Mueller charged members of a Russian military intelligence unit with hacking Democratic groups during the 2016 elections A backdrop for the high-stakes court fight is a Russian troop buildup along its border with Ukraine Providing a backdrop for the intelligence drama is a tense situation in Ukraine, where Russia's military has massed thousands of troops, and U.S. officials warn of a possible invasion. Russian President, who U.S. officials believe ordered the election hack, has defended Russia's military moves, and is demanding security assurances from the U.S. and NATO on expansion of the alliance and its own military posture on Russia's western flank. The indictment says Klyushin's company, M-13, worked for the Russian government. The company says it provides media monitoring and cyber-security services. But according to the indictment, it hacked reports destined for the Security and Exchange Commission from such firms as Tesla, Roku, Snap and Steel Dynamics. Also charged in the scheme is Nikolai Rumiantcev. Klyushin's insider status is further established by the Russian medal of honor that Putin bestowed on him in June 2020, just 18 months before he left the country. Prosecutors included a photo of the medal in a filing in opposition to Klyushin's bail request to remain confined in an apartment pending his trial. Prosecutors opposed his request to be released on a $2.5 million bond, calling him a flight risk and citing his ownership of a $4 million yacht, a safe containing $3 million, and a Danish trading account responsible for nearly $9 million in transfers over the last year and a half. 'He's accused of crimes he fully intends to defend himself against,' Klyushin's lawyer Maksim Nemtsev said at a bail hearing last month. He said in a filing Klyushin plans to fight the government's case 'in a lawful, professional and principled manner.' The five permanent U.N. Security Council members on Monday issued a statement saying their nuclear weapons were not aimed at each other and that a nuclear war could not be won. 'We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought,' said the U.S., China, France, the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation. 'As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons - for as long as they continue to exist - should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war. 'We believe strongly that the further spread of such weapons must be prevented.' It comes at a moment of high tension between Russia and the U.S. over Ukraine, amid fears that Moscow is about to launch an invasion of its neighbor, and as Washington eyes what it sees as China's growing regional aggression. U.S. defense officials have repeatedly warned that Beijing's advances in weapons technology threaten leave America behind. The statement sets aside those differences to agree to 'prevent an arms race that would benefit none and endanger all.' France, the Peoples Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States - all nuclear armed nations and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - issued a joint statement declaring nuclear war to be unwinnable The joint statement reasserts the declaration by Presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev after their 1985 summit: 'A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought' The statement was released as President Biden is at loggerheads with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over Moscow's build up of troops on the border with Ukraine Analysts welcomed the statement, but said the five nuclear-armed powers needed to follow through on their words with actions In so doing they restate the famous Reagan-Gorbachev declaration from their 1985 summit in Geneva that: 'A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.' The sentiment was welcomed by non-proliferation campaigners and arms reduction analysts, but several said the five nuclear-armed nations needed to go beyond words. As Daryl Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association, tweeted: 'Bottom line: each of the N5 are to varying degrees upgrading and modernizing their deadly arsenals, the risk of a catastrophic n-war still too high, key disarmament commitments have not been kept, the nuclear danger is too high. 'All five must follow-through on their rhetoric.' At the end of last year, the Pentagon claimed China had increased its nuclear arsenal and could have at least 1000 warheads by the end of the decade. And this week China signed a deal with leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean to deepen ties across almost all areas of society in what one analyst likened to a plot to 'take over' the region. As part of the deal, Beijing has committed to supplying the region with 'civilian' nuclear technology, helping to develop 'peaceful' space programmes, building 5G networks of the kind Washington warns will be used to spy on people, and to pumping in cheap loans and financing for 'elaborate development plans.' China has pumped cheap money into Latin America and the Caribbean for years, indebting governments and effectively buying influence. Where it has been unable to loan or buy, it has used armies of cheap workers to build key infrastructure projects, giving it outsized influence. And those ties are set to deepen with the signing of a new cooperation pact The statement also said: 'We reiterate the validity of our previous statements on de-targeting, reaffirming that none of our nuclear weapons are targeted at each other or at any other state' China has even pledged to build schools and fund classes teaching Chinese language and 'culture', though such institutions have been criticized elsewhere for pushing state propaganda and limiting academic freedom. It comes off the back of decades of Chinese investment and development in Latin America and the Caribbean which has seen hundreds of billions of dollars poured into the region to build critical infrastructure such as ports, roads, and power plants in what many believe is an attempt to buy power and influence in America's back yard. 'There are absolutely ambitions for China to become the dominant influence in Latin America,' Mateo Haydar, a researcher at the Heritage Foundation, told the Washington Examiner. The statement was originally expected to be released during a major nuclear treaty conference due to begin on Tuesday at the United Nations. But the meeting has been postponed until August because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The settlement signed by Prince Andrew's accuser that the Duke hopes will lead to the dismissal of her sex assault lawsuit against him was unsealed today. Signed in 2009, Virginia Giuffre agreed to be paid $500,000 by Jeffrey Epstein to resolve the sex abuse case against him. Andrew's lawyers have claimed the agreement would prevent Giuffre from continuing the battery lawsuit she filed against him in 2020 because it absolved him of liability for future cases. But while the document makes no mention of Andrew by name, it does stipulate 'other potential defendants' are included in the agreement. According to that agreement: 'Hereby release, acquit, satisfy, and forever discharge the said Second Parties and any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant ('Other Potential Defendants') from all, and all manner of, action and actions of Virginia Roberts.' It appears the Duke is relying on the vague category of 'other potential defendants' to include him. On Tuesday New York federal judge Lewis Kaplan will rule on whether the settlement can be grounds for a dismissal of Giuffre's case against Andrew. Giuffre, a 38-year-old mother-of-three, sued Andrew in federal court in New York in July for infliction of emotional distress and battery. She claims she was forced to have sex with the Duke three times in 2001 at Epstein's command when she was 17. Andrew strongly denies her claims and has said she is after 'another payday at his expense'. The Duke of York was photographed with his arm around the bare waist of then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts. In the background, Ghislaine Maxwell. Roberts claims she was forced to have sex with the royal three times Giuffre, a 38-year-old mother-of-three, sued Andrew in federal court in New York in July for infliction of emotional distress and battery The developments come at a hellish time for the Duke: last week his former close friend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Epstein. She now faces up to 65 years in jail at her sentencing at a later date. The agreement between Giuffre and Epstein reveals that she accepted $500,000 in order to settle all claims against him. In the 12-page agreement Giuffre agreed to release Epstein's 'agent(s), attorney(s), predecessor(s), successor(s), heir(s), administrator(s), assign(s) and/or employee(s)'. Giuffre also agreed to release 'any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant ('Other Potential Defendants') from all, and all manner of, action and actions of Virginia Roberts, including State or Federal, cause and causes of action (common law or statutory), suitsand demands whatsoever in law or inequity for compensatory or punitive damages'. In his response to Giuffre's allegations, the Duke's lawyer Andrew Brettler argued that since Andrew was identified as 'royalty' in her complaint against Epstein, it meant he qualified as somebody covered in the settlement. Brettler was referring to the fact that Giuffre claimed she was 'required to be sexually exploited by (Epstein's) adult male peers, including royalty, politicians, academicians, businessmen, and/or other professional and personal acquaintances'. Brettler argued that Giuffre dismissed a claim of battery against the lawyer Alan Dershowitz after he raised the same agreement, so she should do the same for the case against Andrew. Last week the Duke suffered a setback when Judge Kaplan rejected his request to halt the case on the grounds that Giuffre doesn't live in the US. Andrew has tried other technical arguments to halt the case and claims that the law that the case was brought under is unconstitutional. The Duke refused to accept service for weeks until Judge Kaplan asked the British legal authorities to intervene and serve him. If the lawsuit moves ahead it will go into the discovery phase and Giuffre's lawyers have already asked for documents that prove Andrew's bizarre claim in an interview that he doesn't sweat. The Duke said this was evidence he didn't have a sweaty night out dancing at a club in London with Giuffre in 2001 before they had sex as she claims. The settlement between Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre has been released. The document makes no mention of Andrew by name Giuffre is seeking unspecified damages, but there is speculation the sum could be in the millions of dollars. She claims she was trafficked by disgraced financier Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was aged 17 and a minor under US law. Giuffre's lawyer David Boies said: 'Our view, as expressed in our briefs to the Court, is that (1 ) Prince Andrew was not a party to, and did not even know about, the Release; (2) Andrew could not be a 'potential defendant' as that term is used in the Release both for the reason he was not subject to jurisdiction in Florida because the abuse happened elsewhere, and for the reason that the claims in Florida were federal claims against people who did the trafficking, not the state law claims made now against Andrew as a person to whom the girls were trafficked; and (3) the actual parties to the Release have made clear Andrew is not covered. 'But what will matter is what the Court's view is'. Brettler declined to comment. Buckingham Palace 'sleepwalked' into the Prince Andrew crisis and has been paralyzed with indecision over how to handle things, it was claimed. Senior royal insiders said the duke operated with 'impunity' as a member of the Royal Family because staff were 'too scared' to stand up to him. And they say the idea he could still return to public life, despite the swirling controversy around his friendship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, must be quashed. The prince was seen in public Friday for the first time since Maxwell was convicted of multiple counts of child sex trafficking for her boyfriend Epstein, driving himself to Windsor Castle. In his Newsnight interview he also told interviewer Emily Maitlis that on the date Roberts says they slept together in London, he was at a Pizza Express in Woking. He has been told to prove this too. Miss Roberts, now Giuffre, claims she slept with Andrew three times in 2001, at a time when she was 17 and under the control of Epstein. The prince vehemently denies the accusations. But pressure has increased on him this week following Maxwell's conviction. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior former royal adviser stressed that while there was no knowledge of the extent of the duke's friendship with Epstein and Maxwell to anyone outside of the prince's private office, the 'Andrew problem' was a long-running issue for the royal household in general. The developments come at a hellish time for the Duke: last week his former close friend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Epstein Prince Andrew came under fire after he was spotted taking a stroll through New York's Central Park with Epstein following his prison term in 2011 'Anyone who even dared to offer their professional advice that maybe his way wasn't the right one was met with a decisive 'f*** off out of my office',' the source said. The account is backed up by other former royal staff, all of whom claim the prince acted as if he 'didn't have to answer to anyone' and was allowed to 'go rogue'. Particularly troublesome, it was said, was Andrew's role as a roving trade 'ambassador', which saw him repeatedly criticized for cozying up to highly controversial world leaders and businessmen. A former Buckingham Palace staff member recalled how it was an 'impossible job' to persuade the prince or his advisers to take any instruction. 'The duke made clear that the only person he answered to was the Queen,' they said. 'He wouldn't take advice from anyone. [He] acted with total impunity and staff were just too scared to stand up to him as a member of the Royal Family. Her Majesty almost always backed him and he fully exploited that. 'There's an element of Buckingham Palace sleepwalking into this whole crisis. Andrew would tell his family that it was all untrue and it would all go away.' Lawyers for Prince Andrew's accuser are demanding he hand over any documents which explain why he doesn't sweat - his alibi for never having met her. He is pictured at a Trump nightclub in 2001 Andrew stepped back from official duties following the Newsnight interview. But the insiders said it was 'unsatisfactory' the option of his return to public life remained open. 'It would be better for all concerned to lance that boil now, once and for all,' they said. On Tuesday, Andrew will try again to have the case brought by Miss Roberts thrown out. But in court papers filed on Friday, her legal team made it clear they would test his Newsnight alibi, when he disputed her claim he was sweating while they danced together in a London nightclub by saying he had a 'peculiar medical condition' which made it 'impossible' for him to perspire. Lawyers want the court to order him to hand over proof about his 'alleged medical condition of anhidrosis'. And they could ask for his former police bodyguards to testify about the duke's whereabouts at the time Miss Roberts says they were having sex. Buckingham Palace declined to comment last night. Indonesia's recent ban on coal exports is expected to have a limited impact on South Korea, the industry ministry said Monday, adding the government has set up a taskforce to closely manage the situation as a precaution. Last week, Jakarta announced it has banned exports of coal in January, citing concerns over widespread blackouts due to low supplies at its domestic power plants. Indonesia is one of the world's major exporters of thermal coal, and around 20 percent of South Korea's coal came from the Southeast Asian country last year. "Despite a limited short-term impact, swift and thorough countermeasures are necessary as energy demand is high in winter," Vice Industry Minister Park Ki-young said in a meeting with officials from the country's embassy in Indonesia and state-run energy companies. The meeting was to assess the situation and discuss measures to prevent any possible fallout, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. During the meeting, the officials said the restriction is expected to partly delay shipments, but around 55 percent of the coal to be imported this month will arrive in South Korea as planned. South Korea also has enough stockpiled, and imports from Australia and other nations are continuing without a hitch, so Indonesia's move will not have a serious impact, the ministry noted. (Yonhap) A judge has approved Ghislaine Maxwell's request for a Covid-19 booster shot after she was found guilty of sex trafficking charges last week. Attorney Bobbi Sternheim asked Judge Alison Nathan if it was possible for her client - who is facing 65 years behind bars - to get the vaccine as she awaits sentencing in jail. Judge Nathan said it was 'available' at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where she is being held and where Maxwell has described as a 'hell hole'. Ghislaine Maxwell, who is facing 65 years in jail after a jury found her guilty last week, requested to get the shot after the verdict was read Judge Nathan said the booster shot was 'available' at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where she is being held, and that she would 'look into it' The court has been advised that Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) is making booster shots available within a week of receiving a request from an inmate. Maxwell's defense team is advised to follow the MDC's instructions for requesting a booster. If a request is made and a booster not provided, Maxwell's lawyers may make a further application to the court. The parties are also ordered to submit a joint letter by January 10, 2022, proposing a schedule for sentencing. The joint letter should also propose a schedule for the perjury counts. Maxwell is facing up to 65 years behind bars after jurors declared her a child sex predator. The long prison sentence faced by Maxwell gives her ample motivation to 'flip' and discuss the actions of others within Epstein's circle. Epstein himself took his own life in jail in New York in August 2019 while awaiting trial. His victims have been calling for others Epstein associated with to be held account, and have pointed out that the disgraced pedophile financier, who died aged 66, counted a plethora of famous faces among his friends. On Wednesday, Maxwell's lawyer Bobbi Sternheim asked Judge Alison Nathan if it was possible for Maxwell to get her booster shot to protect her from Covid-19 Maxwell could now be willing to implicate others, in order to reduce her sentence. Her family said they were 'very disappointed' with the verdict and had already begun the appeal process with the belief she will be 'vindicated'. Her family lawyer, Leah Saffian, who has been a regular in the courtroom sat with her relatives, was spotted by The Miami Herald on Tuesday beckoning over James Hill, a producer for ABC News, to introduce him to Maxwell. Maxwell smiled and appeared to introduce herself to Hill and was heard to say that she was willing to speak to the media, the newspaper reported - before a US Marshal told the journalist to return to his seat. The 60-year-old's legal team are also already working on an appeal but the guilty verdicts will intensify the pressure on Maxwell's friend Prince Andrew to speak to US prosecutors about his time with Epstein. The jury took just over 40 hours to find Maxwell guilty on five of six charges. One of the charges she was guilty of related to Andrew's own accuser Virginia Roberts, now known as Virginia Giuffre, suggesting jurors may have believed she was a sex trafficking victim too. She is suing the duke for alleged rape, which he strenuously denies. Giuffre said she had 'lived with the horrors of Maxwell's abuse' and commended the four women who testified against Maxwell. And Lisa Bloom, a lawyer for some of Epstein's accusers, said she expected Maxwell to spend the rest of her life behind bars, adding: 'She has been lucky to have 60 years of freedom, it is far too much.' Among those suggesting Maxwell could now 'sing like a canary' to get a reduced sentence was Piers Morgan, who warned that many powerful figures might become anxious if she decides to expose accomplices of Epstein. Maxwell's siblings Kevin, Christine and Isabel walked out of court in New York after the vedict and declined to speak to reporters. In a statement, Maxwell's family said she would be 'ultimately vindicated' despite the jury convicting her of five of the six charges The prosecution brought in pictures found in Epstein's mansion in a bid to show that Maxwell and Epstein had been in a relationship He tweeted: 'Will vile sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell now sing like a canary to avoid spending the rest of her life in prison? If she does, there could be a lot of rich, powerful & famous people sweating tonight... and not sweating.' And Walt Disney's great niece and filmmaker Abigail Disney said in a tweet: 'Ghislaine, if you want any redemption at all, I hope you will give up some names, because those fu**ers should not be able to hide any longer.' Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greeney, a Donald Trump ally, added: 'Jeffrey Epstein's entire network should be made public and his fortune should go to his victims.' And fellow Republican Representative Lauren Boebert said the public 'deserves to know every single person involved in the Epstein sex trafficking network'. Maxwell was convicted after six days of deliberation by a jury of six men and six women. They found her guilty on five of six counts - all except enticing an individual aged under 17 to travel with intent to engage in illegal sex acts. Darpa, the US army's scientific wing, recently announced successful tests of what it called a HAWC missile (Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept) AMERICA The US military has a number of hypersonic weapons programs across the Navy, Army and Air Force but most are still in development phase and highly top secret. However the known programs are all more conventional hypersonic weapons that strike from high altitude, rather than orbital bombardment systems that strike from space which the Chinese were revealed to have developed tis week. The only US hypersonic weapon know to have been successfully tested is the Air Force's GM-183 ARRW which is designed to be launched from a large bomber aircraft. It then accelerates to hypersonic speeds using of up to 15,345mph using a supersonic combustion ramjet to strike targets within 1,000 miles. Donald Trump refered to a 'super duper missile' while in office and this is believed to be the AGM-183 ARRW. The Navy's submarine launched Long Range Hypersonic Weapon is expected to be operational by 2023 and will have a range of 1,725 miles. Darpa, the US army's scientific wing, recently announced successful tests of what it called a HAWC missile (Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept) but kept details such as range, speed and payload secret. The missile uses oxygen in the atmosphere as part of its fuel - marking the first successful test of that class of weapon since 2013. The missile, which is built by Raytheon, was released from an aircraft just 'seconds' before the scramjet engine from Northrop Grumman kicked on, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) said. The engine works by compressing incoming air with hydrocarbon fuel to create a fast airflow mixture, one capable of reaching over 1,700 meters per second, or five times the speed of sound. Earlier this year, a test of a hypersonic missile from the U.S. Air Force was abandoned after it was unable to complete its launch sequence. On March 19 last year, the Pentagon flight-tested a hypersonic glide vehicle at its Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. It deemed the test a success and 'a major milestone towards the department's goal of fielding hypersonic warfighting capabilities in the early- to mid-2020s.' Unlike Russia, the United States says it is not developing hypersonic weapons for use with a nuclear warhead. As a result, a U.S. hypersonic weapon will need to be more accurate, posing additional technical challenges. In 2004, NASA's experimental unmanned hypersonic aircraft X-43 reached 7,366mph (Mach 9.6) using a scramjet engine, setting the current record. In 2019, DailyMail.com reported that the Raytheon and Northrop Grumman-developed missile would use an engine made by a 3D printer. Last year, DARPA said it was working with Aerojet Rocketdyne on a nearly $20 million project to develop a hypersonic rocket that could intercept enemy missiles mid-air. Russia recently launched a hypersonic missile, the Zircon, from a submarine and has the hypersonic nuclear-capable Avangard missiles RUSSIA Russia recently launched a hypersonic missile, the Zircon, from a submarine, and since late 2019 has had the hypersonic nuclear-capable Avangard missiles in service. The Avangard can travel at up to Mach 27, changing course and altitude. The range of Russia's hypersonic missile, the Zircon, is 621 miles with a speed of 9,800mph. But the missile flies below the atmosphere and uses fuel to power itself to hypersonic speeds rather than the Earth's orbit. Earlier this month, Russia announced it has successfully test-fired the Zircon from a nuclear submarine for the first time. The 6,670mph weapon hit a target in the Barents Sea according to the Moscow defence ministry, who claims the missile is capable of Mach-9 speeds and able to evade all Western defences. Russia said it had completed flight tests of the new-age missile from a frigate - the Admiral Gorshkov - and a coastal mount, but it had not previously been launched from a submarine. The Zircon has been identified by Moscow's state-controlled TV as Vladimir Putin's weapon of choice to wipe out coastal American cities in the event of an atomic conflict. He has declared the missile as 'truly unparalleled anywhere in the world', and the Russians have boasted it is 'unstoppable' by Western defences. Putin first announced the development of an array of new hypersonic weapons in 2018, insisting that they would be able to hit almost any point in the world and evade a US-built missile shield. The Zircon is due to go into service next year, and will first be deployed via the Admiral Golovko frigate which carries significant stealth-technology. A key use of the missile is taking out enemy ships and reports suggested its maximum range is between 188 and 620 miles. But there have been unconfirmed reports its true range is some 1,200 miles. The missile system's design and development have been conducted in deep secrecy, and Putin has warned that foreign spies have tried to steal its secrets. It is one of a number of hypersonic missiles Russia is deploying including the 188-tonne Sarmat - known in the West as Satan-2 - which will be the biggest beast in Russia's nuclear arsenal, due for tests in the autumn with deployment slated for next year. In May, Russia said it tested three 'invincible' hypersonic 'Satan 2' missiles that some have said could wipe out areas the size of England and Wales. China launched the dummy weapon into space on board a Long March 2C rocket (pictured) during a test in mid-August which it did not disclose at the time and was only revealed at the weekend by security analysts assigned to work out its purpose CHINA The hypersonic orbital bombardment system that China tested in August reportedly reaches a top speed of 21,000 mph and strikes from space. The core concept of China's 'new' weapon - deliver a warhead into orbit and have it circle the globe before hitting a target - was first developed by the Soviets in the 1960s. Called a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System, or FOBS, it was developed to evade powerful US radar arrays and missile defence systems. Those systems work by detecting launches of ICBMs - very long-range missiles that can be tipped with nukes - and tracking them into space, then firing at the warheads as they come down in the hope of blowing them up before they hit their targets. This is possible because ICBMs and their warheads follow a predictable trajectory that rises high into space - making them relatively easy to spot and allowing defence crews to calculate where they are aimed so they can be shot out of the sky. FOBS aim to negate these defences by firing their warheads along a much-flatter trajectory - assisted by Earth's gravity. This means they pass under the scope of many radar detection arrays and are harder to track. It also makes the warheads much harder to shoot down because their trajectory is harder to calculate. The use of orbit makes a warhead's range potentially unlimited, meaning it can be fired at its target from any direction. This helps to avoid radar systems which generally point at a fixed spot in the sky - in America's case, over the North Pole. Meanwhile, China has also unveiled a hypersonic medium-range missile, the DF-17, in 2019, which can travel around 2,000 kilometres and can carry nuclear warheads. In October, China deployed the DF 17 missile to coastal areas in preparation for a possible invasion of Taiwan. The weapon has a maximum range of 2,500 kilometres (1,550 miles) and is capable of achieving speeds of up to 7,680 miles per hour (12,360 kph) - or 10 times the speed of sound - while carrying a nuclear warhead, according to previous reports. It has been billed as 'a death sentence' to aircraft carriers within its range. Hypersonic missiles travel at more than five times the speed of sound in the upper atmosphere - or about 6,200 km per hour (3,850 mph). This is slower than an intercontinental ballistic missile, but the shape of a hypersonic glide vehicle allows it to manoeuvre toward a target or away from defences. Combining a glide vehicle with a missile that can launch it partially into orbit - a so-called fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS) - could strip adversaries of reaction time and traditional defences mechanisms. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), by contrast, carry nuclear warheads on ballistic trajectories that travel into space but never reach orbit. China on Monday insisted that the test in August was a routine one for a spacecraft rather than a missile. Orban has been embraced by US Republican figures like Tucker Carlson A member of the European Parliament from Hungary pointed out that Trump's endorsement comes just days before the one-year anniversary of the Capitol riot Trump said that Orban 'is a strong leader and respected by all' in a statement Under Orban's 12-year rule, Hungary has seen its free press and LGBTQ rights curtailed, and is first European Union state to be classified as only 'partly free' Donald Trump made a rare foreign endorsement on Monday, backing Hungary's strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of the Central European country's parliamentary elections. Trump said the populist leader who's boasted about turning his country into a 'Christian' and 'illiberal democracy' has done a 'wonderful job' even as Orban's own European allies sound the alarm on his nationalist regime. 'Viktor Orban of Hungary truly loves his Country and wants safety for his people,' the former president said in a statement through his Save America PAC. Trump said Orban 'has done a powerful and wonderful job in protecting Hungary, stopping illegal immigration, creating jobs, trade, and should be allowed to continue to do so in the upcoming Election.' 'He is a strong leader and respected by all. He has my Complete support and Endorsement for reelection as Prime Minister!' Under Orban's nearly 12-year rule, Hungary has become the only European Union member to be classified as only 'partly free' by the international democracy watchdog Freedom House. It's seen by multiple geopolitical experts as a backsliding democracy, with Orban majorly curtailing press freedom, LGBTQ rights, and publicly speaking out against racial diversity. Trump and Orban (right) enjoyed a close relationship when the former president was in office and it appears to have continued afterwards Trump's rare endorsement of a foreign leader's re-election bid is the first he's issued since backing Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil in October In the upcoming election, his ruling party Fidesz is facing a significant challenge, also from the right-wing, armed with an unprecedented coalition of support from the left and center parties in Hungary's parliament. Orban has experienced a cozy relationship with national United States Republican figures. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon once reportedly referred to him as 'Trump before Trump.' Fox host Tucker Carlson has expressed admiration for Orban on his primetime news show, and even traveled to Hungary to interview with the prime minister and take a tour of the country's fenced border designed to keep out migrants. He's also got allies in autocratic leaders like China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin. Trump, who's also spoken glowingly of Orban while in office and referred to himself and the strongman as 'twins,' recently praised him in a letter that the prime minister shared on Instagram. Orban shared a letter Trump sent him in August on Instagram, that included a handwritten message praising the strongman for his interview with Fox News' Tucker Carlson 'I am grateful for your continued friendship and enduring commitment to fighting for the ideals you and I cherish -- freedom, patriotic pride, and liberty,' Trump wrote in the note dated August 12, 2021. He added in his own handwriting: 'Great job on Tucker (Fox). Proud of you!' Orban captioned the post, 'Thanks for watching' followed by a smiling face emoji with sunglasses. His Monday endorsement of Orban was panned by former Trump administration aides and European officials. 'The embrace of Viktor Orban by some on Americas Right is truly bizarre,' former Trump aide Alyssa Farah wrote on Twitter Monday. 'Since his return to power hes pushed anti-democratic measures that according to Freedom Houses country index rate the country only "partly free".' Katalin Cseh, a member of the European Parliament for Hungary's centrist Momentum Movement and the EU's liberal Renew Europe, pointed out that Trump was endorsing an anti-democratic candidate just a few days before the one year anniversary of his supporters storming the US Capitol building in a bid to overturn the 2020 election. American and European figures condemned Trump's Monday endorsement of the nationalist leader 'Few days before January 6, the anniversary of his shameful attempt to dismantle democracy in the US Trump endorses Orban, the guy who *successfully* dismantled democracy in Hungary,' Cseh wrote on Twitter. Another member of the European Parliament, German Green Party politician Daniel Freund, echoed a similar line of thinking. 'One year after Trumps troops stormed the US-Capitol the former President gives Viktor Orban his blessings. No surprise. But still telling. Let's hope that Orban will end up like Trump: Out of Office!' Freund said on the social media platform. The ex-president's last foreign endorsement was for Brazil's authoritarian President Jair Bolsonaro's re-election bid. 'President Jair Bolsonaro and I have become great friends over the past few years. He fights hard for, and loves, the people of Brazil -- Just like I do for the people of the United States,' Trump said in October of last year. It felt for a fleeting moment that 2022 was dawning into a new reality. Maybe, just maybe, we could learn to live our normal lives amid the COVID pandemic. Adults would return to work, and children would return to school. The CDC announced new guidelines recommending that people can return to public life following a positive COVID diagnosis, after just five days of isolation (instead of ten) if they were symptom free. But it was not to be. On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the CDC is considering updated--updated guidance requiring Americans to test COVID negative before exiting the newly shortened virus isolation. And as usual -- the kids get it the worst. Perfectly healthy children - those least at risk of serious illness and death - are watching their lives slide back towards March of 2020. Schools around the country are either announcing closures, or a one or two day 'break' to do COVID testing on their entire student and teacher population before returning to in-person learning. As restrictions on adults loosen, they tighten like a noose around what's left of millions of American childhoods. (Above) Some unmasked revelers celebrated New Year's Eve in New York City's Times Square In the nation's capital, negative tests are required for all students to return to class after winter break. Schools in New Brunswick, New Jersey; Madison, Wisconsin; and Charles county, Maryland have all decided to start the new term virtually just to name a few. The requirement from both public and private schools to test before returning to class has clogged testing sites across the country and sent emergency rooms into overload as people request testing there. The sudden new testing requirements and surprise closures even sparked a surprisingly amount of left-wing outrage. 'Parents in NYC public schools are being asked to try to get our children tested b4 returning to school tomorrow. This is an abject failure. If the city wanted testing, they should have provided home tests before the holiday or rapid testing for every student at the door tomorrow,' tweeted author of the 1619 Project, Hannah Nikole-Jones on Sunday. 'What the [f***]? School was already set to be closed Monday and Tuesday, but now due to snow on Monday they are also closing on Wednesday???' tweeted liberal journalist Matthew Yglesias, who was triggered by a DC storm extending his neighborhood school's temporarily closure for testing. And if you think that these closures will last for just a few days or weeks, I've got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn and it's called 'Two Weeks to Stop the Spread.' Recently, a mother of a preschool aged child in Fairfax County, Virginia shared with me an email she sent to her child's school, which has passed even more stringent rules on her young child going into 2022 than were already in place. The sudden new testing requirements and surprise closures even sparked a surprisingly amount of left-wing outrage. (Above) Nikole Hannah-Jones, author of the controversial '1619 Project,' lashed out at New York City administrators as city schools asked students to receive negative COVID tests before returning to school. Now, not only does she have to mask indoors, she has to now mask outdoors as well. Instead of lunch being a time to chat and bond with friends, it's passed silently outside. She's had enough. In response to the new regulations, she replied, 'Why you would treat children as vectors of disease is beyond my understanding and says to me and our family that you are far more concerned with perceptions of your leadership versus the actual well being of the children you serve.' She went on, '[My child] is fully vaccinated. She has suffered under the requirements at school but loves her friends and teachers. However her hands are cracked and almost bloody from forced sanitizing to combat an airborne virus. She has had panic attacks from constant refrains in school where she now believes that the only way she can be 'safe' is by wearing a mask indoors. She was thrilled to get her second shot two weeks ago because she finally felt safe. You have now taken that from her and I am beyond furious that I now have to tell her she is being lied to at school.' She closed with this stinging rebuke, 'Childhood is precious and short. Our children will be paying for your decisions today for the rest of their lives. I will never forget the willful ignorance displayed over our time at [this school].' Coming off of the holiday season, millions of American parents are facing the same frustration. We're able to live our lives: go to sporting events, the gym, restaurants and parties, but our children continue to be yanked in and out of school and subjected to onerous rules. Many in public health (most notably Dr. Leana Wen, a CNN medical analyst, emergency physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health) now say that cloth masks are useless. So are schools are changing their masking regulations? Are they coming to the realization that they have been operating safely for a year with nothing more than 'facial decorations,' as Dr. Wen called cloth masks? Many in public health, most notably Dr. Leana Wen (above), a CNN medical analyst, emergency physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health say that cloth masks are useless. Sadly, no. Some private schools are telling parents to mask their kids harder, and only wear medical-grade masks in the New Year. The Los Angeles Times reported that students at all Los Angeles County public and private schools will have to wear masks indoors and outdoors in crowded spaces, and they're recommending 'higher-grade masks' Almost two years ago we understood that those 'higher-grade' masks were the real deal, but only for the professionals. At the end of January 2021, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky recommended that the general public not wear them. 'They're very hard to breathe in when you wear them properly,' Walensky said. 'They're very hard to tolerate when you wear them for long periods of time.' But now they're appropriate for children? And of course, the same culprits behind shuttering schools the first time are at it again: the teachers' unions. The Twitter feed of American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten reads like one big hedge suggesting that more school shutdowns loom around the bend. 'as WaPo edit board said, even with testing, vaccines, ventilation and well fitting masks, while we all want to be in person, we have to plan for contingencies (including remote) given the uncertainty of omicron' she wrote. And Weingarten is also cheering on Fauci's walk back of CDC guidance, tweeting: "This makes sense: 'Dr. Anthony Fauci said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now considering including the negative test as part of its guidance after getting significant 'pushback' on its updated recommendations last week." The Twitter feed of American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten (above left) reads like one big hedge suggesting that more school shutdowns loom around the bend This is the ultimatum put before parents: more testing, more masks, or else schools just can't stay open safely. But don't worry, they're just closing schools just for a few weeks to stop the spread. As restrictions on adults loosen, they tighten like a noose around what's left of millions of American childhoods. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, and expecting different results. That's what we're watching take place with kids at the start of the New Year. Another Covid variant has been found in France, according to scientists. The mutant strain has 46 mutations that are thought to make it both more vaccine-resistant and infectious than the original virus. Some 12 cases have been spotted so far near Marseille, with the first linked to travel to the African country Cameroon. But there is little sign that it is outcompeting the dominant Omicron variant, which now makes up more than 60 per cent of cases in France. The strain was discovered by academics based at the IHU Mediterranee Infection on December 10, but has not spread rapidly since. Some 12 cases have been spotted so far near Marseille, with the first linked to travel to the African country Cameroon Some 12 cases have been spotted so far near Marseille, with the first linked to travel to the African country Cameroon. Pictured: Saint Jean Castle and Cathedral de la Major and the in Marseille, France It is yet to be spotted in other countries or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization. Professor Philippe Colson, who heads up the unit that discovered the strain, said: 'We indeed have several cases of this new variant in the Marseille geographical area. 'We named it "variant IHU". Two new genomes have just been submitted.' What is B.1.640.2? How many cases? Some 12 genomically-confirmed cases have been identified in France so far. The earliest case was linked to travel to Cameroon. Is it more vaccine resistant? Its catalogue of mutations suggest it is better at dodging Covid immunity than older versions of the virus. It has the E484K mutation, which was first recorded on the Beta variant. It is thought to make vaccines less potent. Should I be concerned? It does not appear that there is any reason to be concerned about the variant yet. There is no evidence at present that it is outcompeting the Omicron variant but it was only detected on December 10. Advertisement The variant has been dubbed B.1.640.2 and its discovery was announced in a paper posted on medRxiv. This has not been published in an academic journal. Scientists say the lineage is genetically different to B.1.640, which is thought to have emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo in September. Tests show the strain carries the E484K mutation that is thought to make it more resistant to vaccines. It also has the N501Y mutation first seen on the Alpha variant that experts believe can make it more transmissible. It is a distant relative of Omicron, which scientists say likely evolved from an older virus. The scientists say in their paper: 'These observations show once again the unpredictability of the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and their introduction from abroad. 'And they exemplify the difficulty to control such introduction and subsequent spread.' France has good surveillance for Covid variants, meaning any new mutant strains are quickly picked up. In Britain around three in ten cases are checked for variants. Omicron or B.1.1.529 carries around 50 mutations and appears to be better at infecting people who already have a level of immunity. But a growing body of research proves it is also much less likely to trigger severe disease. The new Covid variant was detected by academics based at the IHU Mediterranee Infection on December 10 Finland has said it could join NATO in defiance of Russia's warning that the alliance should not be allowed to expand any further to the east. Sauli Niinisto, president of the Nordic country, made the remark during a New Year address on Saturday which seemed designed to antagonise Vladimir Putin. Putin had previously demanded cast iron guarantees that Ukraine never be allowed to join NATO, saying the alliance's eastwards expansion is a threat to his border. That prompted Niinisto's remark, which appears designed as a warning to Russia not to threaten neighbouring states. Finland could request to join NATO, its president has said, in defiance of a warning from Vladimir Putin that the alliance should not be allowed to expand any further east Sauli Niinisto, president of Finland, made the remark during his New Year address as he also urged the EU to take a tougher stance on Russia's threats to member states Finland shares a lengthy land border with Russia, and two countries fought a short but bloody war over it between 1939 to 1940 which saw Finland inflict heavy losses on Soviet forces. 'Finlands room to manoeuvre and freedom of choice also include the possibility of military alignment and of applying for NATO membership, should we ourselves so decide,' Mr Niinisto said. He also called on the EU to take a more active role in deterring Russian aggression, seemingly a rebuke to Germany which for years has taken a soft line with Moscow because the two share close economic ties. 'In this situation Europe cannot just listen in,' Niinisto added. 'The sovereignty of several member states, also Sweden and Finland, has been challenged from outside the Union. 'This makes the EU an involved party. The EU must not settle merely with the role of a technical coordinator of sanctions.' German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, successor to Angela Merkel, took a markedly more moderate line on Russia in his own address. 'We are currently facing new challenges regarding Ukraine. The inviolability of borders is precious, and is not negotiable', he said, without outlining what measures Russia will face if it violates those borders. Finland and Russia fought a brief but bloody war over their shared border between 1939 and 1940, during which Finland inflicted heavy losses on the Soviets (file image) Putin has demanded cast iron guarantees that Ukraine is barred from joining NATO, saying the expansion of the alliance poses a grave threat to Moscow It comes amid border tensions between Russia and Ukraine, after Putin parked 100,000 troops, tanks and artillery pieces on his side of the border in what the Pentagon believes is an invasion force. The Kremlin has denied this, saying the troops are there to deter western aggression while pointing to military drills carried out nearby. Joe Biden has shared two phone calls with Putin to try and defuse the crisis, with the White House saying he warned the Russian strongman that any invasion will be met with crippling economic sanctions. High level negotiations are also taking place between Russian and American diplomats, over a list of 'red lines' published by Moscow. As well as demanding that NATO expansion be halted, Moscow also wants offensive forces withdrawn from all former Soviet states and new agreements on the deployment of short-range missiles. NATO has described that position as a non-starter, but says it is speaking to member states to try and reach some form of compromise. It comes after America allowed a number of Cold War-era arms control treaties, including the Intermediate Range Forces Treaty, to expire - saying they were no longer fit for purpose because they do not include China. New START, another nuclear forces treaty, was also due to expire but has been granted a temporary extension to 2026. Putin lamented the loss of arms control agreements between the world superpowers, and has been lobbying for replacements. Meanwhile Chinese think-tanks have also conceded that some form of arms control agreement that includes Beijing is on the cards, but not said what form it will take or when it might be signed. Russia currently has around 100,000 troops stationed on the border with Ukraine, which the Pentagon has warned constitutes an invasion force Ukraine is pressing its western allies to send reinforcements, warning that it will be unable to withstand a Russian attack (pictured, Russian troops in camp) Russian forces near the border include large numbers of tanks and artillery that Washington fears would be used in a lightning-fast assault (pictured) In the meantime, all three superpowers are beefing up their armed forces and taking an increasingly belligerent stance on the world stage. Aside from Putin massing his forces in eastern Europe, Xi Jinping has been menacing the island of Taiwan - threatening to 'reunify' it with the mainland by force. That has prompted America to seek out new allies in the region and share nuclear technology with the, including the AUKUS pact which will deliver nuclear submarines to Australia, and the Quad pact with India and Japan. But, in a piece of good news that emerged on Monday, five major world powers - the US, China, Russia, France and the UK - issued a new pledge to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to avoid using them in conflict. The commitment came in a rare joint statement on Monday ahead of a review of a key nuclear treaty later this year. 'We believe strongly that the further spread of such weapons must be prevented,' said permanent UN Security Council members China, France, Russia, the UK and United States, adding: 'A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.' The statement was issued after the latest review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) - which first came into force in 1970 - was postponed from January 4 to later in the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Putting aside current differences that have caused major tensions between both China and Russia and their Western partners, the five world powers said they saw 'the avoidance of war between nuclear-weapon states and the reduction of strategic risks as our foremost responsibilities.' 'As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons - for as long as they continue to exist - should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war,' they said according to the English text released by the White House. The powers added: 'We each intend to maintain and further strengthen our national measures to prevent unauthorised or unintended use of nuclear weapons.' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to step down at the end of this Congress after nearly two decades in Democratic leadership, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is the new favorite to lead the party. While Jeffries, N.Y., chair of the House Democratic Caucus, is the favorite, the debate over who will succeed Pelosi, Calif., could lay to bare the deep divide between progressives and moderates. Future leaders of the party could differ in their ideas for how to counter the GOP, as they brace for the possibility of serious losses in the midterm elections. While interviews with more than two dozen Democrats made clear that Pelosi maintains the respect of those she leads, many members expressed a desire to move beyond the octogenarian leadership comprised of Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Md., and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, S.C. Progressive chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal said she wanted 'more decentralized leadership.' 'I think there was a 'holding of power' model that worked very well for a long time, and I think now it is more about a recognition of different centers of focus within the Democratic caucus that have to be brought in and brought together,' said Jayapal, Wash. 'It takes some acceptance of more-decentralized leadership.' Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, a moderate, said he wanted to see a leader who could pull the party together like Pelosi. 'I want to make sure that it is someone who can pull the party together. As Pelosi says: 'Our diversity is our strength, and unity is our power.' I want to make sure it's someone who can hold that unity.' Another Democratic member shared Schneider's respect for Pelosi's leadership. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to step down at the end of this Congress after nearly two decades in Democratic leadership While Jeffries, N.Y., chair of the House Democratic Caucus, is the favorite, the debate over who will succeed Pelosi, Calif., could lay to bare the deep divide between progressives and moderates 'She understands how to get things done and how to keep us together, even if it looks a little bit messy from the outside,' the member said. 'I think there's a real fear that without her, there's a world where we ended up like the Republicans under [Ohio's John] Boehner and then [Wisconsin's Paul] Ryan, where no one could keep them together.' Pelosi was first elected speaker in 2007 after having led the House Democratic Caucus since 2003. Her first tenure as speaker lasted until 2011, and she served as minority leader from 2011 until 2019 when Democrats retook the House, making her speaker again. The Post reported that members 'overwhelmingly agreed' that Pelosi's successor should be 'equally as historic' as her claim to the first female speakership. 'I can't prognosticate the future or what would happen, but if we are playing 'what if there is ever a change,' I think it is very important and would have no problem saying that, if I had a crystal ball, I would want the leadership to be reflective of this wonderful democracy in America we live in,' said Rep. Joyce Beatty, Ohio, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus. 'Certainly I would like to be able to say that I was part of the process that had the first Black American to be speaker of the U.S. Congress.' If Jeffries were elected speaker, he could check that box. 'He's brilliant, he's smooth, but he is fearless,' said a member supportive of Jeffries. 'I mean, if we are fighting for something, I want Hakeem Jeffries on my side because he will go to the mat on an issue.' Jeffries is a member of the Progressive Caucus, but is friendly to the business community and protective of moderates in swing districts, the Post reports. Pelosi in 2018 promised only to serve four more years in power. After months of dodging reporters' questions on whether she'd stand by that promise, in November 2020 she told reporters: 'When that conversation took place, there was a move to put limits on the leadership and the chairs of committees. ... What I said then is whether it passes or not, I will abide by those limits that are there.' 'I don't want to undermine any leverage I may have, but I made the statement.' The U.S. could be under the rule of a rightwing dictatorship by the end of the decade, according to a Canadian professor of politics, who is calling upon his own government to prepare for the collapse of American democracy. Thomas Homer-Dixon centers his warning on the idea of Donald Trump running again in 2024 and Republican-held legislatures refusing to accept a Democratic victory. 'By 2025, American democracy could collapse, causing extreme domestic political instability, including widespread civil violence,' Homer-Dixon, director of the Cascade Institute at Royal Roads University in British Columbia, wrote in the Globe and Mail. 'By 2030, if not sooner, the country could be governed by a right-wing dictatorship.' Homer-Dixon referenced Fox News, fringe Republicans such Marjorie Taylor-Greene, who has spread conspiracy theories and was permanently banned from Twitter at the weekend, and the widespread available of guns in America as evidence. A Trump victory in 2024 could trigger the collapse of American democracy, warns Canadian professor of politics Thomas Homer-Dixon Homer-Dixon said his 40 years of experience in studying violent conflict and social breakdown meant he could recognize the warning signals emanating from the U.S. political landscape In his essay published by the Globe and Mail, Homer-Dixon said the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol showed how 'the Trump cult' saw itself as the only way to defend American values 'A terrible storm is coming from the south, and Canada is woefully unprepared. Over the past year, we've turned our attention inward, distracted by the challenges of Covid-19, reconciliation and the accelerating effects of climate change,' he said. 'But now we must focus on the urgent problem of what to do about the likely unravelling of democracy in the United States. We need to start by fully recognising the magnitude of the danger. 'If Mr Trump is re-elected, even under the more optimistic scenarios the economic and political risks to our country will be innumerable.' The 75-year-old former president has frequently hinted that he plans to run for the White House again in 2024. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT OF VIKTOR ORBAN AS PRIME MINISTER OF HUNGARY In an emailed statement on Monday, former President Trump offered his endorsement for Hungary's far-right leader. 'Viktor Orban of Hungary truly loves his Country and wants safety for his people,' wrote Trump. 'He has done a powerful and wonderful job in protecting Hungary, stopping illegal immigration, creating jobs, trade, and should be allowed to continue to do so in the upcoming Election. 'He is a strong leader and respected by all. 'He has my complete support and Endorsement for reelection as prime minister!' Under Orban's nearly 12-year rule, Hungary has become the only European Union member to be classified as only 'partly free' by the international democracy watchdog Freedom House. However, the country's has become a favorite destination for American conservatives. Fox host Tucker Carlson recently traveled to Hungary to interview the prime minister and take a tour of the country's fenced border designed to keep out migrants. Advertisement Homer Dixon wrote that, as a scholar of violent conflict for more than 40 years, and having written about social breakdown and genocide, the warning signs are obvious. 'We mustn't dismiss these possibilities just because they seem ludicrous or too horrible to imagine,' he wrote. 'In 2014, the suggestion that Donald Trump would become president would also have struck nearly everyone as absurd. But today we live in a world where the absurd regularly becomes real and the horrible commonplace.' Trump's return to the White House might be just the starting point. 'Returning to office, he'll be the wrecking ball that demolishes democracy but the process will produce a political and social shambles,' Homer-Dixon said. 'Still, through targeted harassment and dismissal, he'll be able to thin the ranks of his movement's opponents within the state, the bureaucrats, officials and technocrats who oversee the non-partisan functioning of core institutions and abide by the rule of law. 'Then the stage will be set for a more managerially competent ruler, after Mr Trump, to bring order to the chaos he's created.' He added that analysts he consulted offered a number of possible models: 'Viktor Orbans Hungary, with its coercive legal apparatus of illiberal democracy; Jair Bolsonaros Brazil, with its chronic social distemper and administrative dysfunction; or Vladimir Putins Russia with its harsh one-man hyper-nationalist autocracy.' As if on cue, Trump published a statement on Monday endorsing Orban's campaign for reelection. 'Viktor Orban of Hungary truly loves his Country and wants safety for his people,' he said. 'He has done a powerful and wonderful job in protecting Hungary, stopping illegal immigration, creating jobs, trade, and should be allowed to continue to do so in the upcoming election.' At the same time, a new poll revealed the extent to which Americans' faith in democratic institutions had eroded. About a third of voters said violence against the government could be justified, according to the Washington Post- University of Maryland's survey, published at the weekend. Trump's rare endorsement of a foreign leader's re-election bid is the first he's issued since backing Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil in October The Washington Post surveyed 1,101 American adults between December 17 and December 19 WaPo's poll, taken between December 19 and December 19, asks US adults: 'Do you think it is ever justified for citizens to take violent action against the government, or is it never justified?' Thirty-four percent of respondents said it could be, while 62 percent believe it is never justified. Homer-Dixon concluded that the result in America was a possible lurch towards fascism. 'And it's not inaccurate to use the F word. As conservative commentator David Frum argues, Trumpism increasingly resembles European fascism in its contempt for the rule of law and glorification of violence,' he said. 'Evidence is as close as the latest right-wing Twitter meme: widely circulated holiday photos show Republican politicians and their family members, including young children, sitting in front of their Christmas trees, all smiling gleefully while cradling pistols, shotguns and assault rifles 'Those guns are more than symbols. The Trump cult presents itself as the only truly patriotic party able to defend U.S. values and history against traitorous Democrats beholden to cosmopolitan elites and minorities who neither understand nor support 'true' American values. 'The Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. capitol must be understood in these terms. The people involved didn't think they were attacking U.S. democracy although they unquestionably were. Instead, they believed their "patriotic" actions were needed to save it.' Facebook permanently suspended the account of Heroes of Liberty - publisher of kids biographies on Amy Coney Barrett Facebook has permanently disabled the account of a conservative children's publisher for failing to comply with its 'low quality or disruptive content' policy. Heroes of Liberty, which has published child-friendly biographies of Repulican figures like former President Ronald Regan, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and social theorist Thomas Sowell, launched in November 2021, with the goal of producing children's content on underrepresented 'heroes,' said co-founder and editor Bethany Mandel. Facebook did not give exact examples of which posts violated its policy, but in a message to Heroes of Liberty it pointed to a rule included in its advertising guidelines that states: 'Ads must not contain content leading to external landing pages that provide an unexpected or disruptive experience. 'This includes misleading ad positioning, such as overly sensationalized headlines or prompts for users to inauthentically interact with the ad, and leading people to landing pages that contain minimal original content and a majority of unrelated or low quality ad content.' Facebook has not responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment. In its last post on the now-disabled page on December 19, the publisher advertised one of its books saying: 'Teach your children and grandchildren the morals and principles of Thomas Sowell with his beautifully illustrated biography. There is no better way to ensure a more promising future for the next generations.' It includes a post with a quote by Sowell that says: 'Our children and grandchildren may yet curse the day we began hyping race and ethnicity. There are countries where that has led to slaughters in the streets but you cannot name a country where it has led to greater harmony.' The page also posts to external reviews on right-leaning news site DailyWire.com and to a segment on The Megyn Kelly show which aired on December 15 - days before the page was disabled. The Facebook page links to the publisher's website, which contains links to segments on Fox News, and political commentator Megyn Kelly, who bills the book series as 'counter-programing' woke culture. The child-friendly biographies include a book on Ronald Reagan and Thomas Sowell. In its last post on the now-disabled page on December 19, the publisher advertised one of its books saying: 'Teach your children and grandchildren the morals and principles of Thomas Sowell with his beautifully illustrated biography. There is no better way to ensure a more promising future for the next generations' Facebook says it does not allow ads that 'contain content leading to external landing pages that provide an unexpected or disruptive experience' Facebook's freeze prohibits House of Liberty from advertising and posting on its page In the Megyn Kelly segment, Mandel says the company publishes a book series 'about great people who embody the life values that we want our kids to carry with them through their childhoods and into adulthood. Liberty, freedom, family, standing on your own.' She added: 'Instead of teaching children about victimhood, its about standing on your own and Thomas Sowell was a great example of that.' Mandel also said in the segment that the series was created for parents to read to their kids at home. Heroes of Liberty editor Bethany Mandel 'Whatever is going on at their kids' school, they can push back a little bit at home and teach their kids the right way we want our kids to be because we can't count on the schools to do it.' Mandel said the startup 'threw a lot of money' at growing its Facebook presence, only to be dinged with 'disruptive content warnings.' The social media giant 'permanently disabled' the ad account December 23, blocking the publisher from buying ads or even posting content on its public page. 'I think a lot of people think that our books are political, but they're really not,' Mandel told DailyMail.com. 'They're just telling the life stories of these folks without without an agenda. 'We sort of got - we think - dragged into the political fray of big tech dinging conservatives, even if we're not an overtly political company. We're just selling nice children's books.' While the conservative publisher has been shut out of its accounts, the publishers of left-leaning children's books remain active on the social media platform. Penguin Kids Books - publisher of the Little Book of Little Activists, the She Persisted series, Change Sings, and more - remains active on Facebook. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - with titles including Feminist Baby and the ABCs of AOC - is also in control of an active Facebook page. The publishers of left-leaning children's books (above) remain active on the social media platform Mandel and her colleagues are unclear about how the Facebook page ran afoul of the rule, although the site did receive pushback from adults opposed to the content they were promoting Mandel said she and her colleagues are unclear about how the Facebook page ran afoul of the rule, although the site did receive pushback from adults opposed to the content they were promoting. 'Haha, brainwash the little s***s from day one,' wrote one commenter. 'I am conflicted,' posted another. 'My respect for the 1st amendment says they should be allowed to post this twaddle - but my sense of decency is telling me to buy these books just to burn them. 'Maybe the Barrett book twice to cellular level evil.' Mandel said the publishing house was launched to provide alternative reading to material promoted by book giants such as Barnes and Noble, which are filled with woke literature for little ones. Teach Your Dragon About Diversity, sits next to 'Daddy & Dada'. A few books down, Joey - an illustrated hagiography of Joe Biden written by, 'best-selling author,' Jill Biden - sits propped on a shelf. There are books about transgender infants, queer families and dreamers, but the subject that dominates all others, bound up in the pages of child-friendly picture books, is race that and a dollop of police brutality and activism. Mandel said she sought to take a different approach. 'We saw a hole in the children's book market and the children's book industry is really taken over by progressive woke ideology,' she said. 'You can see that if you just go to a Barnes and Noble and look at their children's book selection, it's very obsessed with gender. 'We were looking at the market and there were 27 children's books about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and we wanted to create content that half of America don't have within the children's book world.' Mandel took to Twitter to share news of the Facebook ban, saying: 'Our books are designed to inspire children. We invested much of our seed capital in building our brand on Facebook. But Facebook has now shut down our advertising account. 'The official reason? 'Disruptive Content.'' A slew of 'woke' children's books is dominating book shelves with titles like Antiracist Baby, Feminist Baby, Woke Baby, Teach Your Dragon About Diversity and Daddy & Dada This Little Trailblazer: A Girl Power Primer, A is for Activist and Woke Baby are all in the Early Learning section of Barnes & Noble Others on Twitter shared her outrage, with one user calling the move 'insane' and slamming Facebook for censorship. @deckdaddy25 tweeted: 'When will the censoring end? You have every right to advertise for your company as the next person regardless of its contents. Something needs to give social media is a cancer and we need to treat it as such.' 'Wowza. That is next-level insanity. So sorry. Going to buy these books now in support,' tweeted @kerryktroup. 'Just subscribed. Good luck, and I hope you get tons and tons of new subscribers.' Others sided with Facebook. 'Painting controversial people as 'heroes of liberty' and having children as your target audience sounds like disruptive content to me,' NotTheeKeanu tweeted. 'It appears as [you're] aiming for indoctrination.' Mandel said that the publishing house will continue to pursue other biographies, including John Wayne, Margaret Thatcher and Mark Twain because they are people 'that our kids desperately need to know about.' The family of a boogie boarder who was killed by a great white shark off the California coast on Christmas Eve have thanked a woman who recovered his body. Tomas Butterfield of Sacramento, 42, had been visiting his mother in Morro Bay when he became the only person to be killed by a shark in the U.S. in 2021. His boogie board was spotted 'kind of bobbing in the water' at a popular surfing location called 'The Pit' at Morro Strand State Beach. A woman paddled up to the unmanned board and made the grim discovery that a body was attached to its leash. The woman dragged the corpse by swim fins from chest-deep water to the beach, where about 30 people were gathered, Morro Bay Harbor Director Eric Endersby told the Los Angeles Times. It is unclear whether any beachgoers witnessed the attack. Butterfield's uncle, Grant, praised the woman who wrested his nephew's body from the waves, telling the Times that she was 'obviously part of the family now,' acknowledging the possibility that 'his board might have gone farther out to sea and that he would have been missing forever.' 'Its a terrible loss, at 42, with him getting his stuff together and starting to make something of himself,' he said. Tomas Butterfield, 42, had been working with a medical equipment repair company alongside his father, and was an avid fisherman and surfer. He was killed by a great white shark on Christmas Eve Butterfield, of Sacramento, went alone to the beach while he was visiting his mother in Morro Bay Beaches around Morro Strand were closed for 24 hours, with flashing signs that read 'Fatal Shark Attack' dotting the shoreline Butterfield had been working with a medical equipment repair company alongside his father, and was an avid fisherman and surfer. He had set out for the beach alone that day. Beaches around Morro Strand were closed for 24 hours, with flashing signs that read 'Fatal Shark Attack' dotting the shoreline. Butterfield's death remains under investigation. Local officials believe a Great White Shark was the culprit, making Butterfield the first person in San Luis Obispo county to succumb to the iconic species in 18 years. Shark experts told the newspaper that encounters between sharks and humans are rare despite the exponentially-growing great white population off California's shares. Christopher Lowe, professor of marine biology and director of the Shark Lab at California State Long Beach, said that 'you have a better chance of winning the lottery' than being attacked by a shark. Butterfield's uncle, Grant, praised the woman who wrested his nephew's body from the waves, telling the Times that she was 'obviously part of the family now,' acknowledging the possibility that 'his board might have gone farther out to sea and that he would have been missing forever' Mike Jones of Azhiaziam, a surf shop owner, told the Times that Butterfield's demise has kept other surfers out of the water for a few days He said that Central California has become a 'primo habitat' for the species, thanks to plentiful seal lion and elephant seal populations. Great whites, which can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and can grow as long as 20 feet long, have been spotted as far north as the Gulf of Alaska and as far south as the equator. 'Sharks are coming back. There are more of them out there. The ocean is their home, and were guests in their home, but occasionally accidents do happen,' he told the LA Times. 'I really don't think people need to be scared, but they do need to exercise good judgement.' Just two days before Buttersfield was attacked, two surfers were chased by a shark at North Salmon Creek Beach in Sonoma County about 300 miles north. Incidental Surfers are enjoying the waves at Morro Bay in Central California Since the 1950's, there have been 199 shark encounters documented by California Fish and Wildlife, including 14 fatalities. Mike Jones of Azhiaziam, a surf shop owner, told the Times that Butterfield's demise has kept other surfers out of the water for a few days. 'There have been a lot of surfers coming in the shop saying they're not ready,' he told the outlet. Jones, 48, hasn't gone surfing since the attack, either. Usually, he hits the waves twice each week. He refused to rent surfboards to customers for several days after the attack, too. 'I tell them, with the shark attack, were gonna let the water clear a few days,' he said. Lim Hye-sook, right, the minister of science and ICT, and newly appointed Estonian Ambassador to Korea Sten Schwede pose after their meeting at the ministry's office in Sejong, Monday, during the new ambassador's courtesy visit. Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer is threatening to bring up changes to Senate rules to scale back the filibuster if the chamber does not act on election reform package by then. The change, if passed, would allow Democrats to pass through voting rights changes on a simple majority assuming they could get support from all 50 members of their caucus. Schumer accused Republicans of warping supermajority requirements and of 'weaponization' of rules meant to protect the rights of the minority. 'We must ask ourselves: if the right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, then how can we in good conscience allow for a situation in which the Republican Party can debate and pass voter suppression laws at the State level with only a simple majority vote, but not allow the United States Senate to do the same?' he wrote, pointing to a series of GOP-led changes to election laws since the 2020 elections. Schumer, who in 2017 opposed barring use of the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees, pointed to the early days of the Republic, and also invoked the January 6 Capitol riot. President Joe Biden came out for a filibuster carve-out for voting rights before Christmas. 'If the only thing standing between getting voting rights legislation passed and not getting passed is the filibuster, I support making the exception of voting rights for the filibuster,' he told ABC News in an interview. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer blasted GOP filibusters as a 'the weaponization of rules once meant to short-circuit obstruction' He called the riot 'a symptom of a broader illness - an effort to delegitimize our election process.' 'The Senate was designed to protect the political rights of the minority in the chamber, through the promise of debate and the opportunity to amend. But over the years, those rights have been warped and contorted to obstruct and embarrass the will of majority something our Founders explicitly opposed,' he wrote in a 'Dear Colleague' letter to Senate Democrats. He noted that the Constitution demands a supermajority for treaties and impeachment, but that founders rejected the requirement for legislation, having learned of its 'defects' in the Articles of Confederation. 'The weaponization of rules once meant to short-circuit obstruction have been hijacked to guarantee obstruction,' Schumer wrote. Schumer did not mention that Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) oppose changes to the legislative filibuster Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is leading a GOP filibuster against the election reform legislation, and opposes changes to the legislative filibuster Schumer's letter comes as Congress makes preparations for the body of late Senate leader Harry Reid to lie in state. Reid pushed through a move ending the filibuster for lower federal court nominees He did not mention that two influential Democrats, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema have remained opposed to changes in the chamber's filibuster rules. Both back a compromise election reform package that Republicans are filibustering. Democrats tried to bring their legislation up four times last year, failing in each effort. Schumer quoted former Senate leader Robert C. Byrd, who said 'Congress is not obliged to be bound by the dead hand of the past.' 'We hope our Republican colleagues change course and work with us. But if they do not, the Senate will debate and consider changes to Senate rules on or before January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to protect the foundation of our democracy: free and fair elections,' he threatened. The legislation itself would make Election Day a national holiday, boost mail ballots and in-person voting options. It remains stalled in the 50-50 Senate. No Republicans have come out for it. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has cast the move as a partisan power grab, while Democrats have pointed to state election law changes in GOP-run states as an effort to make it harder to vote after former President Donald Trump's election fraud claims that were repeatedly tossed out of court. Wrote Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in response: 'When Chuck Schumer says we need to abolish the filibuster to pass "voting rights," he's talking about a bill to mandate ballot harvesting, ban voter ID, and give taxpayer funding to campaigns. This has nothing to do with voting rights. It's a Democratic power grab,' he tweeted. Surveillance footage posted to social media over the weekend showed the horrifying moment an SUV crashed through a crowded fast food restaurant window in Detroit, sending people scrambling for safety. The crash occurred at Zorba's Coney Island on Detroit's east side around 1am on New Year's Day, according to WXYZ, as several patrons waited in line for food. The impact of the crash sent customers flying through the restaurant, but miraculously, police said, nobody was injured. Detroit police have now identified the suspects in the terrifying video and are investigating the incident as a hit-and-run with surveillance footage from outside the restaurant showing the driver walk away following the impact. 'The video is disturbing and troubling to say the least,' Deputy Chief Rudy Haper told WXYZ in a statement. 'The suspects clearly have no regard for human life and need to do the right thing and turn themselves into authorities immediately.' The suspects names have not yet been publicly released. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Detroit Police Department for more information. Surveillance footage from inside Zorba's Coney Island in east Detroit on January 1 shows a man sitting at a booth being pushed by an SUV that drove through the window The crash occurred at around 1am on New Years Day, leaving the restaurant in ruins as at least three people were struck by the car Detroit police are investigating the crash as a hit-and-run, with surveillance footage from the store's parking lot showing the driver get out of his car and walk away Surveillance footage of the crash showed customers waiting on line at the order counter of Zorba's Coney Island early on New Year's Day, when a man sitting at a booth is pushed towards the window by a gray SUV. He crashes into the order window, but manages to avoid serious harm and is able to get up and run to safety before running back behind the order counter, which is smashed and broken upon impact. Another woman who was pinned down by the counter could be seen banging on the order window for help, as footage from the front door shows a man standing on line completely knocked down by the car. Others were seen running as the car crashed through the glass window, while others hid behind the window as screams and cries rung out. The driver crashed straight into the order window at the fast food restaurant The order counter is smashed and broken upon impact as workers tried to hide behind the window for their safety The crash occurred at Zorba's Coney Island (pictured) in east Detroit Meanwhile, security footage from outside the restaurant showed the gray SUV quickly turning into the parking lot. It squeezes past two parked car, scraping them up as it passes by, and drives right into the window, leaving rubble behind in its wake. The driver eventually reverses the SUV as people inside could be heard screaming. Once the front end of the SUV is backed up far enough, a man could be seen getting out of the driver's seat. He is soon chased by a woman who got out of the car's passenger side door, and screams at him 'I f****** knew it,' and 'What the f**** wrong with you?' As she goes to get something from the driver's side, the man walks away from the camera with his hands on his head. Following that exchange, store manager Lisa Foster said, the man appeared to be drunk and was staggering as he tried to hide behind the restaurant's garbage can. The woman in the video quickly found him, Foster told WXYZ, 'and was screaming "Lorenzo, Lorenzo."' Surveillance footage from the exterior of the restaurant also showed the SUV pulling into the parking lot at a high speed The driver squeezed between two parked cars before smashing into the window Following the crash, the driver managed to back p and escape the car as a woman in the passenger seat chased and yelled at him Foster said her boss and some of her coworkers 'literally had to pry the door open to lift this big brick off' of one woman. 'Someone could have been killed,' she said. 'He could have actually killed someone.' But fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. A cyber attack on the UK's Defence Academy - possibly by Russia or China - caused 'significant' damage, a retired high-ranking officer has revealed. Air Marshal Edward Stringer, who left the armed forces in August, told Sky News the attack - which was discovered in March 2021 - meant the Defence Academy, in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, was forced to rebuild its network. He said he did not know if criminals or a hostile state, like China, Russia, Iran or North Korea, were responsible but the damage has yet to be fully rectified months on, Sky reported. Criminals may have been targeting the academy to use it as a 'backdoor' to access other more secure Ministry of Defence (MoD) systems, Air Marshal Stringer said. Mr Stringer told the outlet: 'It could be any of those or it could just be someone trying to find a vulnerability for a ransomware attack that was just, you know, a genuine criminal organisation.' He added: 'There were costs to... operational output. There were opportunity costs in what our staff could have been doing when they were having to repair this damage. 'And what could we be spending the money on that we've had to bring forward to rebuild the network? There are not bodies in the streets but there's still been some damage done.' A cyber attack on the UK's Defence Academy - possibly by Russia or China - caused 'significant' damage, a retired high-ranking officer has revealed. Above: The Defence Academy, in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire Sky News reported that no sensitive information was stored on the academy's network. The school teaches 28,000 military personnel, diplomats and civil servants a year and moved more online during the pandemic. In an exclusive interview with Sky, the first since he left the military, Mr Stringer said 'unusual activity' was first discovered by contractors working for outsourcing company Serco and 'alarm bells' started ringing. He told the outlet there were 'external agents on our network who looked like they were there for what looked pretty quickly like nefarious reasons'. Air Marshal Edward Stringer, who left the armed forces in August, told Sky News the attack which was discovered in March 2021 meant the Defence Academy, in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, was forced to rebuild its network But he disclosed to Sky the attack was not successful and while the hackers may have been using the academy as a 'backdoor' to other Ministry of Defence (MoD) systems, there were no breaches beyond the school. Mr Stringer - who was also director general of joint force development and led the military thinking about how it would adapt to the future of warfare - said the attack fell within a so-called grey zone of harm, which falls below the threshold of war, according to Sky News. The site, which is much like a domain for a university, had to be completely rebuilt, a task which is still ongoing, Sky said. The National Cyber Security Centre, a branch of GCHQ, was also made aware of the hack, Sky News reported. The outlet reported that an MoD spokesperson said: 'In March 2021 we were made aware of an incident impacting the Defence Academy IT infrastructure. We took swift action and there was no impact on the wider Ministry of Defence IT network. Teaching at the Defence Academy has continued.' New York Attorney General Letitia James slammed former President Donald Trump's children, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., after ABC revealed they are refusing to comply with the subpoena in her investigation over whether their father committed fraud by misrepresenting his company's asset values. 'Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump are trying to stop my office from interviewing them under oath as part of our investigation into the Trump Organization and Mr. Trump,' James tweeted. She added: 'Over two years of delay tactics won't stop our investigation because no one is above the law.' James' office told DailyMail.com in a statement on Monday she is seeking interviews under oath from Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump as part of her investigation into the financial dealing of the Trump organization. New York Attorney General Letitia James slammed Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. after it was revealed they are refusing to comply with the subpoena in her investigation over whether their father, Donald Trump, committed fraud by misrepresenting his company's asset values James took to Twitter saying: 'Over two years of delay tactics won't stop our investigation because no one is above the law' Trump Organization attorney Alina Habba, responding to the subpoenas, told the Washington Post that James' actions 'a threat to our democracy'. 'She has weaponized her office through this political witch hunt,' Habba added. Ivanka and Donald Jr.'s participation in the civil probe was revealed in a Monday court filing by Trump Organization lawyers looking to block Trump and his children from speaking with James' investigators. 'A dispute has arisen between the OAG and the Individual Trump Parties regarding the Subpoenas,' the court document read. The document, filed jointly by James and an attorney for the ex-president's family business, sought to Ivanka and Donald Jr.'s status in the ongoing probe to 'respondents.' The filing also indicates they could take their own legal actions to fight James' subpoenas as soon as Monday. Ivanka Trump walks in Miami Beach, Florida on Monday after she was subpoenaed in a New York criminal probe into the Trump's business affairs Ivanka, the daughter of former President Donald Trump, pictured in workout attire in Miami on Monday afternoon Trump has frequently dismissed both probes as 'witch hunts' and accused Vance and James of political motivations and urged them to focus on rising crime rates in New York City. They were served on December 1, the same day as the former president, the New York Times reported. For more than two years James has been looking into whether the Trump Organization committed fraud by misrepresenting the value of Trump's real estate assets in statements to banks and tax authorities. Her team questioned his youngest adult child, Eric Trump, in October 2020. James said she was seeking a deposition from Trump as part of her civil probe, which began in March 2019 while he was still in the White House. Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr. (left) will file motions to quash New York Attorney General Letita James' subpoenas soon, a new report reveals Donald Trump Jr., who is named in James' subpoena, recently got engaged to former Fox News anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle. The pair are pictured together on New Year's Eve James is also working alongside Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. in his office's ongoing criminal fraud probe into the Trump Organization. That investigation has already produced charges against the Trump Organization's Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg as well as the Trump Payroll Corporation. Weisselberg pleaded not guilty to charges that he and the company evaded taxes on exorbitant gifts and benefits for executives. The former president's three adult children joined the family company some time after college and long held senior roles and influence. Ivanka resigned from the Trump Organization in January 2017, roughly two months before becoming her father's White House adviser. Trump responded to James' statement announcing her investigation will go on unabated Eric and Donald Jr. were handed control of the company when Trump took office along with Weisselberg. Last month the former president filed a lawsuit against James in a bid to stop her investigation. His lawyers claim he and his family have been subjected to James' 'bitter crusade' and accuse her of 'bombarding' them with subpoenas. James' office responded in a statement that 'no one is above the law.' 'The Trump Organization has continually sought to delay our investigation into its business dealings and now Donald Trump and his namesake company have filed a lawsuit as an attempted collateral attack on that investigation,' James said. 'To be clear, neither Mr. Trump nor the Trump Organization get to dictate if and where they will answer for their actions. Our investigation will continue undeterred because no one is above the law, not even someone with the name Trump.' Trump hit back at James that same afternoon, accusing her of being 'nothing but a corrupt official doing the dirty work of your party.' Eric Trump (left) watches his older brother speak during a 'Keep Iowa Great' press conference in February 2020. He spoke with James' investigators in October of that year 'Tell Letitia that she is not dealing with the Cuomo brothers, a corrupt Governor in a corrupt state, including your office and others, and Fredo, who did the Governors dirty work for him. Despite many years of investigation that nobody else could have survived even if they did things just slightly wrong, yours is just a continuation of the political Witch Hunt that has gone on against me by the Radical Left Democrats for years,' the ex-president fumed. 'This is not about delay, this is about our Constitution! You are nothing but a corrupt official doing the dirty work of your party. You should not be in office. This could well be the reason you were just rejected by the people of NY in your inept run for governor. You didnt quit for a higher purpose, you quit because your poll numbers were atrociousyou didnt have a chance. New York got lucky!' James had announced a run for governor of New York before suspending her campaign to once again mount a bid for the Attorney General's office to continue her investigation. Meanwhile, as of Thursday, New York City had recorded 481 murders, which have been fueled by an increase in gun crime, according to city data. The last time the city hit more than 500 murders was 2011, under then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, when homicides ended up totaling 515. Murders have gone up in New York City each of the last three years, with numbers hitting a 10-year high in 2021 The rest of the decade had seen a sharp decrease in murders, going down to 419 in 2012 and heading as low as 292 in 2017 under now former Mayor Bill de Blasio. But the numbers have climbed since, up to 462 in 2020 during the lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the city, which also saw stores hit by looting, and riots in the wake of George Floyd's murder. Those numbers have continued to go up this year, even as the city reopens, and are on pace to hit 10-year highs and the numbers continue to increase of late. Between November 28 and December 26, homicides were double what they were in the same period last year, with 41 murders compared to 24 in 2020. Overall, crime has risen 6.13 percent in New York City over 2020 through December 26. The biggest rise came in felony assaults like the ones previously mentioned, which rose 9.6 percent from 2020. Murders (4.1 percent), shooting victims (0.6 percent), rapes (3.3 percent), and robberies (4.7 percent) have also risen this year. The uncle of a seven-year-old New Hampshire girl who has been missing for two years says he reported an incident about her to child services back in 2019, but that his nephew stopped talking to him because of it. Harmony Montgomery was last seen at a home near the river city of Manchester on October 2019 when she was five years old, police said this week. Police received a missing person's report about her in the final week of December 2021. It is unclear why it took so long for her to be reported missing, but police say they are in contact with her relatives. On Sunday, officers searched a home in Manchester in connection to her disappearance. The home appears to have been owned by a relative of Harmony's until it was foreclosed in September 2019, a month before her disappearance, according to county records. Harmony Montgomery, 7, has been missing since October 2019. The last time she was seen was at a house in Manchester, New Hampshire, after a 911 call had been made Police searched 77 Gilford Street on Sunday in connection with Harmony's case. County records show the home was owned by a Helen Montgomery, 78, until September 2019 Harmony's uncle told Boston station WBTS that he reported an unspecified incident involving Harmony to the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families in July or August of 2019. The unnamed uncle did not reveal any any specifics about the incident. She was last seen in October of that year. Harmony is described as being 4ft tall and weighing 50lbs. She has blonde hair, and blue eyes and is said to be wearing glasses due to being blind in her right eye. The last photographs taken of Harmony are from two years ago. Manchester Police Chief Allen D. Aldenberg confirmed that officers searched a home at 77 Gilford Street on Sunday, according to New Hampshire Union Leader. Officers arrived at 8.29am and left just after 2pm. Drone footage on social media showed a tent set up in the backyard, the newspaper reported. The property was owned by Helen Montgomery, 78, and Christina Digirolamo from 2016 until it was foreclosed on September 5, 2019, according to the Hillsborough County Register of Deeds. Harmony is described as four-feet tall and weighs 50-pounds. She has blonde hair, and blue eyes and is said to be wearing glass due to being blind in her right eye The property also appears to have been the home of Kevin Lester Montgomery, 43. Kevin and Helen's relation to Harmony has not been confirmed by DailyMail.com. The five-bedroom, three-bathroom home, built in 1961, was purchased by a different buyer in May 2020 for $120,000. 'Manchester police became aware of this this week, and I know people are going to say "Well here it is 2021, almost 2022, and nobody has seen this young girl since late October 2019. So what has happened in the last few years?" Fair question. 'That's why I'm here today. Because we need assistance. We need help. And we do not have many answers to many questions that we have,' Aldenberg said. 'I don't care if you saw this young girl a year ago and you think it's irrelevant call us.' A missing person's report of Harmony's disappearance was filed just last week of December 2021, two years after she went missing Police said they were informed this week through the Division of Children Youth and Families in New Hampshire after several people filed reports of the missing child. Authorities have spoken with Harmony's family members but would not reveal which relatives those were. They said the girl was last seen in the area in October 2019 after police had responded to a call at a house where she was, but they did not disclose the details of the call. Aldenberg described the case as a 'top priority' for his investigators but added that there's isn't a lot of information out there for his department to go on about the girl's disappearance. It remains a 'very active investigation,' he said, adding that police is not searching for anyone in connection to the case, except Harmony. Harmony was last enrolled in school in Massachusetts in 2019, according to the police chief, but detectives don't know what town. Aldenberg failed to answer whether Harmony was the subject of a custody dispute or if any child welfare agencies had previously alerted police. 'I have detectives working on this that all have children of their own,' Aldenberg said. 'I do not doubt their level of commitment.' New Hampshire Child Advocate Moira O'Neill told Manchester station WMUR that her office can't comment on Harmony's specific case, but urged anyone with information to come forward. 'It's also sort of a call, a reminder to all of us that we need to be paying attention to children in our neighborhoods. We need to be paying attention when children don't show up for school, we need to be paying attention when children aren't keeping medical appointments, anything like that. 'We are the safety net for children and we want to be making sure that we know where they are,' O'Neill said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Manchester police at 603-668-8711 or Detective Jack Dunleavy at 603-792-5561. You can also remain anonymous and call the Manchester Crimeline at 603-624-4040. Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle are engaged! DailyMail.com can reveal Donald Trump's son popped the question to the former Fox News personality on New Year's Eve 2020 and they've been keeping their engagement under wraps for a year. Sources confirmed to DailyMail.com: 'Don and Kim got engaged on New Year's Eve 2020 - which is Don's birthday. They've been together for almost four years now and have been friends for 15 years.' 'They've kept it private for the past year as they settled into life in Florida after moving from New York,' the source added. 'Both are focused on their children - they have six between them - and their work.' The couple plan on living in Jupiter, Florida in a new home after finally offloading Guilfoyle's apartment in Manhattan for $4.4 million and their $8.1 million Hamptons home. DailyMail.com can reveal that Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle are engaged 'It's been an open secret for the past 12 months with everyone Kim runs into admiring her almost 8 carat diamond engagement ring,' a friend of the couple told DailyMail.com The former president's son popped the question Kimberly on New Year's Eve 2020 and they've been keeping their engagement under wraps for a year On Friday Don Jr. celebrated his 44th birthday and the new year at his father's New Year's Eve gala celebration at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. The couple wore all black and Kimberly, 52, can be seen flashing her rock on her ring finger. They've been together for almost four years now and have been friends for 15 years 'It's been an open secret for the past 12 months with everyone Kim runs into admiring her almost 8 carat diamond engagement ring,' the friend added. 'The chatter about the engagement has increased since the engagement ring was seen on Don and Kim's Instagram accounts on New Year's Eve.' It's now currently known if plans for a lavish wedding are underway. DailyMail.com confirmed the couple were dating in 2018. A source at the time said the Trump family is a big fan of Kimberly, especially the former president. And it appeared clear as Kimberly was seen by Don Jr.'s side, making public appearances for Trump's failed re-election campaign. Don Jr. loves that Kim is 'so smart' and understands the political landscape so well, the source said. The couple began dating around the time Don Jr. and wife Vanessa announced their decision to split after 12 years of marriage. They share five children together. They appear to be on good terms and have been seen co-parenting and enjoying meals with their kids together. Don Jr. popped the question on New Year's Eve last year He snapped a selfie at the 2020 party with his. new fiancee 'They've kept it private for the past year as they settled into life in Florida after moving from New York,' the source added. 'Both are focused on their children - they have six between them and their work' Don Jr. and Guilfoyle, an advisor to former President Trump, spent the night with family and friends on New Year's Eve It's not known if plans for a lavish wedding are underway. It will be Kimberly's third marriage and Don Jr.'s second Don's estranged wife Vanessa Trump filed divorce papers in Manhattan Supreme Court after 12 years of marriage Kimberly has one son - Ronan - with ex husband Eric Villency, (right) who she was married to from 2006-2009. She was previously married to Gavin Newsom (left), the current governor of California, from 2001-2006 Kimberly has one son - Ronan - with ex husband Eric Villency, who she was married to from 2006-2009. She was previously married to Gavin Newsom, the current governor of California, from 2001-2006. Kim and Don 'are really into each other, it's obvious from the way they are together, and they haven't tried to hide it, a source told DailyMail.com when they began dating. 'But they haven't felt compelled to make any kind of pronouncement that they're romantically involved. The source added that the two are 'crazy about each other' and have never tried to hide their romance. Coronavirus cases on Capitol Hill have skyrocketed with the new Omicron variant and the attending physician of the Capitol is advising staff to telework when possible and wear an N95 mask when they have to come into the office. In a lengthy memo to Capitol Hill staff sent on Monday and obtained by DailyMail.com, Dr. Brian Monahan said that both the Omicron and Delta variants of COVID 'have caused an unprecedented number of cases in the Capitol community affecting hundreds of individuals.' He said the testing center's positivity rate in the Capitol complex has risen from less than 1% to greater than 13%. 'The daily case rates will increase even more substantially in the coming weeks,' Monahan warned citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data and nationwide stasticts. Washington D.C. has become a hot spot for the disease with one of the highest case rates and hospitalization rates in the nation. In Virginia and Maryland, the highest case spikes are in the DC suburbs. Fourteen members of Congress have announced - over the past few weeks - that they have tested positive for COVID. Those lawmakers have been fully vaccinated and many of them have had their booster shot. The country recorded its highest seven-day average number of COVID cases on January 2, with 413,304 people testing positive for the virus over the past week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. At the same time, on a seven-day average, there were 1,350 new deaths. That number is far lower than the seven-day average recorded at the peak of winter in January 2021, where the US averaged around 3,300 deaths. Monahan advised offices to immediately begin teleworking where possible. The House is not in session this week. The Senate delayed the start of their work week until Tuesday after Washington D.C. was hit with a snowstorm that caused massive flight delays and cancelations. Offices 'should immediately review their operations to adopt a maximal telework posture to reduce in-person meetings and in-office activities to the maximum extent possible,' he wrote. Attending physician of the Capitol is advising congressional staff to telework when possible and wear an N95 mask when they have to come into the office Ahead of the holidays long lines of staffers formed to get tested for COVID The Capitol complex is expected to be crowded with lawmakers and staff on Thursday, when they gather to mark the one-year anniversary of the January 6th MAGA riot in the Capitol. He advised staff and lawmakers to wear KN95 masks when in the complex. 'Blue surgical masks, cloth face masks and gaiter masks must be replaced by the more protective KN95 or N95 masks. Wearing a mask is a very effective personal protective measure to reduce the risk of infection,' Monahan wrote. Mask wearing has become a political issue on Capitol Hill. Several lawmakers have refused to wear them. They are mandatory in the House where Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has racked up thousands in fines for refusing to don one. Dr. Monahan said the cases in the Capitol represent 'breakthrough infections' among mostly previously vaccinated individuals. He said the Omicron variant counts for 61% of them and the Delta variant counts for 38%. 'Dozens of individuals with coronavirus infection are identified at the Capitol daily, with the majority of these occurring in vaccinated individuals,' the doctor warned Capitol Hill staff. He said none of the cases in the Capitol have led to hospitalization or death. He reminded people to get their booster shot - they are available to lawmakers and staff in the Capitol complex. Testing is also available in the Capitol complex to lawmakers and staff. Airport staff in Mauritius have found a newborn baby boy in a plane toilet bin and arrested a 20-year-old woman in connection with the incident. Officials discovered the newborn in the bin of the Air Mauritius plane during a routine customs check after the aircraft touched down in Mauritius on New Year's Day. The baby was born during the flight from Madagascar but was not discovered until the plan landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis. The woman detained in connection with the discovery initially denied she was the infant's mother but a medical examination confirmed she had recently given birth. The newborn was rushed to hospital for treatment and is understood to be doing well. The baby boy was found in the bin of the plane travelling from the island of Madagascar to Mauritius (pictured, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Mauritius) which landed on New Year's Day The Malagasy woman had come to Mauritius on a two year work permit, the BBC reported. She was taken to hospital for treatment and was ordered to undergo a medical examination to confirm whether she had recently given birth. The unnamed woman and her son are both doing well in hospital. She is under police surveillance and will be questioned when she is released from hospital, police said. It is expected she will be charged with abandoning her newborn. A similar incident took place in October 2020 when a newborn baby was discovered abandoned in a toilet in Hamad International Airport in the Qatari capital, Doha. Officials then forced thirteen female passengers to undergo an invasive vaginal examination to determine whether the infant's mother was onboard in an incident that sparked widespread outrage. Qatar later apologised over the searches and handed one official a suspended sentence. The women have demanded legal action against the hard line Islamic nation over the incident. A day after being banned by Twitter for spreading COVID-19 misinformation, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday said Facebook had suspended her account for 24 hours. The fringe Republican, who has previously shared QAnon conspiracy theories and suggested that California wildfires were caused by Jewish space lasers, posted a statement on GETTR, a conservative social media platform. 'Facebook has joined Twitter in censoring me,' she said. 'This is beyond censorship of speech. 'I'm an elected Member of Congress representing over 700,000 US tax paying citizens and I represent their voices, values, defend their freedoms, and protect the Constitution.' A day earlier she condemned Twitter as 'an enemy to America' for blocking her personal account, although her work account is reportedly unaffected. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene revealed on Monday that she had been suspended by Facebook for 24 hours a day after Twitter said she was banned permanently for violating its rules Greene railed against social media companies for 'censoring' her, after her unfounded claims of 'extremely high amounts of COVID vaccine deaths' led to her accounts being suspended On her GETTR account she shared what appeared to be a Facebook screenshot. 'You can't post or comment for 24 hours. This is because you previously posted something that didn't follow our Community Standards,' it said. Facebook's intervention comes after Greene posted the same message to both platforms, claiming reports of injury or death among COVID-19 vaccine recipients were evidence of the federal government ignoring 'extremely high amounts of COVID vaccine deaths.' On GETTR, she said there had been 'zero investigation' into the deaths. 'Who appointed Twitter and Facebook to be the authorities of information and misinformation?' she asked. 'When Big Tech decides what political speech of elected members is accepted and whats not then they are working against our government and against the interest of our people.' There is no evidence of that coronavirus vaccines cause widespread, serious side-effects. Instead, Greene included with her tweet a chart of anecdotal, unverified reports of side-effects from a monitoring system operated by the Food and Drug Administration - which experts said was misleading. 'A post violated our policies and we have removed it; but removing her account for this violation is beyond the scope of our policies,' said a Meta spokesperson. Greene is among a new breed of Republicans who rose to power under former President Donald Trump, aping his bombastic style and disregard for facts. In the past year social media companies have stepped up their policing of misinformation that it believes could be harmful to public health in light of the pandemic. Trump himself was banned from Twitter last year over what it said was the threat of 'further incitement of violence' after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol last Jan. 6. Despite her ban, Greene has found other platforms from which to rail against Big Tech. Marjorie Taylor Greene, pictured center, has had her personal Twitter account suspended for repeatedly sharing COVID misinformation Greene responded to the ban with a message on the encrypted messaging app Telegram from her communications director Nick Dyer Greene's personal account was suspended on Sunday, as seen in this grab, after Twitter previously said But her official work account remains live. She has not tweeted from it since December 19 This compilation of Greene's final tweets railing against COVID measures appear to be what earned her her fifth strike and permanent ban from Twitter 'Twitter is an enemy to America and cant handle the truth. That's fine, Ill show America we dont need them and its time to defeat our enemies,' she said on Sunday in a statement on the encrypted messaging app Telegram sent to the media by her communications director, Nick Dyer, after her ban was imposed. Greene added: 'Social media platforms cant stop the truth from being spread far and wide. Big Tech cant stop the truth. Communist Democrats cant stop the truth. 'I stand with the truth and the people. We will overcome!' Twitter's rules allow someone to appeal if they believe the account was suspended in error. This is the fifth strike for Greene, who was last suspended in August for saying that vaccines were 'failing' to reduce the spread of COVID and that the FDA shouldn't have approved them. She got her third strike in July after tweeting that COVID wasn't dangerous. She was also suspended in January, days after the Capitol riot, for tweets echoing conspiracy theories about voter fraud in her home state of Georgia. Two or three strikes earn a 12-hour account lock; four strikes prompt a weeklong suspension, and five or more strikes can get someone permanently removed from Twitter. A Twitter spokesperson said: 'We permanently suspended @mtrgreene for repeated violations of our COVID-19 misinformation policy. Weve been clear that, per our strike system for this policy, we will permanently suspend accounts for repeated violations of the policy.' In a statement released by her office, Greene said she was suspended for sharing a tweet citing numbers from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, a self-reporting tool for vaccine side effects managed by the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration. Greene's suspension comes almost a year after Donald Trump was permanently suspended days after the January 6 riot. In a lengthy Twitter thread on Saturday, she posted a graph showing a reported 18,000 deaths from the COVID-19 vaccines, according to VAERS data. 'Before Covid, Reported deaths from vaccines were taken seriously and dangerous vaccines were stopped. After Covid, Extremely high amounts of covid vaccine deaths are ignored and government forced vaccine mandates increase,' she said. VAERS allows anyone to report side effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Government health official have warned that the data is being misused and misinterpreted, given that anyone is able to submit a report. Reports of side effects or deaths caused by the COVID-19 vaccine on VAERS do not prove that negative outcomes were related to the vaccine itself. Last month, Greene, 47, compared COVID to cancer in a four tweet thread calling for Americans to take a more laid back attitude to the virus. 'Every single year more than 600,000 people in the US die from cancer. In 2021, an estimated 608,570 people will die of cancer in the United States. The country has never once shut down. Not a single school has closed. 'And every year, over 600,000 people, of all ages and all races, will continue to die from cancer. 'Since #COVID19 tracking has started, 780,000+ people have died in 22 mo in the US, but more than 1 million still died of cancer. 'More have died in 2021 from covid than 2020 in spite of Gov mandated widespread vaccines, mass public masking, & trillions spent. 'Covid predominately targets oatbese & older people,' Greene added, insisting that 'its time to take a different approach based on the facts' and 'stop the politically driven mass hysteria.' Greene, 47, has faced repeated criticism over her use of social media to spread misinformation Greene tweeted in August that the FDA should not approve the COVID vaccines because there were 'too many reports' of breakthrough cases. Twitter marked the tweet misleading and blocked users from interacting with it Twitter has a five-strike policy for users who spread COVID-19 misinformation. The latest strike appears to have been her last Greene has also taken repeated aim at White House COVID tsar Dr Anthony Fauci, and even shared snaps of herself wearing a face mask emblazoned with the words 'Fire Fauci.' When her account was suspended in August 2021, a Twitter spokesperson said: 'The account will be in read-only mode for a week due to repeated violations of the Twitter rules.' The social media website's misinformation policy states that violating its COVID guidelines five times could result in a permanent ban, according to the Arizona Republic. In 2017, she called the internet-born conspiracy theory QAnon, whose believers follow the words of an alleged government insider nicknamed Q, a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles out,' according to the Tampa Bay Times. In February 2021, she said in a speech on the House floor that she stopped believing in the conspiracy theory once she found 'misinformation, lies, things that were not true' in QAnon posts. On Sunday, the first-term congresswoman pointed the finger at her colleagues, suggesting Twitter has a double standard. 'Maxine Waters can go to the streets and threaten violence on Twitter, Kamala and Ilhan can bail out Black Lives Matter terrorists on Twitter, CNN and the rest of the Democrat Propaganda Media can spread Russia collusion lies, and just yesterday the Chief spokesman for terrorist IRGC can tweet mourning Soleimani, but I get suspended for tweeting VAERS statistics,' she said. Statistics from the self-reporting vaccine side effect database are often cited by conservative commentators like Tucker Carlson to downplay the effectiveness of vaccines. Last week, Greene criticized the national College Republicans group for tweeting out a message wishing people a Happy Kwanzaa Last week, Greene criticized the national College Republicans group for tweeting out a message wishing people a Happy Kwanzaa. The secular festival of African American culture is celebrated each year from December 26 to January 1. 'Stop. It's a fake religion created by a psychopath,' Greene wrote back on Twitter. 'You aren't bringing in new voters, you are turning them away. People are tired of pandering and BS.' A Texas fugitive killed himself in Florida months after he recorded a video apologizing to his children for killing their mother. Trent Vahn Paschal, 48, shot himself as Marion County, Florida, Sheriff's deputies approached his van parked at the Holiday Trav-L Park in Ocala. Paschal had been on the run for months, after police brought charges against him in connection to the death of his 30-year-old wife Savannah Paschal. In October 21, 2020, Paschal recorded a chilling 5-minute rant in which he apologized to his children and accused his wife of cheating. In the video, he can be seen hiding behind shower curtains and waiting for Savannah to come inside their house in La Marque, Texas, before the alleged fatal shooting. 'I'm so sorry that I did this. I want you to know that you mean everything to me,' Paschal said in the video about his daughter Mackenzie, seven, and stepson, William, 12. 'I didn't do this, your mom chose this. She had been cheating on me for a long time...I didn't do nothing wrong to her,' he added. After reportedly killing his wife, Paschal escaped the scene and was chased by police to a Walmart, where he refused to drop his gun and was ultimately shot, Abc 13 reported. Paschal was treated for his injuries and arrested. He posted bailed but was required to wear an ankle monitor, which he removed in April, 2021. Harris County Sheriff's deputies in Texas ensued a manhunt, but Paschal was ultimately located in Florida, before he killed himself. Trent Vahn Paschal, 48, shot himself as Marion County, Florida, Sheriff's deputies approached his van parked at the Holiday Travel Parkin Ocala Paschal had been on the run for months, after police brought charges against him in connection to the death of his 30-year-old wife Savannah Paschal. In October, 2020, Paschal recorded a chilling 5-minute rant in which he apologized to his children and accused his wife of cheating Before the alleged killing, Paschal recorded a chilling video apologizing to his daughter and stepson, and blaming his wife for her own tragic death. '[Mackenzie] I'm so sorry that I did this. I want you to know that you mean everything to me. William, I love you too. I love you so much, I love you like you are my own,' Paschal says in the video. 'I didn't do this, your mom chose this. She had been cheating on me for a long time...I didn't do nothing wrong to her.' 'When we first got together, I told her, ''you are too young for me,'' there's an 18-year-old difference in our age and I knew she was kind of too young,' he proceeds to say. 'But I didn't - she's been playing me for a fool. I told her not to mess with me, not to mess with my emotions, don't play with me.' He goes on to accuse his wife of cheating. 'I've put everything into this relationship, I've done nothing to your mom. I've never hit her. I've never hurt her. I've never called her names,' he says. 'A couple of times when I got really mad, I would say a bad word or something but I've done everything I can. I haven't done anything wrong. I'm like 'why me?' 'My hair is a mess and I look horrible, I'm going to take these [glasses] off,' he digresses as he fixes his hair and cries on camera. 'I love you, McKenzie, I love you so much. Please do something good with your life. Please do something really good. Because you deserve a good life and I don't know what else to say. I'm - I'm so sorry I don't have better words right now. I'm hurting so bad.' 'I didn't do nothing wrong to her. I provided what I could, I've done what I could for her. I've done nothing but good for her. And I treated y'all good. I've done good things for y'all,' Paschal adds. 'My mind is everywhere...I can't concentrate right now.' Paschal can be seen on video walking towards the bathroom, where he allegedly hid before shooting his wife while the couple's children were at school. 'I'm so sorry that I did this. I want you to know that you mean everything to me,' Paschal said in the video about his daughter Mackenzie, seven, and stepson, William, 12. 'I didn't do this, your mom chose this. She had been cheating on me for a long time...I didn't do nothing wrong to her,' he added After the killing took place, Paschal was chased by Harris County Sheriff's deputies to a Walmart parking lot in Houston Paschal was charged with murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and aggravated assault on a police officer After the killing took place, Paschal was chased by Harris County Sheriff's deputies to a Walmart parking lot in Houston. He reportedly refused to drop his gun, prompting deputies to shoot him. He was then taken to the hospital to treat his non-fatal injuries and was subsequently arrested. Paschal was charged with murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and aggravated assault on a police officer. He was held on $550,000 bond, which he posted, and was released under the condition that he wore a ankle monitor. Paschal allegedly removed the monitor on April 13, 2020 and went on the run. He stole a car at a dealership after he asked for a test drive, and held the salesman at gunpoint, forcing him to leave the car. Paschal then fled with the Chevrolet Tahoe, as authorities ensued a manhunt. Savannah Pascal and her two children Mackenzie and William Trent Paschal killed himself more than a year after allegedly killing his wife For months, Paschal remained on the run, with US marshals desperately distributing 'WANTED' posters in order to locate him. 'You don't just vanish off the face of earth without somebody's help,' Officer Chase Hunt told a local station in the summer of 2021. 'The guy stands out. He's arrogant, cocky,' he added. Hunt theorized that Paschal had been hiding at a hotel in an area where nobody was aware of how dangerous he was. Paschal had been seen for the last time near his mother's house, and police expected him to be close to the Houston area. The Marion County, Florida, Sheriff's office then received a tip that Paschal was inside a van at a Holiday Travel Parkin Ocala. When deputies arrived, they found Paschal holed up inside the car, and asked him to surrender. Instead, he killed himself, authorities said. Paschal had a lengthy criminal history of theft and reckless driving. Just months before his wife's murder, he had been charged with theft in Houston. U.S. assassination of Iran's top general raises "hatred" in global opinion: ministry Xinhua) 14:37, January 03, 2022 A billboard showing late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani is seen at the entrance to a park in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 2, 2022, one day ahead of the second anniversary of his assassination by the United States in Iraq. Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that the U.S. assassination of the country's top general two years ago has raised "hatred" in global opinion. A U.S. airstrike on Jan. 3, 2020 killed Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, along with an Iraqi militia commander, near the Baghdad International Airport. (Xinhua/Gao Wencheng) TEHRAN, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that the U.S. assassination of the country's top general two years ago has raised "hatred" in global opinion. "The world's reactions to the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani were that all nations have strongly despised the U.S. bullying and hegemonic policies," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on its Twitter account. "If the U.S. officials failed to see the images of hatred on the streets of the countries worldwide, they are puppet of their own media empire," the ministry added. A U.S. airstrike on Jan. 3, 2020 killed Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, along with an Iraqi militia commander, near the Baghdad International Airport. Tehran Prosecutor General Ali Qasi Mehr said earlier that Iran had filed a case with the Interpol to arrest a number of U.S. political and military officials "who were involved in the assassination of Soleimani." (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji) Hanging out on the Vineworks rooftop after sunset / Courtesy of Vineworks By Chantal Terblanche Vineworks pairs wine with people. An interactive wine tasting and food community in the heart of western Seoul's Hapjeong-dong area, it provides events and casual drop-ins for wine enthusiasts and beginners alike The physical location, occupying the top few floors including the roof of a building located in the alleys of western Seoul's Hapjeong-dong district, was founded by Ian Ashworth. Originally from England, he's been in Asia for 17 years, the bulk of which was spent in Korea, where he started off working as a teacher. "In 2014, the concept of Vineworks was first formed," Ashworth told The Korea Times, "but it was in late 2016 that it became official." Ashworth, a longtime lover of wine, had a growing awareness that wine in Korea was "reserved for the elite or elitist sections of society, deliberately overpriced and that generally wine tastings were a tedious affair." Ian Ashworth of Vineworks / Courtesy of Vineworks It was nothing like the wine-tasting excursions he'd taken around Europe previously. Ashworth wanted something different as he described it, something "more holistic, more communicative and ultimately more fun." Ashworth decided on the name "Vineworks" and the slogan, "Vineworks pairs wine with people." Vineworks strives to offer relaxed and interactive wine-tasting experiences catering to people from all over the world and Korea. Ashworth says, "As vines connect plants in and around the vineyard, so we try to reach out and entwine people, wine and food from around the world." Ashworth grew up in a tasting environment, with his dad owning a craft beer brewing business, and there were always new tastes to explore. His background was a significant factor in making exploration the motivation. Food at Vineworks / Courtesy of Vineworks The evolution of Vineworks has been a very organic process. They first started hosting events from their living room, with Ashworth laughing at the memory of "squeezing people onto far too tiny sofas.'' He explained that they relied on home cooking, smell quizzes and blind tastings as ways of getting people to interact and share their taste experiences and encouraging creative tasting notes. Vineworks then moved to its very own first location in the neighbourhood of Sangsu-dong. At first, they didn't really have a plan. They just needed a location so they could start doing business officially. As Ashworth said, "Some of its dysfunctionality was its charm." In this location, they branched out and started doing more events. Ashworth has enjoyed the feeling of birthing a project and watching it grow and develop in different ways. A meal on Vineworks' rooftop / Courtesy of Vineworks It was during the pandemic that they saw the opportunity to expand their premises and move to a space better suited for private rooms and a huge rooftop. After four years in Sangsu-dong, Vineworks moved almost literally across the street to its current, much bigger space in Hapjeong-dong in March last year. The new area has private rooms and other nooks and crannies for people to relax in. It also has its own rooftop, perfect for sundowners or Saturday barbecues. Vineworks employees didn't learn wine through conventional wine tastings; they learned by sitting around with friends or family, eating home-cooked food and exploring good wines in a casual setting. Ashworth has always strived for Vineworks to keep its casual atmosphere and sense of living room coziness. For Ashworth, the biggest compliment he can receive is when people tell him, "this feels like home." Vineworks has done many kinds of events over the years, but the most popular by far is the "Grapes of Wrath" Saturday wine fights. These events pitch France against other wine-producing countries in a three-round blind tasting same grapes, same price and there are plenty of surprises. Food and iwne pairing at Vineworks / Courtesy of Vineworks Ashworth knows that the wine world is diverse and full of exciting things to try, so guests are welcomed to challenge stereotypes and try things for themselves. All this is tied in with summer barbecues and food styles from the wine regions for holistic evenings of Dionysian indulgence. Vineworks also does home catering, as well as private table tastings in the restaurant, should anyone feel like having a meal with family, friends, private groups or parties. The tasting room, kitchen and rooftop are also available to be rented for personal use. In January, Vineworks will be restarting its wine courses again, every Saturday afternoon or selected weekday evenings, including explorations for wine nerds too. Sharing drinks on Vineworks' rooftop / Courtesy of Vineworks Sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell will stand trial for perjury for allegedly lying under oath during a 2016 defamation case brought forward by accuser Virginia Giuffre. The British former socialite - found guilty in late December of procuring young women for partner Jeffrey Epstein - has yet to answer to claims she lied to investigators about her involvement with the infamous sex fiend. Maxwell's sex trafficking case dominated national headlines last month and ended with five convictions related to her role in a scandal alleged to involve high-profile political figures, billionaires, and at least one member of the British royal family. She faces up to 65 years in prison, but more time could be tacked onto her sentence after her perjury charges are tried. Manhattan federal Judge Alison Nathan on Monday asked attorneys to submit schedule proposals for the hearing, the New York Post reported. Those charges, filed in 2020, are related to a now-settled defamation lawsuit brought forward by Giuffre. Her lawyers later released a trove of documents they claimed prove Maxwell lied to investigators during the deposition. The legal team has said it can disprove everything Maxwell, 60, said with flight manifests and photographs. Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, pictured in a November 30 sketch, will now stand trial for perjury charges related to a 2016 sworn deposition The deposition was part of a defamation lawsuit filed by accuser Virginia Giuffre (center), who claims she was victimized by Prince Andrew (left) and that Maxwell (right) helped orchestrate the abuse Maxwell claimed under oath to have only visited Epstein's Palm Beach Home 'once' in 2005, but flight logs showed she flew there at least 11 times, Giuffre's lawyers said. Maxwell told lawyers that she never remembered being on Epstein's private plane with Giuffre, but a flight manifest shows the pair flew together at least 23 times when Virginia was underage, according to Giuffre's legal team. She also claimed she didn't remember Giuffre being in London with her, despite a photograph that shows the together with Prince Andrew in Maxwell's home during a 2001 trip. Giuffre, now a 38-year-old mother-of-three, sued the Duke in federal court in New York last July for infliction of emotional distress and battery. She claims she was forced to have sex with the Duke three times in 2001 at Epstein's command when she was 17. Andrew strongly denies her claims and has said she is after 'another payday at his expense'. He's hopeful that a newly-unsealed settlement signed by Giuffre - which shows Epstein paid her $500,000 to resolve the sex abuse case against him - will lead to the dismissal of the sexual lawsuit against him. Andrew's lawyers have claimed the agreement would prevent Giuffre from continuing the battery lawsuit she filed against him in 2020 because it absolved him of liability for future cases. Maxwell (pictured with Epstein and Michael Bolton) claimed in the deposition that she only visited Epstein's Palm Beach Home 'once' and that she never remembered being on Epstein's private plane with Giuffre In the 12-page agreement Giuffre agreed to release Epstein's 'agent(s), attorney(s), predecessor(s), successor(s), heir(s), administrator(s), assign(s) and/or employee(s)'. Giuffre also agreed to release 'any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant ('Other Potential Defendants') from all, and all manner of, action and actions of Virginia Roberts, including State or Federal, cause and causes of action (common law or statutory), suitsand demands whatsoever in law or inequity for compensatory or punitive damages'. In his response to Giuffre's allegations, the Duke's lawyer Andrew Brettler argued that since Andrew was identified as 'royalty' in her complaint against Epstein, it meant he qualified as somebody covered in the settlement. Brettler was referring to the fact that Giuffre claimed she was 'required to be sexually exploited by [Epstein's] adult male peers, including royalty, politicians, academicians, businessmen, and/or other professional and personal acquaintances'. Maxwell (pictured with Epstein) faces up to 65 years in prison, but more time could be tacked onto her sentence after her perjury charges are tried She is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, which she has described as a 'hell hole' Virginia Giuffre is pictured with her attorneys during a 2019 news conference. Maxwell's perjury charges are related to testimony she gave during a now-settled defamation suit filed against Giuffre, now 38 Brettler argued that Giuffre dismissed a claim of battery against the lawyer Alan Dershowitz after he raised the same agreement, so she should do the same for the case against Andrew. As she awaits sentencing in a prison she's described as a 'hell hole,' a judge approved last week Maxwell's request to get a Covid-19 booster shot Attorney Bobbi Sternheim asked Judge Alison Nathan if it was possible for her client to get the vaccine, and the judge said it was available at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where she is being held. The former socialite has spent more than 500 days in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn although she will likely spend the rest of her life in federal prison in the United States after she is sentenced. At least one hospital in Rhode Island has allowed COVID positive staff return to work as a staffing crisis grips the state months after hospitals fired unvaccinated health care workers in compliance with a state mandate. The state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital in Cranston reached 'crisis' staffing status on Monday. Employees were told in a memo that vaccinated 'staff with mild symptoms' can return to work if called. On December 31, the Rhode Island Department of Health updated its guidelines to allow health care facilities in 'crisis' mode to require no isolation restrictions for workers with 'asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic' cases. The change comes after the state's vaccine mandate for health care workers went into effect on October 1. The state's two largest health systems said they would fire workers who didn't get a shot by that date. COVID positive staff helped patients at Eleanor Slater Hospital in Cranston, Rhode Island on Saturday and Sunday as the state battles a shortage of health care workers On New Year's Eve, the state updated its guidelines to allow hospitals in 'crisis' mode to call back COVID positive patients with mild or no symptoms. Above, an EMT helps a COVID-19 patient at Kent Hospital in Rhode Island on January 6, 2021 The state saw 100 hospitalization on the week of November 6. For the week of December 25, there were 243 - more than double Hospitals in crisis mode have to notify the Department of Health and post the information on its website so patients and families know that COVID positive staff work there, according to the Providence Journal. On Monday, the newspaper obtained a memo from Eleanor Slater, which treats patients with acute and long-term medical illnesses and mental health conditions. 'We have officially notified [the Rhode Island Department of Health] that we are in such a staffing situation,' the message read. The New Year's Day memo added: 'I would like to clarify the [earlier] message to make sure that staff with mild symptoms know that they can work.' Rhode Island Health Department spokesman Joseph Wendelken told the Journal that the hospital had one asymptomatic staffer who recently tested positive at the facility on Saturday. Another worker was on site on Sunday. 'These people on Saturday and Sunday were masked, and facility administrators communicated that they would try to have them only caring for COVID-19 positive patients,' he said. By Monday, no COVID positive staff was working a the hospital. Still, the hospital had not posted a notice on its website warning patients and their families that COVID positive staff were roaming its halls. Wendelken also said that the Respiratory and Rehabilitation Center of Rhode Island, a nursing home in Coventry, was using asymptomatic staff that tested positive. By mid-day on Monday, he walked that back, telling the Journal: 'Respiratory and Rehabilitation Center of Rhode Island is no longer at this "crisis" level. As I wrote earlier, the status of a facility is fluid.' The Rhode Island Department of Health is not bringing back unvaccinated workers, who they say still pose a risk due to their higher viral loads. Above, a COVID patient is served lunch at a field hospital in Cranston, Rhode Island on February 10, 2021 Between the weeks of November 6 and December 25, COVID-19 cases rose by more than 400 percent to 785 per 100,000 Rhode Island updated its guidance on December 31 to match recent Centers for Disease Control guidelines that also allowed COVID positive staff to return to work during a crisis situation nationwide. In September, the Rhode Island's two largest health systems said they would fire workers who flouted the state's October 1 vaccine mandate unless they had a valid exemption. Lifespan Corp, which employs more than 16,000 people, boasted a 96 percent vaccination rate among workers in the days before the mandate went into effect, according to the Boston Globe. Care New England, another hospital system, had a 95 percent vaccination rate. 'As of the October 1 deadline, Care New England will be 100 percent compliant with the RIDOH's vaccine mandate,' said President and CEO Dr. James E. Fanale in a statement before the mandate went into effect. 'As healthcare workers, we are committed to providing an environment that is safe and healthy for patients, as well as staff.' Hospitals administrators can choose whether to bring back COVID positive staff and whether to place them only with COVID positive patients. Above, a doctor gets a COVID shot at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence in December 2020 Cases in Rhode Island have risen due to the more contagious Omicron variant The state health department's announcement that they're allowing vaccinated COVID positive staff to come back to work, so long as they're asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, raised questions about bringing back healthy, unvaccinated workers. Wendelken, the health department spokesman, answered in a statement to the Providence Journal. 'An unvaccinated healthcare worker is at greater individual risk, given how many COVID-19 positive patients are in facilities. 'Additionally, someone who is vaccinated and who tested positive for COVID-19 has a much lower viral load, compared to someone who is COVID positive and unvaccinated. This means that the likelihood of transmission is much less.' Hospital administrators are in charge of whether to bring back COVID positive workers. Hospital admissions in Rhode Island have risen dramatically as the state navigates the more contagious Omicron variant. The state saw 100 hospitalization on the week of November 6. For the week of December 25, there were 243 - more than double, according to state health data. Case counts have also risen dramatically. The state recorded 175 cases per 100,000 people the week of November 6. For the week of December 25, cases were up over 400 percent, to 785 per 100,000. Elite commando teams with the authority to shoot-to-kill were deployed in Washington, DC on January 6th last year to protect ex-Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress gathering to certify the 2020 election results, a new report claimed on Monday. A year ago today, senior leaders of multiple federal special forces teams met to discuss contingency plans and possible threats ahead of the Joint Session of Congress where President Joe Biden's electoral victory was sealed, Newsweek reported. Ex-Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, who ran Donald Trump's Justice Department at the time of the Capitol riot, reportedly acted alone in deciding to activate the elite units. Neither the contingency plans nor their resulting actions that day were public knowledge before Monday. Under a plan previously approved by Trump, law enforcement agents that make up 'catastrophic response units' were given sweeping authorities to do whatever necessary in officials' defense, even if it meant taking a life. Agents from the FBI's Baltimore, Maryland Field Office, the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, an FBI nuclear explosives rapid response team known as 'Render Safe,' as well as Special Response Teams from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the US Marshals Service Special Operations Group made up the units. FBI swat team members and police officers patrol inside the US Capitol in Washington DC on January 6. A new report uncovered alleged plans activated by former Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen to prepare elite law enforcement units to respond in the event of a major terror attack or explosion that day Police with the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) maintain security in the halls of the Senate in the U.S. Capitol, as a joint session continues in the House to certify President-elect Joe Biden, in Washington on January 6 Rosen's unilateral decision means the teams were not requested or known of by US Capitol Police or the Washington, DC Metro Police forces, or even members of Congress. The former Justice official testified in May before a House panel that his department had been focused on 'high risk' operations that day rather than 'crowd control.' 'I believe that DOJ reasonably prepared for contingencies ahead of January 6, understanding that there was considerable uncertainty as to how many people would arrive, who those people would be, and precisely what purposes they would pursue,' Rosen had told lawmakers on the House Oversight committee. The groups were staged at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, about 30 miles from the Capitol, and 'pre-deployed' the weekend ahead of the riot. If an explosive or other terror attack were to occur the teams were to travel to the site of the incident by helicopter. After intelligence indicated a potential threat to FBI Headquarters or its field office in Washington, units were moved to downtown areas of the capital on the morning of January 6. Under contingency plans previously approved by Donald Trump, federal agents with sweeping authorities including shooting to kill if necessary deployed to Capitol Hill and wound up protecting ex-Vice President Mike Pence when the former president's supporters broke into the Capitol Trump's supporters marched to the Capitol falsely believing that the 2020 election results that lawmakers were readying to certify were a sham FBI teams reportedly arrived on Capitol Hill early that day to collect evidence on explosives found near the Republican and Democrat national headquarters. The agency's snipers and other SWAT members provided cover to nearby Congressional buildings. And when violent Trump supporters breached the Capitol's parameters, members of the Hostage Rescue Team were among the first law enforcement officers in the building. One of the teams that made it into the Capitol reportedly assisted present law enforcement in securing Pence and his family in an underground area of the complex. The vice president reportedly refused to evacuate and stayed put, despite officers' urging. Agents also deployed as 'selective security' for members of Congress trying to evade protesters, the report claims. FBI sources told Newsweek that the military was also present in the DC metropolitan area on January 6, though the extent of their efforts or coordination with the DOJ teams is unknown. Police have issued warnings to three boys, including an eight-year-old, after a young woman was allegedly groped on her doorstep. The 21-year-old student said three boys approached her shortly after she moved into a new home in Liverpool last year. She said the three trio were 'cute' at first but after she asked them to leave at around 10.30pm, one allegedly grabbed her chest while another was said to have tried to lift her skirt. The woman told the Liverpool Echo: 'I was like, "Yeah, that's fine, take the chair" and they were acting really cute and things, and they were just like, "Aw thanks miss, thanks miss". 'Then they wouldn't really leave the door and they were basically half in, half out the house.' Three boys were questioned about the alleged incident after a young woman complained she was groped in Liverpool It was at this point at the alleged incident occurred. Afterwards, the woman said she felt confused and helpless, as she couldn't 'do anything because they're kids'. She added: 'All I keep thinking is if they do stuff like this now, they're going to grow up to be horrible adults. 'I do think they know what they're doing. They act like they don't, they try and play up this whole cutesy thing, but they know what they're doing.' 'It's weird because they're kids, so you're not meant to feel scared, but you do feel scared.' After seeing the woman's post post on Facebook, Merseyside Police made enquiries and tracked down the victim. A spokesman from the force said: 'We can confirm three children were issued anti-social behaviour letters and their parents spoken to after an incident on Monday, December 13. 'Officers were made aware of a social media post referencing the incident and conducted enquiries to identify and speak to the victim and offenders. 'The victim was located and it was subsequently reported a group of three boys approached the 20-year-old woman at 10.30pm on 13 December, and that one lifted the woman's skirt. 'The boys then left the scene on foot. 'After extensive witness enquiries in the area officers found the three boys involved, including the eight-year-old suspect. 'In collaboration with Liverpool Council Safer & Stronger Communities and partner agencies all three boys were spoken to in the presence of parents, explained the consequences of their actions and given anti-social behaviour letters warning them of their behaviour. 'The school attended by the boys was also informed of the incident and relevant referrals have been made. 'Anyone with information on similar incidents is asked to DM @MerPolCC quoting reference 21000878025 or call @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.' Scott Morrison will seek a nationwide standard definition of Covid-19 hospitalisations after government data revealed patients were being admitted to hospital for reasons other than the virus. The Prime Minister will work with state and territory leaders to reassess how Covid patients are tallied after Australia recorded a record 36,742 cases on Monday. However, only 51 people are on ventilators across the country with Mr Morrison reiterating the Omicron variant is 75 per cent less severe than the Delta strain. While NSW recorded 20,794 new cases on Monday only 1,204 people are in hospital being treated for the virus, while ICU patients increased by 12 to 95. The reclassification of Covid hospital admissions comes after data revealed dozens of patients included in the tally were admitted for unrelated reasons. PM Scott Morrison (pictured) will seek a nationwide standard definition of Covid-19 hospitalisations after data revealed patients were being admitted for unrelated reasons The PM will work with state and territory leaders to reassess how Covid patients are tallied after Australia recorded a record 36,742 cases on Monday (pictured, a health worker in Bondi) More than 50 per cent of 'Covid patients' had been admitted for broken bones, cancer treatment or labour pains and tested positive during routine inspections. The shock revelations in NSW were quickly echoed in Victoria, where it was also revealed a significant amount of patients had been admitted for other reasons. The Prime Minister said he will push for a standard definition of Covid-19 hospitalisations at the next cabinet meeting to be held on Wednesday. 'I make the point on hospitalisation, and this is one of the things we're going to have to discuss this week, I'm heading down to Canberra today, with the premiers is this definition of hospitalisation,' Mr Morrison told Nine's Today on Monday. 'There are people being counted as being in hospital for Covid. They didn't go there for Covid. They went there for some other reason and that's why they were admitted, and they've been tested when they're there, and they've been found to have Covid. Some patients had been admitted for broken bones, cancer treatment or labour pains and had tested positive during routine inspections (pictured, Sydneysiders at Bondi Beach) NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has admitted that over two days during the week, up to half of those cases were in hospital for something else entirely (pictured, queues for a Covid test) 'So we need to get a standard definition on that because these are the key things we have to track now. 'There'll come a time, and I suspect it shouldn't be too far away, where reporting case numbers is really not the point. What matters is the impact on the hospital system.' NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has admitted that over two days during the week, up to half of those cases were in hospital for something else entirely. 'A reasonable proportion of cases being classified as Covid hospitalisations are actually people with other reasons for admission,' Mr Hazzard said. 'Heart attacks, births, falls, none of that stops just because there is Covid. They come into hospital, they have a swab taken and it confirms Covid. 'This shows us its out in the community, but we aren't necessarily seeing that as the primary reason for all of the admissions.' NSW recorded 20,794 new cases on Monday, a jump of more than 2,500 within 24 hours on Monday (pictured, health care workers at St Vincent's Hospital) While Mr Hazzard admitted hospitals are under increasing strain, preliminary analysis shows that Omicron so far has proved to be a much milder illness for many. Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said people admitted to hospital for reasons unrelated to Covid and test positive had to be counted in the hospitalisations tally because of the care they need. 'We are seeing people who are now tested automatically before they go into hospital, ticking positive if they're showing up for their cancer treatment, if they're showing up for their broken bones,' Mr Foley said. 'As a result, we have to then treat those people the same way, the same Covid positive and safe way, that we treat everyone else who's got Covid.' Preliminary analysis shows that Omicron so far has proved to be a much milder illness for many with only 51 people on ventilators across Australia on Monday (pictured, queues for tests) It comes as experts say the peak of the latest Omicron outbreak could be in sight, just weeks after the first community transmission was recorded (pictured, Sydney health care workers) It comes as experts say the peak of the latest Omicron outbreak could be in sight, just weeks after the first community transmission was recorded. The variant - which was first recorded in South Africa in November - has swept through most parts of Australia causing record caseloads in many states. But federal health officials are quietly hopeful the worst of the Omicron wave could be over within weeks with international modelling showing promising signs that the variant peaks quickly before petering out just eight weeks later. Senior officials are keeping a close eye on the latest data from South Africa, which has experienced a sharp decline in infections just two months after initial infections. They're optimistic about reports from South Africa that the country was over the hump of the worst of its Omicron outbreak. This is shocking moment that a shop mannequin in Afghanistan is beheaded on the orders of the Taliban for offending the group's strict interpretation of Islam. A video shared on Twitter on Monday shows an unidentified man using a hack saw to remove the head of a mannequin as someone chants 'Allah Akbar' - which means 'God is Great' in Arabic. At least ten heads that have already been severed can be seen lying at his feet. Last week, shopkeepers in the western province of Herat were told to hack the heads off their mannequins after Islamist officials ruled the statues were 'idols'. Idolatry, or the worshipping of idols, is considered a grave sin in Islam which bans the worship of anyone or thing other than Allah - considered to be the only God. This is shocking moment that a shop mannequin in Afghanistan is beheaded on the orders of the Taliban for offending the group's strict interpretation of Islam. A video shared on Twitter on Monday shows an unidentified man using a hack saw to remove the head of a mannequin as someone chants 'Allah Akbar' - which means 'God is Great' in Arabic The ruling was issued by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in Herat, which is responsible for administering the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islam. Initially, the ministry had ordered shops to remove the mannequins completely but shopkeepers complained, saying it would destroy what little business they have left. After listening to the complaints, Sheikh Aziz-u-Rahman - head of the ministry - ruled the mannequins' heads should be cut off instead. But business owners say hacking their mannequins apart still represents a significant financial loss at a time when Afghanistan's economy has more-or-less collapsed. Taliban rulers in the western province of Herat have ruled that mannequins are 'idols' and must be beheaded to avoid the risk of people 'worshipping' them (file image) Abdul Wadood Faiz Zada told Italian newspaper Repubblica: 'The heads of the mannequins should be covered, not removed. 'Each mannequin costs $100, or $80 or $70, and beheading them will be a huge financial loss.' Mohammad Yusuf added: 'The Taliban have not changed, there will be restrictions once again. 'They have not gained international recognition, but should they obtain it, they would bring back even stricter limitations.' The Taliban has been slowly cracking down on the freedoms of Afghans since taking power this summer, including banning women from large sections of public life (file image) Since recapturing Afghanistan over the summer in a rapid advance behind the back of withdrawing American troops, the Taliban has been slowly restricting the freedoms of its population while claiming to the world that it has 'reformed'. Women and girls were immediately confined to their homes for 'safety', while the Taliban set about largely removing them from workplaces and schools. In recent weeks, the Islamists also banned women from taking long-distance road trips without a male guardian and said they must also wear a veil while in the car. At the same time, they banned all music in vehicles and said that 'intoxicating' substances were also prohibited. Drivers should also stop their vehicles at prayer times in a 'proper place' so that prayers can take place, the ruling added. Afghanistan, propped up for two decades by support funds from western nations and aid money, has all-but collapsed since the Taliban retook control. Aid money has dried up, and while western nations have promised billions in funding, they are still wrangling over ways to get in into the country without handing it to the Islamists. The UN's food programme warns that up to half the population are now facing starvation before the end of winter, as economic catastrophe combines with drought to plunge huge numbers into poverty. Aid agencies are reporting that families have begun resorting to desperate measures to afford food, including putting children to work or - in some cases - selling babies to afford bread and other basics. The Met Police have been slammed for their 'invasive' policing after officers took to the streets of London to carry out random drugs swabs on clubbers during a 'week of action' tackling violence against women. Footage posted to social media by the force showed officers walking through Shoreditch, which has seen a spike in incidents where women and girls have been made to feel unsafe, and swabbing revellers to ensure a safe 'night time economy'. The force revealed that the operation on the night saw one woman arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs after she was observed disposing of a suspicious package. A total of 55 people were arrested during the Met's 'week of action', which included safety patrols at night, drug swabbing and targeting predatory behaviour reported outside of schools, from December 6 - December 12. On the night of the operation in Shoreditch, 250 voluntarily agreed to be swabbed and 15 were searched. However social media users have since slammed officers for randomly swabbing clubbers, with some describing the operation as 'incredibly invasive'. Officers spoke with revellers in Shoreditch, London, during the Met Police's 'week of action' tackling violence against women and girls Footage posted to social media by the force today showed officers walking the streets of London and swabbing clubbers One person wrote: 'Is there any evidence this makes the night time economy a safer place for all?' While another commented: 'I'm not sure I like the intrusion into civil liberties here. Devote resources to criminal suppliers? Are you testing for alcohol as well which although legal causes more public disorder? 'Do you think this will win over communities with this style of policing?' Another person added: 'What does ''ensure the night time economy is a safe place for all'' mean? Randomly swabbing members of the public seems incredibly invasive.' Meanwhile another social media user said: 'What was the legal basis on which you did this? Consent of the participant? If so, what on earth did you expect to achieve with this?' After sharing the footage on social media the Met Police said taskforce officers came together to work in areas which have seen a spike in incidents where women and girls have been made to feel unsafe or have been victims of crime. A statement read: 'The video posted by the Met on social media was filmed in Shoreditch during a 'week of action' supporting women's safety between Monday, 6 and Sunday, 12 December 2021. 'The upsurge in activity included safety patrols of the night time economy, as well as tackling unlicensed minicabs, and attending schools and to speak to staff and students. 'Officers across the Met came together to work in areas which have seen a spike in incidents where women and girls have been made to feel unsafe or have been victims of crime, and we know there is an inextricable link between Class A drugs and serious crime and violence on the streets in London. 'Shoreditch has been a hotspot for these kinds of offences. Taskforce officers carried out safety patrols and swabbed clubbers to ensure a safer 'night time economy' The force used a drugs itemiser machine which works the same way as those found at airports in that it tests for a presence on a surface that has been swabbed 'On this occasion, police worked with two licensed premises in Curtain Road EC2A, with the consent of the licenses, and authorised by the Met's Licensing Unit, to run an operation utilising a drugs itemiser machine. 'The machine works the same way as those found at airports in that it tests for a presence on a surface that has been swabbed (ie hands). 'The Chair of the local Independent Advisory Group was also invited and was present to observe the operation. 'The use of the machine was a condition of entry, that condition being agreed with the licensees for that night. Anyone who refused was not allowed entry to the venues on that night. It was made clear to those wanting to attend the venues that the swabbing was voluntary. 'Refusal did not automatically mean that the person would be searched under S23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.' The force added: 'On the night, one woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs after being observed disposing of a suspicious package. 'This was after a woman she was with had indicated a high reading of Class A drugs following use of the drugs itemiser machine.' Social media users have since slammed officers for randomly swabbing clubbers, with some describing the operation as 'incredibly invasive' Last month the Metropolitan Police said a man wanted for sexual harassment, and another for hitting a woman while on a first date were two of 55 people arrested during a week of action tackling violence against women and girls. Led by the Territorial Support Group (TSG), officers came together to work in areas which have seen a spike in incidents against women and girls. Chief Inspector Grace Blake-Turner, from the Met's Taskforce, said: 'We've seen some brilliant collaborative work this week from all the officers involved in this activity. 'They have achieved some significant results, and taken some dangerous individuals off the streets. 'Officers have arrested people for an array of offences including a man wanted in relation to a sexual touching offence, for rape and for assaulting a female police officer.' As well as carrying out enforcement, officers also took the time to speak with groups to educate and evaluate the issue of violence against women and girls. 'Officers attended schools and universities to talk about topics such as consent, the sharing of private photos and gave crime prevention advice. 'The results from this week show how serious the Met is about catching predatory offenders and removing them from London's streets. 'This action will not stop because the week of action has now come to a close. 'We will continue, as we do every day, to deploy across the city and make London an inhospitable space for anyone intent on causing violence against women and girls. 'I would also like to thank all our partners who have supported us this week. We've linked in with schools, colleges, licensed venues and local councils to understand their challenges and work to tackle this systemic issue together. 'We know that women will continue to have worries about feeling safe and I urge anyone who has concerns or anyone who has experienced a crime to speak with us.' Valesky Barosy, 27 (pictured) was charged with five counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated identity theft Federal prosecutors have accused a 27-year-old Haitian immigrant of fraud after he used ill-gotten COVID relief money to buy millions in luxury items such as a Lamborghini Huracan EVO, designer suits and watches from Rolex and Hublot. Valesky Barosy, 27, sought out more than $4.2 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans, falsifying his prior-year expenses, net profit, payroll and IRS tax forms in each application, according to the Department of Justice. He was paid out approximately $2.1 million. On December 29, Barosy made his first appearance in federal magistrate court to face five counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated identity theft. If he is convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 132 years. Valesky Barosy, 27, flaunted his ill-gotten wealth on social media. He was fraudulently paid out $2.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans, according to the Department of Justice On social media, Barosy draped himself in Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel, branding himself as a success story with captions like 'from homeless to high-rise sky-high view,' and 'you dont have to be great to get started, get started to be great' On social media, Barosy draped himself in Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel, branding himself as a success story with captions like 'from homeless to high-rise sky-high view,' and 'you dont have to be great to get started, get started to be great.' He claimed that when he moved to the U.S. four years ago, he couldn't afford shirts from Walmart, where he was employed as a stocker. He became the president of a company known as VBarosySolutions Inc., or VBS, according to the federal indictment, which he said helped its customers fix poor credit scores. '4 years ago I was broke, busted and disgusted,' he wrote in one post. 'I couldn't even afford to put gas in my car or even buy dollar menu at McDonald's.' 'I remember getting cursed by a cashier at McDonalds just because I didn't have the extra 50 cents for a sweet and sour sauce. And today, because of hard work and determination, we are featured on top publications like ABC, FOX etc.' Barosy's nebulous online biographies tout the fraudster as a '7 Figure Entrepreneur,' an 'NFT Creator' and an expert in 'marketing and e-commerce' One of Barosy's self-published 'press releases' was entitled 'How This Haitian Entrepreneur Went From Walmart To Disrupting The Multi-Million Dollar Credit Repair Industry' His nebulous online biographies tout the fraudster as a '7 Figure Entrepreneur,' an 'NFT Creator' and an expert in 'marketing and e-commerce.' One of the 'press release' he produced was entitled 'How This Haitian Entrepreneur Went From Walmart To Disrupting The Multi-Million Dollar Credit Repair Industry.' Barosy boasted about being involved with Financial Education Services Inc., a company that Georgia's attorney general described as an 'illegal credit repair business' that uses 'unlawful and deceptive practices in their multi-level marketing structure,' according to the Miami Herald. That company paid a $1.75 million fine to the state of Georgia for its practices before changing its name to United Wealth Education. Since the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted on March 29, 2020, a slurry of fraudsters abused the financial assistance provided by the PPP. Nearly $100 billion has been stolen from COVID-19 relief programs set up to help businesses and people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, the US Secret Service said, based on data from the Labor Department and the Small Business Administration. Barosy, pictured, could face a 132 year prison sentence if he is convicted South Florida, the nation's leading fraud capital, led the financial crime wave, the Miami Herald reported. Those deceptions included a businessman buying a $318,000 Lamborghini with PPP money, a nurse who lied about their business to buy a Mercedes-Benz lease and child support with his $474,000 payout and a North Miami couple who claimed to be farmers to filch $1 million in benefits. The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force was established on May 17, 2021 in an attempt to reel in relief-fund fraud. Ron DeSantis blasted the so-called 'lockdown politicians,' like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for vacationing in restriction-free Florida during the pandemic despite pushing for mask and vaccine mandates in their own states. 'If I had a dollar for every lockdown politician that decided to escape to Florida over the last two years, I'd be a pretty doggone wealthy man,' Gov. DeSantis said during a press conference Monday. 'Congresspeople, mayors, governors, you name it.' The governor suggested the politicians were hypocrites, saying: 'I think a lot of Floridians will say "wait a minute, you're bashing us because we're not doing your draconian policies and yet we're the first place you want to flee to...to be able to enjoy life."' His remarks came after Ocasio-Cortez, who has long been an advocate for mask-wearing and repeatedly cited Florida as an example of how not to do things during the coronavirus pandemic, was spotted partying in Miami on Sunday without a face covering altogether as she socialized with actor Billy Porter. DeSantis stated the hypocrisy extends beyond the New York representative, alleging 'there are probably about a half dozen governors who have restrictions on their people and then were spotted at various points in Florida'. 'Some of its been public, some of it has not been public,' he added. 'I am happy though that Florida is a place where people know they can come, they can live like normal people and they can make their own decisions.' Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted the so-called 'lockdown politicians' during a press conference Monday for vacationing in restriction-free Florida during the pandemic despite pushing for mask and vaccine mandates in their own states Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was spotted partying in Miami on Sunday without a face mask. Actor, Billy Porter, can be seen in drag, in a red jacket and dress as he hosted the brunch Video posted to social media over the weekend showed Ocasio-Cortez waving to other bargoers to cheers and applause while being introduced on stage by the MC of a 'drag brunch' event. The compere could be heard lauding the politician, eliciting wild cheers from gathered diners. The Democratic socialist Representative was first accused by many of 'frolicking in free Florida' while her home state enforced mask mandates, after her Miami lunch date with her boyfriend on December 30. 'AOC is STILL lounging it up in Florida, in large crowds and maskless. This time at a Drag Queen bar in Miami. Rules for thee but not for me,' wrote right wing journalist Brendon Leslie. 'For those of you with zero sense of humor: the whole point of this post is to expose hypocrisy. We dont actually care shes maskless. We care she fear mongers about Florida but then has the audacity to vacation here,' he added. 'AOC was spotted partying in a bar maskless in the great free state of Florida. Absolute hypocrite,' tweeted Twitter account Libs of Tik Tok. Ocasio-Cortez hit back on New Year's Day claiming that the backlash came purely because her critics 'want to date her'. AOC became the focus of the brunch after being spotted at by the presenter The New York congresswoman appeared to be continuing her new year's vacation in the Sunshine State at a packed drag bar. She and Porter put their arms around one another to take a selfie together Days earlier, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was pictured raising a class over sushi with her boyfriend, Riley Roberts while vacationing in Miami 'If Republicans are mad they can't date me they can just say that instead of projecting their sexual frustrations onto my boyfriend's feet. Ya creepy weirdos,' she tweeted. She continued: 'It's starting to get old ignoring the very obvious, strange, and deranged sexual frustrations that underpin the Republican fixation on me, women,& LGBT+ people in general. 'These people clearly need therapy, won't do it, and use politics as their outlet instead. It's really weird.' The congresswoman also angered Republicans days earlier when a photo of her December 30 lunch in Miami was published, with her opponents noting that the strident supporter of mask mandates was also not wearing one then as well. 'Welcome to Florida, AOC!' tweeted the account of the state's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis. 'We hope you're enjoying a taste of freedom here in the Sunshine State thanks to @RonDeSantisFL's leadership.' The congresswoman also angered Republicans days earlier when a photo of her December 30 lunch in Miami was published, with her opponents noting that the strident supporter of mask mandates was also not wearing one then as well DeSantis, during the same press conference Monday, also accused Joe Biden of keeping a 'stranglehold' on antibody treatments for COVID-19 as he slammed the president for going on vacation to Delaware during the midst of the massive holiday spike in cases. Critics, including Ocasio-Cortez, have gone after the Florida governor recently, forcing him to defend taking his wife for chemotherapy treatments, even though Biden got away to Delaware during the Omicron surge. 'I guess I should've been at the beach in Delaware, right, and then they woulda been really happy with that,' DeSantis told a reporter during his press conference Monday when asked about people accusing him of being MIA. DeSantis announced in October that Casey DeSantis, his wife and mother of their three children, was diagnosed with breast cancer. None of the critics of DeSantis have mentioned his 41-year-old wife's diagnosis. He went on to explain during his Monday briefing that he and his advisers released his public schedule last week that did not have any public events or meetings listed for Wednesday, when Casey was scheduled to undergo a chemotherapy appointment. 'It's true, Wednesday there was nothing on the schedule and they were like 'Oh my God, he's on vacation,'' DeSantis said, 'and I just looked at my wife and said 'Going to the hospital with you is not a vacation.'' Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday slammed critics who accused him of being 'missing' during a COVID surge in his state, claiming: 'I guess I should've been at the beach in Delaware, right, and then they woulda been really happy with that' DeSantis said there were no public events on his calendar on Wednesday because he was accompanying his wife Casey (left) to chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer 'This is something that as a husband I think I should be doing,' he continued. 'I've accompanied her to all her chemotherapy treatments and she's there for a long time. 'I mean I'm there most of the time, but it's a draining thing. When she's done with it, it's not something that's great to see. 'So I just think a lot of people - particularly people that have gone through breast cancer treatments - the notion that that would be considered a vacation, I think is offensive to a lot of those folks, and they understand what you're doing.' He added: 'So yeah, I think it was dumb, it was a footfall on their part. 'All I can tell you is that you know, sometimes ... we just try to get stuff done. But when you're in the political arena, sometimes you're fortunate in the enemies you have because these are folks that are not shooting straight right now. Also on Monday, DeSantis publicly petitioned the Biden administration to let states buy more monoclonal antibody treatments amid a nationwide shortage. 'Today, Governor Ron DeSantis called on the Biden Administration to release the stranglehold on life-saving monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 through its allocation system and increase the supply distributed to Florida or allow states to purchase the antibodies directly,' his office released in a statement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday reported more than 75,900 new COVID cases in Florida, marking a single-day record for the number of new cases in the Sunshine State. And between December 24 and December 30, the state saw a total of 298,455 new COVID cases with more than a quarter of the state's residents testing positive for the virus. But there were only 32 deaths reported in the state during that time. Last week and over the weekend, Joe Biden got away from Washington during the Omicron surge and went to Rehoboth Beach and Wilmington, Delaware. Pictured: Biden plays with new puppy Commander on Rehoboth Beach on December 28, 2021 With all of that happening, DeSantis is demanding more treatment for the virus. 'Prior to the federal government takeover of the monoclonal market, Florida successfully distributed approximately 30,000 doses per week when we managed our own supply,' DeSantis said in a statement Monday. 'The state has more than $800 million available to quickly deploy monoclonal antibody treatments throughout the state, and the only thing holding us back is the insufficient supply of treatment from the federal government.' 'After failing to 'shut down the virus,' the Biden Administration has come to the realization that there is not a federal solution to COVID-19, and releasing the federal stranglehold on these effective treatments is a good first step,' he added. During that massive Florida surge, critics lamented that DeSantis was nowhere to be found. 'Hasn't Gov. DeSantis been inexplicably missing for like 2 weeks? If he's around, I would be happy to say hello,' Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on December 30. 'His social media team seems to have been posting old photos for weeks.' 'In the meantime, perhaps I could help with local organizing. Folks are quite receptive here :)' Joy Reid, the MSNBC anchor, echoed her remarks. 'Seriously, where is Ron DeSantis? It's genuinely concerning and odd,' she said. 'Florida is clearly in crisis, which mainly at this point is a leadership crisis. 'Would he pop back up to sue if the Biden administration were to send in federal testing and vaccine help?' Reid added: 'A governor, not governing during a crisis; and sunning his belly on vacation instead.' Jerry Demings, Democratic mayor of Orange County in Florida, also took issue with DeSantis at a press conference on Tuesday. Demings said all residents of the Sunshine State should be 'outraged,' while asking the whereabouts of their governor. 'Our residents, all Florida residents should be outraged, and they should ask the question, 'Now, where's our state? Where's our governor?'' Demings said. 'Where is Ron DeSantis now? When was the last time you saw the governor do a press briefing regarding COVID-19?' Ultimately, Kyle Lamb, who works for DeSantis as a communication director, had to come to the governor's defense on Twitter. 'Just FYI, [DeSantis] is not on vacation. Literally no one from our office has said that he is,' Lamb wrote. 'Anyone pushing that could have easily seen the public schedule and seen that he's taking calls and meetings this past week. 'Not having public events does not = 'vacation.'' Australians frustrated with the availability of rapid antigen tests have been forced to ship the kits from Thailand - where they cost $4. Talkback radio and social media have been flooded with angry Australians unable to get a test, while medical experts slam government inaction on securing enough to meet demand. Australian Medical Association vice president Dr Chris Moy said there didn't appear to be a plan from the government surrounding rapid tests. 'There is an inability to supply at the critical moment and there is a lack of equity of access and it is costing so much,' he told ABC Radio on Tuesday. One desperate woman revealed she planned to get her hands on the tests from southeast Asia. 'My brother is visiting my mum at the moment (she lives in Thailand) and I've asked that he brings back some RATs because a) they're readily available in Thailand and b) they cost about $4 each,' the woman wrote on Twitter. 'The Thai government has regulated the prices of at-home testing kits so that there's no price gouging and made millions of them available for free.' Australians frustrated with the glacial rollout of vital rapid antigen tests have been forced to ship the kits from Thailand where they cost $4 and are readily available One desperate Aussie took to Twitter to reveal how she planned to get her hands on the highly sought-after tests in the face of a contentious nationwide shortage (pictured) Others blasted the rapid antigen test situation amid the emergence of the highly-infectious Omicron strain. 'As it should be here. RAT tests were $55 on December 23 and now (if you can get them) $125 for the same product,' one person replied. Another user claimed the Singapore government gave out six free rapid antigen tests to every household between August and September. 'Another free ten kits in November to December. Now the prices of RAT cost about $4.50 each and easily available in every pharmacy and supermarkets,' they said. The UK Government has similarly been mailing free rapid tests people's homes since April however this method is yet to be adopted in Australia. The desperate measures come as reports reveal the self-test kits are costing the average Australian $100 a unit as shortages cause prices to skyrocket. The desperate measures come as reports reveal the self-test kits are costing the average Australian $100 a unit as shortages cause prices to skyrocket (pictured, a Sydney pharmacy) Rapid tests are free at testing centres but cost at least $10 per swab at pharmacies and supermarkets, which are low on stock due to a lack of supply (pictured, lines for tests) Rapid tests are free at testing centres but cost at least $10 per swab at pharmacies and supermarkets, which are low on stock due to a lack of supply. NSW and Victorian state governments have both ordered tens of millions of the devices however the tests are not due to arrive until the end of January. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet pledged last week the state would provide rapid antigen tests for returning travellers into Sydney. 'In addition to that, we want to make sure vulnerable people vulnerable and disadvantaged communities have access to rapid antigen tests,' he said. 'We're working through, currently, the distribution and the cohorts which we believe that those rapid antigen tests will be provided.' Chemist Warehouse boss Mario Tascone spoke to 2GB Radio on Monday morning, and urged the federal government to remove GST on the expensive tests. 'I'm sure they can get on Zoom and run an emergency session of parliament because the thought the government is making 10 per cent off millions and millions of packets off sales of rapid antigen tests really doesn't sit right,' Mr Tascone said. Mr Morrison (pictured) is keen to avoid further cost blowouts, saying on Monday he wants to 'take that pressure off the budget after refusing to make rapid antigen tests free The pharmacy boss said the federal government need to be doing significantly more to ensure sick Australians have easy and affordable access to rapid tests. Mr Tascone said the demand for RATs was 'unprecedented' and said dropping GST on the crucial products would see immediate results. 'They'll be 10 per cent cheaper overnight we'll drop the price, its not much but that $50 pack of five becomes $45 overnight,' he said. 'So that's one thing they can do immediately, apparently it needs parliament sitting.' Several medical experts called for rapid tests to be free for everyone, including University of Sydney infectious disease specialist Robert Booy who said free tests 'could make a real difference to controlling disease'. These calls were dismissed by the Prime Minister on Monday however, with Scott Morrison saying 'we can't go round and make everything free.' NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet pledged last week the state would provide rapid antigen tests for returning travellers into Sydney (pictured, people sanitise their hands) The cost of subsidising rapid antigen tests will be shared 50/50 with states and territories (pictured, a man is swabbed for Covid-19 in Sydney) 'We're at another stage of this pandemic now where we just can't go round and make everything free. We have to live with this virus. This isn't a medicine, it's a test. And so there's a difference between those two things,' he told Sunrise hosts on Monday. Australia's gross debt is expected to reach a record $1.2 trillion by 2024-25 after huge pandemic spending including $100 billion on the JobKeeper wage subsidy. Mr Morrison is keen to avoid further cost blowouts, saying on Monday he wants to 'take that pressure off the budget'. The prime minister said he was working with states and territories to reduce the price for vulnerable groups with 'concessional access to pensioners and others'. The cost of subsidising the tests will be shared 50/50 with states and territories. The urgent need for rapid antigen tests comes off the back of weeks of long queues outside testing clinics in Victoria and NSW (pictured, a rapid antigen test) University of NSW Professor of epidemiology Mary-Louise McLaws warned in a series of tweets that rapid tests are becoming reserved for the 'privileged and wealthy', saying governments need to rethink their current stance. 'To reduce cost, test hubs could use PCR on those with symptoms & rapid antigen test (RATs) on all others. Cheaper but still effective,' Professor McLaws tweeted. 'Without providing free RATs to households, only privileged & wealthy will be able to protect themselves & reduce wider risk of spread.' The urgent need for rapid antigen tests comes off the back of weeks of long queues outside testing clinics in Victoria and NSW. Holidayers who wished to hop the Queensland border for Christmas were forced to wait up to five hours due to the requirement of a negative PCR test. A guard post in the Demilitarized Zone in Goseong, Gangwon Province, is seen in this Feb. 14, 2019, photo. Yonhap By Jung Da-min The military has come under fire for repeated failures in border control, especially as multiple border crossing cases have taken place in recent years in the eastern coastal region. On Sunday, the military said an unidentified person had crossed the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into North Korea the night before. On Monday, it said that the person is presumed to be a North Korean defector who had come to the South in November 2020 by passing through the DMZ in the opposite direction. An official of the Ministry of National Defense said the military has identified the man using surveillance footage at the civilian passage restriction line on the South Korean side in Goseong, Gangwon Province. A Ryanair flight has been forced to make an emergency landing in France after a fire broke out on board. Flight FR4052 took off from Manchester at 6.33pm on Monday headed for Faro, southern Portugal, where it was expected to land at around 9.30pm. But just over an hour into the flight, pilots of the Boeing 737-8AS aircraft made a sudden descent from 41,000ft to 7,000 ft while over the English Channel. The plane then landed in Brest, northern France, shortly after 7.30pm where it was met on the tarmac by fire trucks and police vehicles as passengers were evacuated. Despite France's strict Covid quarantine rules for arriving Britons, the passengers were allowed to board another plane shortly after and continue to Portugal. The Ryanair operated Boeing 737-8AS aircraft touched down in Brest and was met on the runway by several fire trucks Flight tracking software suggested that the plane engaged in an extremely rapid descend from 41,000ft to 6,725ft in seven minutes between 7.14 to 7.21pm, sparking concerns that there could have been a loss of cabin pressure The pilots initiated the dive of 35,000ft after a broke out inside the aircraft, according to plane spotters in France. There were concerns therefore that the passengers of flight FR4052 would be forced to remain in France and isolate. But travellers were informed by airport staff in Brest that another plane had been dispatched from Stansted to continue their journey to Faro. The passengers were picked up by the second Boeing 787 aircraft and are now flying toward their intended destination in Portugal. It comes as another flight from Birmingham to Dublin, operated by Aer Lingus, was forced to make an emergency landing in Manchester yesterday evening. According to Aer Lingus it was due to a 'technical issue'. All customers have also been provided with a hotel stay overnight before continuing their journey to Dublin in the morning. Were you on board the plane? Email tips@dailymail.com with more information. Policemen escorted passengers onto a bus which brought them to the terminal An Iraqi security operation that killed 20 people from the same family last week was due to 'false intelligence' and a family dispute, the country's judiciary has said. The intelligence behind the operation was provided by an informant who had a family quarrel with the deceased, according to the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council statement reported by state media. The informant, 'nine officers and three agents' are being investigated over the incident that took place on Thursday in Al-Rashayed village in the central Iraqi province of Babylon. An investigating judge heard the statements of the 13 men, the news agency added. Iraqi forces killed 20 members of the same family after a dispute resulted in them being given fake intelligence On Thursday, rapid intervention units and intelligence forces stormed a house in Al-Rashayed to pursue 'two individuals accused of terrorism'. The state news agency said later that 20 members of the same family were killed and that the owner of the property 'opened fire' and 'refused to surrender'. 'The questioning revealed that the cause of the tragedy was false intelligence provided by the nephew and son-in-law of one of the victims, because of family disputes,' the judicial council's statement said. The informant gave 'false information to the security services indicating the presence of two wanted terrorists in the victims' house', it said. Investigations are ongoing and four arrest warrants have been issued, the statement said. On Friday, Interior Minister Othman al-Ghanemi travelled to Al-Rashayed where he sacked the Babylon police chief and announced the formation of a commission to investigate 'the unit that carried out the operation'. Security forces said on Friday that a 'number of officers and individuals' had been called in for questioning, without providing details on their identities. NSW has recorded 23,131 new Covid cases and two deaths on Tuesday while Victoria's cases have exploded to a record high of 14,020 new infections. Hospital admissions jumped from 1,204 to 1,344 in NSW while a further 10 patients were admitted to ICU overnight bringing the total to 105. Cases in Victoria have doubled overnight from the 8,577 infections detected the day previous - with the state also reporting two deaths. Tuesday's case numbers is the state's highest caseload on record and brings Victoria's active cases to 48,297. There are currently 516 people in Victorian hospitals - up from 491 on Monday - with the number of active ICU admissions at 56 patients. A further 52 patients who are no longer infectious with the virus remain in ICU. It comes after scientists cautiously revealed the peak of the country's Omicron outbreak could be in sight, just weeks after the first transmission was recorded. NSW has recorded 23,131 new Covid cases and two deaths on Tuesday while Victoria leapt to 14,020 infections as the states continues to battle the Omicron outbreak Australia tallied its highest number of daily Covid-19 infections since the pandemic began on Monday with 36,742 cases, with hospitalisations beginning to climb. Almost 60 per cent, 20,794 infections, were in NSW as the state recorded its third biggest daily total while Victoria, Queensland, the ACT and South Australia all reported their highest ever numbers of cases. Fears remain that NSW and Victoria could record up to 100,000 cases a day by the the end of January as horror maps of both states break down the worst-hit regions. But federal health officials are quietly hopeful the worst of the Omicron wave could be over within weeks with international modelling showing promising signs that the variant peaks quickly before petering out just eight weeks later. This map from NSW Health shows how far Omicron has spread across the state and which areas have been worst hit (in black) and regions least affected (in yellow) Australia recorded 36,742 new Covid infections on Monday with the vast majority predicted to be of the Omicron variant (pictured, a woman in Sydney) TOP 10 NSW COVID HOTSPOTS 1. Canterbury-Bankstown: 10,301 2. City of Sydney: 8,236 3. Blacktown: 8,031 active cases 4. Sutherland Shire: 6,393 5. Cumberland: 6,285 6. Liverpool: 5,567 7. Fairfield: 4,999 7. Bayside: 4,958 8. Randwick: 4,824 9. The Hills Shire: 4,231 10. Penrith: 4,149 Source: NSW Health Advertisement Senior officials are keeping a close eye on the latest data from South Africa, which has experienced a sharp decline in infections, just two months after the Omicron variant was first discovered there. They're optimistic about reports from South Africa that it's over the worst of the Omicron outbreak. 'We are not willing to call it yet, but we are heartened by the direction in South Africa,' a senior health official told The Australian. 'There are genuine grounds for hope. And the hope is that this is an indication of what is happening globally.' The data from South Africa is backed up by modelling from Columbia University in the US, which shows a rapid surge in infection is often short-lived. South Korea has also announced the peak of its Omicron wave is over with no spike in hospitalisations or deaths. A western Sydney primary school pupil became Australia's first known locally-acquired infection of the Omicron variant on December 2. Four weeks on, most of the 140,000 active cases in NSW are believed to be Omicron with at least 1,000 active cases in every Sydney local government area except four. Three are on Sydney's lower north shore with North Sydney, Mosman, and Willoughby, along with Burwood in the city's inner-west. In terms of active cases, the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area in western Sydney is the highest with 10,301, followed by City of Sydney, Blacktown, Sutherland Shire and Cumberland. In regional areas, Central Coast leads the way with 3,959 active cases, followed by Lake Macquarie (2,989), Newcastle (3,081) and Wollongong (2,488). Every Sydney local government area except four has more than 1,000 active cases (shaded in black) This map shows the breakdown of in Sydney cases on December 16, where no council area was yet to hit 1,000 cases recorded. Areas in yellow had less than 10 cases Just two weeks ago on December 22, only small pockets of Sydney had more than 1,000 cases (in black) Western Sydney has taken over as the state's worst hit local health district with 4,047 of the 20,794 cases on Monday, closely followed by South Western Sydney with 3,966, South Eastern Sydney (3,576) Sydney CBD (2,122) and Northern Sydney (1,889). Omicron cases also continue to soar in regional areas with 1,612 of Monday's cases in the Hunter New England local health district, 535 in the Illawarra Shoalhaven south of Sydney and 514 on the and Central Coast. If you're looking to escape Omicron, the least likely regional areas of being potentially exposed to the virus include Hay, Gilgandra, Brewarrina, Murray River, Central Darling, Balranald, Weddin, Bland and Narranderra. University of NSW epidemiologist James Wood predicts the Omicron wave to rise and taper off rapidly, based on the outbreaks experienced in South Africa, New York and London. He believes cities were likely to see a peak before the regions and that different states will be hit worst at different times. 'In general, I expect the case peak to be within the next one to three weeks in NSW (delayed a week or two in other states), with hospital occupancy peaking about a week later,' Professor Wood told the Australian. Health officials are quietly hopeful the worst of Australia's horror Omicron wave will be over within weeks (pictured, Sydneysiders at Bondi on Monday) Victoria's cases are also mostly spread across the centre of Melbourne (pictured in dark blue) Of the 38,118 active cases across Victoria, the vast majority (34,466) are in Melbourne. Pictured is how cases are spread out across the state Victoria recorded 8,577 new cases on Monday, a new daily record for new infections for the state and a 20 per cent increase from Sunday's figure. The local government area of Melbourne has the highest number of active cases in the state with 2,362, followed by Brimbank (2,018), Casey (1,832) and Hume (1,653). VICTORIA'S TOP FIVE COVID HOTSPOTS 1. Melbourne: 2,362 active cases 2. Brimbank: 2,018 3 Casey: 1,832 4. Hume: 1,653 5. Moreland: 1,311 Source: Victoria Health Advertisement But in case rate per 100,000 residents, Port Phillip is leading with 1,333.9, followed by Melbourne (1,319.9), Stonnington (1,184.5), Yarra (1,096.6) and Maribyrnong (1,000.6). Of the the state's 38,118 active cases, the vast majority (34,466) are in the Melbourne. Outside of Melbourne, the Greater Geelong region has 835 active cases, followed by Ballarat (166), Latrobe (157), Surf Coast (148) Greater Bendigo (147), Mildura (130) and Shepparton (126). Victoria has recorded 23,000 cases in the first three days of 2022 and has already exceeded its annual total in 2020, which included a horror wave where Melbourne spent 112 days in lockdown. 'It shows you how fast Omicron is moving across the eastern seaboard,' the state's Covid commander Jeroen Weimar said on Monday. 'It shows you how rapidly we all need to move and adapt our behaviours to meet this oncoming challenge and this wave is now certainly right upon us.' Victoria recorded 8,577 new cases on Monday, a new state daily record for new infections (pictured, a Melbourne drive-through clinic) Victoria has recorded 23,000 cases in the first three days of 2022. Pictured is a breakdown of cases in regions across the state AUSTRALIA'S NEW COVID RULES Who should get a PCR test? Anyone who has symptoms or who has got a positive rapid antigen test New definition of close contact: Someone who has spent at least four hours in a household or a care facility with a positive case. Workplaces do not count. New isolation period: Positive people and close contacts must isolate for seven days or 10 in SA. This is regardless of whether the close contacts test negative or not Timing: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT implemented the new rules on New Year's Eve. Tasmania followed on January 1 while the Northern Territory and Western Australia will not adopt the scheme until they get more Covid cases in the weeks ahead. Advertisement Testing centres are still experiencing huge demand with queues stretching back several kilometres in some areas (pictured, queues back up outside a testing centre in Mascot, NSW, on Monday) Queensland is also racing toward a peak of the highly contagious Omicron variant, with most of the population likely to be exposed 'within weeks', the state's health boss has warned. Daily cases in the Sunshine State surged to a record 4,249 from 30,806 tests on Monday, taking the state's active tally to 20,239. Chief health officer John Gerrard warned Omicron continued to defy predictive modelling trends But he believes the peak would last for weeks rather than months. 'It's very different, what we're experiencing at the moment. The Omicron strain has made it a little bit more difficult because of the rapid rise in the number of cases we're seeing,' he said. 'We're expecting in the next few weeks very substantial numbers of people to get infected - all of us are going to be exposed in the next few weeks.' Queensland also recorded its highest daily total on Monday with the state's health boss predicting most of the population likely to be exposed 'within weeks' (pictured, Brisbane women queuing to be tested on Sunday) Hospital cases are creeping up across all states (pictured, Covid ICU staff at St Vincent's in Sydney) Jailed movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is facing another sex attack claim in Britain, it has emerged. Scotland Yard is investigating a report by a woman that he sexually assaulted her in Westminster in the 1990s. That brings the total number of women who have made allegations in the UK against the disgraced former movie producer to 12. It comes as the Daily Mail has learnt a High Court compensation claim of more than 300,000 brought by six victims has been discontinued, sparking speculation a substantial settlement has been reached out of court. One victim alleged Weinstein sexually assaulted her at London's Savoy Hotel. The woman, then one of his employees, said she was 'summoned to the hotel' where she was left alone with Weinstein, according to court documents. Another accused him of a number of assaults, including at least one in a London hotel. Jailed movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is facing another sex attack claim in Britain, it has emerged The woman, employed by both UK and US entities of The Weinstein Company, said she was required to meet him at Heathrow Airport. She had to accompany Weinstein to a hotel where he removed his clothes and sexually assaulted her, according to documents in the claim. The probe, Operation Kaguyak, into the convicted rapist is continuing, but there are fears his UK victims may never see justice. When the 69-year-old was jailed for 23 years for rape and sex assault in the US in 2020, Met detectives vowed to continue their investigation. Officers interviewed a number of victims in the US who say they were attacked when in London for events such as premieres. One victim alleged Weinstein sexually assaulted her at London's Savoy Hotel Detectives have received 17 allegations of sexual assault from 12 victims, from the 1980s to 2015. Prosecutors received an evidence file from police in September 2020, but further investigation was required. A final file was submitted in July but no charges have been brought. Prosecutors will have to consider if it is in the public interest to charge him as he will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars in America. Weinstein is also facing 11 additional sexual assault charges in Los Angeles, meaning there is little prospect of extradition soon. Oxford graduate Rowena Chiu, who accused Weinstein of trying to rape her, has said: 'Those of us who were his employees in London and victims of his in Europe do want to see justice served on our home turf' He could face a sentence of up to 140 years if convicted. Oxford graduate Rowena Chiu, who accused Weinstein of trying to rape her, has said: 'Those of us who were his employees in London and victims of his in Europe do want to see justice served on our home turf.' Law firm Fieldfisher, representing the six women, refused to comment yesterday on the discontinued High Court claim. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Officers from the Met's Complex Case Team have now received a total of 12 allegations of sexual assault from victims under Operation Kaguyak.' American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten announced that she's fully recovered from a bout of COVID-19 that she caught over the Christmas weekend. She's pushing for a full return to classroom learning Controversial teacher's union president Randi Weingarten has recovered from COVID-19, she said in a tweet, after coming down with a case of the bug after Christmas. 'Some personal news,' she posted Monday morning. 'I tested positive for COVID-19 last Sunday 12/26 after experiencing some mild symptoms,' the head of the American Federation of Teachers posted on social media. 'I isolated for 5 days, informed those with whom I had contact and now have tested negative. Thankfully I was fully vaccinated & boosted and am fine now.' Weingarten's case of the bug comes as 413,304 Americans tested positive for the virus amid a winter surge that claimed 1,350 lives yesterday. Weingarten, whose union represents 1.7 million teachers, has been a magnet for controversy over school closings and school openings, as well as teacher vaccinations and lessons on critical race theory. The union lobbied the CDC in 2021 to tone down language about returning students to classroom regardless of community spread of COVID, and also to allow teachers the right to work from home. That infuriated parents who struggled to do their jobs while homeschooling kids, and also angered those who said closures hit the most disadvantaged kids' education hardest. After advocating for school closings at the beginning of the pandemic, Weingarten recently pushed for schools to open after the development of the vaccine. She initially indicated that she did not endorse vaccine mandates for teachers after the shots were developed. A child holds a 'zoom sux' sign at event to support fully reopening NYC public schools last year. Weingarten resisted schools reopening and vaccination mandates before backing them fully New York City school teachers protest the mayor's plan to return to classroom learning, demanding the city put their health and safety first 'Vaccinations must be negotiated between employers and workers, not coerced,' she said at the time. She then came out ahead of the union in August 2021 personally supporting vaccine mandates for teachers, in order got get children back to the classroom. 'Nothing should stand in the way,' she said last week. 'And, yes, it's scary,' she posted on Twitter, after announcing her infection. 'We're doing everything we can to ensure every school and workplace is safe, including access to FDA approved rapid testing to try to see what is unseen.' She continues to advocate for social distancing and mask mandates in schools. In July, Weingarten waded into the other current hot button topic, insisting that teachers should be allowed to teach 'honest history' on racism amid a furor over lessons on CRT. She called criticism of lessons on 'equity' a 'contrived uproar,' months before the issued was credited with propelling GOP gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin to a surprise victory in Virginia. New York City Mayor Eric Adams called for schools to stay open as well despite the surge. Some private schools have resorted to online learning until the Omicron wave peters out. A tiny British firm rocketed in value from less than zero to more than 20million in a year thanks to its role as middle-man in the largest government Covid deal on record. Disruptive Nanotechnology Ltd, jointly owned by London chartered surveyor Charles Palmer and Northamptonshire shoe retailer Kim Thonger, was worth nothing at the end of 2019 with debts of 3,592 and just 85 in the bank. But a year later it had made profits of 20.5million, and had 18million cash in the bank, according to documents just filed at Companies House. Pictured: Kim Thonger, the founder and chief executive of Disruptive Nanotechnology Limited The two men who are the only employees of the firm had no background in health before the pandemic struck. But they helped the US-based Innova Medical Group win nine British contracts worth 3.7billion for lateral flow tests, by far the largest set of deals signed with any private company in the pandemic. Innova accounts for almost half the 7.4billion spent on home Covid testing and it is the mainstay of Britain's testing regime though, as the Daily Mail reported last year, the US Food and Drug Administration has snubbed the firm's lateral flow tests. It urgently recalled Innova's tests last year and told people to throw them 'in the trash' and they are not used across the Atlantic. Innova's UK spokesman confirmed that the tests sold to Britain are of the same type but insisted they are effective, having satisfied British official requirements. Experts in the UK have, though, questioned the quality of the Chinese-made tests. London chartered surveyor Charles Palmer jointly owns Disruptive Nanotechnology Limited with Kim Thonger Writing in the British Medical Journal last year, they said 'the test missed infection in 60 per cent of people, and of greatest concern missed it in 30 per cent of those with very high viral loads'. Official UK tests found just 58 per cent accuracy when people swabbed and tested themselves, although there were better results for high viral loads. Meanwhile, British firms have complained they are forced to sell their tests abroad because they have not won the backing of the UK regulatory authorities. With the help of the British taxpayer, Innova and its parent company have splashed out on two Gulfstream private jets,one costing 48million. In October 2020, Innova chief executive Daniel Elliott spent 3million on a six-bedroom mansion with a sauna, wine cellar and cinema, the Los Angeles Times reported. Innova, now one of the world's largest testing firms, was founded by Charles Huang, 57, a Chinese American who went to university in Wuhan the city where the pandemic began. Disruptive Nanotechnology Ltd was worth nothing at the end of 2019 with debts of 3,592 and just 85 in the bank. Pictured: A worker wearing PPE processes an Innova IVD lateral flow Covid-19 test The Mail's revelations come as the UK faces a chronic shortage of lateral flow tests, throwing Boris Johnson's pledge to keep schools and businesses open into turmoil. Families are carrying out around 1.5milion lateral flow tests per day. Innova, which is backed by a private equity firm, was little more than a start-up before the pandemic struck. The firm hit the testing goldmine by buying up millions of lateral flow tests being made by a company in China, Xiamen Biotime Biotechnology, early in the pandemic. Key to securing the deals with the British government was the partnership with Mr Palmer and Mr Thonger. Volunteers hand out boxes of Covid-19 rapid antigen Lateral Flow Tests in north east London today Innova's spokesman told the Mail in 2020 that to secure government contracts, 'you need to find someone who has connections', and that Mr Thonger and Mr Palmer had 'made introductions' to help Innova negotiate the UK test evaluation process. Their firm was getting 'a few pence' on every test sold but that sum runs into tens of millions and is rising. The accounts filed with Companies House last week only cover 2020 when Innova negotiated 978million of contracts that figure has now risen to 3.7billion, so Disruptive Nanotechnology's fortune is expected to grow further. Before the pandemic, Mr Thonger, a Cardiff University graduate, worked in senior roles at Dune, DKNY and bootmaker Dr Marten's. Mr Palmer runs his own commercial property agency. Yesterday Mr Palmer declined to say exactly how much the deals had been worth to him and Mr Thonger on the grounds it was 'commercially sensitive'. Disruptive Nanotechnology's spokesman said the firm 'provides goods and services to hundreds of clients, across many sectors' He said: 'We've been central to the whole pandemic effort and helped save thousands of lives.' He said he was living in the same house and driving the car he was using before the pandemic. Mr Thonger declined to comment. Dr Huang studied for a masters and PhD at Strathclyde University, and last year thanked the institution with a 50million donation. He grew Innova from his investment firm Pasaca Capital, which he founded in 2016. The UK Health Security Agency said 'all tests go through rigorous assessments'. Innova, when asked about the US regulator's claim that its tests were too insensitive, said they had been certified by the UK authorities. Disruptive Nanotechnology's spokesman said the firm 'provides goods and services to hundreds of clients, across many sectors'. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy on Monday slammed Twitter for trying to 'silence' diversity after the platform banned Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ga., for what it described as 'Covid misinformation.' 'Diversity of opinion is the lifeblood of our democracy. And yet that fundamental American value is under assault by Big Techentities that have amassed more power and more control over more speech than any other institution in history,' McCarthy, R-Calif., said in a statement. 'Their recent decisions to silence Americans including a sitting member of Congress and renowned physicians who share views different from the political and media elite have real world costs.' 'In fact, as we get more information on the virus it is clear many of the views once demonized by technology companies and the political elite are turning out to be true. The doctrines of lockdowns, school closures, and the threat of covid-19 illness according to age groups and previous infection are currently being reversed,' said McCarthy. 'Americans on the political left, including popular cable news hosts, members of Congress, and even the Vice President have themselves made public comments that are now universally understood to be false. Yet, they face no repercussions from the gatekeepers of America's town square.' The Georgia GOP rep's account - @mtgreenee - was axed Sunday. Her final tweets show her railing at what she blasted as government overreach about COVID and discussing how life had changed since the virus hit US shores. While Greene's personal account has been banned her congressional account remains active. This is the fifth strike for Greene, who was last suspended in August for saying that vaccines were 'failing' to reduce the spread of COVID and that the FDA shouldn't have approved them. She got her third strike in July after tweeting that COVID wasn't dangerous. She was also suspended in January, days after the Capitol riot, for tweets echoing conspiracy theories about voter fraud in her home state of Georgia. 'Their recent decisions to silence Americans including a sitting member of Congress and renowned physicians who share views different from the political and media elite have real world costs,' McCarthy said Marjorie Taylor Greene, pictured center, has had her personal Twitter account suspended for repeatedly sharing COVID misinformation Greene's personal account was suspended on Sunday, as seen in this grab, after Twitter previously said Two or three strikes earn a 12-hour account lock; four strikes prompt a weeklong suspension, and five or more strikes can get someone permanently removed from Twitter. A Twitter spokesperson said: 'We permanently suspended @mtrgreene for repeated violations of our COVID-19 misinformation policy. We've been clear that, per our strike system for this policy, we will permanently suspend accounts for repeated violations of the policy.' In a statement released by her office, Greene said she was suspended for sharing a tweet citing numbers from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, a self-reporting tool for vaccine side effects managed by the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration. Even Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw has traded barbs with Greene over her controversial takes. On Monday, Crenshaw in a series of Instagram stories accused Greene of 'playing the victim' of censorship instead of voting for his bill to rein it in. 'That Marjorie scoffed at the notion of supporting anti-censorship legislation is indicative of her true intent: to remain a victim,' Crenshaw said. 'She doesn't want solutions and she doesn't care if you get censored. She just wants to keep being a victim so she can ask you for campaign donations. It's a scam.' Greene hit back on conservative media platform Gettr: 'Dan Crenshaw, who spends more time attacking America First Republicans because he (not so secretly) hates Trump, is talking about a bill to 'hold Big Tech accountable!; but is the same type of toothless bill the Paul Ryan types try to sell to make it look like they're doing something,' she wrote. Greene's suspension comes almost a year after Donald Trump was permanently suspended days after the January 6 riot. In a lengthy Twitter thread on Saturday, she posted a graph showing a reported 18,000 deaths from the COVID-19 vaccines, according to VAERS data. 'Before Covid, Reported deaths from vaccines were taken seriously and dangerous vaccines were stopped. After Covid, Extremely high amounts of covid vaccine deaths are ignored and government forced vaccine mandates increase,' she said. VAERS allows anyone to report side effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Government health official have warned that the data is being misused and misinterpreted, given that anyone is able to submit a report. Reports of side effects or deaths caused by the COVID-19 vaccine on VAERS do not prove that negative outcomes were related to the vaccine itself. Last month, Greene, 47, compared COVID to cancer in a four tweet thread calling for Americans to take a more laid back attitude to the virus. 'Every single year more than 600,000 people in the US die from cancer. In 2021, an estimated 608,570 people will die of cancer in the United States. The country has never once shut down. Not a single school has closed. 'And every year, over 600,000 people, of all ages and all races, will continue to die from cancer. 'Since #COVID19 tracking has started, 780,000+ people have died in 22 mo in the US, but more than 1 million still died of cancer. 'More have died in 2021 from covid than 2020 in spite of Gov mandated widespread vaccines, mass public masking, & trillions spent. 'Covid predominately targets obese & older people,' Greene added, insisting that 'it's time to take a different approach based on the facts' and 'stop the politically driven mass hysteria.' Greene has also taken repeated aim at White House COVID tsar Dr Anthony Fauci, and even shared snaps of herself wearing a face mask emblazoned with the words 'Fire Fauci.' Greene tweeted in August that the FDA should not approve the COVID vaccines because there were 'too many reports' of breakthrough cases. Twitter marked the tweet misleading and blocked users from interacting with it Twitter has a five-strike policy for users who spread COVID-19 misinformation. The latest strike appears to have been her last When her account was suspended in August 2021, a Twitter spokesperson said: 'The account will be in read-only mode for a week due to repeated violations of the Twitter rules.' Other House Republicans went after Twitter for banning Greene. 'Welcome to the Woketopia. Where information is controlled by the few,' Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., tweeted. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., said Republicans 'WILL be holding' tech companies 'accountable' if the party takes back the House majority in the fall. In 2017, she called the internet-born conspiracy theory QAnon, whose believers follow the words of an alleged government insider nicknamed Q, a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles out,' according to the Tampa Bay Times. Twitter permanently suspended a sitting US President. Theyve now permanently suspended a sitting member of US Congress. Of course, both from the same party. They forget that in 2022 we are taking back the House and we WILL be holding them accountable! Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) January 2, 2022 Welcome to the Woketopia. Where information is controlled by the few. https://t.co/wAPAKw5aDf Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) January 2, 2022 In February 2021, she said in a speech on the House floor that she stopped believing in the conspiracy theory once she found 'misinformation, lies, things that were not true' in QAnon posts. On Sunday, the first-term congresswoman pointed the finger at her colleagues, suggesting Twitter has a double standard. 'Maxine Waters can go to the streets and threaten violence on Twitter, Kamala and Ilhan can bail out Black Lives Matter terrorists on Twitter, CNN and the rest of the Democrat Propaganda Media can spread Russia collusion lies, and just yesterday the Chief spokesman for terrorist IRGC can tweet mourning Soleimani, but I get suspended for tweeting VAERS statistics,' she said. Statistics from the self-reporting vaccine side effect database are often cited by conservative commentators like Tucker Carlson to downplay the effectiveness of vaccines. Last week, Greene criticized the national College Republicans group for tweeting out a message wishing people a Happy Kwanzaa. The secular festival of African American culture is celebrated each year from December 26 to January 1. 'Stop. It's a fake religion created by a psychopath,' Greene wrote back on Twitter. 'You aren't bringing in new voters, you are turning them away. People are tired of pandering and BS.' Prince William has told of his 'frustration' that the UK evacuation mission in Afghanistan failed to get more people to safety. The Duke of Cambridge is said to have voiced his concern that so many desperate Afghans were left behind as he met refugees who were flown out by Western forcesf last year. A total of 15,000 people were airlifted to safety by British forces as the Taliban grabbed control of the country but thousands of others were left behind. They included hundreds of interpreters who worked with UK troops and had been given leave to come to Britain or were in the process of applying when the Afghan government fell in August. The duke told refugees during a visit to a hotel in Leeds in November they 'couldn't be more welcome' in Britain, adding: 'The most important thing is that you are safe now. You have a bright future' Prince William talks with refugees evacuated from Afghanistan during a visit to a hotel in Leeds One of the refugees who met William at a hotel in Leeds told The Times last night: 'He said he was frustrated at the withdrawal effort in August. He said he wished we could have brought more people to the UK.' He is also said to have questioned why around 12,000 Afghans remain stuck in hotels months after arriving. The duke told the refugees they 'couldn't be more welcome' in Britain, adding: 'The most important thing is that you are safe now. You have a bright future.' William was reported last year to have intervened to help an Afghan officer he knew from Sandhurst military academy escape from Kabul with his family. He was said to have asked his equerry to make calls in order to get the former cadet to safety. The officer was said to have been waved through along with his family and flew to the UK. He had worked closely with British troops, meaning he was at particular risk from the Taliban. Among those still left behind is former translator Fazal, 31, who survived being shot and stabbed by the Taliban and has now appealed to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for the New Year gift of 'safety'. He fled Afghanistan with the help of people smugglers last month, arriving in Turkey, after the Taliban raided his family home and warned he would be 'punished as a traitor'. Fazal, who served alongside British troops for two years, was lured into an ambush, shot and stabbed in Kabul 14 months ago. He has now made a video appeal to former soldier Mr Wallace, who many former translators credit with helping to save their lives after changing policy allowing more to relocate. Clutching his hands together as if in prayer, Fazal tells him: 'I am personally appealing to you to allow me to come to the UK and requesting you give me a peaceful future this is in your hands. 'According to the local Afghan people and the Taliban, the ones who supported the foreigners should be killed.' Speaking yesterday from hiding in Istanbul, he told the Mail: 'I am desperate and frightened because if I am found in Turkey I will be sent back and have to face the Taliban who have already tried to murder me. 'My life is at risk because of my work with British forces. Britain helps refugees who have done nothing for the country but they leave at risk those who stood beside them against an enemy that now rules Afghanistan. Please do not abandon us.' Former Afghan translator Fazal, who claims to have been shot and stabbed by the Taliban. He has appealed to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace from hiding in Turkey where he faces deportation after escaping Taliban with help of people smugglers Fazal worked with the UK's Electronic Warfare And Signals Intelligence Unit based in Helmand between 2010 and 2012. He said he was sacked in November 2012 after allegations he had used drugs and breached military discipline which he has always denied. The Daily Mail's award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign has highlighted how 1,010 translators were dismissed up until 2014 more than a third of all those employed with many claiming to have been treated unjustly. This meant they did not qualify for sanctuary under any of the UK's relocation plans. However, in the turmoil of Kabul last summer, Mr Wallace intervened in over 50 cases allowing them to relocate with families. The video was sent to Mr Wallace by Rafi Hottak, a former supervisor of UK military translators in Afghanistan who now campaigns for ex-interpreters from his UK home. He said: 'You can hear the desperation of Fazal in the message to Ben Wallace. He is marked out by the Taliban because of his work for the British military and should be helped.' On a June morning in 1993, Richard Leakey, the then controversial head of the Kenya Wildlife Service , crashed his single-engined Cessna 206 into a cattle field in the bush. His four passengers were relatively unhurt but Leakey was seriously injured. The aircrafts engine had been thrust back by the impact, snapping both his legs like twigs and driving the African soil into his open wounds. Leakey remained conscious and with typical brio was able to direct the gathering villagers to call for help. I was in Kenya visiting Leakey that week, in my capacity as a journalist covering East African wildlife issues, and hed invited me to fly with him to visit a national park. Fortunately for me, I became tied up in the capital Nairobi, and in the following years we often joked about my lucky escape. It came to mind again yesterday when I read the news that Leakey had died at the age of 77. Renowned anthropologist Richard Erskine Leake, pictured during the the 1970s, has died at the age of 77 But what a life he had: in a career spanning more than half a century Leakey transformed himself from a fossil hunter, who became a bestselling author and television star and made a seminal documentary on human evolution for the BBC to a pioneering conservationist with the hide of a rhinoceros. At the time of his plane crash, Leakey was pursuing an anti-corruption campaign in a country that was riven with it and where inconvenient critics were, as he jocularly put it, terminated with extreme prejudice. He was convinced the Cessna had been sabotaged but, although he had many high-level political enemies who wanted to see him dead, nothing was ever proved. Because he was determined to keep his hands on the tiller of the wildlife service widely known as KWS, he stubbornly refused to be transferred to a European hospital. So, for 12 terrible days Leakey stayed in a private ward at Nairobi National Hospital, protected by 24-hour armed guards, as surgeons tried to stave off septicaemia. Finally, he was persuaded to seek a second opinion and Professor Christopher Colton, a British trauma specialist who had recently operated on Prince Charles, was flown to Nairobi. When he arrived at the hospital, Professor Colton said he could smell the infection from the end of the corridor. Gangrene. In his opinion, Leakey was dying. Leakey continued to work as a paleoanthropologist and conservationist even after both of his legs were amputated in 1993 Reluctantly, the 6ft 4 in Leakey allowed himself to be flown to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, where after four months and 14 operations both legs were amputated below the knee. Throughout all this, Leakey, a notorious 16-hour-a-day workaholic, maintained his exacting work schedule, continuing to run KWS from a distance. According to one of his close friends, Georgiana Bronfman, he had faxes and telephones installed and worked the whole time he was in hospital. Bronfman the ex-wife of Edgar Bronfman Sr (head of the multinational drinks conglomerate Seagram) and now married to the actor Nigel Havers said it was Leakey himself who decided on the second amputation because he didnt have the patience to go through a time - consuming rehabilitation programme. She said: Richards attitude was, Take off the leg and let me get on with my work. Leakey later told me he had taken the amputated legs with him to Nairobi. Id like to bury them at Lake Turkana, he said, referring to the stretch of water in Kenya where hes found many of the famous fossils with which he was so strongly associated. Dr Richard Leakey, pictured with ivory worth 3 million US dollars, confiscated from poachers by Kenyan authorities in 1989 He later changed his mind, fearing that at Turkana his enemies might urinate on them, and buried them instead at his home in the Ngong hills. Although Leakeys death this week was understandably greeted with a tide of grief from friends and colleagues across the world, it came as no surprise. That he had lived to the relatively ripe age of 77, having survived two kidney transplants and a liver transplant, as well as the amputation of his legs, is testament both to his iron will and to his cavalier attitude towards physical setbacks. In recent years, skin cancer had ravaged his once handsome features. He was constantly having tumours cut from his face to the point that, when I saw him in his Nairobi office last year, his skin was so damaged I found it hard to look at him. But the man himself didnt give a damn and carried on as if nothing had changed. For someone who had traded on his looks in his youth he was a notorious ladies man this was further confirmation of his steely determination not to be distracted from his various missions in life by mere mortality. His two quite diverse missions centred on his search for the origins of mankind and his determination to preserve Kenyas fast disappearing wildlife populations. Kenya Wildlife Service Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Leakey pictured in 2015 The son of famed British palaeoanthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey, his avowed intention to keep out of the family business was swept aside in his teens when he began leading fossil-hunting expeditions to Koobi Fora on the shores of Lake Turkana. It was on the shores of another lake, Lake Natron, in 1964 that he met an archaeologist called Margaret Cropper, who was to become his first wife. In 1970, a year after they divorced, he married a palaeoanthropologist called Maeve Epps. In the late 1960s and early 1970s his finds in the harsh, inhospitable landscape of Kenyas Rift Valley included Skull 1470, a two-million-year-old relic of a breed of early man known as Homo habilis, which was found broken into 300 fragments. In two books written with science writer Roger Lewin Origins (1977) and People Of The Lake (1978) Leakey argued that his discovery proved that Homo habilis evolved into Homo erectus, the direct ancestor of Homo sapiens, or modern human beings. His find saw him ending up on the cover of Time magazine and becoming something of a cult figure, the first pop paleo. His sudden fame did not, however, go down well with the scientific establishment. After his presentation of Skull 1470 to the Zoological Society of London, the secretary, Lord Zuckerman, responded scathingly: May I first congratulate Mr Leakey, an amateur and not a specialist, for the very modest and moderated way he gave his presentation. Typically, he shrugged off the criticism and in 1977, published Origins with Roger Lewin, a bestseller that introduced palaeoanthropology a branch of anthropology concerned with the origins and development of early humans to a broad audience. Three years later he made The Making Of Mankind, a major BBC documentary about human evolution. Leakeys segue into wildlife conservation took place formally in the late 1980s, when the Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi appointed him head of the countrys corrupt, bankrupt Wildlife Conservation and Management Department, which he was later to rename the Kenya Wildlife Service. It put him in charge of 52 national parks across the country. At the time, the parks were slaughterhouses, awash with poachers and staffed largely by unmotivated incompetents. Dr Richard Leakey presenting a documentary about Homo Erectus in Kenya (pictured in October, 1985) Over the previous two decades, the countrys elephant population had crashed from more than 100,000 to barely 20,000, and conservationists feared that extinction beckoned. That Leakey arrested the decline and set up an outstanding conservation and policing programme is now a matter of public record. How he did it by turning the KWS into a paramilitary unit, hunting down the poaching gangs and introducing a highly controversial shoot-to-kill policy reads like a 20th-century African thriller. As one conservationist told me: If Richard Leakey hadnt been around then wed have probably lost all our wildlife by now. Along the way in both careers, Leakeys abrasiveness made him many life-long enemies. In the palaeoanthropology arena he engaged in bitter wars with Don Johanson, the discoverer of the famous australopithecine fossil known as Lucy. At the same time, his former protege and academic at the University of California, Berkeley, Professor Tim White, refused to speak to him for 40 years. One American academic once told me that the day Leakey gave up palaeoanthropology for wildlife conservation was like the lifting of the siege of Sarajevo for the community. In the war zone that is African wildlife conservation politics, Leakeys uncompromising militaristic approach to saving animals was often seen as harsh, simplistic and short-sighted. In the late 1980s, he orchestrated the ritual burning of millions of dollars worth of elephant ivory and rhino horns at events arranged for prime-time American television audiences. A large community of mainly southern African conservationists regarded these eco-bonfires of 12 tons of ivory from the KWS storerooms as a criminal waste of assets that could have been sold to raise funds for conservation. His response was to dismiss the southern Africans as bloodthirsty, pro-hunting barbarians. Their mutual antipathy remained undiminished. In the end, Richard Leakey not only survived but triumphed in the African theatres of politics, wildlife conservation and palaeoanthropology because he was a true African. In Africa, you fight to the death for your identity. Which is precisely what Richard Leakey did. Excavations in Rome have uncovered an ancient burial complex that held an intact ceramic funerary urn containing bone fragments and a terracotta dog's head statue. Archaeologists were called in after workers laying pipes for utility firm Acea on the Via Luigi Tosti in the city's Appio Latino quarter came across the buried tombs. They would have once lined the Via Latina (literally, the 'Latin Road') which was one of the earliest-lain Roman roads and that runs south-east out from the old city walls. Adjacent to the tombs, the team's excavations also uncovered the remains of a young man who appeared to have been buried in the bare earth. According to the experts, the canine bust small enough to fit in the palm of a hand resembles decorative parts of drainage systems used on sloping rooms. However, the little dog statue appears to have lost its drain hole, or perhaps never even had one and was fashioned for purely aesthetic purposes. Dog experts at the RSPCA told the MailOnline that it was 'tricky' to identify the type of dog as, given the nature of the sculpture, there was no sense of scale. 'It could be representative of a large breed or a small, toy breed,' a spokesperson said, noting that dog breeds have also changed significantly over the last two millennia. 'During the Roman period there was selective breeding of dogs for desirable qualities and for specific functions, such as hunting, guarding, companions etc,' they added. The Romans kept dogs as both pets and to guard property and livestock, with one popular breed being the Molossian hound, which came from ancient Greece. Historians believe that they also kept dogs that would have been similar in appearance to to modern Irish wolfhounds, greyhounds, lurchers, Maltese and more. Excavations in Rome have uncovered an ancient burial complex that held an intact ceramic funerary urn containing bone fragments and a terracotta dog's head statue (pictured) Archaeologists were called in after workers laying pipes for utility firm Acea on the Via Luigi Tosti (pictured) in the city's Appio Latino quarter came across the buried tombs They would have once lined the Via Latina (literally, the 'Latin Road') which was one of the earliest-lain Roman roads and that runs south-east out from the old city walls (pictured in red) THE VIA LATINA The funerary complex was found at the end of the Via Luigi Tosti, at the intersection with the Via Latina. This is one of the oldest examples of a Roman Road which ran some 124 miles (200 km) south-eastwards from Rome. The route started at what would later become the Porta Latina a gate in the city's Aurelian Walls, which were built between 271275 AD. It led to the pass of Mount Algidius, from which it is thought to have forged a path to the Campania city of Capua. Advertisement The archaeologists believe that the structures making up the funerary complex were constructed between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD. 'The discovery casts new light on an important context,' said Rome's special superintendent, Daniel Porro, the Times have reported. 'Once again, Rome shows important traces of the past throughout its urban fabric.' The three tombs were found at a depth of roughly 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) below the surface of the present-day street. Unfortunately, the archaeologists reported, the structures appeared to have been damaged by previous underground utility works, carried out in the area prior to the introduction of policies designed to protect the city's heritage. All three of the tombs were built on a concrete base. One had walls made of a yellow tuff, the second had a reticulated, net-like, composition, while the remains of the third were confined to just a base which showed signs of fire damage. The experts said that, alongside the terracotta dog's head, they also uncovered a large number of fragments of coloured plaster. The funerary complex, they added, appears to have been built using the front of an abandoned pozzolana quarry, as is evidenced by the characteristic cuts made into the bank of tuff (a rock made of volcanic ash) on which it appears to have stood. Pozzolan was the name given to material of a volcanic origin that the Romans used as a key ingredient alongside lime to manufacture cement. Adjacent to the tombs, the team's excavations also uncovered the remains of a young man who appeared to have been buried in the bare earth. Pictured: an archaeologist carefully excavates the some 2,000-year-old tombs in the Appio Latino quarter of Rome The archaeologists believe that the structures making up the funerary complex were constructed between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD. Pictured: the dig site, which lies near the intersection of the Via Luigi Tosti and the Via Latina 'The discovery casts new light on an important context,' said Rome's special superintendent, Daniel Porro, the Times have reported. 'Once again, Rome shows important traces of the past throughout its urban fabric.' Pictured: the dig site on the Via Luigi Tosti The three tombs were found at a depth of roughly 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) below the surface of the present-day street (as pictured). Unfortunately, the archaeologists reported, the structures appeared to have been damaged by previous underground utility works, carried out in the area prior to the introduction of policies designed to protect the city's heritage Archaeologists were called in after workers laying pipes for utility firm Acea on the Via Luigi Tosti (pictured) in the city's Appio Latino quarter came across the buried tombs. They would have once lined the Via Latina (literally, the 'Latin Road') which was one of the earliest-lain Roman roads and that runs south-east out from the old city walls According to experts, only around a tenth of Rome has ever been excavated, and the capital's 2,800-year-long history of occupation has meant that much of its past has become buried beneath successive layers of construction and the modern city. The new dig site on the Via Luigi Tosti is close to the Ipogeo di Via Dino Compagni an underground tomb, or 'hypogeum', that was first discovered in 1954. This structure which, based on the stunning frescos within, has been dated to around 320350 AD would have been used for private burials. The hypogeum is notable for containing a mixture of religious iconography, reflecting how some of its interred appeared to have converted to Christianity while other still adhered to worshipping pagan gods. The new dig site on the Via Luigi Tosti is close to the Ipogeo di Via Dino Compagni an underground tomb, or 'hypogeum', that was first discovered in 1954. This structure has been dated to around 320350 AD, based on the stunning frescos within (as pictured) Ruling party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung led his main opposition rival Yoon Suk-yeol in four public opinion polls published Monday, with leads of between 1.7 and 9.7 percentage points. According to a survey conducted by Realmeter from Dec. 26 to 31, Lee of the Democratic Party of Korea garnered support of 40.9 percent, compared with Yoon of the People Power Party's 39.2 percent. The survey was conducted on 3,037 adults nationwide and had a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. Lee overtook Yoon among voters in their 20s, an age group considered to hold the swing vote, with 33.6 percent to Yoon's 28 percent. A survey by the Korea Society Opinion Institute showed Lee leading Yoon 41 percent to 37.1 percent. This poll was conducted on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 on 1,002 adults nationwide and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, again at the 95 percent confidence level. In a survey by Embrain Public conducted on Dec. 30 and 31, however, Lee's lead over Yoon widened significantly to 9.5 percentage points, with the liberal candidate gaining 39.4 percent and his conservative rival posting 29.9 percent. Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, posted a double-digit figure of 10.1 percent, while Sim Sang-jeung of the minor progressive Justice Party received 5.7 percent. The survey was conducted on 1,010 adults and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. Meanwhile, a survey by Research & Research conducted from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1 put Lee ahead of Yoon by 9.7 percentage points, with 39.9 percent against Yoon's 30.2 percent. The survey was conducted on 1,012 adults and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. (Yonhap) While the US government works to stop the spread of the coronavirus between humans, wildlife officials are working to understand how the virus is infecting wild white-tailed deer. Although experts have not confirmed how these wild animals are contracting COVID, the leading hypothesis is that deer are drinking contaminated water - research shows the virus lingers in human feces and wastewater. Hundreds of animals have tested positive in Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Ohio and researchers fear the entire US population of some 30 million may soon be infected. Penn State University found more than 80 percent of the white-tailed deer sampled in different parts of Iowa between December 2020 and January 2021 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, while another study shows 67 percent of those sampled in Michigan have signs of the virus. The findings, according to experts, highlight the 'critical need to urgently implement surveillance programs to monitor SARS-CoV-2 spread within the deer and other susceptible wildlife species and put into place methods to mitigate potential spillback. Scroll down for video Although experts have not confirmed how these wild animals are contracting COVID, the leading hypothesis is that deer are drinking contaminated water - research shows the virus lingers in human feces and wastewater It is known that animals can contract the coronavirus from humans, but most of the known cases are of those living in zoos where animals and humans are constantly in close contact. However, there has not been any known cases of deer transmitting the virus to humans. A November study from Penn State University examined nearly 300 samples collected from deer across the state of Iowa during the peak of human COVID-19 infection in 2020. Suresh Kuchipudi, associate director of the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Penn State, said in a statement: We found that 80% of the sampled deer in December were positive for SARS-CoV-2, which proportionally represents about a 50-fold greater burden of positivity than what was reported at the peak of infection in humans at the time. A November study from Penn State University examined nearly 300 samples collected from deer across the state of Iowa during the peak of human COVID-19 infection in 2020 Researchers at Ohio State University discovered 129 (35 percent) of 360 free-ranging deer tested positive through nasal swabs but showed no symptoms. From six of the locations, the researchers were able to identify three variants of SARS-CoV-2 The number of SARS-CoV-2 positive deer increased over the period from April to December 2020, with the greatest increases coinciding with the peak of deer hunting season last year. A separate study released earlier last month found similar results among white-tailed deer. Conducted by researchers at Ohio State University, the team discovered 129 (35 percent) of 360 free-ranging deer tested positive through nasal swabs but showed no symptoms. From six of the locations, the researchers were able to identify three variants of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.2, B.1.582 and B.1.596). SARS-CoV-2 could mutate while passing between deer, potentially facilitating transmission of new strains to humans and other species, although there is no evidence to suggest this yet. Antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 were detect in 33 percent of the total specimens, but 60 percent of deer sampled in Michigan were found to have been exposed. Illinois had the lowest with just seven percent, then New York with 18 percent and Pennsylvania with 34 percent Worryingly, SARS-CoV-2 could also survive in deer unmutated while it simultaneously continues to evolve in humans, and at some point, when humans do not have immunity to the strains infecting deer, those variants could come spilling back to humans. Study author Professor Andrew Bowman at the Ohio State University, said in a statement: Based on evidence from other studies, we knew they were being exposed in the wild and that in the lab we could infect them and the virus could transmit from deer to deer. Here, we're saying that in the wild, they are infected, and if they can maintain it, we have a new potential source of SARS-CoV-2 coming in to humans. The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducted a larger study in July 2021 that included several states: in Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania. Antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 were detect in 33 percent of the total specimens, but 60 percent of deer sampled in Michigan were found to have been exposed. Illinois had the lowest with just seven percent, then New York with 18 percent and Pennsylvania with 34 percent. 'There is no evidence that animals, including deer, are playing a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to people. Based on the available information, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is low,' APHIS shared in a statement. Although antibodies were detected, APHIS notes that 'none of the deer populations surveyed showed signs of clinical illness associated with SARS-CoV-2.' APHIS that confirmed SARS-CoV-2 was spreading to wild mink last year, which resulted in millions of these animals being killed worldwide with Denmark eradicating 17 million alone. SARS-CoV-2 was spreading to wild mink last year, which resulted in millions of these animals being killed worldwide with Denmark eradicating 17 million alone This was because researchers found the mink variant could spillback to humans, while deer may only infect other wild animals. In October 2020, 12 people reported being infected with a mutated version of the coronavirus that they caught from minks - which led to the giant cull. Shortly after, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed five other countries had coronavirus cases linked to mink farms - the US, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. When SARS-CoV-2 jumped from humans into minks on fur farms, its spike proteins - which allows the virus to invade cells - mutated to infect the animals more easily. But when the virus was transmitted back into humans, it carried this mutation with it, making COVID-19 antibodies less effective, according to scientists. Thanks to an unwitting intervention by the Duke of Edinburgh 60 years ago, the world's rarest marsupial has come back from the very brink of extinction. Gilbert's potoroo a nocturnal, fungi-loving ratkangaroo is named for English naturalist John Gilbert, who first documented them on a visit to Australia in 1838. By the 1870s, however, the macropod had seemingly gone extinct, a fate credited to invasive predators and a history of extensive hunting by the Aboriginal people. However, a small population remained undetected at Two Peoples Bay, 22 miles east of the Western Australian city of Albany to only be discovered in 1994. The fact the area remained unspoiled and able to support the Gilbert's potoroo was thanks to Prince Philip, who had lobbied for Two Peoples Bay's protection in 1962. The Duke, however, would have been unaware of the presence of the elusive little critters and had intervened on behalf of an entirely different threatened species. Regardless, the population of Gilbert's potoroo has now exceeded 100, with local experts expressing optimism over the rare marsupial's chances of long-term survival. Gilbert's potoroo (pictured) a nocturnal, truffle-loving ratkangaroo is named for English naturalist John Gilbert, who first documented them on a visit to Australia in 1838. By the 1870s, however, the macropod had seemingly gone extinct, a fate credited to invasive predators and a history of extensive hunting by the Aboriginal people A small population of Gilbert's potoroo remained undetected at Two Peoples Bay, 22 miles east of the Western Australian city of Albany to only be found in 1994. The fact the area remained unspoiled and able to support the Gilbert's potoroo was thanks to the Duke of Edinburgh, who lobbied for Two Peoples Bay's protection in 1962. Pictured: Prince Philip in 2006 POTOROO'S PERIL Nearly having their habitat destroyed to make way for new housing is far from the only calamity that has threatened the Gilbert's potoroo over recent decades. In the summer of 2015, for example, lightning-induced bushfires ravaged some 90 per cent of the marsupial's habitat around Two Peoples Bay razing some 3,000 acres in total. Fortunately, the population was bolstered after this disaster by a transplant from a 'backup' colony of potoroo wisely established on a nearby island by Dr Friend. And in the years since, the recovering population has been threatened by decreasing rainfall in the region as a result of climate change. Advertisement Prince Philip reportedly ruffled official feathers in 1962, amid a visit to Perth, when he lobbied Western Australian authorities against the destruction of bushland around Two Peoples Bay which had originally been earmarked for housing developments. 'If that had happened, there would have been cats and dogs and fire and it wouldnt have been preserved,' biologist Tony Friend of the Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation told the Times. The Duke had hoped to save the elusive 'noisy scrubbird' a species which, much like the Gilbert's potoroo, had been long thought extinct until a small population was found to be inhabiting Two Peoples Bay the year prior to royal's intervention. Fortunately, Western Australia's authorities capitulated, calling off the construction plans and eventually designating Two Peoples Bay a nature reserve in 1967. It would be nearly three decades before evolutionary biologist Elizabeth Sinclair stumbled across a Gilbert's potoroo in the nature reserve by accident while surveying the numbers in the area of a wallaby-like species called 'quokka'. At first, she explained to the Times, she didn't quite believe what she had found. 'I was going, "nah, surely not". This is the most researched nature reserve in Western Australia,' she said. 'Surely they hadn't been sitting here under someone's nose for, you know, 120 years!' However, her snares captured two more of the elusive marsupials the very next day after the first discovery and the seemingly miraculous find was confirmed. The Duke was unaware of the presence of the elusive little marsupials and had intervened on behalf of an entirely different threatened species, the noisy scrubbird (pictured) The population of Gilbert's potoroo (depicted) has now exceeded 100, with local experts expressing optimism over the rare marsupial's chances of long-term survival 'Prince Philip, in helping to save Two Peoples Bay, enabled Gilbert's Potoroo to survive undetected and thought extinct until its rediscovery in 1994,' Jackie Courtenay of the Gilbert's Potoroo Action Group told the Times. Dr Courtney hopes that more spaces can be found in which Gilbert's potoroo can live free from the threat of predators like foxes and pythons but with enough of the truffle-like fungi that make up their primary food source. 'It really is a beautiful animal,' the conservation biologist added. 'And it would be, for that reason alone, just such a loss if that animal can no longer be in the world.' Prince Philip reportedly ruffled official feathers in 1962, amid a visit to Perth, when he lobbied Western Australian authorities against the destruction of bushland around Two Peoples Bay which had originally been earmarked for housing developments. Fortunately, the capitulated, calling off the construction plans and designating Two Peoples Bay a nature reserve in 1967 Jim Green has served as NASA chief scientist for 40 years, but as Green bid the agency farewell on Saturday he left us with one last plan - geoengineer Mars into a planet habitable for humans. The now retired scientist proposed covering the Red Planet in a giant magnetic shield to block it from the sun's high-energy solar particles. Speaking with the New York Times, Green explained the protective shield would stop the sun from stripping Mars' atmosphere, allowing the planet to create a human-friendly climate. 'Yeah, it's doable. Stop the stripping, and the pressure is going to increase. Mars is going to start terraforming itself,' Green said. 'The higher temperature and pressure enable you to begin the process of growing plants in the soils.' Scroll down for video The now retired scientist proposed covering the Red Planet in a giant magnetic shield to block it from the sun's high-energy solar particles Green discussed his Mars plan with the NYT in honor of his retirement, but the former NASA official has been working on it since at least 2017 when he first revealed it to the public. In a talk at the NASA Planetary Science Vision 2050 Workshop at NASA's headquarters in Washington DC, Green presented simulations, models, and early thinking about how a Martian magnetic field might be re-constituted and the how the climate on Mars could then become more friendly for human exploration and perhaps communities. 'The solar system is ours, let's take it,' Green told the workshop in 2017. 'And that, of course, includes Mars. But for humans to be able to explore Mars, together with us doing science, we need a better environment.' The proposed plan would put Mars inside a protected 'magnetotail,' which would help it to rebuild the atmosphere that has been stripped from it by an influx of solar particles - 90 percent of the atmosphere has been stripped. Jim Green has served as NASA chief scientist for 40 years and just retired on Saturday With Mars blocked from the sun, the temperature would eventually rise to a point that allows the CO2 cover atop the polar cap to sublimate, returning to the atmosphere and enhancing the greenhouse effect. And this would also free water hidden deep below the surface, allowing one-seventh of the ancient ocean to return. Subsequently, this would free the water underneath. The plan revealed by Green would kickstart the process, and 'help mitigate some of the extremes.' The proposal would create a dipole field a pair of equal and oppositely charged magnets in an orbit between Mars and the sun, at a point known as Mars L1. This 'artificial magnetic field' would put Mars inside a 'magnetotail,' protecting it from the harsh solar wind. Without the barrage of high-energy particles, Mars' atmosphere would begin to rebuild itself over time. Green discussed his Mars plan with the NYT in honor of his retirement, but the former NASA official has been working on it since at least 2017 when he first revealed it to the public. Pictured is a Mars (top) transforming into an Earth-like planet In just a matter of years, the simulations show the planet could achieve an 'Earth comparable field.' Increasing the pressure would cause the equator to heat up, leading the polar cap to collapse, Green says. This would release carbon dioxide, which would turn to gas and begin to fill the atmosphere and, this would cause the atmosphere to heat up, melting the ice and allowing for the return of liquid water. And, after just a couple of years, the climate would stabilize. 'This is not terraforming, as you may think about it, where we actually artificially change the climate,' Green said. 'We let nature do it. And we do that based on the physics we know today.' Green officially retired on Saturday, January 1, 2022 after joining NASA in 1980. In his science career, Green has specialized in the study of magnetic and electric fields and low energy plasma in the solar system. 'I feel tremendously proud about the activities I've done at NASA,' said Green. 'In many ways, NASA is not a job. It's a way of life. We're always looking for ways to do the impossible. The fact that we continue to succeed and do those things is a tremendous excitement for everyone, and really is important not just for NASA, but for the nation.' While Green has a scientific method to making Mars more Earth-like, Elon Musk has a more violent plan to get the job done. The solar system is ours, lets take it, Green said. And that of course includes Mars. And for humans to be able to explore Mars, together with us doing science, we need a better environment While Green has a scientific method to making Mars more Earth-like, Elon Musk has a more violent plan to get the job done. The SpaceX founder has previously mentioned nuking the Red Planet to release release enough carbon dioxide to warm the atmosphere and help bring it closer to that of Earth The SpaceX founder has previously mentioned nuking the Red Planet to release release enough carbon dioxide -- locked in frozen reserves beneath the planet's surface -- to warm the atmosphere and help bring it closer to that of Earth. Musk says, theoretically a drastically altered atmosphere would allow humans to live and colonize Mars without the use of support systems or insular habitats. This plan was first revealed in 2019, but Musk's latest Mars goal is to land humans on the surface of Mars within the next five to 10 years. Musk made the remark during an appearance on the Lex Friedman Podcast, released last month, adding that the window is now open for humans to leave the Earth. He wants to achieve his goal as quickly as possible, to ensure Mars is sustainable before 'Earth gets too hot for life in about 500 million years.' Claudio Ranieri insisted the dispute over Emmanuel Dennis is finished after Nigeria accused Watford of threatening the striker to prevent him travelling to the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria confirmed on Friday that Watford top scorer Dennis had been excused from their squad having originally been included, claiming his club had been baring fangs to force his withdrawal. Ranieri revealed in midweek that Nigeria missed a deadline to inform Watford of their intention to select Dennis for the tournament and that administration error gave them scope to reject his call-up. Claudio Ranieri insisted the dispute with Nigeria over Emmanuel Dennis (above) is finished Nigeria manager Augustine Eguavoen claimed: We tried to reach out to the club but the club was like: No, we will not allow Dennis to go. Dennis also told me that his club had done everything humanly possible for him not be at the AFCON. 'I cant force it, I reported the matter to the authority and they also tried. That was why we had to wait until the last second before we pushed the button. Dennis reportedly told Nigeria manager Augustine Eguavoen that Watford had 'had done everything humanly possible for him not be at the AFCON' Dennis said he wants to come but the club are threatening him, let me use the word, threatening him. 'What do we do if a player does not want to come? What are you going to do? We have to play with what we have. Following Watfords 1-0 defeat by Tottenham, Ranieri responded to Eguavoens allegations, saying: I think Nigeria have to speak to the [Watford] board and not the manager. I am the manager, the player stays here, Im happy and for me it is finished. Watford boss Ranieri (above) responded to the allegations, claiming the matter was over While Dennis is remaining in England, Watford will lose AFCON-bound Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong, Morocco pair Adam Masina and Imran Louza plus Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr. Ranieri said: Now I lose some players but we have to do something and then we will see. We are speaking every day with the board and I am sure they try to do something for us. Ranieri predicted Watford will beat the drop even though a sixth consecutive defeat has left his own job in jeopardy. The Hornets will lose William Troost-Ekong (right), Adam Masina, Imran Louza and Ismaila Sar to AFCON Ranieri has lost 10 of 12 games since taking over in October and his side will fall into the bottom three if Burnley beat Leeds today. But the Italian, who famously led Leicester to the Premier League title, was in bullish mood after an improved defensive performance saw his side beaten only 1-0 by Spurs to a 96th minute header by Davinson Sanchez. We are alive and we will survive, promised the Italian. Romelu Lukaku could make a shock switch to Chelsea's bitter rivals Tottenham, with a sensational new report in Italy suggesting the striker wants to reunite with former Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte. Lukaku, 28, was left out of Thomas Tuchel's matchday squad for Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool after he stunned the club with a bombshell interview in which he admitted his frustrations at Stamford Bridge. The Belgian joined the Blues only last summer but his recent comments have seen him linked with an early exit. Romelu Lukaku wants a reunion with Antonio Conte at Tottenham, claims a new report in Italy And according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Lukaku could look to try and force a reunion with former manager Conte, who has taken over at Tottenham after his Inter departure. The 28-year-old joined the Blues for 97.5million and it remains to be seen whether they can recoup that mega-money fee for Lukaku, who has scored seven goals in 18 appearances this season. Tuchel revealed that he will hold talks with Lukaku today over last week's developments and insisted 'there is always a way back', in a bid to play down rumours of a hasty exit. The Belgium striker shocked Chelsea with an explosive interview that was released last week He expressed his Stamford Bridge frustrations and criticised Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel 'Tomorrow there is a meeting and we will decide,' Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live. 'Monday we discuss and we all meet and we will take a decision.' He also told Sky Sports: 'He is our player, there is always a way back. 'We will clear this behind closed doors and once we have made a decision and Romelu knows, you will maybe know also. It is not to be discussed now.' In an interview with Sky Sport Italy, Lukaku said: 'Physically I am fine. But I'm not happy with the situation at Chelsea. Tuchel has chosen to play with another system. 'I won't give up, I'll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional - and I can't give up now.' He also suggested he wanted to return to Inter Milan in the near future and told former team-mate Lautaro Martinez not to move to Chelsea because he'd be back at the San Siro soon. The German is set to hold showdown talks with Lukaku today following his explosive claims Meanwhile, Conte has called on the Tottenham hierarchy to back him in the transfer market as he attempts to rebuild his squad and challenge for top honours. The Italian says he was aware after only 10 days of where his side needs strengthening and has evaluated which players will be part of his plans moving forwards. 'For sure (we need to strengthen),' Conte said. 'After only two weeks I said we needed to improve the quality of this squad. 'I was sure after seven to 10 days about this. Then I had to make the evaluation over who I can count on and who I can't. 'The gap is very large and we need to work a lot and try to improve our squad.' Barcelona are in talks with Manchester United over a potential swap deal for Anthony Martial, according to reports. The Frenchman is believed to be one of the Red Devils in contention to leave Old Trafford in January. The 26-year-old has made just seven league appearances this season, with only two coming as starts, and has not featured for United since a two-minute cameo against Arsenal at the beginning of December. Barcelona are 'in talks' with Manchester United over a loan deal for Anthony Martial (left) However, United have reportedly rebuffed an offer from Sevilla who approached the Premier League side over a loan deal which would see them pay half of Martial's wages, according to The Mirror. But with Barcelona reportedly in the mix, the Red Devils could find a suitable deal to offload one of their highest earners. The Catalans recently secured the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City but the Spaniard's move could eventually cost the club as much as 54m. Ferran Torres's Barcelona move could eventually cost the Catalan side as much as 54million Barcelona's signing of Torres adds further financial strain onto the club's well-documented difficulties, meaning they would have to part ways with current players to fund further attacking reinforcements. Former United forward has already been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp despite only arriving in summer, while Ousmane Dembele is reportedly also among those who could be on the move. United are said to have previously shown interest in Dembele which could pave the way for a January exchange for the two clubs. United's previous interest in Ousmane Dembele could pave the way for a January swap deal Xavi's side are reportedly exploring the option of a swap deal that would see the two France internationals head in opposite directions. Dembele is in the final few months of the deal he signed upon his move from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 and with Barcelona needing to trim their wage bill in order to register Torres, they could look to offload the Frenchman. Blaugrana boss Xavi remains hopeful that Dembele will agree to a new Barcelona deal on reduced terms but if the 24-year-old fails to agree a new deal and January move could be on the cards to prevent Barcelona losing him for free in summer. Advertisement When, in 2011, British adventurer Alastair Humphreys coined the term 'microadventure' little did he know his neologism would go off on a mini-expedition of its own. His concept of launching expeditions from your front door rather than to the North Pole inspired people to get outdoors on quick, quirky trips - trips that usually involved self-propulsion coupled with under-the-stars accommodation. 'A microadventure,' said the term's inventor, 'is an adventure that is short, simple, local, cheap.' The quick, quirky trip I describe here was none of those things, but in my book, it was still a microadventure because it featured self-propulsion - thanks to folding bikes - and the accommodation was a teeny tent on a misty moor. Scroll down to watch a video of the amazing trip Josh tucking in to his burnt leeks starter. Carlton had a terrine of confit duck and chicken GWR Pullman crew members are chosen for their sunny dispositions The trip was not cheap. Along with my globe-trotting son (he imported a Chinese-made bike into the UK by riding it 14,000kms back from the factory) we travelled by first-class rail from London to Devon on Great Western Railway's Pullman service - England's last dining car. If the onboard crew was thrown by two blokes boarding with bikes and a bunch of bicycle bags, they certainly didn't show it. Far from being sniffy, they were fascinated by the pedalling paraphernalia piled up on Paddington's Platform 2. Part of the warm welcome might have been because GWR's famous Pullman service was only gradually getting back on track - literally - after a long, pandemic-shaped hiatus. But it was more likely to be because Pullman crew members are chosen for their sunny dispositions. Two oiks with grimy bikes getting on a flagship posh-nosh train service? No problem. We were booked on the evening train to Penzance and would get off at Newton Abbot late at night. From there, it would be a ten-mile uphill slog to Saddle Tor in the dark where we would pitch our two-man tent. (Unlike in the rest of England, wild camping is legal on much of Dartmoor.) The following day we would strike camp and leg it back to the station for the lunchtime Pullman to Paddington. GWR Pullmans set menu in front of Carlton as Josh looks out over the scenic Exe estuary We were travelling reasonably light but it was nevertheless awkward, back on Platform 2, to remove the luggage, fold down the bikes, heave everything on to the train and remain socially distanced. Overlooked by a statue of Paddington bear, the crew directed us to squeeze bikes and bags between our first-class seats. Sorted. Then the luxury began. Would we like a drink? Do Paddington-of-Peru's relatives leave deposits among trees? Josh eating his second curry of the trip - Carlton ordered the confit of duck On the left is the GWR Pullman Chocolate velvet mousse. Pictured right is the Paddington Bear statue at London Paddington A return first-class ticket from London to Newton Abbot costs about 180 Usually, I'd ask for a gin and tonic, but with a hilly bike ride looming at 10pm I plumped, instead, for sparkling water, sipping it gingerly as the train picked up speed. The Great Western Railway's historic main line - designed, in 1835, to run between Bristol and London by the 29-year-old civil engineering genius Isambard Kingdom Brunel - is famously fast. After Old Oak Common, just six minutes after leaving Paddington, the train begins its 125mph acceleration through to Reading. Outside the windows, the suburbs scrubbed to a blur, with focus switching to the menu and the promise of gourmet food. I had burnt leeks as a starter. That's not a complaint, that's the entree's description on the menu. Grilled courgettes kept the caramelised vegetables company bound together with a romesco dressing. This was the only vegan starter - and as a vegan, that's what Josh had, too. He had the same choices there and back. I ate through almost the full menu. The other starters were a terrine of confit of duck with chicken, and flaky smoked trout interspersed with beetroot wedges. I had the pan-fried cod for my main course, Josh had the first of his two butternut squash and coconut curries. (The third mains choice was confit of duck leg with ratatouille.) With a punishing ride to come, I chose the most calorific dessert: a rather scrumptious prune and Kingston black pear tart. This vegan treat was served with dairy-free custard - which, to my surprise, wasn't half bad - and Josh had that, too. Twice, it turned out. (The other dessert was a chocolate mousse with a cherry compote.) Josh riding close to the tracks of the Haytor Granite Tramway built in 1820 to transport granite from Haytor Down quarry, Dartmoor, Devon to the Stover Canal. The tracks once guided the wheels of horse-drawn wagons Carlton and Josh arrived at Newton Abbot at 10pm, then cycled to Dartmoor (pictured) via country lanes GWR's Pullman has long been known for its silver-service dinners. That is, food guided to the GWR-monogrammed plate with deftly-handled spoons and with vegetables slid from silver platters. Today's service is a 'plated' one. Still posh, still delicious, but the food is no longer ladled out but is brought to the table, as the name suggests, on the plate. The Pullman's fabled steaks have yet to make a return. Traditionalists may grumble but that the company has been able to offer any fine dining at all during these difficult times demonstrates that the three-times-a-day Pullman is much loved. There are posher trains, of course, such as the super-deluxe Belmond British Pullman, but that's a 400-per-seat special - GWR's Pullman is a scheduled service. A wild camping sunrise beside Saddle Tor. Carlton and Josh found their way to this spot using the Hammerhead Karoo 2 navigation tool Josh descending on Dartmoor after a night of wild camping. 'I love microadventures, especially luxurious ones,' writes Carlton Operating a Pullman dining service is part of FirstGroup's GWR franchise agreement with the government, and although the company won't admit this (yes, I asked), the service - even with 30-per-head meals and 21 bottles of wine - runs at a loss. Train operating company economics was the last thing on my mind, though, as we pulled into Newton Abbot station at 10pm. As our meal on wheels departed, we snapped the bikes back into shape, clipped on the bags, and put the handlebar-mounted navigation device into night mode so it could guide us, via dark country lanes, to our destination on the edge of Dartmoor. Fuelled by our fast food, it was the best part of two hours later before we finally slipped into our sleeping bags. And we still had the return journey to look forward to, a daylight glide along the gloriously beautiful stretch of track between Dawlish beach and Exminster via the picturesque Exe estuary. I love microadventures, especially luxurious ones. From America to Vietnam, Jamaica to Antarctica, the world of travel is once again opening up. So where have you been fantasising about visiting in 2022? Sea and sand or city safari? Wildlife watching or on the water? We asked some travel-hungry celebrities whats in store for them this year Lynne Truss - best-selling author Pictured is bestselling author Lynne Truss, who is planning on taking a 'fancy art history trip to Texas' next month Lynne says that she made a 'vague promise' to visit friends on the Greek island of Halki, pictured above A fancy art history trip to Texas in February, although at the moment the idea of travelling 5,000 miles for no good reason seems insane. Ive also made a vague promise to visit friends on the Greek island of Halki, in the Dodecanese, in May. My biggest worry is that it will be a devastating shock to my three dogs whove got used to having me around. Jeffrey Archer - his latest novel, Over My Dead Body, is out now Jeffrey Archer, pictured, reveals that he will be spending time writing a novel in Majorca Majorca this month to write my next novel. But looking further ahead, my wife Mary is keen for us to go on one of those Russian waterways cruises from St Petersburg to Moscow in the summer, so hopefully that will work out. Lorraine Kelly - television presenter Lorraine Kelly, pictured, will be travelling to Singapore with her mum and her daughter later this year Singapore with my mum and my daughter Rosie, who lived there for three years and didnt get a chance to say a proper goodbye because of Covid. Greenland, Mongolia, and South Georgia and the Falklands are also in my sights. Chris Tarrant - broadcaster Chris Tarrant, pictured, says that 'everything is still up in the air' with the filming of is his Channel 5 travel series, Extreme Railways Go wild: A giraffe in the Entabeni Safari Reserve in South Africa. Chris hopes to visit the country in 2022 South Africa. Last year was the first I havent been on safari for 20 years. Telly-wise, were still talking about filming my Channel 5 series, Extreme Railways, this year but everything is still up in the air. Miriam Stoppard - agony aunt Miriam Stoppard, pictured, says it would be 'wonderful' if she could visit Bhutan this year My home in South-West France for a start. Looking further ahead, Bhutan, the Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas, would be wonderful, but it will take some planning. Jeremy Vine - broadcaster and Eggheads presenter Jeremy Vine, pictured, says that there are 'countless islands from which to choose' in Indonesia Jeremy visited the 'fascinating city' of Jakarta, pictured, when he was in his early twenties Former Countdown presenter Nick Hewer describes Vietnam as a 'wonderful country' Indonesia. Its an astonishing country the culture is incredible. Jakarta is a fascinating city (I have visited only once, when I was 23) and there are countless islands from which to choose. Nick Hewer - former presenter of Countdown I was in Vietnam just before the outbreak of the pandemic, and would love to return to that wonderful country, as well as visit Japan and India again. Dan Snow - historian 'All this sitting around has made me desperate to visit somewhere different,' says Dan Snow, pictured Canada to see my sister and her family, cousins and friends. I would also love to take the children canoeing in the far north. All this sitting around has made me desperate to visit somewhere different. Perhaps Antarctica! Im also looking forward to a work trip to Norway to learn all about the Vikings and see the worlds most extraordinary Viking ships. Sian Gabbidon - apprentice winner Apprentice star Sian Gabbidon says: 'Now that Im fully vaccinated, Im ready to explore new horizons and create some more wonderful holiday memories' Pictured is Winnifred Beach, Jamaica. Sian plans on visiting the Caribbean island for a 'chilled getaway' Id love to get to Jamaica for a chilled getaway, as my grandparents hail from the Caribbean island. Im desperate to feel the sand between my toes and the salt in my hair again. Now that Im fully vaccinated, Im ready to explore new horizons and create some more wonderful holiday memories. Ian Rankin - crime writer Writer Ian Rankin, pictured, is hopeful that his rescheduled cruise of the Black Sea will go ahead this summer I had just got a taste for cruise holidays when the pandemic hit. A couple of them have since been cancelled but my fingers are crossed that a rescheduled cruise of the Black Sea will go ahead in the summer. Ive missed visiting literary festivals around the world. Ive no idea when I will next do a book tour of the U.S., Canada, Australia or New Zealand. I just hope Im still young enough to enjoy it when it happens! The glass floor of Venice's Ponte della Costituzione bridge across the Grand Canal is to be replaced with stone because too many pedestrians are slipping over on it. The 300ft-long multi-million-pound bridge - Constitution Bridge in English - was designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2008. It was a striking addition to the city's architecture, linking Venice's railway station with the car, bus and ferry terminal of Piazzale Roma - but it has been dogged by controversy. The glass floor of Venice's Ponte della Costituzione bridge across the Grand Canal is to be replaced with stone because too many pedestrians are slipping over on it From the start, disability associations lamented a lack of wheelchair access, so a pod-style cabin with lift access was installed at a cost of around 1.5million euros (1.26million/$1.7million). But this was dismantled following complaints that it was too slow and too hot in the summer. The issue of people slipping over on the bridge's distinctive glass floor has also been an ongoing one, with multiple tactics deployed to combat it, including resin patches and nonslip stickers, trachyte stone laid along the middle of the walkway and signs warning visitors about a possible loss of traction. But the number of falls has led the city to allocate 500,000 euros (420,000/$565,000) to completely replace the glass with trachyte stone, according to The New York Times. The issue of people slipping over on the bridge's distinctive glass floor has been an ongoing one, with multiple tactics deployed to combat it, including resin patches and nonslip stickers, trachyte stone laid along the middle of the walkway and signs warning visitors about a possible loss of traction 'People hurt themselves, and they sue the administration,' Francesca Zaccariotto, Venice's public works official, told the newspaper. 'We have to intervene. 'We can't always do poetry. We must give security.' Retired port worker Angelo Xalle, 71, told the paper: 'That is not a bridge. It's a trap.' A spokesperson for Santiago Calatrava said: 'Ponte della Costituzione has been highly praised by the city of Venice and its users since opening in 2008, becoming one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. 'The original glass paving installed on the bridge consisted of an anti-slippery upper surface that complied with all local regulations and was tested and considered suitable by all control departments of the administration. 'In the daily use of the bridge, the inadequate use of certain heavy elements or even acts of vandalism have led to the breaking of some glass panes of the original flooring, which unfortunately were later replaced with inadequate glass. 'In the current situation, our office supports the Municipality's substitution of glass panes for trachyte stone paving slabs, consistent with the bridge design and the surrounding cityscape to maintain its beauty and functionality.' Mr Calatrava is one of the world's most celebrated architects. He designed the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York, the Peace Bridge in Calgary, the Margaret McDermott Bridges in Dallas and the Samuel Beckett Bridge in Dublin. In 2021, London was Europe's top city for tourist and commuter trips by Uber and Selfridges on the UK capital's Oxford Street was the most visited destination in Europe for users of the ride-hailing company. Data released by Uber revealed that the department store registered more than half a million rides, beating the Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and Eiffel Tower in Paris. The London Eye was the second most popular UK tourist destination for Uber passengers, with Buckingham Palace third. Data released by Uber revealed that Selfridges registered more than half a million rides in 2021 London clubbing institution Fabric was the most visited night-time venue in Europe, with revellers making over a quarter of a million trips there since January, according to Uber. Ministry of Sound also proved popular, with almost 200,000 trips throughout the year, 'helping to make London the clubbing capital of Europe'. London also saw the highest number of commuter journeys in Europe as workers returned to their offices. Broadgate Circle 'was the hotspot for office workers', while The Bank of England and Canary Wharf Tower all saw over a quarter of a million trips throughout the course of the year. As the UK opened up, the trend for home delivery remained despite the end of lockdown, Uber said, with Uber Eats orders proving more popular than in 2020. New additions to the app - including the expansion of groceries from supermarkets and convenience stores - saw couriers travel 15,046,462.73 miles, Uber said, equivalent to 604 trips around the world or 31 trips to the moon and back. The UK's most popular grocery items were bananas, with more than a quarter of a million bunches sold. Flowers and kale topped the list of the fastest-growing items, with seaweed and bone broth making the top ten. For those who'd forgotten something to drink - or simply to brace themselves for the day's press conference - alcohol orders proved most popular between 7pm and 8pm. Pinot Grigio wine topped the list of most popular tipples ordered through Uber Eats, followed by Prosecco, lager, vodka, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. For users of ride-hailing company Uber, Selfridges proved more popular than the Arc de Triomphe (pictured), Louvre and Eiffel Tower in Paris Uber further revealed: 'While some might believe a majority of grocery orders come from hungover millennials wanting sweet treats, the average grocery basket balanced staple items and healthy ingredients, with cucumbers the third most ordered item - behind bananas and milk but ahead of white bread. Lettuce, mushroom and peppers made the top ten, while strawberries also delighted shoppers getting behind Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon.' Belfast was the city with the highest rider ratings for the second year in a row, with polite passengers earning an average of well over 4.9 out of five. Brighton and Cambridge made up the top three. Uber can thank one rider on the South Coast in particular for a boost to its coffers they took 2,705 trips in 2021, while a London-based driver completed an astonishing 11,883 journeys. The biggest uplift in airport trips was seen in Leeds, booming 364 per cent over the summer. Belfast was the city with the highest Uber rider ratings for the second year in a row, with polite passengers earning an average of well over 4.9 out of five UBER'S 2021 TOP TENS, FROM BANANAS TO BROWN RICE Top 10 groceries ordered on Uber Eats 1. Bananas 2. Milk 3. Cucumbers 4. White Bread 5. Iceberg Lettuce 6. Eggs 7. Mushrooms 8. Pepsi Max 9. Peppers 10. Strawberries Top 10 fastest-growing grocery items 1. Flowers 2. Kale 3. Acai 4. Cauliflower 5. Cucumber 6. Celery 7. Seaweed 8. Bone Broth 9. Coconut 10. Brown Rice UK cities with the highest passenger ratings 1. Belfast 2. Brighton 3. Cambridge 4. Sheffield 5. Edinburgh 6. Liverpool 7. Glasgow 8. Cardiff 9. Southampton 10. Newcastle Source: Uber and Uber Eats Advertisement Jamie Heywood, Uber's Regional General Manager for Northern and Eastern Europe said: 'When the UK opened up out of lockdown, for millions of people Uber became the go-to app for travelling safely, whether that meant a trip to the airport, heading to the shops, commuting to an important meeting or hitting the town. People in the UK rushed to support the retail, hospitality and tourism industries as soon as they could. Uber has had the honour of delivering riders back to the places and people they love.' Matthew Price, General Manager, Uber Eats, said: 'During lockdown we saw orders boom on Uber Eats as people sought to recreate the restaurant experience at home. Since the hospitality sector opened back up, the way people used the app continued to evolve and grow. The year 2021 saw huge growth in grocery orders arriving in 30 minutes that make people's lives easier.' According to the Uber Eats' first Impact Report - authored by policy, research, opinion and strategy consultancy Public First - the delivery app contributed 3.2billion to the UK economy in 2020, as well as creating 68million in additional income for couriers. One third of the couriers who signed up to deliver with the app during the pandemic had either lost their job, been furloughed or had their working hours reduced. Uber said: 'In a sign that the app acts as an effective "shop window" for local restaurants, the eateries surveyed reported an estimated 145 per cent increase on the previous year's delivery takings. In fact, two-fifths of restaurant owners who responded said they would have closed during the pandemic if it wasn't for the revenue generated by food delivery platforms.' During lockdown we saw orders boom on Uber Eats as people sought to recreate the restaurant experience at home Matthew Price, General Manager, Uber Eats However, some restaurants have previously criticised 'aggregators' such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo for the commission they charge, which can be up to 35 per cent, though individual deals can be hammered out. Rahul Sharma, Director at The Regency Club in London, revealed in December 2020 to MailOnline Travel what his restaurant would end up with after using Uber. For the end consumer who orders a 20 meal, 3.50 goes on delivery and 2.00 on Uber service charge, leaving a bill for the customer of 25.50. Uber collects 11.50 from the customer and the restaurant gets 14 revenue from Uber. On top of this are costs - .3.40 VAT for the whole order, and 8 operating and fixed costs (ingredients, labour, restaurant rent and utilities and so on), leaving 2.60 gross profit. Uber Eats, in a statement at the time, said: 'We are committed to supporting restaurants and the thousands of people who rely on them for work and as an essential service during this difficult time. At the beginning of the crisis, we put in place a range of initiatives to help restaurant partners, particularly small business owners, as they keep their kitchens firing to feed people across the country.' Main opposition People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol / Yonhap The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) promised a sweeping overhaul of its campaign committee Monday, and shed a feminist politician unpopular among young male voters as the party scrambled to stop declining support for presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol. Party floor leader Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, and chief policymaker, Rep. Kim Do-eup, also offered to leave their positions in a demonstration of their commitment to overhauling a campaign plagued by factional feuding. The overhaul, which comes just two months ahead of the March 9 presidential election, could see the replacement of all six heads of campaign divisions, including Yoon's confidant, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, according to internal sources. Earlier Monday, campaign chief Kim Chong-in previewed the changes, saying there will be an "overall reform" of the committee. Yoon attended only one event in the morning and canceled his public schedule for the rest of the day to focus on restructuring the campaign. "We have to perform a restructuring that includes the resignations of division chiefs," Kim told reporters after a committee meeting. "Only if we reform the committee in line with the public's sentiment will we able to compete in the election properly." Yoon's approval rating has recently lagged behind that of ruling Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung following a series of internal feuds involving PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok, and controversy over Yoon's wife allegedly lying on her resume. In four public opinion polls published Monday, Lee led Yoon by between 1.7 and 9.7 percentage points. Shin Ji-ye, a 31-year-old feminist politician who joined Yoon's campaign two weeks ago as senior deputy chair of the Saesidae Preparatory Committee, announced her departure on Facebook. The committee works directly under Yoon to woo moderates and liberals with an affinity for the conservative party. Shin's recruitment was a surprise move that was expected to widen the conservative candidate's appeal among young female voters. But Shin made clear in her post that she faced internal resistance, especially from PPP Chairman Lee, and had received all the blame for Yoon's falling support. Lee and Shin had often clashed bitterly over gender issues, with Lee advocating for anti-feminist men in their 20s. "I am stepping down from my position on the campaign committee, but I will do my best for a change of government wherever I am," Shin wrote. Yoon posted his own message on Facebook shortly afterward, saying it was his fault Shin resigned. "I failed to read the minds of those in their 20s and 30s with care," he wrote, adding he admits he "greatly disappointed" young voters by viewing gender issues through the lens of the older generation. "From now on, I will acknowledge what the older generation does not know and start anew from a position that is sympathetic to the younger generations," Yoon wrote. (Yonhap) Advertisement Alessandra Ambrosio rang in the new year in Florianopolis, Brazil alongside her beau of nearly a year, Richard Lee. The 40-year-old supermodel was back in her favorite stomping grounds with her new love and were pictured enjoying a beach day with friends on Sunday. Alessandra showed off her famed figure in a tiny mint bikini and spent the day soaking up the sun before engaging in a game of pickleball. Beach bombshell: Alessandra Ambrosio, 40, looked nothing short of spectacular as she hit the beach on Sunday in Florianopolis, Brazil following the new year The Gal Floripa swimsuit designer looked to model one of her own designs as she strolled along the shoreline in a strapless bikini. A peekaboo cutout in the center showed cleavage and tiny bottoms accentuated her very toned backside. Alessandra flashed her runway worthy legs and flat abs throughout the course of the day and showed off a face free of makeup and beachy caramel locks. Her model beau, Richard, looked every bit her handsome counterpart as he showed off his abs in blue and red Hurley swim trunks. Making a splash: Alessandra showcased her fabulous figure on the outing Lovebirds: Alessandra and her model boyfriend of nearly a year, Richard, were pictured enjoying the beach together Sharing is caring! At one point the couple were seen sharing some delicious looking tropical cocktails Model athlete: Following a bit of downtime Alessandra took her talents to a beach court where she and some friends played pickleball Wow factor: She put her backside on full display Serving up looks: Alessandra had impressive form Game, set, match! She commanded attention on the court and showcased her competitive spirit while jumping up to hit the ball The pair looked to unwind with some beach cocktails, and at one point Richard was seen giving his lady love a taste of his beverage. They were joined by friends who all looked in good spirits as they enjoyed a picturesque day by the ocean. The group posted up on the beach and oscillated between the water and the sand before a friendly game of pickleball. Alessandra slipped a visor on top of her head as she commanded attention on the court and showcased her competitive spirit. Cheeky: Her tiny bottoms allowed for minimal tan lines and showed off her very toned backside Good times: She had a laugh on the beach In her element: The Brazilian beauty has a large social network in Florianopolis and was pictured with several friends Uh oh: She narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction as she tied up her bikini top Outdoor activities: At one point she and a friend seen to traverse what looked to be a lagoon She was in Florianopolis around this time last year and enjoyed a few months stay alongside kids: Anja, 13, and Noah, nine, and her extended family. Her ex Nicolo Oddi was also with her for part of the time before things seemed to fizzle between the pair. The model sparked speculation she and the designer were no more after two years of dating as she rang in last Christmas and New Years without him. Ahead of that time she and Richard began to share a few flirty exchanges via Instagram as they seemingly made contact while she was abroad. Hard at work: Alessandra was tapped to host the HBO Max Brazil competition show The Cut and showed off some glamorous looks from set on Sunday Wild thing: Another striking set look included a gold leopard bustier with a flowing skirt And upon returning back to Los Angeles they seemed to confirm they were an item, as they stepped out for a date at Nobu in February. To mark 2022, both Richard and Alessandra posted a loved up beach shoot where they coordinated in all white. Though the trip looked to be for pleasure and served as a chance to see her family, she has also been hard at work on the Brazilian competition show The Cut. Alessandra was tapped to host the series for HBOMax Brazil which follows 12 of the best hairdressers fighting for a winning title. Love Island winner Anna McEvoy has revealed her Covid holiday nightmare after she tested positive for coronavirus in Thailand - but her boyfriend tested negative. The reality star took to Instagram on Monday to reveal a dream trip to the popular tourist destination has become one led by 'panic and confusion' Michael initially tested positive for Covid only for authorities to then email him saying he is 'negative,' meaning he is subject to different rules to Anna. Nightmare: Anna McEvoy has revealed her covid holiday nightmare in Thailand after she tested positive to covid but her boyfriend Michael Staples tested negative causing 'panic and confusion' for the couple which could see them extending their trip 'by a month' Model Anna explained the rules now mean she is to be 'taken to hospital' while Michael must quarantine for 14 days after she leaves. 'Michael is currently having a meltdown,' Anna said, clearly emotional at the predicament the couple are now in. 'He has been on the phone all day trying to get answers about his results.' Oh no! Michael initially tested positive for covid only for authorities to then email him saying he is 'negative' meaning he is subject to different rules to Anna Anna said she was having a difficult time emotionally, with her moods 'up and down,' and saying she is trying to remain positive. 'The thing we are most concerned about is if Michael is never going to test positive. If he has to go and do 14 days isolation if he leaves me,' Anna said. 'We are assuming we can be together. But if I at some point get taken to the hospital. If they say that we could be in Thailand for a month.' Troubles: 'The thing we are most concerned about is if Michael is never going to test positive. If he has to go and do 14 days isolation if he leaves me,' Anna said Anna said a month in Thailand would be 'very expensive' for the couple - who would need to foot the bill for the hotel and flights. 'If they tell him his 14 days isolations starts we could be in Thailand for like a month, which is very scary and extremely expensive. I can't go there.' Anna did go on to say Michael 'could be getting it soon' with it being 'too early to tell' to he is genuinely a positive case. Scenario: 'If they tell him his 14 days isolations starts we could be in Thailand for like a month, which is very scary and extremely expensive. I can't go there,' she said Anna went on to say the language barrier has also been a problem, along with the hospitals being overrun with Covid patients. 'It's difficult when you're in a different country as there's a language barrier. Everyone has been nice...But there has been so miscommunications in regards to what is going on. 'Mainly because I think the hospitals are full and rules are if you have Covid you go to hospital so they don't know what to do with us.' Fashion: Anna is now a star on the Melbourne social scene with her regularly spotted at social events. Here: Melbourne Fashion Week, November 2021 Anna revealed the night before she had a 'panic attack' and was struggling with her 'mental health' saying they were both 'confused and stressed'. Interestingly, Thailand has fewer recorded Covid cases than NSW. The country had just 3,011 new cases on January 1. NSW continues to be going through a wave of Omicron with more than 20,000 positive results on Monday. Anna won Love Island season two alongside Josh Packham with the pair pocketing a $50,000 cash prize back in 2019. Abbie Chatfield's boyfriend Konrad Bien-Stephen became emotional while watching The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City on Sunday. The former Bachelor star, 26, shared a video to Instagram of her beau breaking down in tears while watching the reality show. Abbie revealed Konrad, 31, became emotional after Meredith Marks and her husband Seth announced they would be separating after 25 years of marriage. Emotional: Abbie Chatfield's boyfriend Konrad Bien-Stephen became emotional after watching The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City on Sunday 'He cried at Meredith and Seth talking about separating after 25 years,'she captioned the video. It comes after Abbie recently took her boyfriend to meet her family. 'This year for Christmas I am heading to Queensland with my new beau, Konrad to spend it with my family, who I haven't seen since the borders closed,' she told the Herald Sun. Breaking down: The former Bachelor star shared a video to Instagram of her beau breaking down in tears while watching the reality show The pair spent Christmas together in Queensland, with the former Bachelor star and her love interest packing on the PDA. They smooched and cuddled at a Brisbane bar, sharing photos of their romantic moments to Instagram. Abbie also recently shared the sweet moment her beau first said, 'I love you'. In a TikTok video, the former Bachelorette star revealed that Konrad had treated her to a drive-in movie, after hearing her complain on her podcast that no one had ever taken her to one on a date. Moving fast: It comes after Abbie recently took her boyfriend Konrad to meet her family in Queensland At the time, Abbie was so touched by the effort her boyfriend made that she broke down in tears. 'I started sobbing. It's just, this man treats me better than I thought anyone ever would and is just the most thoughtful, beautiful angel on the planet. I never thought I would find someone like him,' she said. Abbie then revealed the moment Konrad professed his love, asking her, 'Do you know why I did this? Because I love you'. Abbie, who previously vowed to never speak publicly about her dating life, went Instagram official with Konrad on November 24. Drake looked keen to head back home after a wild weekend of partying in St. Barts to ring in New Year's Eve. On Sunday the 35-year-old rapper was pictured arriving at the Gustaf III Airport in the village of St. Jean, before heading to a different airport to leave the Caribbean. A long couple days for the Hotline Bling rapper, he hosted a star-studded yacht party on New Year's Eve before he kept the festivities going the next day on the luxury vessel. Hold on, we're going home! Drake, 35, looked keen to head back home after a wild weekend of partying in St. Barts for New Year's Eve as he was pictured arriving at the Gustaf III Airport in the village of St. Jean on Sunday Drake was pictured arriving to the airport in a blue sweatshirt and white joggers with pristine sneakers. Naturally he was accompanied by a team of security and his entourage as they made their way to the tarmac and walked towards a turboprop jet. According to TMZ, there was confusion as to which jet they were supposed to be boarding which caused the Canadian crooner to get a bit irritated. Additionally the Gustaf III Airport itself has been called one of the most dangerous airports in the world based on factors including: mountains on either side of the airport and turbulence caused by rough terrain. What's the hold up? According to TMZ , there was confusion as to which jet the group was supposed to be getting on which caused the Canadian crooner to get a bit irritated while fresh from a weekend of heavy partying Go big or go home! Not only did the Canadian Crooner throw a star-studded yacht party to ring in New Year's Eve but continued to enjoy a full day of drinking the next day before leaving town less than 12 hours later A-list bash: The multimillion dollar rapper hosted an A-list bash off the coast of St. Barts where attendees were seen drinking and sailing into 2022 The situation was likely made worse by the aftermath of a heavy drinking weekend as he and his crew were seen partying less than 12 hours before the journey home. Reportedly the small single-engine plane brought the group to a different airport on the island of Saint Martin where they eventually boarded a larger jet. On Friday evening Drake threw a yacht party to ring in 2022 where attendees included the likes of Jake Paul. And on January 1 he kept the party going as he was seen downing shots with a group on the boat in images obtained by Page Six. Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey looked more in love than ever as they rang in the new year together. But it is what the daughter of Steve Harvey called the Black Panther story that got tongues wagging. The 24-year-old model shared a short video on her Instagram Story featuring a mirror selfie of herself with the 34-year-old actor during their New Year's Eve celebration on Friday night. Interesting: Lori Harvey shared a short video on her Instagram Story featuring a mirror selfie of herself with the 34-year-old actor boyfriend Michael B. Jordan during their New Year's Eve celebration on Friday night Social media went wild with pregnancy speculation as she wrote over the clip: 'babydaddy [heart emoji]' Social media went wild with pregnancy speculation as she wrote over the clip: 'babydaddy [heart emoji]' Then on Sunday, the happy couple both shared a series of snaps from holiday celebration. In one image, the pair were seen kissing passionately as Lori sat perched on Michael's lap and draped her arms around his neck. Happy New Year! Then on Sunday, the happy couple both shared a series of snaps from holiday celebration 'Happy New Year,' Lori wrote in the caption, adding emojis of a black heart and two champagne flutes toasting. The stunning socialite was clad in a sparkly brown halter minidress and strappy black heels. The 5ft3inch beauty wore her long black locks down and accessorized with a gold wristwatch that had a square face. Celebrating: On Sunday, the 34-year-old actor and the 24-year-old model both shared a series of snaps from their New Year's Eve celebration Michael was casually attired in a black t-shirt with black jeans. The Black Panther star sported a silver chain necklace and diamond stud earrings. The Emmy Award nominee accessorized with a gold watch and a chunky diamond ring on his pinkie finger as he wrapped his arms around his girlfriend. In one of the photos that the couple posted, Lori affectionately rested her hand on Michael's head as they posed on a ledge in front of a window. Romance: In one image, the pair were seen kissing passionately as Lori sat perched in Michael's lap and draped her arms around his neck Lori cheekily stuck her tongue out and tapped it with her finger as Michael grinned and buried his head in her neck in one image. In one blurry snap, the couple were seen locked in an embrace as the SKN founder kissed her beau on the side of his face. Last month, Michael said that he said on Good Morning America that he was happier than ever as he has several films coming out and was dating Lori. 'I'm doing great, man. I'm blessed. Everything's happening. I think it's like, the perfect time for me. Just like personally, professionally, everything seems to be clicking,' said the star. In the moment: In one blurry snap, the couple were seen locked in an embrace as the SKN founder kissed her beau on the side of his face On the topic of his personal life, he touched on his relationship with the social media influencer, who's the adopted daughter of Steve Harvey. After celebrating their one year anniversary, the pair spent Thanksgiving with Lori's family in Georgia. Speaking about Lori's family he said, 'They're in Atlanta, where I'm filming at, so it's good to be able to have that extended family that's close by, to be able to hang out and spend the holidays with.' His love: On the topic of his personal life, he touched on his relationship with Lori, who's the adopted daughter of Steve Harvey On The View, Jordan explained how his personal experiences have helped navigate his career decisions. 'One of the things that helps me choose roles or which ones I stay away from is how much I feel like I have to give to the role,' he said. 'Certain life experiences I never had. So I didnt feel like I could pull from a personal place. I could not make it connect to me. 'Now that I am in a place where I have fallen in love. I know what thats like.' Kathy Hilton and her daughter Nicky Hilton enjoyed a yoga session together on Sunday in Los Angeles. The 62-year-old reality star and Nicky, 38, strolled through a park wearing jackets and leggings. Kathy bundled up in a black puffer jacket along with Old Navy black leggings with bright pink speckling. Working out: Nicky Hilton enjoyed a yoga session on Sunday in Los Angeles with her mother Kathy Hilton She completed her sporty look with black trainers and carried an orange yoga mat slung over her shoulder. Nicky wore her brown teddy sweater zipped up along with baby blue Old Navy leggings and red-white-and-blue designer trainers. She had her blonde hair down around her shoulders and carried a light green yoga mat while walking with her mother. Nicky flashed her cute dimpled smile while soaking up some sun in the park with her mother. Family affair: The 62-year-old reality star and Nicky, 38, strolled through a park wearing jackets and twinning in leggings by Old Navy Exercise style: Nicky wore her brown teddy sweater zipped up along with baby blue leggings and red-white-and-blue designer trainers Good times: Kathy bundled up in a black puffer jacket along with black leggings with bright pink speckling Yoga mats: The mother-daughter duo carried yoga mats as they walked in a park Kathy joined season 11 of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills as a 'friend of the housewives' and quickly became a fan favorite. It was reported last month by TMZ that Kathy had reached an agreement to return for season 12 of the Bravo show after holding out for more money. She previously had appeared as a 'friend' on the show for several seasons, but stepped away in recent years while estranged from her sister Kyle Richards, 52. Fan favorite: Kathy joined season 11 of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills as a 'friend of the housewives' and quickly became a fan favorite Kyle has been a regular cast member on RHOBH since its premiere in October 2010. Kathy and husband Richard Hilton, 66, also have daughter Paris, 40, and sons Barron, 32, and Conrad, 27. They also recently welcomed son-in-law Carter Reum, 40, who married Paris in November. Nicky has been married since 2015 to James Rothschild, 37, and they have daughters Lily-Grace, five, and Teddy, four, together. Her great-grandfather is the late Conrad Hilton, founder of the Hilton Hotels chain, who died in 1979 at age 91. Patton Oswalt addressed backlash he received after meeting up with controversial canceled comic Dave Chappelle on New Year's Eve. The 52-year-old stand-up comedian had shared several snaps with Chappelle, 48, in Seattle, Washington and called him a 'genius' and 'real friend' which sparked a furious response on social media due to Chappelle's recent transphobic comments. Responding to the criticism over both the post and the friendship, Oswalt explained that though they '100% disagree on transgender rights' it was 'impossible' to cut off a friend of 34-years despite their differing beliefs. Patton's initial post showed several photos of himself posing with Dave. He explained that as both were in town to cap off 2021 with stand-up sets which happened to be next door to each other he received a text from Chappelle to come by and do a guest set to which he thought 'Why not?' Ruffling feathers: Patton Oswalt, 52, addressed backlash he received after meeting up with controversial comic Dave Chappelle, 48, on New Year's Eve where he called him a 'genius' and 'real friend' He said: 'I waved good-bye to this hell-year with a genius I started comedy with 34 years ago. 'He works an arena like he's talking to one person and charming their skin off. Anyway, I ended the year with a real friend and a deep laugh. Can't ask for much more.' Many were outraged on account of Chappelle's transphobic statements in his Netflix special, The Closer, which caused Oswalt to share a self-reflection style follow-up while explaining himself on January 1. In a lengthy caption he apologized for any hurt the post may have caused and maintained that though he and Dave wholeheartedly disagree on transgender issues, he still defends the friendship as well. Self-reflection: In a lengthy caption he apologized for any hurt the post may have caused and maintained that though he and Dave wholeheartedly disagree on transgender issues, he still defends the friendship as well 'I saw a friend I hadn't seen in a long time this New Year's Eve. We've known each other since we're teens. He's a fellow comedian, the funniest I've ever met. I wanted to post a pic & an IG story about it so I did. The friend is Dave Chappelle,' Oswalt began. 'Thirty four YEARS we've been friends. He's refocused and refined ideas a lot of us took as settled about race & history & Life On Planet Earth and spun them around with a phrase or punchline. We've done bad & good gigs, open mikes & TV tapings. But we also 100% disagree about transgender rights & representation. 'I support trans peoples' rights ANYONE'S rights to live safely in the world as their fullest selves. For all the things he's helped ME evolve on, I'll always disagree with where he stands NOW on transgender issues. 'But I also don't believe a seeker like him is done evolving, learning. You know someone that long, see the struggles and changes, it's impossible to cut them off. Impossible not to be hopeful and open and cheer them on,' he continued. 34 years of friendship: Many were outraged on account of Chappelle's transphobic statements in his Netflix special, The Closer, which caused Oswalt to share a self-reflection style follow-up on January 1 where he defended their friendship but not Dave's beliefs Remaining hopeful: 'But I also don't believe a seeker like him is done evolving, learning,' he continued to say adding that if 'You know someone that long, see the struggles and changes, it's impossible to cut them off'; Chappelle, Oswalt and wife Meredith Salenger pictured December 31 Surprise set: In his post Patton explained that as both were in town to cap off 2021 with stand-up sets which happened to be next door to each other he received a text from Chappelle to come by and do a guest set to which he thought 'Why not?' Oswalt continued to speak about the challenges of reconciling his desire to be a 'loyal friend' to Chappelle and retaining friendships with people who hold different beliefs while also being an 'LGBTQ ally.' 'Also, I've been carrying a LOT of guilt about friends I've cut off, who had views with which I couldn't agree, or changed in ways I couldn't live with. Sometimes I wonder did I and others cutting them off make them dig their heels in deeper, fuel their ignorance with a nitro-boost of resentment and spite? 'I'm an LGBTQ ally. I'm a loyal friend. There's friction in those traits that I need to reconcile myself, and not let cause feels of betrayal in ANYONE else. And I'm sorry, truly sorry, that I didn't consider the hurt this would cause. Or the DEPTH of that hurt. Patton continued to say that he had been messaging with many on Instagram after the backlash, and confessed: 'I (naively) deleted a lot of posts in the comment thread critical ones from LGBTQ writers AND shit-posts by TERF/anti-trans orcs looking for clicks & giggles.' Caught in the middle: Oswalt continued to speak about the challenges of reconciling his desire to be a 'loyal friend' to Chappelle and retaining friendships with people who hold different beliefs while also being an 'LGBTQ ally'; pictured July 15 'I wanted a "nice comment thread" about the pic with my friend. Ugh. So easy to think someone ELSE needs growth and miss the need in yourself. Gonna keep trying.' Chappelle had famously found himself on the receiving end of cancel culture after he said in a segment of his Netflix special that a trans woman's genitalia is 'not quite what it is,' and called gender 'a fact.' He additionally declared himself 'team TERF' (trans-exclusionary radical feminist)' and defended Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling who has been accused of being transphobic. Following outrage he had remained unapologetic about the special and declared 'I said what I said.' There had been calls for Netflix to remove the special but an executive from the streaming giant said that the statements didn't cross 'the line on hate' and declared they were not going to pull it from the platform, which later caused a walkout at Netflix from LGBTQ+ members and allies. Love Island winner Anna McEvoy has revealed her boyfriend Michael Staples has now tested positive to Covid. Anna, who has been documenting how her idyllic trip to Thailand has turned into a Covid nightmare, is already positive for the virus. The reality star spoke of how emotional she was with Thai protocol meaning the pair could have been separated if he continued to test negative. Both positive: Love Island star Anna McEvoy (pictured) has revealed her boyfriend Michael Staples 'has now tested positive' and they are being transferred to a 'hospital hotel' after holiday turned into a Covid nightmare 'Michael has tested positive to Covid,' Anna said. 'The hotel has called us and said they have found space in a hospital hotel.' "I don't have to go to hospital now. I cannot tell you how relieved I am. We are going to the hospital hotel this morning." Anna said she has no symptoms with her able to leave hotel quarantine hopefully within seven days - if not sooner - depending on if she is 'shedding' the virus. Developments: 'Michael has tested positive to Covid,' Anna said. 'The hotel has called us and said they have found space in a hospital hotel.' Here with Michael The couple then shared a clip of them hugging with them clearly excited they wouldn't be 'separated' and not forced to go into hospital. Anna revealed on Monday her dream trip dream trip to the popular tourist destination has become one led by 'panic and confusion' Michael initially tested positive for Covid only for authorities to then email him saying he is 'negative,' meaning he is subject to different rules to Anna. Pleased: The couple then shared a clip of them hugging with them clearly excited they wouldn't be 'separated' and not forced to go into hospital Anna explained the rules would have meant she is to be 'taken to hospital' while Michael would have been forced to quarantine for 14 days after she leaves. Anna said she was having a difficult time emotionally, with her moods 'up and down,' and saying she is trying to remain positive. 'The thing we are most concerned about is if Michael is never going to test positive. If he has to go and do 14 days isolation if he leaves me,' Anna said. Oh no! Michael initially tested positive for covid only for authorities to then email him saying he is 'negative' meaning he is subject to different rules to Anna 'We are assuming we can be together. But if I at some point get taken to the hospital. If they say that we could be in Thailand for a month.' Anna said a month in Thailand would be 'very expensive' for the couple - who would need to foot the bill for the hotel and flights. 'If they tell him his 14 days isolations starts we could be in Thailand for like a month, which is very scary and extremely expensive. I can't go there.' Tough: 'It's difficult when you're in a different country as there's a language barrier. Everyone has been nice...But there has been so miscommunications in regards to what is going on' Anna went on to say the language barrier has also been a problem, along with the hospitals being overrun with Covid patients. 'It's difficult when you're in a different country as there's a language barrier. Everyone has been nice...But there has been so miscommunications in regards to what is going on. 'Mainly because I think the hospitals are full and rules are if you have Covid you go to hospital so they don't know what to do with us.' Anna revealed the night before she had a 'panic attack' and was struggling with her 'mental health' saying they were both 'confused and stressed'. Uptick: Interestingly, Thailand has fewer recorded Covid cases than NSW. The country had just 3,011 new cases on January 1 Interestingly, Thailand has fewer recorded Covid cases than NSW. The country had just 3,011 new cases on January 1. NSW continues to be going through a wave of Omicron with more than 20,000 positive results on Monday. Anna won Love Island season two alongside Josh Packham with the pair pocketing a $50,000 cash prize back in 2019. Actress Julia Fox, who was spotted on a date with Kanye West Saturday, ripped her ex Peter Artemiev as a deadbeat dad in a series of recent Instagram Stories posts. The 31-year-old actress - who was seen with West, 44, on Saturday at the Miami restaurant Carbone - unloaded on Artemiev over multiple posts, accusing him of turning his back on her and their son, and calling him a 'dead beat alcoholic drug addict dad.' The Milan, Italy-born beauty in late December posted an image of Artemiev and wrote, 'Have you seen this deadbeat dad?' and said he be found 'at most strip clubs, Lucien, Pauls [Baby Grand], Casablanca, the streets etc.' The latest: Julia Fox, 31, who was spotted on a date with Kanye West Saturday, ripped her ex Peter Artemiev as a deadbeat dad in a series of recent Instagram Stories posts. She was snapped in NYC in November Fox, who appeared with Adam Sandler in 2019's Uncut Gems, said that it was 'traumatic' for her to review the screenshots, videos and photos related to her claims about Artemiev, including a clip in which he was calling her names, according to Page Six. 'I cant even do it anymore,' said Fox, who welcomed son Valentino with Artemiev in February of 2021. 'I just dont want my son f***ed up cuz he feels like his dad was absent or loved alcohol and partying more than him ... this man left me with a 5 month old and a dog and a home and ALL THE BILLS. Its wrong!!! Its not fair!!!' In a separate post, a follower told Fox that her acting career could suffer amid the public vitriol. She said in response, 'This is MY SON'S LIFE we are talking about - I dont give a f*** about my "acting career.''' She added: 'My son loves his dad. I've accepted that his Dad refuses to present and I've made peace with it but I'm sure as s*** gonna work the public.' The Milan, Italy-born beauty in late December posted an image of Artemiev and wrote, 'Have you seen this deadbeat dad?' Fox said that it was 'traumatic' for her to review the screenshots, videos and photos related to her claims about Artemiev Fox replied to a follower who said her acting career could suffer amid the public vitriol The Instagram Stories posts have since expired. Artemiev denied the allegations to Page Six on Friday, as he said, 'I was saddened to learn of the utterly false statements made on social media by Julia Fox, my co-parent, who is clearly struggling.' He continued: 'Out of respect for her privacy and to protect our child, I will not comment further.' An insider told the outlet of Artemiev: 'From what I know, he loves his kid and I dont think hes a horrible father.' Out and about: Meanwhile, Julia enjoyed a day on the beach in Miami with friends on Sunday Stylish in the sand: The 31-year-old Uncut Gems star opted for an all black look as she stepped out on the second day of the new year Social life: Her outing comes after she was spotted at Italian restaurant Carbone with Kanye West on Saturday They met and fell in love while competing on Dancing With The Stars 11 years ago, and went on to marry and have two children together. And on Monday, Rachael Finch took to Instagram to share a gushing tribute to her husband Michael Miziner as they celebrated their nine year wedding anniversary. 'The best decision I ever made in my life is you. 9 years married, 12 together, feels like 5 minutes,' she captioned a photo of the couple looking loved up as ever. Happy in love: Rachael Finch, 33, (left) shared a sweet tribute to her husband Michael Miziner on Monday as they celebrated their nine-year wedding anniversary Rachael shared a photo of the couple ringing in the new year alongside their two children Dominic, three, and daughter Violet, seven. The former Miss Universe Australia recently told fans that compromise and communication are key for a successful marriage. 'What are ways to create and support a happy marriage?' one fan asked Rachael. Family: She shared a photo of the couple ringing in the new year alongside their two children Dominic, three, and daughter Violet, seven. All pictured She explained:'[It's important to] work together, learn to compromise, communicate, continue to evolve as a couple, take time out for just the two of you, to keep an open mind and find fun in every day.' Rachael met her husband Michael on the 2010 season of Dancing With The Stars - he was her dance partner, and she a contestant. The couple, who married in 2013, now balance parenthood with a burgeoning fitness empire. Secrets: In a recent Instagram Q&A, the former Miss Universe Australia told fans that compromise and communication are key for a successful marriage They share daughter Violet, seven, and son Dominic, three. Last year, Rachael and Michael celebrated their wedding anniversary by sharing a video to Instagram in which they did a couples quiz, hosted by Rachael's sister. As Rachael and Michael sat on their bed, the model giggled as her sister fired off sweet questions. Romance: Rachael met her husband Michael on the 2010 season of Dancing With The Stars - he was her dance partner, and she a contestant Those questions included, 'Who initiated the first kiss' and Rachael pointed to herself to indicate it was her. Asked who was 'more patient', Michael said it was him, and he also said 'I love you' first. Michael likewise said he was the 'social butterfly' of the pair, but Rachael was more likely to get a tattoo. 'How did I get so lucky @mikemiziner? I couldn't imagine my life any other way,' she wrote. Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition People Power Party, arrives at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Monday, after canceling his afternoon campaign plans. The party said all of his campaign activities will be suspended for now as it revamps the election committee. Yonhap By Kang Seung-woo The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and its presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol made a drastic decision Monday to completely overhaul their election committee and campaign, hoping to stop a sharp decline in approval ratings of the candidate and the party with just two months left before the March 9 presidential election. All of the standing chairs of the conservative party's election committee, co-chairs, as well as the heads of divisions and sub-organizations offered to resign as part of the sweeping overhaul, according to the party. The PPP initially said Kim Chong-in, the head of the committee, also offered his resignation, but it said about an hour later that Kim would stay, adding there was a misunderstanding among party members. Yoon, who attended an event to mark the New Year opening of the local stock market in the morning, canceled all of his plans for the day and vowed to start all over again. Earlier in the day, Kim said the committee will undergo restructuring, while Yoon's campaign will be suspended until they conclude the reforms. "To show that the party is working hard to live up to public sentiment, I will carry out a major reshuffle of the election committee," Kim said during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul. "The election committee has to rally itself to get Yoon elected. As I stressed several times before, each member of the committee should refrain from making comments putting the candidate and the party under fire." Following the meeting, Kim, who helped President Moon Jae-in and his predecessor Park Geun-hye enter Cheong Wa Dae, said, "The current public opinion toward the PPP is that we have to renovate ourselves. Otherwise, we will not be able to conduct the election properly," admitting that the results of recent public polls had affected the plan. In line with Kim's overhaul plan, PPP floor leader Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon and chief policymaker Rep. Kim Do-eup offered to step down later in the day. Party spokeswoman Rep. Jun Joo-hyae said, "All PPP lawmakers agreed that we need to make all efforts for a change of government through Yoon and that the candidate needs to have full authority in the party and the election committee." Along with the envisaged reorganization of the election committee, Yoon suspended his campaign trail starting Monday afternoon to focus on the restructuring. The unexpected move by the PPP comes as Yoon's approval ratings in a majority of public polls have fallen behind those of Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) recently following a series of internal feuds involving PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok and controversy over Yoon's wife allegedly lying on her resumes. According to a Realmeter survey commissioned by OhmyNews and conducted on 3,037 adults from Dec. 26 to 31, Yoon showed a 39.2 percent support rate, compared to Lee's 40.9 percent. Taking a closer look, Lee overtook Yoon among voters in their 20s, an age group considered to hold the swing votes. That survey showed 33.6 percent of voters in their 20s backing Lee, while 28 percent support Yoon. Another poll by the Korea Society Opinion Institute at the request of TBS showed Lee leading Yoon 41 percent to 37.1 percent. That poll of 1,002 adults nationwide was conducted on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. In an Embrain Public survey commissioned by the Joongang Ilbo, Lee's lead over Yoon widened significantly to 9.5 percentage points, with the liberal candidate gaining 39.4 percent and his conservative rival posting 29.9 percent. The survey of 1,010 adults was conducted from Dec. 30 to 31. Further details of the surveys are available on the websites of the poll agencies or the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission. In response to his declining ratings particularly among voters in their 20s and 30s Yoon wrote on his Facebook, "I am admitting that I have disappointed the young generation. I failed to figure out what they wanted." He was referring particularly to internal disputes among party members involving the appointment of Shin Ji-ye, former head of the Korean Women's Political Network, as deputy head of a sub-organization of the election camp named Saesidae Preparatory Committee. The invitation of the vocal feminist caused backlash from some members, especially young male ones who supported PPP Chairman Lee, who claimed that feminism-based policies discriminate against young men. Yoon added: "I will start over." Earlier in the day, Shin announced her resignation on her Facebook. Also, Kim Han-gil, the head of the Saesidae Preparatory Committee, tendered his resignation. The declining support for Yoon has partially benefited Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, as evidenced by his double-digit approval ratings in several recent polls. There is increasing speculation that the PPP may seek a unified candidacy among the opposition bloc by having Yoon as the single candidate. However, Ahn made it clear that he has no intention of agreeing to that scenario, saying, "I will prove that I am a qualified candidate to those who are disappointed by both Lee and Yoon." The Bachelorette's Brooke Blurton and Darvid Garayeli took fans by surprise when it was revealed they split on Sunday. And on Monday, Brooke, 27, decided to sweat out her heartbreak as she pounded the pavement with her beloved pooch Cobar. The brunette beauty put on a brave face as she caught some rays while walking with a female friend in Melbourne. Spotted: The Bachelorette's Brooke Blurton, 26, (pictured) put on a brave face when she stepped out for the first time since her breakup with Darvid Garayeli on Monday Brooke displayed her toned figure wearing a black crop top which she teamed up with black leggings and grey sneakers. She attempted to go incognito wearing half-moon sunglasses and a black Balenciaga hat. Brooke appeared to show mixed emotions during the outing, looking cheerful for the most part, but looking pensive at other times. Company: On Monday, Brooke, 27, decided to sweat out her heartbreak as she pounded the pavement with her beloved pooch Cobar Outing: The brunette beauty put on a brave face as she caught some rays while walking with a female friend in Melbourne The pair were seen walking around Brooke's neighbourhood before heading to a nearby cafe. Darvid, the winner of the show shared a post to Instagram on Sunday, revealing the couple had parted ways, just one month after the series ended. 'Starting off the New Year with an end to a chapter and hopefully the beginning of another,' Darvid began his post. Stylish: Brooke displayed her toned figure wearing a black crop top which she teamed up with black leggings and grey sneakers Low key: She attempted to go incognito wearing half-moon sunglasses and a black hat Mixed feelings: Brooke appeared to show mixed emotions during the outing, looking cheerful for the most part, but looking pensive at other times 'Unfortunately Brooke and I have parted ways. Whilst we both genuinely thought we were each others person, things change and that's okay.' He continued: 'Please respect our privacy and that at the end of the day we are both just people with real feelings.' 'Thank you so much for being considerate, a lot of lessons learned,' he ended. First stop, coffee: The pair were seen walking around Brooke's neighbourhood before heading to a nearby cafe All smiles: Brooke appeared to be in good spirits, after Darvid, the winner of the show shared a post to Instagram on Sunday, revealing the couple had parted ways Is everything okay? At one point, Brooke appeared tense as she answered a phone call on loud speaker Home time: After picking up a large coffee to go, Brooke and her friend were seen walking back to her Melbourne apartment Following Darvid's announcement, Brooke shared a post to Instagram, admitting she was 'surprised' he had shared the news with fans. 'Hey beautiful people before my phone blows up. I just want to say right now I'm finding this really quite overwhelming and just as surprising to me as you guys.' 'I just woke up to the news. It was definitely agreed to part ways. I just wanted to do it privately, amicably and respectfully.' Announcement: Darvid shared a post to Instagram on Sunday, revealing the couple had parted ways She continued: 'This is not how and what I expected to be doing right now so as you can imagine, this is all a lot. 'You will all have your judgements and have your say but there is a lot going on in my world and D's of course. So I again just ask you be kind, we are human.' 'I really do hope you respect some part of some what 'privacy' we do have right now because like I said, this was a surprise to wake up to just as much as it was for you guys. For now, tuning out but we will speak soon.' 'I'm really quite overwhelmed': Following Darvid's announcement, Brooke admitted she was 'surprised' he had shared the news with fans The news comes after Brooke and Darvid were spotted looking tense as they took a morning walk with their dog Cobar in Melbourne last month. Brooke chose Darvid during the Bachelorette finale, which aired in November, telling him she was in love with him and presenting him with a ring. 'From the moment I met you, I felt a lot of feelings. I felt calm, I felt trusting,' an emotional Brooke began. 'Unfortunately Brooke and I have parted ways. Whilst we both genuinely thought we were each others person, things change and that's okay,' he wrote 'I felt an instant chemistry and connection that I never, ever felt with anyone before. 'Look, I don't know how to say this, but you came in here and you granted me three wishes. And I still have one left.' Sobbing, she added: 'Darvid, will you make me the happiest girl... I love you so much.' Not just for the cameras! Brooke and Darvid were last spotted together in Melbourne on December 16. Winner: Brooke chose Darvid during the Bachelorette finale, which aired in November, telling him she was in love with him and presenting him with a ring After the finale aired, Darvid revealed to fans that they were about to move in together in Melbourne. He said on Instagram: 'I can't believe I found my person. When I entered this experience, I can honestly say I had no idea what to expect. I've come out of this with my life partner and she's so much more than I could have ever envisioned. 'It's been an absolute roller coaster to get to this point, four months of laughter, tears and endless FaceTimes. 'This is the beginning of a new chapter for both of us and I cant wait to move into our Melbourne abode.' The new year is all about celebrations for Florence Pugh as her birthday falls on January 3. But the Little Women actress has also revealed she's been nursing a hangover from her New Year's Eve party for two days, sharing a sizzling shot of her party look on Sunday. Florence, who turned 26 on Monday, looked incredible in a floral mini teamed with platform heels in the Instagram post. Party time: Florence Pugh showed off her incredible NYE look on Instagram on Sunday, wowing in a floral mini teamed with platform heels and her new pixie cut hair Showing off her new platinum blonde pixie cut, Florence also rocked her floral mini dress and knee-high boots. Holding a drink in one hand as she posed at a dressing table littered with makeup, Florence gazed lovingly at her boots in the fun photo. She told her 6.3m about her celebrations, quipping: 'It was a night Ive been nursing ever since. And you f**king bet I never once fell over in these things Happiest of New Years.' '2022 feels like hope and good news to come all round, Ill circle back this time next year on the subject and see what happened.' Celebrations: She told her 6.3m about her celebrations, quipping: 'It was a night Ive been nursing ever since. And you f**king bet I never once fell over in these things' Florence ended her post by thanking the designer of her new favourite shoes, writing: 'I would like thank @harris_reed for designing the best f**king party shoe. They were my Christmas present to myself and I shall pass them down to my children one day. Heels for queens. #happynewyear.' The British actress, who has been dating actor and filmmaker Zach Braff, 46 for two years, celebrated the festive season with her family. Over Christmas she shared another fun Instagram photo as she sat on the shoulders of her sister Raffie. Family: The British actress, who has been dating actor and filmmaker Zach Braff, 46 for two years, celebrated the festive season with her family Cute: . Over Christmas she shared another fun Instagram photo as she sat on the shoulders of her sister Raffie Plenty to celebrate: The Little Women star turned 26 on Monday and on Sunday night she made sure to remind her six million Insta followers about the milestone Changing up her look: Florence has had a makeover for the new year, previously sporting dark locks for the December premiere of Don't Look Up 'If in doubt of seating arrangements over the holidays- grab a sibling, preferably tall so youre still in amongst the conversations and just settle in on their shoulders,' Florence joked. 2021 was a busy work year for the actress, with her most recent project being her return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Yelena Belova in a December episode of Hawkeye. The actress was confirmed just over a year ago to return in Hawkeye as her Black Widow character Yelena Belova, who was seen in the Black Widow post-credits scene learning that Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) was responsible for Black Widow's death. Next up for the star is her leading role in Olivia Wilde's anticipated movie Don't Worry Darling, opposite Harry Styles. She also completed filming last year on A Good Person, written, produced and directed by her boyfriend Zach and also starring Morgan Freeman. She is no stranger to posting sizzling snaps on social media. And Heidi Klum took to Instagram once again on Monday to share an artistic naked snap with fans which showcased her bare chest. The 48-year-old presenter looked typically stunning as she posed against floral wallpaper in a red light room. Wow! Heidi Klum took to Instagram on Monday to share an artistic naked snap with fans which showcased her bare chest The Emmy-winning host simply captioned the post with 'January 2,2022 ' In the sizzling snap she draped a shirt off her shoulders revealing her model assets. Heidi who has 8.9 million Instagram followers turned off comments on the post. It comes after she bared her derriere beneath a comforter on the spiral staircase of her lavish $9.875M six-bedroom Bel-Air mansion the morning after Christmas. No comment: Heidi who has 8.9 million Instagram followers turned off comments on the post Gorgeous: It comes after she bared her derriere beneath a comforter on the spiral staircase of her lavish $9.875M six-bedroom Bel-Air mansion the morning after Christmas Heidi was still wearing her personalised Santa hat as she got a kiss from her third husband Tom Kaulitz in the flirty slideshow captioned: 'Let's go back to bed.' Heidi was also joined on the steps by her beloved Irish Wolfhound Anton. The German couple - who met on the set of Germany's Next Top Model in 2018 - will celebrate their third wedding anniversary on February 22. The 32-year-old Tokio Hotel guitarist ended his year-long marriage with first wife Ria Sommerfeld in 2016. Tom's twin brother and bandmate Bill Instastoried a heavily-filtered selfie featuring Klum before his 'second day on the couch watching movies.' Bill also uploaded a pre-taped TikTok of the two of them performing a cover of Wham's 1984 holiday hit Last Christmas inside a studio. Cute: Heidi was still wearing her personalised Santa hat as she got a kiss from her third husband Tom Kaulitz in the flirty slideshow captioned: 'Let's go back to bed' Puppy love: Heidi was also joined on the steps by her beloved Irish Wolfhound Anton German pride: The 32-year-old Tokio Hotel guitarist's twin brother and bandmate Bill (R) Instastoried a heavily-filtered selfie featuring Klum (L) before his 'second day on the couch watching movies' 'You gave it away': Bill also uploaded a pre-taped TikTok of the two of them performing a cover of Wham's 1984 holiday hit Last Christmas inside a studio Kaulitz is stepfather to the Making the Cut producer-host's four children - daughter Leni, 17; son Henry, 16; son Johan, 15; daughter and Lou, 12 - with ex-partner Flavio Briatore and ex-husband #2 Seal. Leni - who's repped by CAA - landed two magazine covers in the last month including ELLE Russia, which features Heidi embracing her. Klum - a retired VS Angel and SI Swimsuit stunner - will next judge the 17th season of Germany's Next Top Model, which premieres early next year on ProSieben. She has been living it up in Barbados. And Montana Brown continued to soak up the Caribbean sunshine on Sunday as she dined at Lobster Alive Restaurant with her friends. The former Love Island star, 26, looked radiant in an ombre maxi dress, which was white with a splash of orange dip dye at the bottom. Getaway: Montana Brown, 26, looked radiant in an ombre maxi dress as she continues to soak up the Barbados sunshine The partly open back and thigh-high split design accentuated Montana's tan and overall glow as she chatted with a pal at the eatery while he stopped for a cigarette. The reality star shielded her eyes from the intense sunshine with chic shades and coiffed her tresses into a tight bun. Montana jetsetted to the exotic Caribbean location with beau Mark O'Connor, as well as family and friends. Relaxing: The partly open back and thigh-high split design accentuated the reality star's tan and overall glow as she chatted with a pal at the eatery while he stopped for a cigarette Luxe: Montana jetsetted to the exotic Caribbean location with beau Mark O'Connor (pictured) as well as family and friends Mark is a real estate executive, having attended Cardiff University and Henly Business School, according to a pal. Last year, friends of Mark told MailOnline: 'He played rugby for Chiswick and Wales 1st Teams as a prop, and has a proprietary interest in Forge Gym London. That's likely how he met Montana. 'He used to be out of shape and is now very much in shape. He's a very wild bloke to go on a night out with, drinks a lot. Very good fun to be with.' Doting: Mark is a real estate executive, having attended Cardiff University and Henly Business School, according to a pal The source added: 'His father owns a huge development/construction firm which he will inherit.' MailOnline approached Montana's representatives for comment at the time. She also got into the Christmas celebrations early this year, as she enjoyed a Christmas dinner back in the UK earlier this month. She took to Instagram on December 12 to share a picture of herself in a festive red dress and a novelty turkey hat before sitting down to enjoy a roast dinner, writing: 'Christmas shenanigans with the best people PS the gammon went down a treat!' Party time: She also got into the Christmas celebrations early this year, as she enjoyed a Christmas dinner back in the UK earlier this month The reality star could be seen holding a chopping board laden with meat as she posed in her garment which featured a plunging neckline. Her dress featured gold statement buttons while she wore a pair of black tights. The television personality wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty facial features, including a bright red lipstick to match her dress. Masterchef star Poh Ling Yeow was the first celebrity to enter the jungle during Monday night's premiere episode of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! And the beloved 46-year-old chef has already emerged as the clear fan favourite to win. Viewers flocked to social media to praise Poh, with one fan even writing she was the only reason they decided to tune in. Popular: Poh Ling Yeow, 46, (pictured) is a clear fan favourite to win the latest series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! after she is tasked with a secret mission upon landing in the jungle 'I wasn't going to watch but Poh has me sold,' one fan wrote. 'I actually like Poh even more because she got the most swearing bleeps,' another laughed. Another fan couldn't help but comment on the Adelaide-based chef's youthful complexion. Fan favourite: Viewers flocked to social media to praise Poh, with one fan even writing she was the only reason they decided to tune in 'Poh is nearly 50. Still a babe,' one fan wrote. 'Poh is so beautiful even skydiving!' another commented. Others said they were living for Poh's strategical tactics after she accepted a secret mission given to her by hosts Chris Brown and Julia Morris. Fun: Others said they were living for Poh's strategical tactics after she accepted a secret mission given to her by hosts Chris Brown and Julia Morris 'Not gonna lie. But Poh would be a great contestant for Survivor, she already strategising,' one fan wrote. Another agreed writing: 'Sign her up for Survivor next'. In the debut episode, Poh was tasked with convincing her campmates that fake contestant, David Subritzky, was in fact a celebrity influencer named The David. I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Ten Selma Blair looked high-spirited on Sunday as she took her furry companions for a walk in Los Angeles. The 49-year-old actress, who suffers with multiple sclerosis, had her trusted service dog - red fox Labrador Scout - to support her on the outing. The Cruel Intentions starlet did not forget about her other beloved pooch Pippa, as the dogs walked loyally by Selma's side. Outing: Selma Blair threw a wide smile as she cut a laid-back figure for a Sunday walk in LA with her furry companions - including service dog Scout (left) The Michigan native rocked a laid-back figure for the stroll, including a navy jacket adorned with white detailing, which she layered over a plain white tee. Comfort was key for Selma, as she donned mom jeans with flat black shoes. It comes after the film star took to Instagram before Christmas to explain how Scout has been a comforting and helpful presence amid her battle with MS. Furry friends: The 49-year-old actress, who suffers with multiple sclerosis, had her trusted service dog - red fox Labrador Scout - to support her, but she did not forget about other beloved pooch Pippa She said of her service dog: 'Scout helps me with some personal stumbling blocks and aids in my mobility. 'I am building stamina and coordination with the aid of this special dog and training! I am excited for this time to focus and settle and get out of the house more.' She added: 'He is very handsome, and friendly, but if you see me and Scout, and we are working (which he really always is, as am I) then give a smile but please don't approach. Distractions really set me back.' Working as a team: It comes after the film star took to Instagram before Christmas to explain how Scout has been a comforting and helpful presence amid her battle with MS Major health issues: Selma needs Scout because, as she's documented well, she's been fighting multiple sclerosis for several years now Selma said she was 'so happy to have' Scout and promised to give her friends and fans updates 'as we evolve.' She added: 'If you see me down, do not worry, Scout has me covered. Literally actually. I send you all love and happy holidays!!!!' The actress received a number of supportive comments to the post from friends including Amanda Kloots, LeAnn Rimes and Alessandra Ambrosio. Selma, who is mother to son Arthur, 10, with ex Jason Bleick, went public with her MS diagnosis in 2018, which has impacted her ability to speak and use her left leg. A heartwarming caption: The star wrote, 'I am excited for this time to focus and settle and get out of the house more. I am so happy to have him' among many other things Brave: Selma, who is mother to son Arthur, 10, with ex Jason Bleick, went public with her MS diagnosis in 2018, which has impacted her ability to speak and use her left leg (pictured December 2021) In October, while promoting her documentary Introducing Selma Blair at the discovery+ TCA panel, the actress said that she was 'in remission' after receiving stem cell treatment. She said 'it took about a year after stem cell for the inflammation and lesions to really go down.' Blair said that she was 'reluctant to talk about it' as she 'felt this need to be more healed and more fixed' amid her health battle. 'I've accrued a lifetime of some baggage in the brain that still needs a little sorting out or accepting,' she said. 'That took me a minute to get to that acceptance. It doesn't look like this for everyone. I have really felt unwell and misunderstood for so long that it's just, me.' Emily In Paris star Lily Collins larked about in front of a vandalised promotional poster for the Netflix series on Sunday in New York. The billboard of Lily- who plays Emily Cooper- was covered in graffiti, given her a demonic-looking makeover including red eyes. Luckily, the actor saw the funny side as she posed for an Instagram snap and shared a hilarious video of her husband Charlie MacDowell running away from it. Funny: Emily In Paris star Lily Collins larked about in front of a vandalised promotional poster for the Netflix series on Sunday in New York The star captioned the post: 'I cant say I love the new look, Em. But A for effort.' Lily appeared in a jovial mood as she posed looking shocked at the discovery. The beauty sported a casual look in leggings and a khaki padded jacket which she paired with a wool hat. Lily also shared a hilarious video of Charlie coming face-to-face with his wifes vandalised image and comically running away. Jovial: Luckily, the actor saw the funny side as she posed for an Instagram snap and shared a hilarious video of her husband Charlie MacDowell (pictured) running away from it It comes after Lily appeared to confirm there will be a third season of her hit show as she toyed with fans that the show could take place in Berlin. And Lily's co-stars including Samuel Arnold and Ashley Park admitted they'd love to film there with even the official account of the show giving their stamp of approval. Fans got excited after Lily reposted a picture of herself modelling for Vogue Hong Kong alongside a comment from a fan suggesting the style was more 'Emily In Berlin' and she teased in response: 'Season 3 pivot??? Who's with me?' Silly: Lily also shared a hilarious video of Charlie coming face-to-face with his wifes vandalised image and comically running away Back again? It comes after Lily appeared to confirm there will be a third season of her hit show as she toyed with fans that the show could take place in Berlin Lily produced the second season and starred as the Chicago native, who works as Savoir social media strategist despite never learning to speak or write French - much to some of her colleagues' annoyance. The reference to Berlin was undoubtedly a nod to her edgy look in the Vogue shoot - which would tie in perfectly to the Berlin aesthetic. Samuel Arnold, who plays Julian, said: 'Me always' while Ashley Park aka Mindy Chen in the series responded: 'Tres willing to check Berlin off the bucket list plz.' The official Instagram site for the series added: 'Girl I'm going wherever you are.' Yes! And Lily's co-stars including Samuel Arnold and Ashley Park admitted they'd love to film there with even the official account of the show giving their stamp of approval Excited: Fans swarmed the post to comment on the suggestion Jeremy O'Harris who plays Gregory Dupree on the show also said: 'Love this so so much. Let's go to Berghain and only wear Balenciaga.' Others like Jay Shetty, Ella Balinska and Amanda Gorman all loved the idea while fans added excitedly: 'Confirmation of the third season?' Fans are waiting to find out about season three but the final scene of series two shows the marketing whiz making a choice between a possible dream promotion at Savior's Chicago offices, or a place at Sylvie's brand-new agency in Paris. There has also been speculation it may take place in London with some reckoning Sex And The City legend Samatha Jones, who is currently working there with her new PR firm could make an appearance in a crossover. Emily in Paris has the same costume consultant (Patricia Field) and creator (Darren Star) as HBO's Sex and the City. The new Berlin angle could certainly take things in an even more unusual direction. She has been giving her Instagram followers a taste of her Maldives getaway with many a sun-kissed post. And on Monday, bikini clad Holly Ramsay added to the series of luxe holiday content, wishing her followers a Happy New Year as she shared three snaps in a stunning orange checked bikini. The daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay, who turned 22 last week and recently marked a year of sobriety, looked sensational as she frolicked on the beach, holding a cold drink as she posed for her latest swimwear shot. Bikini clad: Holly Ramsay sent Happy New Year wishes to her fans on Monday as she frolicked on a Maldives beach in a checked orange bikini A second candid snap saw the beauty's blonde hair caught in the wind as a sunbed pose highlighted her side profile tattoo. A slew of her 285,000 Instagram followers were bound to be green-eyed as she also shared a sultry selfie from the comfort of her beach spot, sunglasses perched on her nose as her opulent surroundings were caught in the background. Over the weekend, the podcast host celebrated her 22nd birthday in the exotic location, sharing another sun-kissed bikini snap while quoting Taylor Swift's classic 22. Act natural! The daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay, who turned 22 last week and recently marked a year of sobriety, posed on a sunbed, which highlighted her side profile tattoo Dream getaway: A slew of her 285,000 Instagram followers were bound to be green-eyed as she also shared a sultry selfie from the comfort of her beach spot She looked sensational in the Fendi swimwear, completing her beach look with a yellow bucket hat and delicate gold necklace. 'Idk about you, but I'm feeling 22,' she penned the celebratory post, while sister Tilly quipped in the comment section: 'I'm feeling 20.' The posts come after Holly shared her personal milestone in the form of a typed message with her 280,000 followers last month. Living her best life: Over the weekend, the podcast host celebrated her 22nd birthday in the exotic location, sharing another sun-kissed bikini snap while quoting Taylor Swift 's classic 22 'Alcohol and antidepressants do not mix well at all': The posts come after Holly shared her personal milestone in the form of a typed message with her 280,000 followers last month The influencer spoke candidly of her relationship with alcohol, including her decision to go tee-total after reaching her 'lowest point' last year. Back in May, Holly revealed she spent three months in a mental health hospital after being sexually assaulted twice when she was 18 years old. She was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression. She also explained that alcohol and antidepressants 'do not mix well at all'. Open book: The podcast host spoke candidly of her relationship with alcohol, including her decision to go tee-total after reaching her 'lowest point' last year In full, Holly wrote: 'Today marks one year without alcohol. 'This is not something I thought I would ever say at the age of 21. However, by 21 (nearly 22) I never thought I would've been through half of what I have. 'I choose to take a break from alcohol because it wasn't improving my mental health - which for me, comes first.' Holly continued to explain that it wasn't a decision 'taken lightly', nor is it one that is necessarily 'forever.' Updating: Holly shared the personal milestone in the form of a typed message with her 280,000 followers last month 'This time last year I was at my lowest and I was scared but I made a decision to take control of what I could - and that meant removing alcohol from my life. 'It was not an easy decision, nor one that I have taken lightly. I won't say this is forever, but this is for now. Living without alcohol has helped me feel better and more present both mentally and physically. 'Don't get me wrong, I've had a year of high highs and low lows but I'm grateful I have myself the chance to work through them consciously rather mask my feelings (good and bad) with a drink. Opening up: Holly continued to explain that it wasn't a decision 'taken lightly', nor is it one that is necessarily 'forever' 'Alcohol and antidepressants do not mix well at all. And that is something, unfortunately, I learned the hard way,' she confessed. The fashion design student concluded her message: 'As with everything I have been through, it has been a learning experience and I feel lucky to be able to post this message today, to continue to spread awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental health.' Her father was among those who flooded to the comments. Close: A doting Gordon penned: '@hollyramsayy what an incredible young lady and words cant explain enough how proud you make me feel love you so much Dad '. A doting Gordon penned: '@hollyramsayy what an incredible young lady and words cant explain enough how proud you make me feel love you so much Dad '. Others chimed in with their words of support, with Emily Clarkson, daughter of former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, writing: 'You have so much power '. Fans of Holly's also left sweet comments, which ranged from 'my strong lady', 'proud of you' and 'such an inspiration.' Holly is the second eldest of Gordon and Tana Ramsay's brood of five children. If you have been affected by anything in this article, contact alcoholchange.org.uk here or call 0300 123 1110. Jeremy Clarkson has bid a temporarily farewell to his Diddly Squat Farm after the two-month long closure of his farm shop was announced. Fans were left heartbroken when it was recently announced the shop would be closing its doors to customers throughout January and February, with no reason given. The estate has been popular with locals and those from further afield, with many rushing to the farm on New Year's Eve before its eight-week closure, according to The Sun. Closed for business: Jeremy Clarkson has bid a temporarily farewell to his Diddly Squat Farm after the two-month long closure of his farm shop was announced Ahead of its closure, the Diddy Squat Farm posted a message to customers reading: 'Thank you to everyone who visited. Happy New Year. See you in March. Milk machine remains open 24/7.' The closure was announced at the end of December alongside a snap of Jeremy shared to Instagram. They wrote: 'Diddly Squat Farm Shop open 9.30-4pm until 31st December. Closed January & February.' The popularity of Clarkson's Farm on Amazon Prime has led to huge queues on several occasions for the Diddly Squat Farm Shop, with neighbours growing concerned about the volume of traffic it attracts. 'See you in March': Fans were left heartbroken when it was recently announced the shop would be closing its doors to customers throughout January and February, with no reason given The shop describes itself as 'a small barn full of good, no-nonsense things you'll like'. Fans from all over the country have been queuing up for two-and-a-half hours to get inside the Diddly Squat shop since the launch of the hit Amazon Prime show. Pictures taken in December show poor weather and a high volume of vehicles turned the car park into a mud bath for those lucky enough to park there while dozens of others parked on the grassy verges nearby. Police were called out to manage traffic chaos in June, caused by hundreds of Jeremy Clarkson fans descending on his farm in the hope of meeting him and to check out his stock, which includes honey, chutney and T-shirts. Post: The closure was announced at the end of December alongside a snap of Jeremy shared to Instagram Jeremy bought the plot of land in 2008 and documentary series Clarkson's Farm follows the presenter's highs and lows of tackling a 1,000 acre working farm. The presenter recently revealed he was 'the happiest he has ever been' and that he 'loved every second' of filming the new hit show. His Diddly Squat shop is described as a 'small barn full of good, no-nonsense things' on its official website. The Amazon Prime series follows an intense and frequently hilarious year in the life of Britain's most unlikely farmer and his team, as they contend with the worst farming weather in decades, disobedient animals, unresponsive crops, and an unexpected pandemic. I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! Australia premiered on Monday night. And at the end of the episode, it was announced that British reality star Joey Essex would be heading to the camp in the coming days. Aussie viewers watching at home seem confused by who the 31-year-old actually is, with many posting their thoughts to Twitter. Who? I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia premiered on Monday night. And at the end of the episode, it was announced that British reality star Joey Essex (pictured) would be heading to the camp in the coming days 'No idea who Joey Essex is but Wiki says he has been on UK version of I'm a Celeb,' one confused person Tweeted. Another wrote: 'Who in the bluest of Blue Hells is Joey f'n' Essex? I like to think I'm up with celeb news and I wouldn't know him if I tripped over him in the street'. Someone else wrote on Twitter: 'The entire nation just said Joey Who??' while one more agreed: 'No idea who Joey Essex is'. Questions: Aussie viewers watching at home seem confused by who the 31-year-old actually is, with many posting their thoughts to Twitter Star: He appeared on The Only Way Is Essex between 2011 and 2013, and the thirteenth series of the UK version of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! where he finished in fourth place 'WTF is a Joey Essex?!' asked one viewer, while another said: 'Am I the only one who has no idea who tf this Joey guy is?' One viewer even wondered if Joey was a fake celebrity, like the actor called The David who had been planted in the show as a phoney influencer. 'Is Joey just another The Dave? A BS celeb?' they asked. However, others were excited to see the TV star, with one person Tweeting: 'Heck yeah Joey Essex!!!' 'WTF is a Joey Essex?!' asked one viewer, while another said: 'Am I the only one who has no idea who tf this Joey guy is?' One more agreed: 'Knew it was Joey Essex going in. Can't wait. Should be a laugh'. Joey is an English television personality who is quite famous in the UK. He appeared on The Only Way Is Essex between 2011 and 2013, and the thirteenth series of the UK version of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! where he finished in fourth place. I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Ten A North Korean defector has crossed the heavily armed border from South Korea into North Korea, the South Korean military said on Sunday. The official said they were currently working to identify the person and that it is unknown whether the person was still alive. South Korea sent a message to North Korea to ensure the safety of the defector, but so far the North has not responded. She has jetted to Saint Lucia to kick off 2022 in paradise. And Imogen Thomas, 39, looked incredible in a neon bright bikini as she relaxed in the pool at her luxury resort. The former Big Brother star showed off her tanned curves in the bright yellow two-piece during her swim and sunbathing session. Sunshine break: She has jetted to Saint Lucia to kick off 2022 in paradise. And Imogen Thomas, 39, looked incredible in a neon bright bikini as she relaxed in the pool The reality star kicked back in a poolside cabana before cooling down with a float on an inflatable in the pool. The mum of two's body looked sensational in her skimpy swimwear which she accessorised with dark sunglasses and a black sun hat. The television personality finished in sixth place on the seventh series of Big Brother in 2006. She shares daughter Ariana, eight, and Siera, six, with her ex Adam Horsley, who she split from in 2018 after six years together. Cheers! The former Big Brother star showed off her tanned curves in the bright yellow two-piece during her swim and sunbathing session Pool day: The mum of two's body looked sensational in her skimpy swimwear which she accessorised with dark sunglasses and a black sun hat Imogen, who now describes herself as an 'investor and content creator', recently spoke of her grief following the death of her close friend and fellow former Big Brother contestant Nikki Grahame, 38, earlier this year. Nikki's death was announced on April 9 2021 after a long battle with anorexia. Following Nikki's death Imogen paid tribute. She wrote: 'I have no words, i miss talking to you everyday. This is the life: The reality star kicked back in a poolside cabana before cooling down with a float on an inflatable in the pool Island life: The brunette beauty enjoyed a refreshing drink under the hot sunshine Fame: The television personality finished in sixth place on the seventh series of Big Brother in 2006 Quick adjustment: Imogen showed off her curves and holiday tan in the tiny bikini 'I miss your funny personality. I miss your impressions. I miss you tantrums. I MISS YOU. I'm utterly broken. 'My best friend...You were special and so beautiful, you were kind it went to far and i am so sorry i couldn't save you. We all tried so hard. 'Now you are gone too early. You had so much more to give. Wow: The star has been staying in a luxury resory with a huge pool Happy new year: The mum of two has jetted to paradise for a relaxing break 'You were unbelievably strong and I take comfort in all of those memories we made those epic holidays, those crazy all dayers, just sitting at home listening to Old Skool music. 'I will cherish them for ever. My girls and i will love you and remember you always until we meet again. I'm sorry my angel.' To contact Beat, The UK's Eating Disorder Charity, call 0808 801 0677, email help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk or click here. Poh Ling Yeow was the first celebrity to step into the jungle on Monday night's premiere of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! And the 48-year-old chef was also the first star to throw herself out of a plane in a hair-raising skydiving challenge. In the inaugural task, Poh, AFL legend Nathan Buckley, TV personality Dylan Lewis, Miss Universe Australia 2020 Maria Thattil and actor-turned-fake influencer David Subritzky had to plummet back to Earth, and strike a pose, to win stars towards their first meal. Incoming! Poh Ling Yeow, 48, let out a blood-curdling scream as she plummeted back to Earth during a skydiving challenge on Monday night's premiere of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Poh faced the challenge head on, and screamed up a storm all the way down, clearly having the time of her life - and viewers couldn't get enough of it. 'The guy attached to Poh will need an ear transplant after that jump,' wrote one viewer on Twitter. 'Poor Poh. This is scarier than tempering chocolate in a MasterChef final,' wrote a second, more sympathetic fan. 'Anyone else cheering Poh all Prue n Trude like? Gooooooooer Pooooooer,' quipped a third, before adding a rolling on the floor laughing emoji. Scared: Poh faced the challenge head on, and screamed up a storm all the way down, clearly having the time of her life - and viewers couldn't get enough of it Funny: 'The guy attached to Poh will need an ear transplant after that jump,' wrote one viewer Meanwhile, one viewer couldn't help notice Poh's make-up choice, as she tumbled through the sky. 'Good to see Poh coordinated the lippy and fleece,' they happily wrote, while another seemed bewitched by her flawless complexion. 'Poh is so beautiful even skydiving,' they hilarious noted. Geronimo: 'Poh is so beautiful even skydiving,' one viewer noted Poh was one of nine celebrities cast during Monday night's premiere episode. She joins NRL player Beau Ryan, comedian Cal Wilson and Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm. I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Ten Eamonn Holmes received an outpouring of praise on Monday as he made his debut on GB News. The veteran broadcaster, 62, launched the channel's new look breakfast show with his co-host, former Sky colleague Isabel Webster. Eamonn was 'a breath of fresh air' for GB News one viewer declared, while others praised his professionalism and the show's relaxed format. A hit: Eamonn Holmes received an outpouring of praise on Monday as he made his debut on GB News with his co-host, former Sky colleague Isabel Webster Eamonn asked viewers for feedback on Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel during the show on Monday, tweeting: 'Well folks .... What do you think of it so far ? #Breakfast with Eamonn & Isabel.' Many rushed to share their congratulations, with Eamonn retweeting a string of compliments, including one which read: 'Love it you two are really great, you are a breath of fresh air in the mornings Eamonn. well done!' 'Go for it you guys. Bringing some real credibility to GB News,' agreed another viewer. Debut: Eamonn, 62, who left ITV last year, asked viewers for feedback on Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel during the show on Monday Another fan wrote on Twitter: 'Breakfast tv is mostly down to chemistry & relaxed presentation not 2 people sitting rigidly reading the information. Well done @GBNEWS it's great now. Eamonn & Isobel have got it.' Many viewers praised the 'laid back' format of the show, which relies heavily on viewer interraction. 'Excellent laid back but professional style from you both. No shouting and battling each other for camera time. Also a positive perspective for a news channel is very refreshing. Onward and upwards GB NEWS,' read one tweet. Back on screens: Eamonn was 'a breath of fresh air' for GB News one viewer declared, while others praised his professionalism and the show's relaxed format Praise: Many rushed to share their congratulations, with Eamonn retweeting a string of compliments Others commented though that Eamonn seemed 'nervous' during the new venture, with one viewer tweeting: 'Jurys out at the moment, not keen on the new set, too ITN.' 'Eamonn looks wooden and nervous, but then again it is first day at grown up school so prepared to give it a little while yet..Bonne chance.' At the close of Monday's show, Eamonn hinted at his nerves when he admitted 'he didn't sleep a wink' before he went on air. Professional: Many viewers praised the 'laid back' format of the show, which relies heavily on viewer interraction as well as Eamonn and Isabel's chemistry Speaking to the audience at the start of the show, Holmes said: 'I'm having some lovely messages from people all around the country who are looking forward to whatever we're going to do differently. Hopefully we are going to do lots of things differently. 'We're going to do news, but we're going to do news with views. We're going to do your news, because if it is important to you, it is important to us.' He admitted he 'didn't sleep a wink' ahead of his first breakfast show on the channel. Signing off at the end of the programme, he said: 'We are coming to the end of our first day - and hopefully not our last day of the GB News breakfast show. A new look. Nervous: Others commented though that Eamonn seemed 'nervous' during the new venture, with one viewer tweeting: 'Jurys out at the moment' Looking chipper: Eamonn looked full of energy as he left after his first show on GB News Eamonn has been a broadcaster and journalist for many years and this is his latest gig 'I need to make a long-term plan about how to get up in the morning. I didn't sleep a wink last night. My kids brought me a fancy alarm clock that went off and then I couldn't turn it off.' It was announced in November that Holmes would be leaving ITV after 15 years hosting This Morning alongside his wife Ruth Langsford. In announcing his departure from ITV, Holmes said: 'I've spent my career on broadcasting firsts and start-ups and GB News is one of the most exciting yet. It's just the kind of shake-up the industry needs. 'I've admired GB News from the beginning for its clever mix of punchy debate but delivered with warmth and even some fun. 'To me the greatest honour in journalism is to give a voice and respect to the unheard, and that's exactly what GB News is all about.' New start: It was announced in November that Holmes would be leaving ITV after 15 years hosting This Morning alongside his wife Ruth Langsford Holmes, from Belfast, is the latest signing to the fledgling channel. He joins on-air talent including former Sky anchor Colin Brazier, ITV News journalist Alastair Stewart and former Labour MP Gloria De Piero. Before This Morning, Holmes presented GMTV and has also worked across radio, with slots on stations including Radio 5 Live, Magic, BBC Radio 2, and talkRadio. On New Year's Day he revealed the crippling pain he's dealt with since his back injury has put 'some strain' on his relationship with wife Ruth, 61, as he told how she is 'fed up' with his constant 'moaning'. He admitted: 'Even my own family are bored of my moaning. It has caused some strain and Ruth is fed up of hearing about it and of me saying I can't walk the dog or tidy up, but I can't help it. It's agony. 'I take Tramadol sometimes to help it but you can't take them all the time and they will only give you so much. It gets me through a Saturday if we have plans, and suddenly everyone has a nice time again but then the pain comes back.' Advertisement Kate Garraway appeared in good spirits as she enjoyed a family outing with her children Darcey and Billy at Winter Wonderland on Sunday. The Good Morning Britain presenter, 54, spent some quality time with her kids aged 15 and 12 - who were also joined by some of their friends, as they celebrated the New Year. Kate wrapped up warm for the outing as she donned a dark blue coat which she paired with a matching turtle neck jumper. Festive fun: Kate Garraway appeared in good spirits as she enjoyed a family outing with her children Darcey, 15, and William, 12, at Winter Wonderland on Sunday Family: The Good Morning Britain presenter, 54, spent some quality time with her kids (Darcey, 15, left, and Billy, 12, right) who were also joined by some of their friends, as they celebrated the New Year The presenter also sported a pair of black trousers along with a matching beanie hat. Wearing a light pallet of makeup, the broadcaster let her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders. The I'm A Celebrity star completed her outfit with a pair of black ankle boots and a matching leather handbag. Kate looked on cloud nine as she went on a carousel ride with Darcey and William before they played the ring toss. Outfit: Kate wrapped up warm for the outing as she donned a dark blue coat which she paired with a matching turtle neck jumper Group: Kate's children looked in good spirits as they played the ring toss Casual: The presenter also sported a pair of black trousers along with a matching beanie hat Darcey was dressed in a black and white jacket for the evening while William sported a black padded coat and a matching cap. Kate's husband Derek Draper recently returned to their family home after a year in hospital battling coronavirus. The presenter was involved in award-winning documentary Finding Derek, which gave a raw account of her coming to terms with Derek falling into a coma following Covid complications. The virus wreaked havoc throughout his entire body, resulting in kidney failure, liver and pancreatic damage. Radiant: Wearing a light pallet of makeup, the broadcaster let her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders Laid back: The I'm A Celebrity star completed her outfit with a pair of black ankle boots and a matching leather handbag Game: Darcey was dressed in a black and white jacket for the evening while William sported a black padded coat and a matching cap Reunited: Kate's husband Derek Draper recently returned to their family home after a year in hospital battling coronavirus On more than one occasion his heart stopped beating, he battled pneumonia and fought infections which punctured holes in his lungs. A sequel to the documentary Caring For Derek is also set to be released in 2022 and will document Derek's return home, where he is being cared for by Kate. The Good Morning Britain presenter picked up the National Television Award for Authored Documentary in September for the first film. She was among hundreds recognised in the New Year Honours list for her services to broadcasting in relation to the documentary. Other honourees included Joanna Lumley, 007's Daniel Craig, the Last Leg's Adam Hills and TV presenter Katie Piper. Success: The presenter was involved in award-winning documentary Finding Derek Documentary: gave a raw account of her coming to terms with Derek falling into a coma following Covid complications Health: The virus wreaked havoc throughout his entire body, resulting in kidney failure, liver and pancreatic damage A sequel to the documentary Caring For Derek is also set to be released in 2022 and will document Derek's return home, where he is being cared for by Kate Scary: The former political advisor was rushed to hospital last March after falling gravely ill with Covid (pictured in 2019) Kate spent thousands in order to adapt her home for Derek after his return from hospital. She changed the ground floor to fit his hospital bed and had a wet room and wheelchair lift installed. Derek had been allowed home for Christmas after spending more than a year in medical care in what the presenter poignantly called 'the greatest gift' she could receive. He was so severely ill he was placed in a medically induced coma for several months, and continues to have 'extraordinary problems with communication, mobility is very limited, massive problems with fatigue and sometimes it's like he's not present with you,' according to Kate. Success: The Good Morning Britain presenter picked up the National Television Award for Authored Documentary in September for the first film In good company: She was among hundreds recognised in the New Year Honours today, including Joanna Lumley, 007's Daniel Craig, the Last Leg's Adam Hills and TV presenter Katie Piper Return: Kate spent thousands in order to adapt her home for Derek after his return from hospital Changes: She changed the ground floor to fit his hospital bed and had a wet room and wheelchair lift installed Happy times: Derek had been allowed home for Christmas after spending more than a year in medical care in what the presenter poignantly called 'the greatest gift' she could receive Getting better: The journalist recently described his slow but positive progress on ITV's Good Morning Britain The journalist recently described his slow but positive progress on ITV's Good Morning Britain. Speaking of how she was heartened by signs of his recovery, she said: 'We were playing a silly game, one of those moral question games...and they asked "Who is likely to find money on the floor and keep it?" and everyone in the room said all at the same time "Darcey," and he started to laugh. 'And honestly, it was just the most lovely moment because you thought he does get it, he does understand. And he's right! Because she is the most likely!' Kate recently delivered a touching message about love when she appeared on ITV's Royal Carols: Together At Christmas. She read the poem Love Came Down At Christmas by Christina Rossetti in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the concert, which had been recorded at Westminster Abbey on December 9. She said: 'We were playing a silly game, one of those moral question games...and they asked "Who is likely to find money on the floor and keep it?"' She added: 'And everyone in the room said all at the same time "Darcey," and he started to laugh' Kate said: 'And honestly, it was just the most lovely moment because you thought he does get it, he does understand. And he's right! Because she is the most likely!' Heartfelt: Kate recently delivered a touching message about love when she appeared on ITV's Royal Carols: Together At Christmas Luann de Lesseps is not letting her ex-husband Tom D'Agostino's engagement interfere with her getaway to Tulum. The reality star, 56, was spotted frolicking on the beaches of the idyllic Mexican hotspot in an itty bitty black bikini on Sunday. D'Agostino, who married Luann on New Year's Eve in 2016, became engaged to Danielle Rollins on December 31, 2021 in Palm Beach, Florida. Making a splash! Luann de Lesseps hit the beaches of Tulum in an itty bitty black bikini on Sunday But Luann shrugged off news of the betrothal as she basked in the sunshine. Shielding herself from the sun with a white fedora and pair of shades, Luann looked incredible as she trekked barefoot through the sandy white coast with her bikini body on full display. She relaxed on a lounge chair where a fringe blanket had been thrown out. The beauty kicked back with her boho chic bag sitting on her lap and her legs crossed. Soaking up the sun: The beauty kicked back with her boho chic bag sitting on her lap and her legs crossed Vacation bliss! de Lesseps enjoyed a day basking in the sunshine Life's a beach! The beauty showed off her bikini body as she wished fans a happy New Year Luann was the picture of vacation bliss as she started off the New Year in 'paradise.' On her Instagram account, Luann wished her fans a happy New Year as she shared a sexy bikini shot. 'Kicking off the new year in paradise!' Luann captioned the photo. 'Happy #2022!' She also shared video of her jaw-dropping setting, which was full of palm trees and blue skies. Bringing on 2022! The Bravo star showed off her idyllic surroundings in video posted to her Instagram account That was then: de Lesseps rang in 2017 getting married to D'Agostino 'Happy New Year!' she gushed as she showcased her locale. Meanwhile, de Lesseps' second ex-husband rang in the New Year by getting engaged to his girlfriend of four years, Danielle Rollins. On Saturday, the 53-year-old author-designer proudly showed off her new sapphire and diamond engagement ring in an Instagram post captioned: 'Woke up like this.' Designer Sarah Bray-West was among the party guests in Palm Beach, FL to witness the Smart Source LLC founder get down on one knee on his 55th birthday. Happier times: D'Agostino and de Lesseps divorced after only seven months after their lavish nuptials He put a ring on it! D'Agostino became engaged to Danielle Rollins on New Year's Eve last week It just so happened to be the fifth anniversary of Tom marrying Luann at the Brazilian Court Hotel in - where else - Palm Beach, FL after a three-month romance. It didn't last long as D'Agostino and de Lesseps divorced after only seven months after their lavish nuptials. The twice-rehabbed socialite has two artist children - daughter Victoria, 27; and son Noel, 25 - from her 16-year marriage to Count Alexandre DeLesseps, which ended in 2009. She was seen dining with Kanye West on Saturday night in Miami at Carbone restaurant. And one day later, actress Julia Fox was spotted on the balcony on the rapper's hotel room in the Florida city. The Uncut Gems actress, 31, and the 44-year-old artist 'are dating,' according to an insider for Page Six: 'They're kind of kindred spirits and it's cool to watch.' Fresh air: She was seen dining with Kanye West on Saturday night in Miami at Carbone restaurant. And one day later, actress Julia Fox was seen on the balcony on the rapper's hotel room in the Florida city; pictured Sunday afternoon on his balcony Julia and Kanye 'both just got out of their former relationships, and they've helped each other recover immensely.' the outlet revealed. Julia, who wore a bodysuit that said 'Miami' on the front, was joined by another female on the balcony during the early afternoon sighting on Sunday. She opted to wear white bottoms with her hair pulled back, wearing lipstick and sporting defined brows. Hours later, the Italian-American actress was seen hitting the beach in the bodysuit, adding leather skintight bottoms. She paired the leathers tights and bodysuit with slip on sandals and a handbag for an edgy beach look despite the warm 80 F weather. Love interest The Uncut Gems actress, 31, and the 44-year-old artist 'are dating,' according to an insider for Page Six : 'They're kind of kindred spirits and it's cool to watch' Casual: She opted to wear white bottoms with her hair pulled back, wearing lipstick and sporting defined brows Their source noted that they went out for dinner again on Sunday night, hours after her balcony sighting. A second insider for Page Six said Kanye 'kept his hoodie on the entire time while Julia wore a leather trench for their Sunday night date at Makoto Bal Harbour in Miami. 'The hostesses were blown away that he just walked in,' the sourse said. Another insider claimed that Kanye and Julia were eating dinner with rapper Future. The mother of one also enjoyed an intimate dinner with Kanye on Saturday at Carbone in Miami, according to TMZ. Dating: A second insider for Page Six said Kanye 'kept his hoodie on the entire time while Julia wore a leather trench for their Sunday night date at Makoto Bal Harbour in Miami; seen December 22 in LA Beach attire: Hours later, the Italian-American actress was seen hitting the beach in the bodysuit, adding leather skintight bottoms Pals: She paired the leathers tights and bodysuit with slip on sandals and a handbag for an edgy beach look despite the warm 80 F weather The duo beamed at their dinner outing, with Julia sporting a cleavage baring corset top and long flowing locks. On Saturday morning, Kanye was seen hanging out with several mystery girls, including one who was wearing a plunging top that revealed her midriff and cleavage - whom Page Six's source called 'just a friend.' Kanye's estranged wife Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from him in early 2021 following six years of marriage and four children together, and the reality star has already begun moving on with SNL star Pete Davidson. Since Kim filed for divorce in February, Kanye was briefly linked to supermodel Irina Shayk and model Vinetria, 22. Last month Julia took to Instagram to call out her estranged husband, pilot Peter Artemiev. The two share a son named Valentino, 11 months. The way they were: Kanye's estranged wife Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from him in early 2021 following six years of marriage and four children together, and the reality star has already begun moving on with SNL star Pete Davidson; seen November 6, 2019 The latest: Last month Julia took to Instagram to call out her estranged husband, pilot Peter Artemiev. The two share a son named Valentino, 11 months; pictured November 10, 2021 in NYC She unloaded on Artemiev over multiple posts, accusing him of turning his back on her and their son, and calling him a 'dead beat alcoholic drug addict dad.' The Milan, Italy-born beauty in late December posted an image of Artemiev and wrote, 'Have you seen this deadbeat dad?' and said he be found 'at most strip clubs, Lucien, Pauls [Baby Grand], Casablanca, the streets etc.' Fox, who appeared with Adam Sandler in 2019's Uncut Gems, said that it was 'traumatic' for her to review the screenshots, videos and photos related to her claims about Artemiev, including a clip in which he was calling her names. 'I cant even do it anymore,' said Fox, who welcomed son Valentino with Artemiev in February of 2021. 'I just dont want my son f***ed up cuz he feels like his dad was absent or loved alcohol and partying more than him ... this man left me with a 5 month old and a dog and a home and ALL THE BILLS. Its wrong!!! Its not fair!!!' The Milan, Italy-born beauty in late December posted an image of Artemiev and wrote, 'Have you seen this deadbeat dad?' Fox said that it was 'traumatic' for her to review the screenshots, videos and photos related to her claims about Artemiev In a separate post, a follower told Fox that her acting career could suffer amid the public vitriol. She said in response, 'This is MY SON'S LIFE we are talking about - I dont give a f*** about my "acting career.''' She added: 'My son loves his dad. I've accepted that his Dad refuses to present and I've made peace with it but I'm sure as s*** gonna work the public.' Artemiev denied the allegations to Page Six on Friday, as he said, 'I was saddened to learn of the utterly false statements made on social media by Julia Fox, my co-parent, who is clearly struggling.' He continued: 'Out of respect for her privacy and to protect our child, I will not comment further.' An insider told the outlet of Artemiev: 'From what I know, he loves his kid and I dont think hes a horrible father.' The Challenge four-time winner Darrell Taylor was reportedly arrested for public intoxication at an apartment complex in Burbank, CA earlier this month. A tenant called police after discovering the 42-year-old LB4LB Fitness owner-trainer appearing intoxicated and allegedly 'stumbling around and ringing doorbells' in the building - according to TMZ. When officers showed up they found Darrell passed out lying in a hallway in front of a unit and they arrested him. Busted: The Challenge four-time winner Darrell Taylor was reportedly arrested for public intoxication at an apartment complex in Burbank, CA earlier this month Taylor - who was lost looking for his hotel - was released after being booked on a charge of public intoxication. The NoCal native previously quit drinking in 2017 after being eliminated off The Challenge XXX: Dirty 30 in the first episode. 'I went a little too crazy on the plane, and as soon as we got there, right away it was a challenge,' Darrell explained to EW last year. 'I was in tears. I quit drinking. I was so mad! [Laughs] I don't think you understand, it was like fresh off the plane, they put us in a holding place for like a good eight hours, but I was still pretty - yeah. I was going crazy on that plane, drinking way too much of the free alcohol, way too much, ready to have a good time.' He was lost looking for his hotel: A tenant called police after discovering the 42-year-old LB4LB Fitness owner-trainer (pictured in 2018) appearing intoxicated and allegedly 'stumbling around and ringing doorbells' in the building Raiders fan: When officers showed up they found Darrell (R, pictured Sunday) passed out lying in a hallway and they booked him on a public intoxication charge and released him Taylor previously quit drinking in 2017 after being eliminated off The Challenge XXX: Dirty 30 in the first episode: 'I was going crazy on that plane, drinking way too much of the free alcohol, way too much, ready to have a good time' Taylor has two children - daughter Amyah, 11; and a son, 9 - from his four-year marriage to RN anesthetist Milasent Hernandez. The two-time San Francisco Golden Glove champ is currently competing for a $500K prize in the second season of The Challenge: All Stars, which airs Thursdays on Paramount+. Darrell originally kicked off his reality TV career appearing in three episodes of MTV's Road Rules: Campus Crawl back in 2002. Christmas Eve family portrait: The NoCal native has two children - daughter Amyah, 11; and a son, 9 - from his four-year marriage to RN anesthetist Milasent Hernandez Airing Thursdays on Paramount+! Darrell is currently competing for a $500K prize in the second season of The Challenge: All Stars (pictured December 9) Salma Hayek was every inch the sultry film star on Monday as she showed off her killer curves in a Saint Laurent leopard-print swimsuit. The Hollywood starlet, 55, did not hold back from putting on an eye-popping display for her just short of 20million Instagram followers, throwing a sexy pose as she kick backed with a poolside coffee. The Mexican native protected her eyes from the sun with large shades and kept accessories and makeup minimal for her spot of relaxation. Figure flaunting: Salma Hayek, 55, put her killer curves on full display in an eye-popping leopard-print swimsuit on Monday as she kicked back for a poolside coffee Her caption centred on her caffeine fix and the New Year, which read: 'First #coffee of the first #monday of the first month of a brand new year.' She also translated the message into Spanish, before using the hashtags 'lune' and 'cafe', as well tagging the French luxury fashion house. This was not the first time in 2022 that the mother-of-one has taken to Instagram with swimwear shots. Message: Salma's caption centred on her caffeine fix and the New Year, which read: 'First #coffee of the first #monday of the first month of a brand new year' On New Year's Eve, she celebrated with a splash by posing for another sexy swimsuit snap. The brunette bombshell shared a photo with her fans on Friday along with an inspiring message. 'May this new year bring you the awareness of your own strength. Happy, healthy 2022,' the House of Gucci star wrote. Curves ahead: On New Year's Eve, the Mexican native celebrated with a splash by posing for another sexy swimsuit snap She added a second snap on New Year's Day, writing: 'Ready for new adventures.' The actress, who has a 14-year-old daughter Valentina with her French billionaire husband Francois-Henri Pinault, appeared to be on holiday but didn't share her location. The star looked a picture of confidence in the snapshots after talking candidly about how her body has changed during the menopause. 'Ready for new adventures': The House of Gucci star shared a second snap from her trip on Saturday During an appearance on Jada Pinkett Smith's Red Table Talk last year she revealed: 'The boobs grow a lot. For some women, they get smaller. But there are some women that when you gain weight, your boobs grow, and other women that when you have children and you breastfeed your boobs grow and they don't go back down, and then in some of the cases when you are in menopause they grow again. 'And I just happen to be one of those women where it happened in every, single step!' Throughout her years in the spotlight, Salma admits many people have speculated as to whether she'd had a boob job to boost her breasts, but the changes in size and shape to her breasts have been her body's natural reaction to pregnancy and now menopause. Siannise Fudge hit out at her critics on Monday after her notably slender physique prompted concern among social media followers. The newly single former Love Island star, 27, sparked a flurry of comments from fans after sharing a photo of herself in a gold satin dress that accentuated her lean figure. Echoing a theme of sorts, one person commented: 'Skin n bone... New year res Eat something!!' [sic] However Siannise clapped back, sharing a screenshot of the comment with the words: 'Your new resolution can be to be kind hun.' 'I feel sorry for you': Siannise Fudge hit out at her critics on Monday after her notably slender physique prompted concern among social media followers She went on to add: 'I receive messages like these daily but whatever body type you are, we are ALL beautiful. 'Will never understand why people think it's ok to body shame people online or comment nasty things and I feel sorry for you. 'On the other hand I am HAPPY and HEALTHY and how I see myself is what matters the most. Happy New Year to you all.' Firing shots: Siannise clapped back, sharing a screenshot of the comment with the words: 'Your new resolution can be to be kind hun' 'We are all beautiful': She went on to add: 'I receive messages like these daily but whatever body type you are, we are ALL beautiful' It comes after the reality star has reportedly split from Luke Trotman after nearly two years together. Speculation the pair, who rose to fame on the winter series of the ITV dating show, had split last month was sparked after Siannise uploaded a cryptic caption on Instagram. A source told The Sun: 'It's been a really hard couple of weeks for both of them but it's over for now.' The pair last made their public appearance together on October 27 when they attended the Eternals UK Premiere at the BFI IMAX Waterloo. Strong: She added: 'On the other hand I am HAPPY and HEALTHY and how I see myself is what matters the most. Happy New Year to you all.' All over? It comes after the reality star has reportedly split from Luke Trotman after nearly two years together. The pair last made their public appearance together in October Last month the pair sent tongues wagging when Siannise wrote on her Instagram story: 'Take this opportunity to learn from my mistakes.' The quote continued: 'You don't have to guess if something is love. Love is shown through actions. Stop making excuses for people who don't show up for you. 'Don't ignore the red flags. And don't think you have yo stay somewhere 'cause you can't find better - you can and you will. 'Don't settle for less - you don't deserve it and neither does your family.' What does it mean? Last month the pair sent tongues wagging when Siannise wrote on her Instagram story: 'Take this opportunity to learn from my mistakes' Siannise met Luke during Love Island's first-ever winter series, after jetting off to the villa in South Africa last January. After coupling up early on, the smitten pair went on to come in second place in the competition, narrowly losing out to Paige Turley and Finn Tapp. In May last year, the pair decided to move into their own flat in London after both staying with Luke's mum in Luton during lockdown. Siannise wrote on Instagram at the time: 'We did it! Today myself & @luketroytrotman moved into our apartment and we love it. Adorable: Siannise met Luke during Love Island's first-ever winter series, after jetting off to the villa in South Africa last January. They bought their dog Nala (pictured) in January 'I feel so overwhelmed, this is something I have always wanted and it reminds me of how far we have both come. 'I'm excited for our next chapter in London and going on lots of adventures with my best friend, I love you (sic).' In February, the loved-up pair initially said that they were planning to move to Windsor - because it is between their hometowns of Luton and Bristol. They then bought their first dog together named Nala - a cockapoo - a few months later. Earlier this year Siannise hinted she wished she had never agreed to participate in Love Island, because she was more 'content' prior to finding fame. The star declared she was 'mentally not as happy' in a candid Instagram question and answer session. The TV personality said 'if I could turn back the clock I would make a different decision' when one fan queried whether she 'missed her old life'. During the Q&A, she asked her followers to make an assumption about her for her to respond to. One wrote: 'You miss your old life before all the fame from Love Island.' Siannise replied: 'True. I was very content and happy in my life before Love Island and I feel like mentally I'm not as happy. 'If I could turn back the clock I think I would have made a different decision and I don't mean to sound ungrateful! Mental health and happiness comes first for me always.' After eight years, Black-ish is coming to an end. And Tracee Ellis Ross recounted the emotional final week of filming during an interview with WSJ. Magazine. The daughter of Diana Ross, 49, said she frequently cried on the set to the point her co-star Anthony Anderson took notice. 'Tears would start to shed': Tracee Ellis Ross recounted the emotional final week of filming during an interview with WSJ. Magazine 'I walked into the final week with the prayer to have an open heart so I could really be present for all of the feelings that were moving through,' Ross said. 'To the point that, at any given moment, tears would start to shed. Anthony [Anderson] towards the end was like, "Seriously? Are you crying again?" Yeah, I'm crying, dude, I'm crying, get over it Mr. Crankypants who's pretending you're not having feelings but you are.' The eighth and final season of Black-ish will premiere January 4, and on top of the usual familiar faces returning to the small screen, there is also one very special guest making a cameo - former First Lady Michelle Obama. Ross said she had a 'ball' filming with Obama. 'Get over it Mr. Crankypants': Ross said her co-star Anthony Anderson called her out for her frequent crying sessions Special guest: Michelle Obama makes a cameo in the upcoming season of Black-ish 'It was wonderful. She and I are friends. It was a phone call I made. We got to do really important subject matter that's mixed in with fun, so it's receivable. 'We had a ball. It felt really fun to show off what a well-oiled machine our show is. It felt really fun to welcome someone so special who's been so important in our world, in our culture, in the kinds of stories we told on Black-ish. We started when they were moving into the White House.' In October, the official Black-ish social media pages shared a photo of the cast posing with Obama. 'She and I are friends': Ross said they had a 'ball' filming together Group photo! Obama posed with the cast of Black-ish in a photo shared by the show last year '#blackish is going all out for the final season! We are honored to have trailblazer @michelleobama join us as an upcoming guest star,' read the official Black-ish Instagram post. A representative for ABC told CNN that Michelle is set to play herself in the episode. Obama herself also shared the photo on her Instagram story, stating, 'I've long been a fan of @blackishabc's wit and all-around brilliance, and it was such a thrill to join in for an episode. I can't wait for you all to see it!' The show, which debuted in 2014, has already spawned two successful spin-offs, Freeform's Grown-ish, now in its fourth season, following Yara Shahidi's Zoey and her collegiate adventures. The other spin-off, Mixed-Ish, a prequel following Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) and her mixed parent upbringing, lasted two seasons before it was canceled in May 2021. By Andrew Hammond The historic U.K.-EU trade deal in December 2020, was heralded by Boris Johnson as "getting Brexit done." Yet, the wide-ranging processes unleashed by the U.K.'s 2016 referendum are only beginning to play out, rather than ending, a year on. The agreement is the first trade negotiation in history where barriers went up, rather than down, and is only, therefore, likely to be a partial solution to future U.K.-EU economic collaboration. For instance, the deal does not cover the services sector, which accounts for 80 percent and 70 percent, respectively, of the U.K. and EU economies. Part of the challenge was that the deal was struck in just eight months, during a pandemic, with a bare-bones agreement being the almost inevitable result. Therefore, U.K. negotiations with the EU may need to continue for years to fill in at least some of the gaps in what one former U.K. minister to Europe Dennis MacShane has called "Brexiternity." Johnson brushed over this, and also pledged that the agreement would lead to a positive reset between London and the EU-27. However, the deal has instead triggered 12 months of turmoil with relations between the two sides rarely so poor exemplified just five months after the agreement was struck when Royal Navy vessels began shadowing French ships near Jersey in a row over fishing licenses. Little surprise therefore that more than 60 percent of voters now believe Brexit has gone badly or worse than expected. The Opinium survey last week also found that even 42 percent of people who voted "Leave" in 2016 now have a negative view of the way things have turned out. Multiple missteps from both sides have led to the current tensions. The United Kingdom has threatened to break international law with its Internal Market Bill. Moreover, less than a month after the deal was agreed, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen threatened to impose a U.K. vaccine export ban. Facing delivery shortfalls and suspecting the United Kingdom had co-opted EU supplies of the AstraZeneca jab, she ultimately climbed down after much fury. Tensions will continue into 2022 with the U.K. government under pressure from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), in power in Northern Ireland, to override parts of the protocol. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron, running for re-election in France while also holding the rotating Presidency of the EU club for six months, is likely to ask the European Commission to soon begin legal action against the United Kingdom over post-Brexit fishing licenses. Yet, beyond these disputes, other processes are brewing that show how hollow Johnson's slogan is of having "got Brexit done." The net impact of these could have contrasting implications for the EU and United Kingdom. Whereas the next few years may result in a stronger, centralized union of EU states, despite significant continuing disagreements between these same nations, the opposite may be true across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Brexit has exacerbated tensions over the U.K.'s unity, including putting Northern Ireland back at the forefront of U.K. politics. Johnson's decision to allow a new border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom has angered much of the unionist community, and there is growing speculation as to whether a referendum might be held on Irish reunification. The possibility of such a vote, let alone the outcome, remains far from certain. While London remains committed to the unity of the United Kingdom, and Dublin to the cause of Irish reunification, there are political and economic challenges for both sides with these contradictory objectives. While Northern Ireland was relatively muted as an issue during the 2016 referendum, the prospect of Brexit leading to Scottish independence was actively debated. The Scottish National Party's continued political strength means either a new independence referendum or growing tensions with the rest of the United Kingdom are likely during Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's remaining period of office. By contrast, how the EU changes because of Brexit could be the most important but often overlooked outcome of the U.K.'s vote to leave. Plus, with the United Kingdom no longer in the Brussels-based club, the EU-27 has already made in 2020 and 2021 some significant steps toward greater federalism. One example of such steps is the new 750 billion euros coronavirus recovery fund, a major political milestone in the post-war history of European integration, which saw the continent's presidents and prime ministers commit for the first time to the principle of jointly issued debt as a funding tool. Going forward, a broader range of EU policy could change, post-Brexit, including tax harmonization, which could potentially take further steps forward now without the U.K. "blocker." Taken together, these steps are why the implications of Brexit could be significantly different for Brussels and London. While both unions are under stress, the 2020s could see an increasingly federal EU while the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom is under increasing threat. Andrew Hammond ( ) is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have donated 10,000 to a fundraising page which was set up after a Wrexham FC player and his partner lost their baby during childbirth last month. The actor, 45, and his actress wife, 34, made the generous offer through a GoFundMe page, which was set up on New Year's Day following the tragedy. Rob McElhenney, 44, who co-owns the club with Ryan, also contributed towards the generous sum alongside his wife Kaitlin Olson, 46, and wrote in their message: 'Rob, Kaitlin, Ryan and Blake For Arthur.' Generous: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have donated 10,000 to a fundraising page which was set up after a Wrexham FC player lost his baby during childbirth last month Defender Jordan Davies, 23, and his girlfriend Kelsey Edwards had initially set a goal of 1,500 to be reached for Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society) - however have so far amassed a whopping 13,149 following 179 donations. They had penned in the page's description: 'I'm raising money in aid of Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society) and every donation will help. 'Our baby boy, Arthur Andrew Davies was born sleeping on the 14th December 2021. The support we received during this time was amazing. 'The butterfly suite at the Wrexham Maelor is available exclusively for grieving families and is funded by Sands UK. Emotional: Jordan had shared a photo of his son's foot in a heartbreaking December snap Tragic: Defender Jordan Davies, 23, and his girlfriend Kelsey Edwards had initially set a goal of 1,500 to be reached for Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society) - however have so far amassed a whopping 13,149 following 179 donations 'The suite is away from the labour ward and provided accommodation with a kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom to make the circumstances as nice as possible. 'The midwives provided around the clock care and made sure we were comfortable and they really couldn't do enough for us. 'We were given the time we needed with our boy and were supported throughout. They also provided us with a memory box with things to cherish forever! 'Sands support anyone affected by the death of a baby, works in partnership with health professionals to try to ensure that bereaved parents and families receive the best possible care and funds research that could help to reduce the numbers of babies dying and families devastated by this tragedy. Kind: The actor, 45, and his actress wife, 34, made the generous offer through a GoFundMe page, which was set up on New Year's Day following the tragedy Heartbreaking: They had penned in the page's description: 'I'm raising money in aid of Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society) and every donation will help' Terrible: He wrote in his caption: 'Our perfect little Arthur Andrew Davies born sleeping, 14/12/21, weighing 2.9lb' Gesture: Rob commented: 'Kelsey and Jordan, @KaitlinOlson and I are so sorry for your loss. If you need absolutely anything please let us know. Red heart' 'We are forever grateful for Sands and all the staff in the Wrexham Maelor. Sweet dreams my sweet boy.' Jordan had shared a photo of his son's foot in a heartbreaking December snap, alongside the caption: 'Our perfect little Arthur Andrew Davies born sleeping, 14/12/21, weighing 2.9lb. 'We never got to spend our lives with you, but you have placed a huge mark on our hearts, forever. Heaven has gained a perfect little angel! We love you, little boy!' Rob commented: 'Kelsey and Jordan, @KaitlinOlson and I are so sorry for your loss. If you need absolutely anything please let us know. Red heart.' If you have been affected by this story, contact Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity) on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk. Charlotte Taundry has confessed she plans to have a baby with her girlfriend Sarah Hutchinson through IVF, after getting married and buying a home together. The reality star, 30, who met her partner, 27, on ITV2's The Cabins in 2020, revealed that she will carry the baby - although the pair 'haven't got an exact plan in mind'. She told The Sun: 'It's been quite obvious from the get-go that I'm up for carrying the baby but obviously I'm slightly older than Sarah. Wow! Charlotte Taundry (right) has confessed she plans to have a baby with her girlfriend Sarah Hutchinson (left) through IVF, after getting married and buying a home together 'We're not time pressured but we know we've got a few years. We've just moved to Manchester so we're going to enjoy city life at least for 2022 before we even go into IVF.' The personal trainer went on to reveal they have 'definitely spoken about marriage a few times' and - once more - it will be Charlotte taking on the responsibility of asking the big question. She admitted: 'But again, that is my job, it's all up to me. Sarah wants fireworks.' The influencer also said the happy couple are saving up for a mortgage deposit, after moving to the UK's second city two months ago to rent a property. Adorable: The reality star, 30, who met her partner, 27, on ITV2's The Cabins in 2020, revealed that she will carry the baby - although the pair 'haven't got an exact plan in mind' The Cabin fans were left shocked over sizzling scenes as Sarah and Charlotte kissed passionately before performing a racy sex act during their stay in their cabin, Otter's Pocket, last year. The dating show follows singletons placed in a luxury cabin to see if romance blossoms. And their romance appeared to be heating up as viewers watched the steamy scenes unfold with the narrator saying: 'And spooning leads to...' Fans took to Twitter to voice their shock at what they had just watched. Sweet: 'It's been quite obvious from the get-go that I'm up for carrying the baby but obviously I'm slightly older than Sarah' One wrote: 'Sarah and Charlotte in bed though.' While another viewer typed: 'What was going on under the covers eh Sarah and Char?' To which one fan of the show replied: 'I mean.... it doesnt take a lot to guess.' Another said: 'Did #TheCabins just show under the covers lesbian f*******g?' Bachelor in Paradise star Ciarran Stott only debuted his relationship with glamorous model Ruby Burciaga last week. But the couple have already found themselves at the centre of controversy. Ciarran, 27, was criticised by his Instagram followers on Monday for sharing a half-naked photo of Ruby, which fans labelled 'tacky' and 'disrespectful'. Unimpressed: Bachelor in Paradise star Ciarran Stott was criticised by his Instagram followers on Monday for sharing a half-naked photo of his model girlfriend Ruby Burciaga The photo showed Ruby topless in a pair of lacy knickers as a shirtless Ciarran covered her bare breasts with one hand and snapped a mirror selfie with the other. 'Few days late but happy new year yall,' the English fitness trainer captioned it. But some fans weren't impressed by the photo, with one commenting: '2022's tackiest post so far right here.' 'Clearly he's trying to overcompensate for something,' another added. Some critics called him 'so disrespectful' for parading his new girlfriend around in such a brazen manner. Others said they were being deliberately provocative and trying to imitate Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox, another celebrity couple known for their racy displays. Scathing comments: Some critics called him 'so disrespectful' for parading his new girlfriend around in such a brazen manner. Another said it was '2022's tackiest post so far' Delayed: 'Few days late but happy new year yall,' the fitness trainer captioned the photo. Ruby is seen here in a bikini selfie posted last year Ruby made her first appearance on Ciarran's Instagram profile last week. At the time, the reality star uploaded a photo of himself with the stunning Melbourne native, and confirmed their relationship status in the caption. 'Life with you is pretty damn good,' he wrote, adding a black love-heart emoji. A bachelor no more: Ruby made her first appearance on Ciarran's Instagram profile last week Ruby, an aspiring social media model, also announced their new romance on Instagram, sharing a different photo of the pair posing together. It comes just one month after Ciarran was dumped by Julia Franzen on The Bachelorette Sweden. Ciarran appeared on the dating program as an intruder, despite not being able to speak the language. It's official! Ruby, an aspiring social media model, also announced her new romance on Instagram, sharing a different photo of the pair posing together Thanks, but no thanks! It comes just one month after Ciarran was dumped by Julia Franzen (pictured) on The Bachelorette Sweden Lost in translation: Ciarran appeared on the dating program as an intruder, despite not being able to speak the language He sadly failed to win Julia's heart, and was eliminated in episode 10. Ciarran was a fan favourite when he appeared on Angie Kent's season of The Bachelorette in 2019. He won hearts with his cheeky sense of humour and polite demeanour. Back then: Ciarran was a fan favourite when he appeared on Angie Kent's (right) season of The Bachelorette in 2019, winning hearts with his cheeky sense of humour and polite demeanour Girl trouble: During his time on Bachelor in Paradise, Ciarran was embroiled in various hook-ups, including with tattooed bombshell Jessica Brody (left) But this wasn't the case when he appeared on Bachelor in Paradise. During his time on the show, Ciarran was embroiled in various hook-ups, first with Abbie Chatfield and then Jessica Brody. But he dropped Jessica as soon as Kiki Morris arrived. Things became even more complicated when his ex-girlfriend Renee Barrett joined the cast under the impression Ciarran wanted to get back together with her. Ciarran quit the show before the final rose ceremony, taking Kiki with him, only for the pair to split two months later. Moved on: He dropped Jessica as soon as Kiki Morris (left) arrived Call The Midwife viewers were left in flood of tears on Sunday night as the show delved into a particularly dark subject matter. The popular period drama returned for the New Year, with an episode revolving around the discovery of the remains of two dead babies in a building about to be demolished. Nurse Trixie Franklin, played by Helen George made the discovery and heartbreakingly remarked on the size of the small baby. Tragic: Call The Midwife viewers were left in flood of tears on Sunday night, as the show delved into a particularly dark subject matter Detective Sergeant Virginia Barrow was put in charge of investigating the tragic deaths. She soon was led to dementia-stricken pensioner Mrs Nyall and her daughter Marigold. Marigold explained that the babies were her mother's who had died at childbirth, and she and her mother had kept the secret for more than 30 years. Dark: The programme returned for the New Year, with an episode revolving around the discovery of the remains of two dead babies in a building about to be demolished But a huge hole was found in her story, after Nurse Phyllis remembered Mrs Nyall had given birth to Marigold via Caesarean and then had a hysterectomy, meaning she could not have had any more children. Finally telling the real story, Marigold revealed that she was the mother of the children, born of an affair she had with a married man who 'took advantage of her'. Sadly, the two babies were born 'lifeless', and were buried under the floorboards. Cover up: A huge hole was found in her story, after Nurse Phyllis (pictured) remembered Mrs Nyall had given birth to Marigold via Caesarean and then had a hysterectomy, meaning she could not have had any more children Viewers at home were devastated and reduced to tears by the episode, taking to social media to praise the show on how it tackled a difficult topic. One person wrote: 'There's no drama on TV that does what #CallTheMidwife do, with such sensitivity. It's beautiful to see every time. Just remarkable.' 'Well thats it, Im a sobbing wreck yet again!', chimed in another. 'Sobbing': Viewers at home were devastated and reduced to tears by the episode, taking to social media to praise the show on how it tackled a difficult topic A third echoed: 'Sobbing at 9pm on a Sunday to Call The Midwife and I wouldnt have it any other way.' The episode ended on a much more positive note as character Audrey Fleming gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby girl. One fan commented: 'No programme comes close to doing dark and light better. What a powerful episode.' Two more series of the much-loved show have been ordered by the BBC taking viewers up to 1969. Porsha Williams and her ex-fiance, Dennis McKinley, were involved in a war of words that turned into a 'physical altercation' while cameras rolled on her show Porsha Family Matters. The 40-year-old reality star was in a heated discussion while in Mexico on the blended family trip when things escalated from an earlier conversation about Dennis cheating on Porsha when they were together. Dennis and Porsha broke up in 2019 after he cheated on her while she was pregnant with their now two-year-old daughter, and Porsha's new fiance, Simon Guobadia, stepped in when Dennis and her cousin, Storm, began arguing. Trouble: Porsha Williams and her ex-fiance, Dennis McKinley, were involved in a war of words that turned into a 'physical altercation' while cameras rolled on her show Porsha Family Matters Porsha attacks Dennis and his mother #PorshasFamilyMatters pic.twitter.com/njmgZmrJU1 The Sour Talk (@thesourtalk) January 3, 2022 Simon appeared to be standing between Porsha and Dennis as he attempted to leave the restaurant. 'You asked me to come here,' Dennis told Porsha. Gina said: 'You don't have to yell at him!' 'And you're still here four days later,' Storm said. 'Storm, shut your a** up,' Dennis said. Oh no: The 40-year-old reality star was in a heated discussion while in Mexico on the blended family trip when things escalated from an earlier conversation about Dennis cheating on Porsha when they were together Gina said: 'You don't have to yell at him!' Talk about it: Porsha was not happy with the way she was being treated on the trip 'Let's go,' Simon said slowly as he attempted to help Dennis leave the restaurant. 'We'll deal with this another day. Okay?' Aunt Liz was heard repeating: 'Spiritual leader, you best be leading.' In the blink of an eye, the group was consumed in a scuffle with hands flying in the air as security guards attempted to break apart the fight. Woah: Simon appeared to be standing between Porsha and Dennis as he attempted to leave the restaurant Fight: In the blink of an eye, the group was consumed in a scuffle with hands flying in the air as security guards attempted to break apart the fight 'Let's go,' Simon said slowly as he attempted to help Dennis leave the restaurant. 'We'll deal with this another day. Okay?' Porsha quit Real Housewives of Atlanta after starring on the Bravo franchise for nearly a decade, and is only in the first season of her spin-off. Simon and Porsha confirmed their new romance in May with a selfie shared to her account, and shortly after, revealed they were actually engaged. He was previously married to her former friend, Falynn Guobadia. Porsha explained to her 6.3million followers in June: 'For all of you that need facts, I get the optics but Simon filed for divorce from a previous marriage in January. I had nothing to do with their divorce filing. That's between the two of them. Flip or Flop star Christina Haack shared an adorable picture of her three children having a snow day in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee on Monday. The 38-year-old brought in the new year with a snow storm having her three children indulging in snow ball fights and jumping on a snow covered trampoline. Taylor, 11, Brayden, 6, and Hudson, 2, were all bundled up as the snow fell. Christina's oldest child, Taylor, was seen holding her youngest brothers hands up as she wore a big smile and a beanie. Snow day with the kids: Flip or Flop star Christina Haack shared an adorable picture of her three children having a snow day in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee on Monday Brayden was seen in a UFC sweatshirt and gloves as he smiled next to his younger brother. Hudson was wearing a red plaid jacket and a gray beanie as he flashed a smile to the camera. Christina shared on Sunday a picture with her fiance Joshua Hall bundled up in the cold in Tennessee. 'Cold weather ride before the snow storm,' the Christina on the Coast star captioned her post. The home renovation expert wrapped her arm around her husband-to-be while indulging at Puckett's Leiper's Fork where they paid a visit to his reality star sister, Stacie Adams, who found fame years ago as a bartender on The Hills. The two have been together since July 2021, where she shared a lengthy Instagram post with her beau and said, 'I met Josh when I wasnt in a state of fear or fight-or-flight. The synchronicities hit us so hard and fast they were impossible to ignore.' Jumping in the snow: The 38-year-old brought in the new year with a snow storm having her three children indulging in snow ball fights and jumping on a snow covered trampoline All three of her kids: Taylor, 11, Brayden, 6, and Hudson, 2, were all bundled up as the snow fell Hudson and his truck: Christina shared a picture of her youngest son posing next to one of his Christmas toys in the snow in Tennessee 'I felt immediately crazy protective over him and wanted to keep him for myself and get to know each other before the tornado (media attention) hit.' Christina shares her two oldest children with her ex-husband, Tarek El Moussa. The couple was married for nine years before separating in 2018. Christina shares her youngest child, Hudson, with her ex-husband, Ant Anstead. The two married quickly after her divorce was finalized from Tarek, but ended up calling it quits this year. The 40-year-old former police officer proposed to Christina while on vacation in Mexico in September, just months after their relationship was made public. Betty White's longtime agent and friend is denying an Internet rumor that the TV icon's death was linked to her getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Some social media users had shared a quote falsely attributed to White prior to her death, which said: 'Eat healthy and get all your vaccines. I just got boosted today.' However, her agent Jeff Witjas has denied she ever gave the quote, saying her death 'should not be politicized.' In a statement to PEOPLE on Monday, Witjas added: 'Betty died peacefully in her sleep at her home. People are saying her death was related to getting a booster shot three days earlier but that is not true.' 'She died of natural causes. Her death should not be politicized that is not the life she lived.' Denial: Betty White's agent has denied a rumor that her passing was related to getting the COVID-19 booster shot (Pictured together in 2015) It was also revealed this week that White lived her last few years in her Los Angeles home over COVID concerns - but had wished she could have stayed in the Carmel, California, home she shared with her late husband Allen Ludden. On Monday, it was claimed by actress Vicki Lawrence, who worked with White on Mama's Family, that her last word before she died was that of her late husband's name 'Allen.' 'I texted Carol [Burnett] and said, "This just sucks. I hate this. It's just horrible to see the people you love so much go away," Lawrence, 72, told PageSix. 'Carol wrote back and said, "I know, I know. I spoke to Betty's assistant, who was with her when she passed, and she said the very last word out of her mouth was "Allen." Lawrence added: 'How sweet is that? I said, "That is so sweet. God, I hope that's true. For all of us, I really hope it's true, a lovely thought.'" Rumors: A quote attributed to White had been doing the rounds on the Internet Legend: Betty appearing at the 70th Emmy Awards in LA (2018) White was living in her five-bedroom, six-bathroom Brentwood home in West Los Angeles when she died on Friday - just weeks before her 100th birthday. Witjas told the Associated Press she had been staying at her LA home during the pandemic out of caution. But if she had it her way, the New York Post reports, White would have remained at her longtime marital home in Carmel, which she built with Ludden when they bought the land back in 1978 for just $170,000. Ludden died just three days shy of their 18th wedding anniversary in June 1981, leaving White with three step-children: David, Martha and Sarah. 'She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care,' an unnamed source told he Post, explaining: 'Los Angeles was more accessible. 'If she had it her way, Betty would've lived and died in that home [in Carmel],' he said. 'It's the home she shared with her husband - it's where she felt more comfortable.' Meanwhile, her agent Witjas also revealed that he always reminded Betty of her popularity among fans. Rest in peace: White, who died at the age of 99 on Friday, was only two and a half weeks away from celebrating her 100th birthday in January He told People: 'She knew it, but I would tell her often. Even when she wasn't working, I said, "Betty, millions of people out there are still asking for you. You're getting your fan letters, I'm getting offers for you."' Jeff always wanted Betty to know just how much people loved and admired her. He told People: 'I don't know if she ever embraced it, [or] really, really felt it. The extent of it. I really don't. 'I would always reinforce it with her because I always felt she should know that. I never wanted her to think while she was sitting at home, that the world has passed her by. It never did.' Jeff is also glad that Betty - who died at her home in Los Angeles on Friday - was able to achieve her life ambitions. He added that her popularity went 'beyond love'. He said: 'Betty lived a great life and she lived a life that she chose. She was happy. 'Every time I told her, "Betty, you're loved," she would look at me with a wry smile and say, "Really?" I hope she knew. I think she did. It was something beyond love.' Alan Sugar is so proud of his wealth that he once shared a photo of a cheque he had written to the taxman for a staggering 58.6 million. So Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak can look forward to a major boost to the coffers. For I can reveal that The Apprentice star paid himself an astonishing 390 million last year equivalent to more than 1 million per day. Its one of the biggest pay cheques ever handed to a British boss. Sugar certainly doesnt seem to have suffered much during the pandemic, a business source tells me. His move into property has paid off, big time. The Apprentice mogul has made a whopping 390million last year - more than 1million a day The payout is disclosed as a dividend in accounts filed last week for his holding company, Amshold Ltd (AMS are his initials: Alan Michael Sugar). The dividend is not based on the companys performance over the past year, but on previous successes. Winners of his hit BBC show receive an investment sum of 250,000, so Lord Sugar has been paid enough to cover more than 1,500 series of the show. Amsholds principal activities are described as property trading and investment as well as the provision of management services. A note in the accounts also mentions media activities. It returned a 47 million pre-tax profit on turnover of 79 million in the year to last June. The group held 271 million worth of investment property at the date the accounts were filed. Amshold is reported as being wholly owned by Lord Sugar, while his sons, Simon and Daniel, are directors. The monster payout was disclosed as a dividend in accounts from his holdings company - Amshold Ltd this week His wife, Ann, was a director from incorporation until May last year, when her half-share in the business was transferred to her husband. It was reported that 26 staff were employed, comprising five directors and 21 administrative staff. Total staff costs were recorded as 2.6 million, of which 502,000 went to the highest-paid director. Thats likely to be Lord Sugar, meaning his total remuneration would be 390.5 million. The dividend makes Lord Sugar one of the worlds best-paid bosses. Denise Coates, joint chief executive of online gambling firm Bet365, hit the headlines last year when she became the highest-paid woman in the world. She received 469 million in salary and dividends. It seems unlikely that anyone will tell Lord Sugar in the near future: Youre fired! Betty White's last word was calling out the name of her late husband Allen Ludden prior to her death at 99 on Friday, according to her colleague Vicki Lawrence. Lawrence, 72, told Page Six on Monday that she contacted friend Carol Burnett, 88, in the wake of White's passing. Lawrence said, 'I texted Carol and said, "This just sucks. I hate this. Its just horrible to see the people you love so much go away."' She continued: 'Carol wrote back and said, "I know, I know. I spoke to Bettys assistant, who was with her when she passed, and she said the very last word out of her mouth was Allen." How sweet is that? I said, "That is so sweet. God, I hope thats true. For all of us, I really hope its true, a lovely thought."' The latest: Betty White's last word was calling out the name of her late husband Allen Ludden prior to her death at 99 on Friday, according to her colleague Vicki Lawrence, 72. White and Ludden were snapped on an episode of The Love Boat in 1980 White, who was set to turn 100 years old January 17, was wed to Ludden from 1963 until his 1981 death from stomach cancer at the age of 63. Lawrence was the star of the NBC series Mamas Family, which ran from 1983-1990; White played the role of Ellen Harper Jackson on 16 episodes of the show. She opened up on her professional experiences with the late comedy icon. Beloved: The show business icon was hailed at the Emmys in LA in 2018 Love: Ludden and White were seen appearing on a special in June of 1973 'Well, you didnt really work with her, you just had a good time,' she said. 'Carol called it "playing in the sandbox," and I think thats exactly what it was. Betty was just the perfect playmate.' Lawrence described White as 'incredibly professional,' adding, 'I dont remember her ever not being prepared or ever messing up her lines.' Lawrence recalled White's loving nature with a story about how she once arrived an hour late to the set because she saved a pair of golden retrievers, 'because thats what [she] would do. 'This was before cell phones, and everybody was beside themselves because Betty was never late,' she said. 'And she walks in, in a dither, and says, "Im so sorry, but I was driving here and these two golden retrievers come running out into the intersection and theyre obviously lost. I had to pull over and get them."' Peers: Lawrence was the star of the NBC series Mamas Family, which ran from 1983-1990; White played the role of Ellen Harper Jackson on 16 episodes of the show Icons: (L-R) Carol Burnett, Amy Schumer, Lawrence, and the late Tim Conway were seen in NYC in 2012 Lawrence told the outlet that she 'loved hearing [White] talk about early, early Hollywood' and marveled over her longevity in the industry. 'Show business can be so disappointing when you meet people, but Betty was such a lovely lady,' she said. 'I was reading the other day, when she first started on television, there were only a thousand people in LA that had a TV. Like, holy s***, thats just insane! I feel like our number one television historian has just left us, you know?' Lawrence recalled to the outlet how she learned of Whites passing: 'I saw that notification on my phone and I thought, "Well, this is just the f***ing exclamation point at the end of the worst year." It was like, "And furthermore, Bettys gone."' Elsewhere on Monday, White's longtime agent and friend denied an Internet rumor that the TV icon's death was linked to her getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Some social media users had shared a quote falsely attributed to White prior to her death, which said: 'Eat healthy and get all your vaccines. I just got boosted today.' However, her agent Jeff Witjas has denied she ever gave the quote, saying her death 'should not be politicized.' In a statement to PEOPLE on Monday, Witjas added: 'Betty died peacefully in her sleep at her home. People are saying her death was related to getting a booster shot three days earlier but that is not true. 'She died of natural causes. Her death should not be politicized that is not the life she lived.' It was also revealed this week that White lived her last few years in her Los Angeles home over COVID concerns - but had wished she could have stayed in the Carmel, California, home she shared with Ludden. Denial: Betty White's agent has denied a rumor that her passing was related to getting the COVID-19 booster shot (Pictured together in 2015) Rumors: A quote attributed to White had been doing the rounds on the Internet White was living in her five-bedroom, six-bathroom Brentwood home in West Los Angeles when she died on Friday - just weeks before her 100th birthday. Witjas told the Associated Press she had been staying at her LA home during the pandemic out of caution. But if she had it her way, the New York Post reports, White would have remained at her longtime marital home in Carmel, which she built with Ludden when they bought the land back in 1978 for just $170,000. Ludden died just three days shy of their 18th wedding anniversary in June 1981, leaving White with three step-children: David, Martha and Sarah. 'She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care,' an unnamed source told the Post, explaining: 'Los Angeles was more accessible. 'If she had it her way, Betty would've lived and died in that home [in Carmel],' he said. 'It's the home she shared with her husband - it's where she felt more comfortable.' Meanwhile, her agent Witjas also revealed that he always reminded Betty of her popularity among fans. Rest in peace: White, who died at the age of 99 on Friday, was only two and a half weeks away from celebrating her 100th birthday in January He told People: 'She knew it, but I would tell her often. Even when she wasn't working, I said, "Betty, millions of people out there are still asking for you. You're getting your fan letters, I'm getting offers for you."' Jeff always wanted Betty to know just how much people loved and admired her. He told People: 'I don't know if she ever embraced it, [or] really, really felt it. The extent of it. I really don't. 'I would always reinforce it with her because I always felt she should know that. I never wanted her to think while she was sitting at home, that the world has passed her by. It never did.' Jeff is also glad that Betty - who died at her home in Los Angeles on Friday - was able to achieve her life ambitions. He added that her popularity went 'beyond love'. He said: 'Betty lived a great life and she lived a life that she chose. She was happy. 'Every time I told her, "Betty, you're loved," she would look at me with a wry smile and say, "Really?" I hope she knew. I think she did. It was something beyond love.' Don't Look Up features a faux government PSA urging American citizens to call a certain 1-800 number for 'peace of mind' about the deadly comet speeding towards the planet. 'Right now, millions of you are having theses same doubts and questions about the approaching comet,' White House chief science advisor Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) says in the film. 'That is why BASH Cellular, in conjunction with the United States government, is creating a new hotline, free of charge, to answer all of your questions. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe one of our scientists can be that friend we all need to lean on during uncertain times.' Inside joke: Don't Look Up features a faux government PSA urging American citizens to call a certain 1-800 number for 'peace of mind' about the deadly comet speeding towards the planet However, when viewers call 1-800-532-4500, it leads to an apparent phone sex line: 'Welcome to America's hottest hotline. Guys, hot ladies are waiting to talk to you. Press one now. Ladies, to talk to interesting and exciting guys free, press two to connect free now.' Director Adam McKay clearly set up the joke, considering most movies use the popular 555 to begin fictional phone numbers. The $75-budget satirical disaster comedy is currently ranked No. 2 on Netflix and is in the top 10 in 92 countries, having been streamed an eye-popping 111M hours between December 20-26. White House chief science advisor Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) says in the film: 'Maybe, just maybe one of our scientists can be that friend we all need to lean on during uncertain times' However, when viewers call 1-800-532-4500, it leads to an apparent phone sex line: 'Welcome to America's hottest hotline. Guys, hot ladies are waiting to talk to you. Press one now. Ladies, to talk to interesting and exciting guys free, press two to connect free now' Anchorman maestro: Director Adam McKay (L) clearly set up the joke, considering most movies use the popular 555 to begin fictional phone numbers It's an impressive feat considering the dismal 56% critic approval rating (out of 230 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes, but it did fare better with viewers with a 77% audience score (100+ ratings). Don't Look Up's star-studded ensemble cast includes Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Tyler Perry, Timothee Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, and Melanie Lynskey. This Friday at 7pm PST, DiCaprio and McKay will accept the SFFILM Sloan Science in Cinema Prize during a livestream awards Q&A with physicist Joseph Barranco via sffilm.org. 'We really had everything, didn't we?' The $75-budget satirical disaster comedy is currently ranked No. 2 on Netflix and is in the top 10 in 92 countries, having been streamed an eye-popping 111M hours between December 20-26 Mixed reception: It's an impressive feat considering the dismal 56% critic approval rating (out of 230 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes, but it did fare better with viewers with a 77% audience score (100+ ratings) 'Big news!' This Friday at 7pm PST, DiCaprio and McKay will accept the SFFILM Sloan Science in Cinema Prize during a livestream awards Q&A with physicist Joseph Barranco via sffilm.org 'The brilliance of this screenplay is the analogy of making it a comet that is going to wipe out mankind within a six-month timeframe created this massive sense of urgency, rather than some slow-moving climate behemoth narrative,' the 47-year-old Oscar winner told the Chicago Sun-Times on Sunday. 'It really came at this specific moment in time, like films like Network or Dr. Strangelove, that really encapsulates what we're going through as a culture. It perfectly held a mirror to our society and how we deal with the climate crisis, that we just let it continue and don't take the actions that we need to take in order to survive on this planet.' DLU will also compete for six trophies - including best picture - at the 27th Critics' Choice Awards, which was scheduled to air next Sunday on TBS/The CW but has since been postponed due to COVID-19. By Joh Sung-wook Joh Sung-wook There are apprehensions that the standoff between China and India will worsen in the upcoming months given that the neighbouring country is at it again: propaganda, false images, and the whole paraphernalia. On January 1, 2022, China's new land border law for the protection and exploitation of land border areas came into effect. This was a bill that was passed by China on October 23, 2021. China's Global Times, meanwhile, released a New-Year video on January 1, of PLA soldiers unfurling the Chinese flag at Galwan Valley, which is Indian territory. In the Galwan Valley near the border with #India, under the characters Never yield an inch of land, PLA soldiers send new year greetings to Chinese people on January 1, 2022. pic.twitter.com/NxHwcarWes Global Times (@globaltimesnews) January 1, 2022 Several experts have called out the Global Times video as 'propaganda' and as false. Interestingly, on December 30, 2021, the Chinese government also renamed 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh; again, a region China claims as its own. To add to that, China has maintained around 60,000 troops across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh even during extreme winter. India, on its part, also has a similar number of troops there to ensure that the Chinese side does not think of any misadventure. In light of these developments comes a new law in China. China shares a 22,457 km land boundary with 14 countries. So, what is the new law and what implications can it have for India in future? 1. THE DRAGON LAW President of People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping. Photo: Getty Images The new legislation adopted by China's National People Congress is for the protection and exploitation of the country's land border areas, Chinese news agency Xinhua Net reported. The law stipulates that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China, are 'sacred and inviolable'. The law mandates that the state shall take measures to save the territorial integrity and land boundaries and guard against and combat against any act that undermines territorial sovereignty and land boundaries, Xinhua Net said. 2. HOW IT AFFECTS INDIA Through the new law, China seems to have authorised aggression in protecting its sovereignty, and for that, Indias cross-border disputes with China are a bit of concern. India and China are at a standoff in Eastern Ladakh and on the issue of Arunachal Pradesh. The deadly Galwan Valley clash on May 5, 2020, that claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and 5 Chinese soldiers, was a result of constant tensions of weeks that culminated into a fight. VOA News quoted Brahma Chellaney, professor of strategic studies at Centre of Policy Making and Research at New Delhi, in November, as saying China is using Land Borders Law particularly as leverage against India. The map of China shows the entire area of Arunachal Pradesh, Barahoti Plains in Uttrakhand, and the areas up to the 1959 Claim Line in Ladakh as part of its territory. And according to the new Chinese law, these areas make part of Chinas sovereign integrity. On the Arunachal Pradesh front, China is proceeding at breakneck speed to solidify its claims in the region. The renaming of 15 villages of Arunachal Pradesh was a part of this aggression across the border. 3. NO MORE TALKS? Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and China President, Xi Jinping. Photo: Getty Images The round-table talks between Corps Commanders from India and China might take a turn for the worse due to the new Chinese law. Along Eastern Ladakh and also in Arunachal Pradesh, China's stance seems to be uncompromising. This is also one of the reasons why the China government has been keen on stalling further negotiations with Indian Corps Commanders that seek to disengage its troops from patrolling Point 15 in Hot Springs. The suspicion is that China will use the new law to bolster its existing position at the disputed sites. 4. IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW LAW IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH The new Chinese law prohibits construction of permanent infrastructure close to the border without Chinas permission. Exactly contrary to what China is preaching, it has been building "well-off border defence villages" across the LAC, especially in Arunachal Pradesh, which its new map claims as its own. To buttress its claims on the region, President Xi Jinping visited a village in Tibet near the border with Arunachal Pradesh last July. The satellite images procured also show that China has established a number of villages in Arunachal Pradesh, while the land dispute with India remains. Former Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda spoke to Indian Express earlier on this. He said, If you [China] start having settled population on the other side, creeping across what we [India] feel is our border, at some stage later, whenever, when you start discussing the border between the two sides, they will say we [China] have settled population in this area. 5. OPPOSITION CORNERS GOVERNMENT While the Sino-India relations are at an all-time low, the opposition has cornered the Indian government for its stance on China. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter over the video tweeted by Global Times. Our tricolour looks good at Galwan. We need to answer back to China. Modi ji, break the silence, Gandhi said on twitter. , ! Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 2, 2022 With the borders still contentious, no doubt the unfurling of Chinese flag at the Galwan Valley was indeed a provocation to the Indian government from China that they will resort to any methods for their so called territorial integrity. The neighbouring country's new border law will only end up worsening the India-China relationship. In October 2021, when the new borders law was announced by China, India had hit out at the neighbouring country. Back then, China dismissed India's concerns as 'undue speculation'. When growing up, we tend to look up to people and idols so we can achieve something like they did. From Superman to Mahatma Gandhi, there are several inspiring real and fictional figures to look up to. And it is common to look for relatable figures; boys tend to look up to male characters and girls tend to look up to female characters. However, the choice of idols for girls is often limited in the saturated patriarchal world, as real-life women heroes go unnoticed or ignored. Real-world women heroes arent as celebrated as their male counterparts due to sexist and casteist notions. One such figure in Indian history is Savitribai Phule. January 3, 2022 marks the 191st birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule. Now, the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to correct historical wrongs and ignorance. On the 191st birth anniversary of social reformer and perhaps Indias first feminist, Savitribai Phule, the students have demanded that her birth anniversary be celebrated as International Teachers Day. In India, September 5, the birthday of former President S Radhakrishnan, is celebrated as Teachers' Day. Here are 10 facts on who Savitribai Phule was, why we need to remember her, and what the students have demanded: 1. WHAT ARE THE DEMANDS OF AIOBCSA? Other than declaring Savitribai Phules birth anniversary as International Teachers Day, the students association also wants her statue to be installed next to her husband and 19th-century Indian activist Jyotirao Phule in the Parliament. They want social welfare post-matric hostels to be set up in each parliamentary constituency in India, to support students belonging to various caste and communities. These hostels should be equipped with up-to-date infrastructural facilities including digital access. They also demanded that Phule Centres be established in various universities to support the research of students belonging to backward communities. 2. WHO WAS SAVITRIBAI PHULE? Savitribai Phule was a 19th-century social reformer, educationalist, and is considered Indias first woman teacher and feminist. She was born on January 3, 1831, in Maharashtras Naigaon, and belonged to the Mali community. The Mali community comes under the backward castes category now. 3. MARRIED AT THE AGE OF NINE Savitribai Phule was married at the age of nine to 13-year-old Jyotirao Phule. Jyotirao Phule is celebrated as an Indian activist whose work extended into various fields from the anti-caste system to education rights for men and women. Members of the Mali community were traditionally barred from seeking education. During this period, Jyotirao not only fought for his own education rights but also educated his wife Savitribai Phule. Together they opened up schools for boys and girls from all structures of the society. Savitribai Phule then became the first woman teacher of India. 4. STANDING UP TO THE 19th CENTURY PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY Savitribai Phule was definitely way ahead of her time. She refused to conform to societal expectations and constraints put on her. But the fight to bring reforms was not easy. She had to face the music of the 19th-century patriarchal and casteist society. Phule faced opposition mainly from the Brahmin community at the time for educating the marginalised, especially women. Instances from Savitribai Phules life reveal that Brahmin youth would regularly throw cow-dung at her when she came in to teach. She carried a spare saree to school, at her husbands insistence, to quietly fight them. But the harassment stopped when she slapped a Brahmin youth. 5. THROWN OUT OF HOME Jyotirao and Savitribai Phules activism brought trouble to their home. Jyotirao Phule was asked to leave his home by his parents when the Brahmin community started pressuring them. Though Savitribai was not asked to leave, she chose to go with her husband. 6. STARTED THE FIRST GIRLS SCHOOL Savitribai Phule, along with her husband, started Indias first girls school in Pune in 1848. In total, the couple established 18 schools. They would also offer stipends to the students to encourage education. 7. CENTRE FOR RAPE SURVIVORS The reformist also set up centres to help pregnant rape survivors deliver their babies. In contrast, modern India is still struggling to set up a robust system of one-stop centres for rape survivors. Savitribai Phule also set up Mahila Seva Mandal, a gathering place for women to discuss the issues faced by them in the society. 8. LIFE AS A POET Savitribai Phule was also a prolific Marathi writer. Her first collection of poetry called Kavya Phule was published in 1854. Through her poetry, she encouraged people to get educated to fight oppression of all forms and also learn English as a means to do it. 9. SHE LIT HER HUSBANDS PYRE When Savitribais husband died, she was the one to light his funeral pyre. Traditionally, a male member of the family lights the funeral pyre of the deceased, but Savitribai chose to break the rules. 10. SHE DIED CARING FOR THE SICK When the bubonic plague broke out in 1897, Savitribai Phule and her adopted son started a clinic for the diseased. Savitribai died while caring for the sick. She had carried a sick person on her back, which resulted in her getting the infection. Editors Note: Everyone designs. While not all design work is compensated, DIY Design strives to promote awareness of design processes in everyday life. Each week, Tatum Lindquist explores a new field or theory in the design world and relates it to the UW community as a way to live with in By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Group affiliates have chosen 11 Samsung Masters, a certification given to engineers who have shown their expertise for over 20 years, in order to recognize its employees' professionalism and encourage their continued success at developing technological competitiveness. The group said Monday that for 2022 it has awarded the title to eight engineers from Samsung Electronics, and one each from Samsung Display, Samsung SDI and Samsung Electro-Mechanics. "The Samsung Master certification is a system that recognizes employees with both craftsmanship and leadership who have worked in manufacturing-related fields for at least 20 years," Samsung said. Samsung Electronics introduced the system in 2019 to enhance technological competitiveness in the IT sector and foster master-level tech experts. It selected four Samsung Masters in the first year, three in 2020 and six in 2021. Following Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electro-Mechanics adopted the system in 2020 and Samsung Display and Samsung SDI joined in 2021. Among the certification recipients, Samsung Electronics said Lee Won-ki, an engineer working for the company's Mobile eXperience (MX) division, was recognized as a master for his unrivaled skills in optical component adjustment and inspection accumulated over the past 28 years. Samsung Display's Chung In-kyu received the certification with his expertise in infrastructure piping systems, while Samsung SDI's Park Hyung-soo received high praise for his contributions to strengthening the company's facility control system. Samsung Electro-Mechanics' Ham Dong-soo is an expert who has stabilized the lens mass production line at the company's Vietnam factory. DARIEN Nestled away in a Darien neighborhood, not far from the Post Road, sheep Chuckie, Belle Fleur and Bellina enjoyed a spring shearing last week, with their wool going toward the Connecticut blanket project. . These Romney/Oxford cross sheep were born at their home in Darien and have been raised there by the Von Schmidt family. The sheep were shorn by Twist of Fate Spinnery, a Portland-based farm and wool service. Shearers Rick Trojanoski and Jeremiah Squier travel throughout southeast New England and New York shearing sheep. Twist of Fate Spinnery also offers to spin sheered wool into yarn for sheep owners. Though the sheep are likely the only sheep who live in Darien, they are far from the only sheep in Connecticut. The Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association, created in 1893, organizes The Connecticut Blanket, a cooperative project open to members of the association, and includes the wool from Chuckie, Belle Fleur and Bellina. The effort adds to the sustainability of member shepherds farms by obtaining a value-added product from the wool of their sheep. Based on the amount of wool contributed, the shepherds create an order for the sizes they want, and when finished the blankets are delivered to them to do with as they please. The wool is collected in early June at the University of Connecticut, where it is inspected for cleanliness, structure and length. Once packed away in large wool bags, it is trucked to South Carolina where it is scoured (washed) and returned to New England for carding, spinning, weaving, fulling, napping and cutting into blankets. Each year a new pattern is chosen and named, but it is always a light and dark combination the wool is not dyed. The pattern also gets a name, and the organization is still trying to come up for a pattern name for 2020. Though the sheep appeared to enjoy the experience, the overcast sky led to a bit of chilly air on the newly shorn animals, leading to some extensive Baa-ing objections. According to Georgia Von Schmidt, the sheep initially react with uncertainty after being shorn. The sheep dont recognize one another at first without their heavy outerwear. In particular, Von Schmidt said mother sheep are upset that their lambs dont recognize them at first. The exposure to the cooler temperatures also adds to the stress. Von Schmidt said the baa-ing sometimes continues throughout the night until they become accustomed to their new look. Trojanski said the breeders association expects to announce the new pattern of the 2020 Connecticut blanket and distribute it along with last years blanket, which was put on hold due to the pandemic. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Hyderabad: At a time when the third wave of Covid is staring at the country, posing fresh challenges, nearly 80,000 doctors would be missing in action due to inordinate delay in admissions into postgraduate courses. While 40,000 doctors would have been ready by now to attend to crucial hospital duties as junior doctors, further delay in the admissions for 2021 will have an adverse impact on 2022 admissions, thus depriving the healthcare system of an equal number of junior doctors. It will be a great injustice to people if the PG admissions are further delayed because there is an unprecedented shortage of junior doctors in the country. Providing medicare for Covid patients, particularly in government hospitals, the lone destination for the poor, is increasingly becoming a challenge, said Dr N. Karthik, general secretary, Telangana Junior Doctors Association. The admissions were put on hold by the Centre in October last year following an undertaking it gave to the Supreme Court in a case questioning the 27 per cent Other Backward Classes and 10 per cent Economically Weaker Sections quotas. During the hearings, the Supreme Court sought to know the rationale behind fixing an income ceiling of `8 lakh for EWS quota. The apex court is likely to take up the next hearing on January 6 even as the Centre on Sunday made its stand clear in the form of an affidavit in which it defended the income ceiling and refused to change at this stage as it would further derail the admission process. There is always a question on how much is too much for fixing the income limit for EWS. As the Centre stuck to the present limit, the earlier the court clears the case the better, said Dr Ala Venkateswarlu, president, AP Medicos Parents Committee, who has been fighting for OBC quota in national level admissions in medicine and proper implementation of quota in the two Telugu states. Normally, three batches of junior doctors form the core of hospital services. In the midst of the pandemic, first year PG students were totally missing in action while the third year students who would otherwise be busy with their final year academic commitments had to balance between the academics and hospital duties. The second year students are the worst hit as they are getting totally exhausted, Dr Karthik pointed out. This combination of file photos shows, from left, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden. AFP-Yonhap President Joe Biden conferred on Sunday with Ukraine's leader over the Russian troop buildup near Kyiv's border, promising that the U.S. and its allies will act ''decisively'' if Russia invades the Eastern European nation. Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call came as the U.S. and Western allies prepared for a series of diplomatic meetings to try to de-escalate a crisis that Moscow said could rupture ties with Washington. ''President Biden made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine,'' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement following the call. Psaki added that Biden underscored his commitment to the principle of ''nothing about you without you," the tenet that it won't negotiate policy that impacts Europe without its allies' input. Biden has spoken of hitting Russia with economy-jarring sanctions if it moves on Ukraine's territory, but he said last month that U.S. military action was not on the table. The Kremlin has demanded that any further expansion of NATO exclude Ukraine and other former Soviet countries. The Russians have also demanded that the military alliance remove offensive weaponry from countries in the region. The White House has dismissed Russia's demands on NATO as a non-starter. A key principle of the NATO alliance is that membership is open to any qualifying country. And no outsider has membership veto power. While there's little prospect that Ukraine will be invited into the alliance anytime soon, the U.S. and its allies won't rule it out. Zelenskyy said in a Twitter posting after Sunday's call that ''keeping peace in Europe, preventing further escalation, reforms and deoligarchization were discussed.'' ''We appreciate the unwavering support,'' Zelenskyy said. A Ukrainian soldier walks along the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, Jan. 2. AP-Yonhap The United States has made little progress in efforts to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease tensions. Senior U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to meet Jan. 9 and 10 in Geneva to discuss the situation. Those talks are to be followed by meetings at the NATO-Russia Council, and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Biden spoke with Putin for nearly an hour Thursday. He told reporters the next day that he warned Putin that his economy would pay a ''heavy price'' if Russia, which has massed some 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine, made further moves against the country. ''I'm not going to negotiate here in public, but we made it clear that he cannot I emphasize cannot move on Ukraine,'' Biden said Friday. The U.S. president said he told Putin it was important for the Russians to take steps before those meetings toward easing the crisis. Putin's foreign affairs adviser, in describing the presidents' conversation this past week, said Biden's pursuit of sanctions ''could lead to a complete rupture of relations between our countries and Russia-West relations will be severely damaged.'' U.S. intelligence findings indicate Russia has made preparations for a potential invasion in early 2022. But White House officials say it remains unclear whether Putin has already made a decision to move forward with military action. Still, Biden said he remained hopeful for the upcoming talks. White House officials say they will consult closely with their Western allies. ''I always expect if you negotiate you make progress, but we'll see,'' he said Friday. ''We'll see.'' Activists of various nationalist parties carry torches and a portrait of Stepan Bandera during a rally in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 1. The rally was organized to mark the anniversary of the birth of Stepan Bandera, the founder of a rebel army that fought against the Soviet regime, and who was assassinated in Germany in 1959. AP-Yonhap A health worker conducts COVID-19 testing of a woman amid concern over a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in India, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday said the latest genome sequencing report shows Omicron has been found in 81 per cent of the samples tested and the new variant of concern is the reason behind the surge in coronavirus cases in the capital. Of the latest 187 Covid samples tested, 152 had (81 per cent) Omicron and 8.5 per cent had Delta, he told the Delhi Assembly. "So, Omicron is the variant spreading now and the share of other variants is very low," the minister said responding to a question of Leader of Opposition Ramvir Bidhuri. Earlier in the day, Jain had told reporters that Omicron accounted for 84 per cent of the latest Covid samples tested. The minister told the assembly that none of the Omicron-infected patients in Delhi's hospitals have so far required oxygen. "Till Sunday, there were around 8,000 active cases in Delhi and just 3.4 per cent of the total 9,024 Covid beds in hospitals were occupied. There were around 1,500 to 2,000 patients in hospitals when Delhi reported an equal number of active cases last time," he said. Jain said Omicron came into India around December 1 through infected international passengers. "We conduct RT-PCR tests on all international passengers at the airport. Those who test positive are sent into institutional quarantine at Lok Nayak Hospital and some private hospitals," he said. "Some of the passengers who tested negative at the airport turned out positive at home after some days. Their entire families and contacts turned out Covid positive. So, it is clear that Omicron spread because of people who went home after testing negative at the airport," he said. Jain said the Delhi government repeatedly requested the Centre to stop all international flights to prevent the spread of Omicron in India but it did not do so. "Everyone knew Omicron did not originate in India. It came from foreign countries. I repeatedly requested the Centre, the chief minister (Arvind Kejriwal) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop all international flights. But they did not do so," he said. He said though there is a spike in cases but the situation is under control as not many people are developing severe disease or require hospitalisation. According to the health bulletin to be issued later on Monday, the capital has recorded around 4,000 new cases of coronavirus and the positivity rate has increased to 6.5 per cent, the minister said. Jain said some experts have said the cases will peak in a week but it's conjecture. The CLP leader said GO No. 317 was an unscientific one and an irrational one. He said the government did not concentrate on the issues to be solved in the transfers of employees before issuing the GO. DC file image Khammam: Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the TRS government had given displaced person status to the employees in the state with the false government orders (GOs). Addressing a press conference along with the leaders of State Teachers Federation (STF) here on Sunday, Bhatti said the government presented the gift to the employees for achieving statehood for Telangana by doing a 42-day strike. He said the seriousness of the demand for a separate state was known with the employees strike and it led to carving out of Telangana. One should not ignore such force and it was nothing but injustice being done to the employees by the state government, he said, adding that the Chief Minister threw the future of the employees in utter confusion with the wrong GOs. I will fight against the government on the issue till it is solved. I understood the problems of the employees and I will expose it at the right forum. The employees should show their dissent by organising protests against the government. The government can only act if the victims expose the misdeeds of it in a proper way, he said. The CLP leader said GO No. 317 was an unscientific one and an irrational one. He said the government did not concentrate on the issues to be solved in the transfers of employees before issuing the GO. The teachers suffering from chronic diseases were separated by transferring the spouse to another place. There were hundreds of lacunae in calculating the seniority of teachers. The teachers were not given a chance to explain their views or problems, he said. Muslim vendors challenged the amendment in the AP High Court claiming that it violated their rights to equality and was against the principles of secularism. DC image Hyderabad: Alleging that the sanctity and divinity of the Srisailam temple was lost with non-Hindu businessmen setting up shop within the temple complex, Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh said the AP government had failed to take steps to uphold Hindu sentiments by engaging an effective lawyer in the Supreme Court. He said a government order had prohibited giving business outlets within the temple complex to non-Hindu entrepreneurs. A two-judge bench comprising Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice A.S Bopanna had passed an interim order directing that none of the vendors be excluded from becoming tenants of the temple on the basis of their religious identity. The case will next be heard on January 18. Raja Singh said non-Hindu shop owners and entrepreneurs were flouting norms with regard to meat consumption and were defiling the temple precincts. He said GO No. 426 was issued by the Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy government prohibiting entrepreneurs from other religious in Srisailam, but the Jagan Mohan Reddy government was violating the norms, he alleged. It may be recalled that the commissioner of endowments, Andhra Pradesh, had issued a GO directing non-Hindu tenants, said to be about 100, to vacate the Lord Mallikarjuna temple premises in Srisailam in May 2015. Giving teeth to the GO, the state amended the AP Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Immovable Properties and Other Rights (other than agricultural lands) leases and licenses rules, 2003 in November 2015. The amended rules prohibit non-Hindus from becoming tenants of the temple. Muslim vendors challenged the amendment in the AP High Court claiming that it violated their rights to equality and was against the principles of secularism. The state argued that the amendment protected the interests of Hindu devotees, who were inconvenienced by the pesence of non-Hindu deities and the alleged distribution of meat, including beef, by non-Hindu vendors. The state additionally claimed that it was empowered to pass laws to reform Hindu temples. The temple administration said that its decision to vacate non-Hindu tenants could not be challenged as it was not an institution owned or managed by the state. The police who had barged into the venue pulled the saffron scarf that Sanjay was wearing even as he was trying to persuade the police not to obstruct the deeksha. (DC Image) Hyderabad: BJP state chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar was arrested on Sunday night after police stormed his camp office to foil his jagaran deeksha that was scheduled to protest against the transfer of government teachers and staff. A large contingent of police laid siege to the camp office and used gas cutters to break open the locked gates. Window panes were shattered and BJP activists including women inside the camp office were dragged out and pushed aside. On a chilly night, police shot water cannon into the deeksha venue. The police was ostensibly implementing Covid-19 guidelines. Amid chants of Jai Shri Ram by BJP activists, a determined Sanjay was seen carrying on his deeksha. The police who had barged into the venue pulled the saffron scarf that Sanjay was wearing even as he was trying to persuade the police not to obstruct the deeksha. After his arrest, Sanjay continued his protest at the Manakondur police station where he was taken. A Twitter post captured the scene: Gas cutters, gas sprays, water sprays, inflicting injuries on women, all to save them from Covid-19? Undemocratic, unwarranted, illegal arrest of Bandi Sanjay Kumar ji. We condemn the inhuman act of police.. Right from the evening, a tense situation prevailed at the deeksha venue. Police was seen indiscriminately pushing, jostling with and roughing up Sanjays supporters, most of them teachers and government employees. Journalists were dragged out of the venue when Sanjay was addressing them. It was a war-like situation here, said an onlooker. Several activists were wounded and OBC Morcha leader Mantena Kiran suffered a fracture to his leg. The police shifted the activists to the Karimnagar Police Training Centre. BJP activists formed into a circle to protect Sanjay from being arr ested and told Karimnagar police commissioner V. Satayanarayana that they would immolate themselves by pouring petrol if the police arrested the BJP leader. Sanjay charged the police with partisanship and asked why Covid-19 rules were not implemented when the Chief Ministers son K.T. Rama Rao held rallies with thousands of people. Accusing the TRS government of using repressive measures against those holding peaceful protests, Sanjay said a day would come when Chandrashekar Rao would have to pay for his follies and failures. The days are nearing for KCR and his son to go to jail, Sanjay said. The deeksha was taken up to bring pressure on the government to withdraw the controversial GO No. 317 on transfer for teachers and government employees. The police were successful in getting Sanjay to change the venue of the protest from outside his camp office into a hall in the office. Karimnagar police commissioner Satyanarayana said that in view of the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the Centre and the state government, the people were dispersed. The police said that no permission had been sought to hold the deeksha. OBC Morcha national president Dr K. Laxman, BJP state leaders T. Veerender Goud and N.V. Subash were taken into custody by the police. Efforts made by Dr Laxman to talk to police did not fructify HYDERABAD: The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has decided to counter the BJP's protests in the wake of the 14-day judicial remand of the party state unit president Bandi Sanjay Kumar over the issue of GO 317 on transfer of employees and teachers based on the new zonal system. The TRS leadership asked leaders and cadres to campaign aggressively that the transfers were being undertaken only to identify vacancies in all the districts and to issue fresh job notifications to provide government jobs to locals. It asked them to expose the BJP's 'dual standards' of demanding job notifications on one hand and blocking job notifications on the other, by obstructing transfers to identify vacancies. The TRS asked ministers, party MLAs, MLCs, MPs and other senior leaders to conduct press conferences holding Centre's Covid norms responsible for denying permission to rallies and protests in the state which forced the police to arrest Sanjay Kumar. The party wants to project the BJP leaders violating Covid norms being enforced in the state on the instructions of the BJP-led government at the Centre, according to sources. Party sources said TRS working president and IT minister K. T. Rama Rao on Monday held a teleconference with ministers, a few MLAs and other leaders on instructions of party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao to convey the party's strategy to be adopted in the wake of Sanjay's arrest and BJP's protests on GO 317. Rama Rao told them that the BJP was trying to make an issue out of a non-issue like GO 317 stating that the transfers process went on smoothly across the state and that there was no resistance from majority employees and teachers on transfers. "All major employees and teachers unions expressed support in writing to GO 317 on transfers. Out of total 4 lakh employees and teachers in Telangana, only 40,000 were transferred to their local cadres and districts as per new zonal system, which amounts to just 10 per cent. Where is the question of the majority of employees and teachers opposing transfers as being claimed by the BJP? Tell these facts to people and expose the BJP's false propaganda on transfers," Rama Rao is learnt to have said. He told party leaders that the BJP-government at the Centre had been writing to all state governments every day to enforce Covid norms strictly in the wake of rising cases but their own party leaders in Telangana were violating them and trying to hold protests. Kathmandu: Kathmandu remains silent over China's expansionist designs in the Himalayan nation as several media reports indicate illegal encroachments by Beijing in bordering districts including Humla, Gorkha, Darchula, Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk. In September last year, a seven-member committee headed by the home secretary was formed by the Nepal government to study the Nepal-China border in the northern part of Humla. The team studied border pillars, especially in the Limi valley, and initial findings confirmed that there were some serious border issues between Nepal and China. Sources reveal that the Committee has finalized its report, but the Home Ministry withheld the findings as there has been no response from China over the issue. Jaya Narayan Acharya who was the member of the team deployed to assess the situation and prepare a report said, "We have included geographical and socio-cultural issues and physical infrastructure built in the area in the report, along with our findings. Also, the findings during our interactions with the local people have been included in the report." "During the visit, we also found that the boundary pillars were fenced with wire and repaired but it is not known who actually did it. We have suggested the formation of joint inspection teams from both the countries and pursue the issue diplomatically," Acharya added. One of the ANI sources inside the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that Nepal has approached the Chinese side over the issue but there has been no response to date over the issue. The then government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli directed the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Humla district to study and submit a report. The findings have not been made public, but Nepali newspapers quoted the CDO as saying that the construction seems to have taken place 1 kilometre inside Chinese territory. It was opposed by the Nepali Congress who tabled a resolution in Parliament calling on Prime Minister Oli "to bring back these encroached territories by holding the dialogue," with China. The allegations also led to protests in front of the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, where protesters chanted slogans calling a "stop (to) Chinese Intervention" and to "Chinese Encroachment". Nepali Congress leaders at that time even accused the Oli government of appeasing Beijing and remaining quiet when China had encroached on Nepali territory. The relations between Nepal and China in the last few decades have improved significantly, especially after Tibet became a part of the autonomous region of China and, for the first time, the two neighbours share a boundary of 1,439 kilometres. Nepal and China decided to delineate and demarcate the boundary line through the Nepal-China Boundary Agreement on March 21, 1960. This boundary agreement replaced the Treaty of Thapathali and recognized China's sovereignty over Tibet and agreed to surrender all privileges and rights granted by the old treaty. After a detailed survey and mapping on both sides, a formal settlement of the Boundary treaty was finalised on October 5, 1961. The boundary line was demarcated on the basis of traditional use by the country, possessions and convenience. There were conflict areas where the policy of 'give and take' was used. Nepal had given about 1,836 square kilometres of land to China, while China had given Nepal 2,139 square kilometres of land. Furthermore, the watershed principle of the Himalayan range was used to demarcate the boundary on the Northern side. The area encompasses various passes, mountain peaks and pasture lands. In the cases in which the pasture lands of a citizen of one country falls on the other side of the border, the choice of citizenship was given to the landowner. However, there were some minor conflicts that emerged over the boundary over the last few decades. For instance, in the north of Lapchigaun in the Lamabagar area of Dolakha district, the pillar marked 57 has been claimed to be placed inside Nepal instead of what was initially assumed. The dispute concerns six hectares of land and because of this dispute, the fourth protocol is still on hold. There was another conflict regarding the ownership of Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) but with Chou En-lai's visit to Kathmandu in 1960, he made it clear that Mount Everest belongs to the people of Nepal. Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) has cautioned that the rising number of daily Covid-19 cases should not lead to any knee-jerk reaction in the form of a lockdown or other harsh measures from the state government. This comes a day after revenue minister R Ashoka said the state government will soon come up with "tougher" measures including lockdown to curb Covid-19 infections. Another lockdown may force many micro and small enterprises to down shutters and add to the unemployment problem, KASSIA pointed out in a statement and added that all expectations of the economy being on a rebound will evaporate in no time. Also read: Economic indicators show robust rebound It said the industry bodies stance is a reflection of the fear that the micro and small scale players have who are yet to recover fully from the devastating effects of the previous lockdowns, during the successive waves of the pandemic. The industry body suggested the government focus on strict enforcing Covid protocols by citizens rather than resorting to partial or full lockdown. Check out latest videos from DH: With just two government hospitals in Bengaluru currently accepting Covid-19 patients, most of the infected people are going to private hospitals, which have started to register increased numbers in the past one week. Most of the admitted, however, have mild symptoms. While the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has recorded an increase in government quota hospitalisations from three to six per day in the last 14 days, a greater buildup in case admissions to private hospitals has been noted, where the average daily admission rate rose from 21 to 26. The BBMP added that most of the new patients were seeking non-ventilator beds. This was corroborated by Dr H M Srikanth Helawar, nodal officer for Covid-19 at Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College and Research Institute, who said most admissions were people above 45. Data shows that out of 296 admissions to private hospitals in the last 14 days (compared to just 38 to government hospitals), 105 were people aged 60 and above, followed by 100 people aged 19 to 40, and 67 aged between 41 and 60. Also Read: Government mulls tougher Covid rules to curb cases in Bengaluru Although these people have mild symptoms and they have been allotted general beds, they chose to come to the hospital because their saturation levels had dropped to 90, Dr Helawar said. This drop in saturation levels could be worrisome because it could drive large-scale hospital admissions even if most cases have mild symptoms. Our concern is that due to Omicrons higher infectivity, if case numbers surge there may not be sufficient beds to handle a large onset of hospital arrivals, added Dr Radhakrishna H D R, medical superintendent at C V Raman General Hospital, which was designated as the citys second Covid-19 hospital on December 30. Officials expressed concern that a public panic in the event of a surge, which, like in the beginning of the second wave, could be witness to unnecessary hospitalisations which came at the cost of depriving critically ill patients. Health Commissioner D Randeep noted that triaging activities will become more focused if cases surge. At the moment, they may not have been a focus because hospitalisations are still manageable and we have an adequate number of beds at the present. Ten days down the line, this may change and so there is a plan to deploy at least one physical triaging unit in every district to verify some of the tele-triaging activities which is covering 100 per cent of new cases, he said. The government is also discussing the allocation of beds in the private sector for government quota beds as it did during the first and second waves. While the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that the medical profession should not be operating on the principle that Omicron will be mild, several doctors in the city said they have no idea what to expect if there is a surge in cases. How severe is Omicron? As per the 66 official Omicron cases in Karnataka made public to date, 32 per cent had at least mild symptoms. Hospitalisations A total of 256 of the 334 hospital admissions in BBMP limits (including both government and private quota) in the last 14 days were people occupying general beds. A further 40 were admitted to HDU beds and 35 to ICU beds, with the conditions of a scant three being serious enough to warrant admission to an ICU-Ventilator bed. Surprisingly, 93 of the general bed occupations were by patients aged 19 to 40, with another 78 being people aged 60 and above. Of the 35 ICU bed hospitalisations, the most (22) were people over the age of 60, with the next largest group being seven people aged 19 to 40. Watch latest videos by DH here: The humble banana suddenly seems to have lost its fans in the last two years, with prices touching record lows of Rs 8 to Rs 12 amid glut in the market. Consumed year-round and extremely affordable, the quality of bananas has also taken a hit due to the unseasonal rain that lashed the state last year, causing havoc in vegetable and fruit prices. Banana merchants told DH that except for Bengaluru, almost all other districts in the state produce the fruit. At least 600-650 tonnes of bananas come to the city every day from Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Kollegala, Gauribidanur and other places in the old Mysore region. Some varieties also come from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. At the bustling Binny Mill Banana Market, about 250 tonnes of the fruit arrives daily, with customers mainly comprising retail fruit sellers and pushcart vendors. K G Purushotham, president of Banana Fruits Merchants Association, said the 'Yelakki' variety, also known as 'Lady Finger' banana, is most sought-after. However, the price of this variety has not crossed Rs 30 in months, traders lamented, except for a brief period during the Varamahalakshmi festival. Normally, the price of 'Yelakki' banana in the wholesale market remains in the Rs 45-50 range and climbs higher during festivals, which has not been the case this year. Even the 'Robusta' bananas are being sold at Rs 8 to Rs 12 in comparison to its usual price of Rs 20. Only the Chandra variety (reddish purple skin) and the long Nendra bananas (mostly used to make chips) are somehow getting decent prices of Rs 30-35 and Rs 40 per kg, respectively. Merchants said they have not seen this kind of decline in prices before. I have been in the business since 1976. This kind of fall in prices was never seen before, at least not in the last 10 years," said Purushotham. Many traders at the Binny Mill market and the KR Market attribute this fall to the drop in customer numbers. "In the last two years, we hardly have had any customers. There were 50 banana traders in this market. But now there are only 30. If this trend continues, banana traders are staring at a serious crisis," said Senthil Kumar, a trader at KR Market. The Horticulture Department acknowledged the price crash but officials said this was only seasonal. "There is a glut in supply as produce is coming even from neighbouring states where prices have also fallen," said K Dundi, Additional Director (Fruits), Horticulture Department. "As there are no festivals or functions during this season, the consumption has reduced. On top of that, people are also scared that eating bananas can give them a cold (which is a cause of concern due to Covid-19)." Dr B N Srinivasa Murthy, Director, Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR), Hesaraghatta, had a similar explanation. "While demand shoots up during summer and post-monsoon, it drops considerably during winter due to intense cold conditions. Moreover, there are hardly any religious events or festivities in winter," he said. Watch latest videos by DH here: Dozens of French lawmakers have reported receiving death threats from suspected anti-vaccination protesters, as parliament starts to debate legislation that would require people to show proof of vaccination to go to a restaurant or cinema or take the train. The new law, which would do away with the option to show a negative test instead of having the jabs, has the backing of most parties and is almost certain to be passed by the lower house in a vote late on Monday or early on Tuesday. France has traditionally had more vaccine sceptics than many of its EU neighbours, but has one of the bloc's highest Covid-19 vaccination rates, with nearly 90 per cent of those aged 12 and over now fully vaccinated. The proposed tightening of the rules has nevertheless caused an upsurge of anger among anti-vaxxers, with some lawmakers saying they have been subject to aggression including vandalism of property and violent threats. Last week, the garage of a ruling party lawmaker was set on fire, with graffiti by suspected anti-vaccination protesters scrawled on an adjacent wall. "Our democracy is in danger," said centre-right lawmaker Agnes Firmin Le Bodo, who on Sunday posted on Twitter an email she received containing graphic threats to kill her over her support for the vaccination pass. Firmin Le Bodo, who is also a pharmacist and vaccinates people against Covid-19, said she would not back down on her support for vaccination or for the vaccine pass. But she told BFM TV on Monday that the threats did make her wonder whether to run for a second term as a lawmaker in June. "These are extremely violent words," she said. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said last week that police would strengthen protections for lawmakers after other members of parliament, including Barbara Bessot Ballot, of ruling party La Republique en Marche, also went public with death threats. Bessot Ballot said a total of 52 lawmakers had received messages threatening to kill them for "attacking our freedom", adding on Twitter: "Those death threats are unacceptable." "Our battle is against Covid, and not against liberties," she said. France has for months asked people to show either proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test to go to a wide array of public venues. But amid a huge surge in infections with the Delta and Omicron variants, and with most people vaccinated, the government has decided to do away with the negative test option. It aims for the vaccine pass to enter into force in mid-January, once it has been approved by both houses of parliament. Protesters are due to gather in front of parliament at 5 p.m. on Monday, as the debate takes place inside. France saw large crowds rally to protest against the health pass when it was first introduced over the summer, but the numbers of those attending weekend rallies has dwindled as acceptance of the vaccine has risen. Check out latest DH videos here China's Chongqing has over 70,000 5G base stations in operation Xinhua) 15:08, January 03, 2022 CHONGQING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The number of 5G base stations in operation in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality had exceeded 70,000 by the end of 2021, said the municipal economic and information commission. The municipality has been promoting 5G and other new infrastructure construction in recent years while facilitating the integration between 5G and various industries such as manufacturing and logistics. It has launched 20 demonstration projects featuring "5G plus industrial internet," which are applied in remote control, intelligent logistics and other scenarios. Chongqing plans to build a total of 150,000 5G base stations by 2025, promoting the in-depth application of 5G technology in the fields of industry, logistics and energy. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji) This Nov. 30, 2021 file photo shows Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. AP-Yonhap Hong Kong's CitizenNews announced late Sunday that it will shut down to "ensure the safety of everyone", three days after the city's national security police raided another independent online news outlet over allegations of sedition. CitizenNews, a crowd-funded non-partisan platform founded in 2017 by a group of veteran journalists, is one of the most popular online news outlets in Hong Kong, with more than 800,000 followers across its social media platforms. Over the past year, it had absorbed journalists from other outlets as authorities tightened their control over Hong Kong's local press. Mainstream media organizations like Radio Television Hong Kong were taken over by pro-government leaders, while the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper was charged as a national security threat and forced to shut down. Late Sunday, CitizenNews announced "with a heavy heart" that it would cease operations on Tuesday and its website would shut down "later". "Sadly, we can no longer strive to turn our beliefs into reality without fear because of the sea change in the society over the past two years and the deteriorating media environment," it said in a statement. "In the face of a crisis, we must ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who are on board," it added. Four of CitizenNews' co-founders are former presidents of the Hong Kong Journalists' Association. The 53-year-old association is one of the last professional groups that remains standing after more than 50 civil society organizations disbanded over the past year under political pressure and arrests. Editor of Stand News Patrick Lam, center, is escorted by police officers into a van after they searched evidence at his office in Hong Kong, Dec. 29, 2021. AP-Yonhap Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Monday that his country was ready to host the 19th SAARC Summit and India can join it virtually if the leadership in New Delhi is not willing to visit Islamabad. Addressing a press conference to highlight the achievements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2021, Qureshi accused India of making SAARC dysfunctional through its stubbornness by refusing to come to Islamabad for the Summit meeting. "I reiterate the invitation for the 19th SAARC summit. If India is not ready to come to Islamabad, it can join virtually but it should not stop others from attending the moot, he said. SAARC - a regional grouping comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - has not been very effective since 2016 and its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu in 2014. Also read: Pakistan PM Imran Khan says corruption, sex crimes main evils confronting Muslim world The 2016 SAARC Summit was originally planned to be held in Islamabad on November 15-19, 2016. But after a terror attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances". The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet. Noting that there was no change in relations with India in 2021, Qureshi cited the alleged dominance of Hindutva thinking in India for sabotaging the prospects of good ties between the two countries. Unfortunately, ties with India in 2021 were frozen. In our view, the potential of regional cooperation has been hit by aggressive Hindutva behaviour in recent years," he said. He said Pakistan wanted peaceful ties with all its neighbours, including India, but the responsibility for improving the relations was on India. Qureshi said peace with India was not possible without resolving the Kashmir issue. The bilateral relations deteriorated after India withdrew the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two union territories in August, 2019. India has told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. Qureshi dwelt at length on Pakistans ties with the rest of the world and concluded by saying that political, economic and diplomatic relations improved last year with the entire world, including the US, Russia and China. Qureshi specially mentioned that the ties with Bangladesh were improving and Prime Minister Imran Khan has interacted with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina. He said Khan invited Hasina to visit Pakistan who also invited him to visit Bangladesh. To a question on the reported Cold War between China and the United States, he said Pakistans policy was clear and Islamabad will not become a part of any camp. Responding to another question on removal of fencing by the Taliban forces on the border, he said Pakistan carried out the fencing work and was aware of the latest incidents (of its removal) while adding that Afghanistan is our friend and we will be able to resolve it. Qureshis remarks on the SAARC Summit came after Pakistan Prime Minister Khan last month expressed hope that his country would host the much-delayed meeting when the "artificial obstacle" created in its way is removed. Khan made the remarks during his meeting with Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, who paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister here. Check out latest videos from DH: Disconsolate passengers stuck on a cruise ship moored in Lisbon's port for five days due to a Covid-19 outbreak began disembarking early on Monday, focused on clearing the final hurdle of a negative test before boarding homebound flights. The AIDAnova, carrying 2,844 passengers and 1,353 crew, had docked in Portugal's capital on Wednesday. The ship was en route to the island of Madeira for New Year's Eve celebrations, but its German operator decided to cut the cruise short after Covid-19 was detected among what it said was a fully vaccinated crew, 52 of whom tested positive between Wednesday and Friday. By Monday 68 positive cases, including a handful among the passengers, had been detected, port captain Diogo Vieira Branco told the Lusa news agency. CORONAVIRUS UPDATES ONLY ON DH Passengers who had tested negative in the past 48 hours started to disembark before dawn and were being transported by bus to the city's airport in an operation expected to last most of the day. "We're living in this situation and it can always happen. Of course, it's not nice, we imagined something else," one calm but disappointed passenger said as he disembarked. "We all want this to end. We're going home," added another. The company, AIDA Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corp, did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. Check out latest coronavirus-related videos from DH: The Centre on Monday asked the Supreme Court to advance hearing in the matter related to the validity of EWS quota in Post Graduate courses in medical colleges from January 6, in view of urgency. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the matter before a bench presided over by Justice D Y Chandrachud, who said he would consult with the Chief Justice of India for constitution of the bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath to take up the case. Senior advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for a party, sought permission to file a response to the affidavit furnished by the Centre. Read more: NEET admissions: Centre to persist with Rs 8-lakh income criteria for EWS qualification The delay in admission to Post Graduate medical courses has led medicos to resort to protests and agitation here. In its affidavit, the Centre has told the court that it has decided to accept the recommendation of a three-member panel to retain the current gross annual family income limit of Rs 8 lakh or less for Economically Weaker Section (EWS). In an affidavit filed in a matter related to admissions for NEET-PG, the Centre said the panel has recommended that only those families whose annual income is up to Rs eight lakh would be eligible to get the benefit of EWS reservation. On November 30, the government had constituted the member committee, comprising Ajay Bhushan Pandey, former finance secretary, V K Malhotra, member secretary, ICSSR and Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Adviser to Centre, after the assurance given to the top court, which had earlier stayed the admission process. In its report submitted on December 31 to the Centre said, the panel said, The current gross annual family income limit for EWS of Rs 8 lakh or less may be retained. In other words only those families whose annual income is up to Rs eight lakh would be eligible to get the benefit of EWS reservation. On October 25, the court had directed the Centre to put on hold counselling for NEET-PG until it decided the validity of OBC and EWS reservation in the All India Quota (AIQ). A group of petitioners led by Neil Aurelio Nunes challenged the Centre's notification of July 29 to implement OBC and EWS reservation in NEET-All India Quota from the current academic session in PG courses. Watch the latest DH videos: China is building a new bridge linking the northern and the southern banks of Pangong Tso closer to its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) or the de facto boundary with India in eastern Ladakh. Though the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is building the bridge on its side of the LAC, it is apparently intended to pre-empt any future move by the Indian Army to gain an edge and has caused unease in the security establishment in New Delhi. The Indian Army had carried out an overnight operation on August 29 and 30, 2020, occupying several dominating heights on the southern bank of Pangong Tso overlooking key positions of the PLA. The PLA had earlier built bunkers and observation posts and deployed additional troops near Finger 4 on the northern bank thus denying access to the Indian Army to its earlier patrolling limit at Finger 8, which also marked the LAC as perceived by New Delhi. But the Indian Armys August 29-30, 2020 move on the southern bank of Pangong Tso had given it a strategic advantage over the Chinese Army and later helped it in negotiating a deal for mutual withdrawal of troops by the two sides from the both banks of the lake. A source in New Delhi said that Chinas recent move to build the bridge over Pangong Tso was apparently aimed at enabling the PLA to respond quickly to any move by the Indian Army to gain an edge on the southern bank of the lake. Chinas national flag rise over Galwan Valley on the New Year Day of 2022. This national flag is very special since it once flew over Tiananmen Square in Beijing. pic.twitter.com/fBzN0I4mCi Shen Shiwei (@shen_shiwei) January 1, 2022 The northern and the southern banks of Pangong Tso were among the scenes of the stand-off between the Indian Army and the PLA since April-May 2020. The protracted negotiations between the two sides however resulted in mutual withdrawal of frontline troops from both banks of the lake in February 2021. This was followed by mutual withdrawal of troops from another face-off point known as Gogra Post in August 2021. The stand-off in other places along the LAC in eastern Ladakh is still continuing though, with Indian Army deploying over 50,000 troops to counter any aggressive and unilateral move by the PLA to amass a large number of soldiers in order to change the status quo and push LAC westward. The soldiers of the Indian Army exchanged sweets and greetings with the PLA personnel on the New Year's Day on Saturday, not only on the designated Chushul-Moldo meeting point on the LAC, but also at some other locations, where the two sides could not yet resolve the stand-off. Beijing, however, also sent out a message to New Delhi on the first day of 2022 by releasing a video showing PLA personnel unfurling the national flag of the country in Galwan Valley near the China-India LAC in eastern Ladakh. The spot where the flag was unfurled was apparently on Chinas side of the LAC, but not very far from the scene where the PLA had a violent fact-off with the soldiers of India on June 15, 2020. The Indian Army had lost 20 soldiers in the clash and the Chinese PLA had acknowledged the death of four of its personnel. Watch latest videos by DH here: Restrictions returned to Kolkata and the rest of West Bengal on Monday, with the city mayor announcing containment zones, around 25 premises (subject to revision). New cases recorded in the state stood at 6,078, with 2,801 cases in Kolkata alone. A day earlier, the tally stood at 6,153 and 3,194 respectively. Sources claimed that around 100 doctors at three Kolkata hospitals have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours. Till late evening, no official confirmation on the exact number of infections was available from senior health officials. Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim, on Monday, said around 25 premises have been identified as containment zones -- slums, flats, complex, hostels -- figure on this list. Two hostels from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, also figure on the list. Also read: West Bengal govt modifies order to extend train services till 10 pm as people jostle to board coaches Unlike entire localities, earlier, this time the corporation is earmarking specific spots as zones, and such places are being continuously monitored. The citys shopping areas are to be sanitised, and miking will be carried out. Three safe homes will be in place in the city; sellers and street vendors in the bazaars will not be permitted to do business unless they wear masks. The state government in order, issued on Sunday, had directed that all schools will remain closed. Sixteen schools in Kolkata, besides health centres and medical colleges, are venues for vaccination for children in the age group 15-18 years. Vaccination was carried out for the youngsters on Monday. Also read: Covid-19 curbs take a back seat in crowded trains of West Bengal The government had ordered that local trains will operate till 7 pm, at 50 per cent capacity. Instead, hundreds of passengers were seen thronging stations towards the evening. In a modification, the state government extended the timings till 10 pm. The state government order had also specified 50 per cent attendance for public and private offices. Swimming pools, spas, gyms, beauty parlours, salons and wellness centres are to stay closed. Shopping malls, parks, restaurants, cinema halls, have also been restricted, with the number of people who can gather for different purposes has been specified. A restriction has once again been imposed on the movement of people, vehicles, and public gatherings between 10 pm and 5 am. This excluded essential and emergency services. Check out latest videos from DH: With a sharp rise in the Covid cases in Varanasi and neighbouring districts in the past few days, officials have contacted the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to restart its temporary Covid hospital in the city. Divisional Commissioner Deepak Agrawal said, "The Covid-19 situation is still under control and there is no need for panic. But, as the figures of Covid-19 cases have started increasing in Varanasi and surrounding districts, we have intensified the efforts for reviving all arrangements which had helped in tackling the second wave." He said, "The DRDO officials have also been contacted to operationalise the temporary Covid hospital with ICU facilities at the amphitheatre of Banaras Hindu University as a precautionary measure. The DRDO's team will be in the city by Tuesday." Read more: India sees 33,750 new Covid-19 cases: Highest in over 3 months The 500-bed DRDO temporary hospital -- which was named Pandit Rajan Mishra Covid Hospital -- was started for Covid patients at the amphitheatre ground in May 2021 to meet the increased demand of the requirement of the ICU beds as many critical Covid-19 patients needed level-2 and level-3 facilities. The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) specialists, doctors, nursing and other medical staff, had been moved from across the country on a war footing to run the hospital in coordination with BHU and the civil administration. This facility of DRDO was closed after June 16, 2021, after the requirement of level-3 facilities decreased. The commissioner further said, "The Covid-19 vaccine first dose coverage in Varanasi district is 95 per cent while the average of four districts in the division is 80 per cent. Now, focus is on mobilising people, who have taken first dose, to get their second dose also." Watch the latest DH videos: Ahead of the Assembly polls, the internal rift in Punjab Congress has widened with state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu attacking his own government and ministers, including Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. According to sources, party leaders in Delhi are unhappy with the state of affairs in Punjab and have asked the state leaders to put up a united front and refrain from speaking against each other. Sidhu has been critical of state Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who reportedly has offered to quit his portfolio, for not arresting SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a drug case. Read more: Women of Punjab will defeat conspiracies to weaken SAD: Harsimrat Kaur Badal The Congress leaders have been saying the government will take action against him but only an FIR has been lodged. Former Akali minister and brother-in-law of Sukhbir Badal, Bikram Singh Majithia was booked on December 21, under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. As per the FIR, Majihtia was booked for allowing drug smuggling through use of his property or conveyance, financing the distribution or sale of drugs and hatching a criminal conspiracy for smuggling. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi had said last month that his government won't allow any drug trafficker to go scot-free and that the law will take its own course in Majithia's case. Channi had reiterated his government's firm commitment to completely eradicate the menace of drugs. But a restless Sidhu has been demanding immediate action against Majithia and has accused the home minister of "complacency" adding to the troubles in the state unit. Though the Congress leadership in Delhi is trying to fix internal problems of the states going to polls but there seems to be no end to the toubles as after Punjab, problems erupted in Uttarakhand. Now Punjab, Goa, and Manipur units are also witnessing exodus of MLAs. Watch the latest DH videos: Samajwadi Party supremo on Monday claimed that Lord Krishna comes to his dreams every night to tell him that he would form the government and establish Ram Rajya in Uttar Pradesh after the state's upcoming assembly polls. Former UP chief minister Yadav made the claim, albeit in a lighter vein, during a function held for the induction of BJPs Bahraich MLA Madhuri Verma into his party. A Kurmi by caste, Verma is a second-time MLA. She was also a member of UP's Legislative Council from 2010 to 2012 Elated over the induction of sitting BJP MLA from the Nanpara assembly seat in Bahraich district, Yadav asserted that he is on his way to form government in Uttar Pradesh. "The way to Ram Rajya is through the path of Samajwad (socialism). The day 'Samajwad' is established, the Ram Rajya will be set up in the state, the SP president said. He went on to add, Lord Sri Krishna comes to my dreams every night to tell me that our government is coming up (in UP)." He also claimed that the Yogi Adityanath government has "failed" in the state. Alluding to a galaxy of BJP leaders doing the poll campaign in UP, Yadav referred to the infamous practice of some students guardians in some states, including UP and Bihar, descending on their examination centres to help their wards resort to unfair means. And then dubbing Adityanath as having failed as CM, Yadav likened the BJP leaders poll efforts to those of students guardians to help a "failed" Adityanath win the UP polls. Also read: Uttar Pradesh Polls: More Brahmin leaders, BJP MLA join SP Reacting to the BJP allegation of his party having several criminals and gangsters, Adityanath retorted, It is the allegation of a party which made a man facing several heinous criminal cases the UP chief minister. "I wonder if the BJP has bought a washing machine to cleanse all its criminals and mafia elements, he wryly said. There were many veteran leaders in the BJP who strengthened the party for years with their blood and sweat. Even they say at times that it was they who sweated it out for the party but don't know where did Adityanath come from and was forced upon them," Yadav said. On a question on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths statement that he would contest the upcoming assembly elections from wherever his party wants, Yadav said irrespective of where he fights from, he would face grilling from the people on his failed promises, including the doubling of farmers income. To a question on his own seat for contesting the assembly polls, Yadav said his party will take a call on this. Referring to China changing the names of some villages in Arunachal Pradesh, the SP chief quipped, "Our neighbouring country has learnt something from our chief minister. It has changed the names of our villages. The was a trend started by our chief minister but China too has learnt it from him." On senior IAS officer Durga Shankar Mishra being made the UPs new chief secretary, the SP chief said, "Our Baba Mukhyamantri was sleeping and suddenly his chief secretary was changed and he did not know. He himself says I sleep till 12 noon. On his poll promise of providing 300 units of electricity free to domestic consumers, if the SP is voted to power, Akhilesh Yadav said it is the BJP, which has got the maximum shock from his free power promise. He said the promise was made because the SP in its previous tenure from 2012 to 2017 had started several power projects which were never completed by the BJP government. If he is voted to power, he said, those projects will be completed and all the domestic consumers will get 300 units of electricity free of cost Watch latest videos by DH here: One of the longest surviving and most wanted militants of Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit and a Pakistani terrorist were killed in two separate gunfights with security forces on the outskirts of Srinagar city on Monday. A police spokesperson said that based on specific input regarding the presence of militants in the Harwan/Shalimar area of Srinagar, a search operation was launched. The search party was fired upon indiscriminately by hiding terrorist, which was effectively retaliated leading to a brief shootout and elimination of a dreaded terrorist Saleem Parray, linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT, he said. Soon after the first shootout, another operation was carried out by the police, CRPF and Army in Gasu, Zakoora on Srinagar outskirts, the police said. During the said operation, one foreign terrorist identified as Hafiz @ Hamza of Pakistan linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT was neutralised. Police said Saleem Parray was a categorised militant, active since 2016 and involved in several civilian killings. Besides, he was also involved in throat slitting of many civilians in the Hajin area. He was also involved in providing logistic support to the terrorists operating in the area to carry terror attacks. Parray had spread a reign of terror by abducting civilians and killing/torturing them in the name of informers. He was also involved in reviving the terror folds of proscribed terror outfit LeT in Hajan and its adjoining area, the police said and added last year he had figured in the most wanted list of militants in Kashmir. The second slain militant was identified as Hafiz alias Hamza, a Pakistani national who police said was involved in several militancy related crimes including the recent killing of two policemen in Bandipora on 10/12/21. After this terror crime, he shifted to Harwan area of Srinagar due to frequent cordon and search operations in Bandipora area. He was also involved in killing of a CRPF personnel at Hajin Bandipora and killing of a civilian in Soura area of Srinagar, police added. Check out latest DH videos here Almost three months after eight people were killed in violence during a farmers' protest at Lakhimpur Kheri district, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the killing filed a charge sheet on Monday in which union Minister of State Ajay Kumar Mishra's son Ashish was named the key accused. According to the police sources, the charge sheet that runs into 5,000 pages has named 17 persons, including Ashish. As many as 14 of them have been arrested and were currently lodged in jail. "Ashish Mishra has been made the key accused in the case," said a senior police official in Lakhimpur Kheri. Also Read | SIT arrests farmer for lynching BJP workers in Lakhimpur Kheri as 90-day probe period draws to a close Police sources said that the prosecution had also listed 208 witnesses who would be deposing in the court. Sources said that the SIT had stated that Ashish was present on the scene of violence. The SIT had earlier said that the violence was part of a 'pre-planned conspiracy' and that the accused persons had perpetrated the crime deliberately. It had approached the district court in Lakhimpur Kheri, where the matter was being heard, seeking to invoke stringent sections of the IPC in the case, including those of murder and criminal conspiracy. Saying the incident was not a case of rash driving, the SIT invoked sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons), 120B (Criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and some others in the case. Eight people, including four farmers and a local scribe, were killed in the violence at Tikonia in the district in October when hundreds of farmers held protests against Ajay Mishra over the latter's remarks threatening them of dire consequences if they continued to oppose the new farm laws. While both Ashish and his father Ajay Mishra had claimed that the former was not present in any of the vehicles, one of which ran over a crowd of farmers killing four of them, the farmers claimed that the minister's son was in one of the SUVs with a friend of his. The incident had triggered nationwide outrage and the Opposition parties had demanded sacking of Ajay Mishra from the union cabinet. The BJP government, however, rejected the demand for the sacking, apparently fearing a backlash from the Brahmin community in the forthcoming assembly polls in UP. Check out the latest DH videos here: A nurse prepares a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as part of a trial in Israel, at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Dec. 27, 2021. Reuters-Yonhap Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Sunday that Israel would offer a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to people over 60 and to medical staff as it faces a surge in Omicron variant infections. Israel last week approved a fourth dose of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, a second booster, for people who are immune-compromised and the elderly living in care homes. "We now have a new layer of defense," Bennett said in a televised news conference, adding that Israel's top government medical official, whose approval is needed to expand the booster campaign, had signed off on the latest move. "Israel will once again be pioneering the global vaccination effort," Bennett said. Earlier, the Health Ministry's Director-General Nachman Ash said Israel could reach herd immunity as Omicron infections mounted and Merck's molnupiravir anti-viral pill was approved for use in COVID-19 patients over 18. Herd immunity is the point at which a population is protected from a virus, either through vaccination or by people having developed antibodies by contracting the disease. The highly transmissible Omicron variant has caused a wave of coronavirus cases, with worldwide infections hitting a record high, with an average of just over one million cases detected each day between Dec. 24 and 30, Reuters data showed. Deaths, however, have not risen to the same degree, raising hopes that the new variant is less lethal, a view Bennett also echoed in describing the second booster as largely a bid to prevent serious illness among the elderly. Daily cases in Israel are expected to reach record highs in the coming three weeks. Bennett said that up to 50,000 people might soon be infected each day, while eligibility for testing could be tightened to help relieve long lines at testing stations. "The (infection) numbers will have to be very high in order to reach herd immunity," Ash told 103 FM Radio earlier. "This is possible but we don't want to reach it by means of infections, we want it to happen as a result of many people vaccinating." The head of the health ministry's coronavirus taskforce, Salman Zarka, said herd immunity was far from guaranteed, because experience over the past two years showed that some COVID-19 patients who recovered were later re-infected. Israel's health ministry says around 60 percent of its 9.4 million population are fully vaccinated, almost all with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which means they have either received three doses or have recently had their second. But hundreds of thousands of those eligible for a third inoculation have so far not taken it. Over the past 10 days, daily infections have more than quadrupled. Severe cases have also climbed, but at a far lower rate, rising from about 80 to around 100. (Reuters) As India launched a Covid-19 vaccination drive for the 15-18 age group on Monday, over 40 lakh children received their first dose with many of the beneficiaries and their parents saying they feel a sense of relief, especially in the backdrop of the fresh rise in cases. From setting up attractive selfie points to putting up imaginative posters and colourful balloons, the designated vaccination centres, mostly schools and educational institutes, were decked up to welcome the youngsters. The children, some dressed in school uniforms and others in casuals, were greeted with flowers and were gifted pens and eatables at some places after receiving the vaccine. Read | How India is vaccinating teenagers amid Omicron spread "Well done Young India! "Over 40 Lakhs between 15-18 age group received their first dose of #Covid19 vaccine on the 1st day of vaccination drive for children, till 8 PM. This is another feather in the cap of India's vaccination drive," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet. Over 51 lakh youngsters had registered on the Co-WIN portal till Monday 8.30 PM after the process started on January 1. An estimated 7.4 crore children are there in this age group. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has taken an important step forward in protecting its youth population against the disease. ''Congrats to all my young friends between the age group of 15-18 who got vaccinated. Congrats to their parents as well. I would urge more youngsters to get vaccinated in the coming days!'' he said on Twitter. Read | Govt dismisses reports of expired Covid jabs being used The vaccination campaign started on January 16 last year in a staggered manner, and many youngsters like Harmanjot Singh said they were keen to get the jab as soon as it was allowed for their age group. "I was waiting for the day to get my dose of the vaccine as the pandemic forced us to stay at our homes most of the time. We want to get back to regular school and other activities as soon as possible," said Singh, a student of class 11 at a private school in Jammu. With the drive starting mostly from schools, many principals and other officials said they received a positive response from students and their families. Whenever schools reopened in the midst of the pandemic, I was hesitant to send my son. It will be a relief now that he has received the vaccine, said Savita Devi, whose son was waiting to get the jab at a Delhi government school. Some students referred to restrictions on travelling and said they did not want to miss out on activities because they are not vaccinated. This was long-awaited. The third wave is already here and considering how aggressive the second wave was, we were all afraid, said Ritesh Ghosh, a 17-year-old student. Echoing similar sentiments, Reema Dutta, 15, said there is a sense of relief among people of her age group and they are looking forward to resuming their normal activities once vaccinated against the coronavirus. We can go outdoors while following Covid protocols once we have received the vaccination. The omicron is already scaring us, she said. But there were some like Diksha Patel, 17, from Raipur in Chhattisgarh who required some counselling from her family and friends to overcome hesitancy. "On Sunday, our class teacher posted a message on our WhatsApp group about coming to school and getting vaccinated. I was worried as many of my family members fell ill after taking the vaccine during the second wave in April and May last year," Patel, a class 9 student of JR Dani Government High School, said. "However, my mother and other family members spoke to me about the benefits of vaccination, especially in view of rising cases and a possible third wave," she told PTI. Reflecting the urgency in the country as it stares at a possible third Covid-19 wave, leaders on Monday called for taking up the drive on a war footing, while Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope suggested that those in the 12-15 age bracket should also be allowed to get inoculated. On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the inclusion of the 15 to 18 age group in the nationwide Covid immunisation programme from January 3. The vaccine option for this age group would only be Covaxin, according to guidelines issued by the Union health ministry on December 27. Meanwhile, the Centre on Monday dismissed reports alleging expired Covid-19 vaccines are being administered in India as "false and misleading". It clarified that the national regulator had approved the shelf life extension of Covishield and Covaxin in February and October, 2021 respectively. "There have been some media reports alleging that expired vaccines are being administered in India under its national Covid-19 vaccination programme. This is false and misleading and based on incomplete information," the health ministry said in a statement. India's Covid-19 tally rose to 3,49,22,882 with 33,750 fresh cases, while the active cases increased to 1,45,582, according to the data updated at 8 AM on Monday. "I did not have any fear of vaccination. I will encourage my other friends to come and get themselves vaccinated as soon as possible," said 17-year-old girl Poorvi Nakar in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. In Mumbai, a girl student was the first to receive the vaccine dose at a jumbo Covid-19 centre in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), where the drive was virtually launched by Maharashtra Tourism and Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray. Mumbai has witnessed a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases since the second half of last month. The city's civic body said vaccines will be given free of cost to children of all schools. In neighbouring Pune, the vaccination campaign for children commenced at 40 centres on Monday, the city civic body's chief immunisation officer Dr Suryakant Devkar said. "The beneficiary children were offered a rose, a pen and a mask after the vaccination," Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol said. Parents accompanied their children to the vaccination centres and the teenagers appeared happy and excited to take to jabs against the viral infection, he said. Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha launched the drive at a government school in Jammu. "In the coming week, the targeted population (8.33 lakh) will be vaccinated," he told reporters. As many as 822 vaccination sites have been set up across 20 districts for the vaccination of the children, officials said, appealing to the youngsters to come forward and get themselves vaccinated. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin urged people to diligently follow precautions as the country entered the next phase of vaccination. "I do not wish to cause trepidation. Experts say the Omicron variant, which has emerged as a new threat, is highly transmissible though its impact is less severe compared to previous Covid variants. So, face-mask and vaccine against Coronavirus would serve as a shield to protect us now," the chief minister said starting the drive. Tamil Nadu hopes to administer the jabs to about 33.46 lakh school children in a month's time Assam, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal, Puducherry, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh were among the states and Union territories that began the drive on Monday. We have to hold the vaccination drive on a war footing. Crisis management committees, MPs, MLAs, social workers, volunteers, religious leaders, all are requested to appeal to the children to get vaccinated, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. In Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the drive at a school in Koba area of the state capital Gandhinagar. The Gujarat health department has prepared around 3,500 centres across the state for the special vaccination campaign, and has said it will extend the daily timings of the drive from the current schedule of 9 AM to 6 PM. Starting the drive from Dimapur District Hospital, Nagaland Health Minister S Pangyu Phom appealed to the people to come forward and get inoculated. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said Pink boards have been put up at Children's Vaccination Centres to avoid confusion. Watch latest videos by DH here: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to decide upon a plea by a man from Kerala for the extradition of his daughter, along with his grandchild, lodged in Afghanistan's Pul-e-Charkhi jail after she had left India to join terrorist organisation ISIS. A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai said the Centre should decide the representation made by V J Sebastian Francis within eight weeks. The court allowed the petitioner to approach the High Court if he remained aggrieved with the decision taken by the Centre. The man feared that after exit of the US from Afghanistan, foreign terrorist fighters could be hanged. The plea filed by Francis said necessary action should be taken by authorities concerned to extradite his daughter Sonia Sebastian alias Ayisha and his granddaughter, who is seven-year-old. Also read: India is sending 10 lakh Covid-19 vaccine doses to Afghanistan "Internationally, a lenient approach has been taken against the women foreign terrorist fighters...owing to the stand taken by the countries that women only played ancillary roles and therefore could not pose any significant threat to national security," his plea stated. He claimed the issue was urgent in as many substantial changes, politically and administratively, had been undertaken in Afghanistan, after the exit of the US troops. The plea contended that the Centre was not facilitating extradition of the detenues which was illegal and unconstitutional. It also violated fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. A case under stringent anti-terror law UAPA was registered against Ayisha, after she left India and the Interpol had also issued a Red Corner notice against her in March 2017. The plea said after reaching Afghanistan, Ayishas husband was killed in the war. After his death, the woman and the child had to surrender to the Afghan forces on November 15, 2019, along with some other women, said the plea. The petitioner claimed that his daughter regretted her decision to join ISIS and she wanted to return to India and face a fair trial before a court. Ayisha had made this statement during an interview with Stratnews Global, which was uploaded as a documentary titled Khorasan Files: The journey of Indian Islamic State Widows on YouTube on March 15, 2020. Check out latest videos from DH: A special investigation team (SIT) probing the Lakhimpur Kheri violence made another arrest, of a farmer, in connection with the lynching of three BJP workers during the incident that took place on October 3, 2021. Lakhimpur Kheri police and senior prosecution officer (SPO) SP Yadav said that Gurpreet Singh, 22, had been absconding since the SIT released pictures of the suspects nearly two months ago. Seven farmers have been arrested so far in connection with the incident. The SIT had earlier arrested Vichitra Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Avtaar Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Kamaljeet Singh and Kawaljeet Singh in connection with the lynching of BJP workers. An FIR of murder and rioting was initially registered against 'unidentified farmers' based on a complaint from BJP worker Sumit Jaiswal, who is a co-accused along with Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni's son, Ashish Mishra in connection with the deaths of four farmers and a journalist during the violence. Also Read 2 more arrested for killing BJP workers, driver in Lakhimpur Kheri Jaiswal's complaint did not mention the deaths of the farmers or the journalist, who were allegedly mowed down by Ashish's convoy. The first FIR related to the violence was lodged by police on the basis of a complaint by farmers against Ashish Mishra and others. The SIT has arrested 13 people in that case and has termed the incident as "planned". In November 2021, the Supreme Court had reconstituted the SIT and added new members, IPS officers SB. Shiradkar, Preetinder Singh and Padmaja Chauhan, along with a retired judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court Rakesh Kumar Jain, to probe the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. The SIT is expected to file a charge sheet in both cases within two days as the 90-day deadline for the investigation will end Tuesday. Watch the latest DH Videos here: In an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy reiterated several of the pending demands, issues pertaining to the state. At the top of his list of demands was approval for the Polavaram project's revised cost estimate of Rs 55,657 crore at 2017-18 price level, which includes drinking water component of Rs 4,000 crore. Reddy also requested the PM to release the pending payments of Rs 2,100 crore already incurred by the state government for the national project. Stating that the total revenue deficit of AP for 2014-15 financial year was Rs 22,949 crore but the amount released to the state was only Rs 4,118 crore, the CM requested for the remaining Rs 18,831 crore to be released at the earliest. Also Read | Andhra Pradesh objects to national project status for Upper Bhadra Reddy said that the inadequate coverage under the National Food Security Act is leaving out a large number of needy persons in AP and requested the Prime Minister to direct the concerned officials for correction of state's data. The Chief Minister complained that Rs 6,284 crore receivable by Andhra Pradesh Generation Corporation Limited from the Telangana distribution utilities and Telangana DISCOMs is yet to be made and sought Modi's intervention in quick clearance of the dues. Reddy later met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Check out latest DH videos here Bar owners and workers of state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) on Monday laid siege to the official residence of Electricity and Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji, alleging irregularities in awarding of tenders to run bars attached to liquor shops. This is the first public protest against a minister after the DMK government assumed office in May. The protesters, who numbered around 1,000, converged outside Balajis residence on Monday morning demanding Chief Minister M K Stalins intervention in the issue. They alleged large-scale irregularities in awarding of tenders to run bars attached to TASMAC, which has a monopoly over liquor sales in the state. The bar owners, some of whom had been running bars for two decades, alleged that Balaji gave away the contracts to his favourites while ignoring the deserving ones. The protesters, who held placards that project Stalin in good light and Balaji as a spoiler in the golden rule, demanded greater transparency in awarding of TASMAC bars. However, Balaji, who addressed a press conference hours after the protest, refuted the allegations and asserted that there were no irregularities in awarding the tenders. Utmost transparency was followed while opening the tenders and announcing the winner. There is not even an iota of truth in the allegations. The tender awards went smooth and no one raised any objection during the process. To come out and level allegations now are nothing but politically motivated, Balaji said. He said a couple of new regulations were added to the tender document keeping in mind the Covid-19 spread. No one can say these tenders were given to my favourites. We followed due process. Can anyone say their tender documents were rejected? Can anyone say they were not allowed inside the hall where the process was on? he asked. Liquor shops in Tamil Nadu are run by TASMAC which is accused of fleecing its customers often. Watch latest videos by DH here: An IAS officer in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram sparked controversy on the first day of the New Year by touching the feet of a senior YSRCP minister and his wife. In a video in circulation on social media, Ch Kishore Kumar, joint collector in-charge of revenue can be seen handing over a flower bouquet to municipal administration and urban development minister Botcha Satyanarayana and his wife and bending to touch their feet. Kumar is a 2014 batch IAS officer, conferred the tag after several years of service in the state cadre. It was nothing like what is being projected. Even the minister issued a rejoinder, Kumar told DH when questioned about the purpose of his act. The incident however attracted sharp criticism from the public and politicians. TDP leaders alleged that the entire Vizianagaram district administration is at the beck and call of the minister. An IAS officer falling at the feet of a politician is disgraceful. Isn't it high time for the IAS officers association to condemn it? Why are they silent? Varla Ramaiah, a TDP politburo member questioned. However, this is not the first time such an episode took place, at least in the two Telugu states. In June last year, two IAS officers and district collectors Venkatrami Reddy of Siddipet and A Sarath of Kamareddy touched the feet of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao "for blessings", during the inauguration of new collectorate complexes in their respective districts. Reddy, a state public service officer conferred the IAS status in 2007, defended his action stating that Rao is a fatherly figure for him. The opposition Congress was unamused and complained to the President of India, the centre asserting the officers' act as disgraceful to their position and in violation of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. While the Congress leaders charged that no action was taken and that Siddipet collector was operating as a TRS loyalist, Reddy resigned from service within six months in November and was made an MLC the very next day by CM Rao. I have no intention of resigning from my job or becoming a legislator, Kumar said. Check out latest videos from DH: A Coimbatore-based businessman hosted a baby shower (Valaikappu) for his two Persian cats at a pet clinic in the R S Puram area of the city. Uma Maheswaran, the owner of the cats -- Kshira who reached 50th day of her pregnancy, and Irish, who is pregnant for 35 days -- decided to conduct the baby shower at the pet clinic with veterinary doctor Venugopal as the chief guest. Maheswaran told IANS, "In our culture, baby shower is conducted for pregnant women praying for the health of the mother and the child, followed by a feast involving family members and friends. We have done the same for our pet cats, Kshira and Irish, hoping for the good health of the cats and the kittens." He also said that the family gives quality food to the cats like chicken, tuna, milk, and dry foods. Watch latest videos by DH here: The Supreme Court on Monday suspended the bail granted to an accused in a case of lynching a police officer in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district in the name of cow slaughter. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M M Sundresh said the matter is quite serious where under the pretext of the cow slaughter, a police officer has been lynched. "Prima facie, it is a case of people taking law into their own hand," the court said. After hearing senior advocate Sanjay R Hegde, appearing for Rajni Singh, wife of deceased inspector Subodh Kumar, the court directed Yogeshraj, a Bajrang Dal leader, to surrender within seven days. The court stayed the bail order in the case, arising out of order of September 25, 2019 by the Allahabad High Court. The top court also sought a report from the trial court at Bulandshahr as to how much time it would take to frame charges against the accused in the matter. It also expressed surprise that charges have yet not been framed in the case. The court posted the matter for consideration after three weeks. The police officer was shot dead when a mob went on a rampage over allegations of cow slaughter on December 3, 2018. He was also the investigating officer in lynching case of Mohammad Akhlaq in September, 2015 of Dadri, near the national capital. Watch latest videos by DH here: Over 2,000 passengers of a Mumbai-Goa cruise liner were stuck on the vessel on Sunday after authorities in Goa denied them permission to disembark following a Covid-19 positive test of a crew member. All passengers aboard the Cordelia Cruises Express were tested for the virus on Sunday night with some testing positive for the fatal disease, The Times of India reported. "After testing passengers for Covid-19, some tested positive.. We have not allowed them to dock the ship. They have a tie-up with a private hospital for Covid testing, and we have told them to test all passengers before they leave the ship," Vishwajit Rane, Goa health minister told the publication. Also Read: Post festive season, Goa's Covid positivity rate touches 10.7% on Sunday The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and health officials, however, said that apart from a crew member, none of the passengers tested positive, in rapid antigen tests. RT-PCR tests began at 9:30 pm and went on till 11:30 pm. Around 500 samples were collected, pathologist Dr Eugene DSouza told the publication. We have allowed the ship to berth, but everyone will be tested before they disembark. All the passengers are double-vaccinated. The ship doctor had tested a crew member who had a fever for a day. The vessel was kept outside the port limits while the authorities were informed, an MPT official told TOI. Cordelia cruises were in the limelight last year after the NCB raided a cruise party and found drugs and several high-profile links to the drug supply ring. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan, was also detained and later granted bail in this case. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Magnolia, AR (71754) Today Generally cloudy. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early. Thunderstorms developing late. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. The Mumbai Police detained one person from Bengaluru in the sensational Bulli Bai case. The 21-year-old suspect is being brought to Mumbai by the Cyber Cell. The exact identity of the suspect and the locality from where he was picked up have not been confirmed. Maharashtras Minister of State for Home and Information Technology Satej Patil confirmed the development, however, he refused to go into the details. The Mumbai Police has got a breakthrough.Though we cannot disclose the details at this moment as it may hamper the ongoing investigation, I would like to assure all the victims that we are proactively chasing the culprits and they will face the law very soon, Patel said on Monday night. Also Read: Explained | Months after 'Sulli Deals', 'Bulli Bai' sparks outrage as women demand action Patil had ordered strictest action against the people involved in it. After Patils directive, Maharashtra Cyber Police and Mumbai Cyber Cell filed FIR against unknown persons as doctored photographs of Muslim women were uploaded for "auction" on 'Bulli Bai' application hosted by GitHub platform. Meanwhile, Patil raised questions on the central government, asking Union Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav as to why there was no action against the handles involved in 'Sulli Deals' case in June 2021. An app with the name of Bulli Bai was made on January 1, 2022 to outrage the modesty of Muslim women by announcing that they were being auctioned'. A noted journalist from the community was harassed as her picture was posted on the social media under the concerned hashtag, saying "among hundreds of other women". The act invoked anger among the social media users who requested Mumbai police and Maharashtra government to take action against the miscreants. Check out latest videos from DH: As the state stands on the threshold of a 'third wave' of Covid-19, lakhs of school and junior college children in the 15-18 age group enthusiastically thronged vaccination centres to get their jabs in Mumbai, as well as the rest of Maharashtra, officials said on Monday. As per the Centre's policy, the government launched the inoculation drive for the 15-18 age groups and over 8,00,000 have already registered for their dose in the past few days. Since dawn, the children, many sporting their school uniforms, lugging school bags, clutching their ID cards and other necessary documents, made a beeline to the vaccination centres in cities, towns and villages. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray exhorted children to get their vaccine doses, while at many centres, VIPs welcomed the kids. Health Minister Rajesh Tope greeted the youngsters in Jalna, while Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray and Mayor Kishori Pednekar did likewise in Mumbai; many other ministers, parliamentarians and legislators also took to welcoming the adolescents in different areas. Follow live updates on DH A few big schools in the urban centres have decided to arrange the vaccination drive on their campuses to ensure all the children in the 15-18 age group are covered. At several centres, excited and giggling young boys and girls arrived either with their families or neighbours or friends, eagerly awaiting the experience of a Covid-19 vaccine dose, and they urged their reluctant pals or classmates to join them. "There is apprehension among us as the Covid-19 and Omicron cases have suddenly increased... We all have taken our parents and teachers' advice to register and take the precautionary jab when called," said Manthan Joshi, an SSC student of Gokhale High School in Borivali. In Mumbai, the doses are being administered at the nine 'Jumbo' vaccination centres across the city and suburbs. They are the Richardson & Cruddas, Byculla and Mulund, Somaiya Grounds, Sion, NSCI Dome, Crompton & Greaves, Kanjurmarg, Worli, NESCO Centre Goregaon, Malad Centre, Malad, and Dahisar Centre, Dahisar. Watch the latest DH Videos here: The article in The New York Times titled 'Arrests, Beatings, and Secret Prayers: Inside the Persecution of Indias Christians' on December 22 is unfortunate and misleading. It is a fact that India is one of the earliest civilisations. Today, we are also proud to be the largest democracy. Freedom of speech, religion, association and more are celebrated tenets of life in India. Close to 80 per cent of the country is Hindu. Roughly 15 per cent are Muslim and 2.3 per cent are Christians. The percentage of Christians has remained steady since Independence, hence their absolute number has grown, along with the increase in Indias overall population. In the spirit of not taking a defensive or political tone in response to the article, and being respectful of everyones time, let me just illustrate three misleading claims from the article: 1 Anti-Christian vigilantes are sweeping through villages, storming churches, burning Christian literature, attacking schools and assaulting worshippers. 2 In 2014, all that changed... Anti-Christian hate crimes have doubled since 2014. 3 A few years ago, after Catholic churches in New Delhi, the capital had been vandalised, Christian leaders pleaded with Modi for help. He was disinterested; mocking them and never addressing the attacks, according to three clergymen who attended an important meeting at the Prime Ministers residence in December 2014he acted like a don. The above passages give the impression that a concentration camp-like, ghettoised persecution of Christians is rampant. This is so far from the truth, that frankly, we are confused and at a loss on how to fittingly respond, except present facts. Christians run the largest number of schools, colleges, orphanages, old age homes and homes for the destitute in this country. Christianity is a powerhouse in India due to these institutions, even though they make up only 2.3 per cent of the population. These institutions have made an immense contribution to the country. If there is one overarching agenda the current government has propagated, it is the welfare and development of the poor, and for Christians, it is natural to align strongly with these goals. Yes, there have been stray incidents. We cannot be blind to these incidents. Those who perpetuate them must be brought to justice. Regarding the third claim, I was in the delegation of Christian leaders who met the PM on Christmas Day in 2014, a few months after he formed the government. I was there because, as a matter of fact, I organised the meeting. He was extremely cordial, cut a Christmas cake which was shared by everyone in the large delegation. It is a fact that we raised the issue of attack on churches that happened in Delhi prior to the elections in 2014. Eleven churches were attacked under the cover of darkness a few weeks before the elections. I visited all 11 churches. It was widely misreported in the national and global media that BJP elements were behind the attack and this would be the fate of all Christian institutions in this country if Modi came to power. The PM was categorical and emphatic when we raised the issue: he said that the criminals will be brought to justice, irrespective of religious or political affiliations. Investigations revealed that the BJP had nothing to do with the vandalism of any of these churches, that most of the accused belonged to an upstart political party, trying to establish a base in Delhi by laterally positioning themselves as anti-BJP and stoke fears of the BJP. I do not want to name the party behind the attacks. Religious tolerance is a deeply democratic belief that we take seriously. Stern action Even a single incident of an attack on a minority group is an attack on us all and unacceptable. The PM did not mince words when he called these extremists criminals, and that they would be treated as such. He said that they were an insult to the country and their religion. He instructed the state governments to take stern action. Any such incident is taken very seriously. The basic tenet of Indian civilisation, which predates most western philosophies, is the belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that humanity is one. The slogan for Modis election campaign in 2014 was Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas, which means with everybody, for everybodys development. Addressing Christian leaders in Delhi on February 16,, 2015, Modi said, My government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith. Everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence.My government will not allow any religious group, belonging to the majority or the minority, to incite hatred against others, overtly or covertly. Mine will be a government that gives equal respect to all religions. We cannot accept violence against any religion on any pretext and I strongly condemn such violence. My government will act strongly in this regard. Following the 2014 meeting, I have taken the Cardinals of India to the PM at least three other times; every time he reiterated his commitment to ensuring that Christians were protected in this country. India is a true democracy and therefore everyone has the freedom to accuse the PM or its governing party in any way they feel. However, we take any allegations that violate our democratic systems and beliefs extremely seriously and we thank the NYT for expressing their side of the story. We regret that the story positions India as rife with extremism, when these are isolated incidents, and not a pattern, as they suggest, within a richly diverse country of 1.4 billion people. We also regret that the story is perhaps incurably political, for instance, stating that Madhya Pradesh passed an anti-conversion law in 2021 when a little bit of research would have easily shown that the original bill was introduced and passed in 1968, when Congress, the opposition party was in power. But, again, we do not want to turn this into a political issue, as these are human rights concerns. We only wish to reiterate our everlasting commitment to preserving the rich religious diversity of our beloved land. (The writer is a former member of IAS and current MP. He was Minister of State (Independent charge) for Tourism during 2017-19) Watch latest videos by DH here: Piyush Goyal, Smriti Irani, Dr S Jaishankar, Jyotiraditya Scindia are all Union ministers who've studied in Christian institutions. Yet, not one of them has felt disturbed enough to express concern over the ongoing attacks on Christians in states ruled by their party. When Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were burnt alive by Bajrang Dal leader Dara Singh in Odisha on January 23, 1999, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee not only condemned the "ghastly attack" but also fasted on Martyrs' Day to call for communal harmony. "Our heads have bowed in shame," wrote party stalwart Madan Lal Khurana to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Kushabhau Thakre, condemning the "pseudo-Hindutva" prevailing in the BJP. For that, the ex-chief minister of Delhi had to resign. Also Read 'Love Jihad' law: Tyranny by procedure In 2008, as Christian Dalits in Odisha's Kandhamal were hunted down by Bajrang Dal-led mobs after VHP leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati was killed by Maoists, BJP president LK Advani, the original Hindutva hardliner, assured religious heads of different faiths that he was secular, for he had studied in a missionary school. Today, as Sangh Parivar members regularly attack defenceless pastors in his state, Bengaluru MP Tejasvi Surya, another missionary school product, demands that Christians be "brought back" into the Hindu fold. That's implicit support to the attackers, for conversions of Hindus to Christianity is their justification for violence. The bogey of conversions has fuelled violence against Christians through the past two decades, even as the percentage of Christians in the country has been declining. The myth that all conversions are either forced or fraudulent was well and truly busted after the Kandhamal attacks. The Bajrang Dal, taking over the role of the administration, allowed the thousands of displaced Christians to return home only if they agreed to convert to Hinduism, in a clear case of forced conversion. Most refused, preferring to run from one refugee camp to another for years rather than give up their faith. Among those who did convert, many women later confessed that during the conversion ceremony, they were silently taking the name of Christ. Yet, not only does the myth persist, it has now taken such hold that even gatherings of Christians praying or celebrating Xmas indoors have been attacked at conversion meets. This is reminiscent of the phobia against Friday namaz. Why does the sight of minorities praying en masse frighten Hindutvawadis? Also Read Cops, MLAs colluded with vigilantes for hate crimes against Christians in Karnataka: Report In the same way, the universal popularity of Xmas threatens them. This time, the attack on Christians is not only physical but also ideological. WhatsApp groups run by BJP supporters have been rife with messages asking for a boycott of Xmas, arguing that celebrating it takes Hindus away from their culture. Parents and teachers have been urged to desist from dressing up children in Santa costumes; "take them to sants, not Santa," goes one plea. One bizarre post trivialises Christ's suffering on the cross by comparing it with Kaurava patriarch Bhishma Pitamah lying on a bed of arrows during the Mahabharat war. What is the counter to these attacks? A recent viral video showed Christian women in Karnataka telling off the goons who'd disrupted their prayer. This kind of courage and defiance against bullies could be the only rejoinder, for the police have been either complicit or apathetic, and BJP ministers have either denied the attacks or defended them. Shocking as this is, let's not forget that the situation was the same during the Kandhamal violence. A nun, raped and paraded half-naked, ran to the cops for help; they did nothing. Naveen Patnaik was the CM then, ruling in alliance with the BJP. He blamed the party for the violence a full six months later, only after the alliance broke. Also Read A sinister Christmas carol The silence came all the way from the top. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Kandhamal "a national shame" only after Christian leaders met him; it took a rebuke by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to push the then PM to pull up the Odisha government. By then, the violence had gone on for over a month. In the struggle for justice that followed, the only parties that helped human rights and Christian groups were the Left parties. Yet today, the same Naveen Patnaik allows the CM's Fund to be used to help the Missionaries of Charity under siege by the Centre. In Mumbai, BJP MLA Ashish Shelar puts up `Merry Xmas' banners across the Christian localities of his constituency. Bigotry and secularism have always been subject to politics in India. But for Christians under attack by Hindutvawadis and the State, that knowledge is cold comfort. What they need is protection, both physical and legal. Neither is in sight. (The writer is a journalist) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. Watch the latest DH Videos here: By Ruth Pollard The pandemic has already given the future a distinctly dystopian look. And then theres this: the burgeoning of the second drone age. Thats how experts are describing the international drone market which ranges from tiny startups selling $1,000-to-$2,000 off-the-shelf technology that can be easily weaponized by terrorist groups like the Taliban, to high-tech unmanned vehicles that can carry laser-guided munitions and Hellfire missiles. Its an even more highly autonomised proliferation of the first age of drones, which has been dominated by the US since its first attack using a remotely piloted craft in 2001. Now, its an ungoverned, unregulated space with billions of dollars to be made and thousands of lives at stake. The deadly shortcomings of this high-tech violence were placed squarely in the public eye with the US drone strike in Kabul on August 29 that targeted terrorists but instead killed 10 Afghan civilians, including seven children. It was a failure of military intelligence and, like so many other civilian fatalities of the US air wars, including those featured in a New York Times investigation published in December, there was no finding of wrongdoing against those involved. Read more: NASAs retiring top scientist says 'we can terraform Mars and maybe, Venus too' The transformation of defense operations has been far-reaching: 102 countries now run active military drone programs. Its replaced thousands of troops on the ground with controllers behind computers located in bases far away from the air strikes they are launching. In the US, fewer troop deaths mean less pressure at the ballot box and less congressional oversight. It allows leaders of many countries and the proxies that support them to get away with what amounts to murder, often of their own citizens, as weve seen in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen. All of this is happening without any overarching regulatory regime to protect civilian populations and uphold humanitarian laws, or to examine the operational and tactical ramifications of this remote-control warfare. Thats what worries experts like Paul Lushenko, a US Army lieutenant colonel and a Ph.D scholar at Cornell University. Drones are not just a form of war but a tool of unregulated intra-state political violence, Lushenko told me, representing a dystopian view of whats developing right now. Lushenko, who co-edited the newly released Drones and Global Order: Implications of Remote Warfare for International Society with Srinjoy Bose, a senior lecturer in international relations at the University of New South Wales, and William Maley, an emeritus professor at the Australian National University, is just one of many advocating for better regulation and more public scrutiny of drone operations. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August provides an ideal moment for that post-mortem, he notes. There has been some attempt at oversight. The Missile Technology Control Regime, an informal political understanding among 35 members, seeks to limit the proliferation of and trade in missiles and missile technology which arguably covers attack drones. But theres no enforcement mechanism, Lushenko says. Its certainly not equipped to regulate armed and networked drones, which can take as many as 200 people to operate, including those controlling them from the US, as well as launching them from bases abroad. Drones are a gateway technology, Agnes Callamard noted in June as she marked the end of her five years as the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. Theyve opened the door to weaponized artificial intelligence, algorithmic and robotic warfare, and loosened human control over the deployment of lethal force. Todays armed drones, she wrote, are tomorrows killer robots. She says the absence of a control mechanism for a new generation of weapons of mass destruction represents a significant threat. Callamard, now the secretary general of Amnesty International, has called for a specific Drone Technology Control Regime and says nations should establish a multilateral process to develop standards for the design, export, and use of drones as well as stricter controls on the transfer of military technologies. Sales agreements, she says, should include civilian protection and adherence to international human rights and humanitarian law. Read more: 2022 aims to see words turn into climate action, accelerate energy transition This gaping hole in international oversight has allowed major powers like the US to flout global norms (like the US drone strike that killed the commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds force, Qassem Soleimani, in Iraq in January 2020). Large-scale manufacturers now negotiate sales directly with prospective buyers who have clear military and security uses in mind. Its seen Turkey emerge as a drone superpower in the sector, which market intelligence firm BIS Research estimated was worth $28.5 billion in 2021. The US has already expressed its concerns over Turkeys sale of weaponized drones to Ethiopia, where the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali is suspected of using them against rebel forces in the Tigray region in a civil war thats killed thousands of civilians and forced more than 2 million people to flee their homes. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region saw Azerbaijan emerge as the clear victor using Russian, Turkish, Israeli, and indigenous drones to overpower its neighbors less sophisticated military. All this illustrates the size of the logistical challenges facing the Biden administration and its plans for an over-the-horizon strategy in Afghanistan. The policy depends on other countries agreeing to house US bases to enable Washington to continue its counterterrorism efforts, including the use of armed drones. But without regulation and oversight, the only certainty here is that the technology will continue to advance everywhere. There will be more civilian casualties and no one will be held accountable. Watch the latest DH videos: Since joining NASA in 1980, Jim Green has seen it all. He has helped the space agency understand the Earths magnetic field, explore the outer solar system and search for life on Mars. As the new year arrived Saturday, he bade farewell to the agency. Over the past four decades, which includes 12 years as the director of NASAs planetary science division and the past three years as its chief scientist, he has shaped much of NASAs scientific inquiry, overseeing missions across the solar system and contributing to more than 100 scientific papers across a range of topics. While specialising in Earths magnetic field and plasma waves early in his career, he went on to diversify his research portfolio. Also Read 2022 is full of first steps to the moon One of Greens most recent significant proposals has been a scale for verifying the detection of alien life, called the confidence of life detection, or CoLD, scale. He has published work suggesting we could terraform Mars, or make it habitable for humans, using a giant magnetic shield to stop the sun from stripping the red planets atmosphere, raising the temperature on the surface. He has also long been a proponent of the exploration of other worlds, including a mission to Europa, the icy moon of Jupiter, that is scheduled to launch in 2024. Before a December meeting of the American Geophysical Union in New Orleans, Green spoke about some of this wide-ranging work and the search for life in the solar system. Below are edited excerpts from the interview. Youve urged a methodical approach to looking for life with your CoLD scale, ranking possible detections from one to seven. Why do we need such a scale? A: A couple of years ago, scientists came out and said theyd seen phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus. At the level they saw it, which was enormous, that led them to believe life was one of the major possibilities. On the CoLD scale, where seven is we found life, it is one. It didnt even make it to two. They recognised later there was contamination in their signal and it may not even be phosphine and we cant reproduce it. So we have to do a better job in communicating. We see methane all over the place on Mars. Ninety-five per cent of the methane we find here on Earth comes from life, but theres a few per cent that doesnt. Were only at a CoLD Level 3, but if a scientist came to me and said, Heres an instrument that will make it a CoLD Level 4, Id fund that mission in a minute. Theyre not jumping to seven, theyre making that next big step, the right step, to make progress to actually finding life in the solar system. Thats what weve got to do, stop screwing around with just crying wolf. The search for life on Mars has been a focus for NASA for so long, starting in 1976 with the Viking 1 and 2 landers and later with missions from the 1990s onward. Are you surprised we havent found life in that time? A: Yes and no. What were doing now is much more methodical, much more intelligent in the way we recognise what signatures life can produce over time. Our solar system is 4.5 billion years old, and at this time, Earth is covered in life. But if we go back a billion years, we would find that Venus was a blue planet. It had a significant ocean. It might actually have had life, and a lot of it. If we go back another billion years, Mars was a blue planet. We know now Mars lost its magnetic field, the water started evaporating and Mars basically went stagnant about 3.5 billion years ago. Also Read Hunting galaxies far far away heres how anyone can explore the universe We would like to have found life on the surface. We put the Viking landers in a horrible place because we didnt know where to put them we were just trying to put them down on the surface of Mars. It was like putting something down in the Gobi Desert. We should have put them down in Jezero Crater, in this river delta were at right now with the Perseverance rover, but we didnt even know it existed at the time! One of the Viking experiments indicated there was microbial life in the soils, but only one of the three instruments did, so we couldnt say we found life. Now well really, definitively know because were going to bring back samples. We didnt know it would need a sample return mission. Youve previously suggested it might be possible to terraform Mars by placing a giant magnetic shield between the planet and the sun, which would stop the sun from stripping its atmosphere, allowing the planet to trap more heat and warm its climate to make it habitable. Is that really doable? A: Yeah, its doable. Stop the stripping, and the pressure is going to increase. Mars is going to start terraforming itself. Thats what we want: the planet to participate in this anyway it can. When the pressure goes up, the temperature goes up. The first level of terraforming is at 60 millibars, a factor of 10 from where we are now. Thats called the Armstrong limit, where your blood doesnt boil if you walked out on the surface. If you didnt need a spacesuit, you could have much more flexibility and mobility. The higher temperature and pressure enable you to begin the process of growing plants in the soil. There are several scenarios on how to do the magnetic shield. Im trying to get a paper out Ive been working on for about two years. Its not going to be well received. The planetary community does not like the idea of terraforming anything. But you know. I think we can change Venus, too, with a physical shield that reflects light. We create a shield, and the whole temperature starts going down. In 2015, NASA approved the Europa Clipper mission to search for signs of life on Jupiters moon Europa, set for launch in 2024, following the detection of plumes erupting from its subsurface ocean in 2013. Did you want to see that mission happen sooner? A: Oh, yeah, I would love to have seen it earlier, but it wasnt going to happen. There are certain series of missions that are so big theyre called strategic missions. For them to actually happen, the stars have to align. You have to propose it, have solid casework, go to the NASA administration and then pitch it to Congress. Every year, I proposed a Europa mission. Every year. The administration was not interested in going to Europa. Also Read The James Webb Space Telescope has launched: Now comes the hard part The plumes on Europa are what made the Europa mission happen. I was at an American Geophysical Union meeting in 2013. Several of the scientists were going to give a talk on finding a plume with Hubble on Europa, and I go, Oh, my God. I said this is fantastic, I want to do a press conference. I call back to NASA headquarters, and they pulled it off. I took that information back with me to headquarters and added that into the story of Europa. That really turned the corner. They said, Wow, maybe we should do this. Congress decided against putting a lander on the mission. Did you want one? A: I would love a lander, but its not in the cards. It makes the mission too complicated, but everything we do on Clipper feeds forward to a lander. I insisted that we had a high-resolution imager to the point whereas we fly over certain areas, were going to get the information we need to go, Lets land right there, and safely. Europa has got some really hazardous terrains, so if we dont get the high-resolution imaging, well never be able to land. You want to take a step, but not a huge step. You fail when you do that. Viking is that example, where we took too big a step. We didnt know where to go, we didnt know enough about the soils or the toxins in the soils. We hadnt really gotten a good idea where water was on the planet in the past. There were 10 things we should have known before we put the two Vikings on the surface. Are you still going to work on scientific papers in your retirement? A: Oh, absolutely. Ive got the Mars paper to do. I have a Europa paper Im writing right now. I have an astrobiology book Im doing. I have an insatiable appetite for science. Watch the latest DH Videos here: More than 1.25 lakh children in the age group of 15 to 18 will be administered Covid-19 vaccines in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V said on Monday. The target is to vaccinate 1,01,549 adolescents in the district. However, there are a large number of students from outside the district pursuing their studies in the district. Hence, the district administration and health department have taken measures to inoculate more than 1.25 lakh children in the age group, he said during the vaccination programme organised for the children at Government PU College at Car Street in Mangaluru. The testing of samples for Covid-19 will be increased to 15,000 in the district. The testing will be carried out in college campuses, APMC premises, markets and other areas, he said and called upon the people to cooperate with the health officials. Also read: Covid-19 vaccination drives for 15-18 age group kicks off Traders should ensure all the consumers wear masks and possess vaccination certificates when they visit the shops. The severity of the Covid-19 is mild on those who have been inoculated. As a result, the dependence on hospitalisation, need for ventilators and ICUs will be reduced. No vaccination-related fatality has been reported in the district. Students should not panic over mild side effects like fever and body ache. Parents and teachers should also ward off fear of vaccines in the children, he said. Dr Rajendra said that the district is self-dependent on the generation of oxygen required for the wards in the hospitals. Only liquid medical oxygen for ICU beds are procured from outside. Though nine cases of Omicron were reported in Dakshina Kannada, two cases are undergoing treatment in Bengaluru, while seven cases had mild symptoms. The Omicron transmission is fast compared to other variants, he explained. The students who have been inoculated should create awareness in their surroundings on the need to get the jab, added the DC. Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that there is no shortage of ventilators and oxygen in the district. Dakshina Kannada district has 16 oxygen generation plants even in community health centres, taluk hospitals and district hospital. Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru has 103 ventilators. Also read: Third wave of Covid will end in April, says IIT Kanpur professor He cautioned people to observe all precautions and don't let the guard down amid the rise in Omicron variant cases in the country. About 94% of the targeted beneficiaries have been administered with the first dose and 80% with the second dose in Dakshina Kannada. Over 1 lakh targeted beneficiaries are yet to be administered with vaccines in the district. MLA D Vedavyasa Kamath called upon the people to cooperate with the district administration and health department in containing the spread of Covid-19 by strictly adhering to the guidelines. Lab at Sullia Medical College The Deputy Commissioner also said that lab at a medical college in Sullia will be used for conducting tests of the samples collected from Puttur, Kadaba, Sullia and Belthangady. The kits required for the testing will be supplied by the district administration and steps will be taken to give the results within 24 hours at Sullia Medical College lab. Check out latest coronavirus-related videos from DH: Industry bodies have urged the Karnataka government not to impose partial or full lockdown in the state. They believe this will derail whatever growth has been achieved so far after the second wave-induced lockdown. This comes a day after revenue minister R Ashoka said the state government will soon come up with "tougher" measures to curb Covid-19 infections, including lockdown if people do not cooperate. "We have held meetings with industry bodies such as the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Bidadi Industries Association, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India and Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India. And a joint recommendation will be made to the chief secretary of Karnataka tomorrow (Tuesday) not to impose partial or full lockdown in the state", said I S Prasad, president, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Also Read | Covid-19: Karnataka government to take long-term measures, says Bommai Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) also cautioned against any knee-jerk reaction in the form of a lockdown or any other harsh measures. Another lockdown may force many micro and small enterprises to down shutters and add to the unemployment problem, KASSIA pointed out in a statement, adding that all expectations of the economy being on a rebound will evaporate in no time. KASSIA said its stance is a reflection of the fear that the micro and small scale players have who are yet to recover fully from the devastating effects of the previous lockdowns, during the successive waves of the pandemic. Prasad further stated that while the health of citizens is important, it is also imperative to not shut down industrial activity. KASSIA suggested the government focus on strictly enforcing Covid-19 protocols by citizens rather than resorting to partial or full lockdown. Check out latest DH videos here According to Top retired NASA scientist, Jim Green, we could even begin terraforming planets like Mars and even Venus. Sometimes we tend to forget that we live in an amazing time. Apart from the pandemic and all, but even then, the explosion of technology, ideas and commerce has led to a world where a lot seems possible. Its one of the few keys to progress, the drive to explore and discover. Well, according to Top retired NASA scientist, Jim Green, we could even begin terraforming planets like Mars and even Venus. As the director of Nasas planetary science division. Green has been at the agency since 1980. In fact, he was even one of the people that came up with a scientific proposal on how we could verify and detect alien life. Terraforming Mars? Use a magnetic shield says NASA scientist In a recent interview with the New York Times, Green proposed that we could currently even terraform a dead planet like Mars. He talks about using a magnetic shield to prevent the sun from stripping away the ozone layer of the planet, bathing it in radiation. A magnetic shield would shield the planet and allow it to trap more heat and slowly begin to develop a climate that is habitable to humans. Its not as simple as it sounds and requires a massive undertaking, but realistically, it could be done, according to Greene. He even goes as far as to say that we could conceivably terraform Venus as well by using the same magnetic shield method. This may sound like science-fiction but do remember that we shot billionaires into space just a few months ago. Sending a team to Mars is tough but that could realistically happen in our lifetimes, the way things are progressing. Green is also keen on exploring the Jupiterian moon, Europa. Many researchers have theorized that Europa could be the one place in our solar system where we find life, other than Earth. The moon is said to contain a large amount of water that is located miles beneath the satellite's icy surface. Who knows what the future hold, but it does look like well find out, sooner or later. Also Read: Heres how NASA will let you know if aliens exist Subscriber content preview By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho The Biden administration has affirmed a Trump administration interpretation of high-level radioactive waste that is based on the waste's radioactivity rather than how it was produced. The U.S. Department of Energy announcement last week means some radioactive waste from nuclear weapons production stored in Idaho, Washington and South Carolina could be reclassified and moved for permanent storage elsewhere. . . . Subscriber content preview By JOSH FUNK AP Business Writer OMAHA, Neb. Several hundred striking workers at a manufacturing facility owned by Berkshire Hathaway have picked up some high-profile support from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, but the parent company's CEO, Warren Buffett, has declined to get involved in the contract dispute. Sanders, who has been a longtime supporter of labor unions, sent a letter to Buffett this week urging him to intervene in the dispute between Berkshire's Precision Castparts unit and the United Steelworkers Local 40 union in West Virginia to make sure workers get a fair contract. . . . Subscriber content preview JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Indonesia said Wednesday it is lifting its ban on Boeing's 737 Max aircraft, three years after one crashed into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff killing all 189 people on board. The Transportation Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the aircraft will be permitted to fly in Indonesia, but only after airlines carry out airworthiness directives. . . . Subscriber content preview KENT An industrial property at 20241 84th Ave. S. in Kent recently sold for a bit over $10.1 million, according to King County records. The seller was a family that had owned the property for decades. The buyer was an LLC associated with Lift Partners of San Francisco, which has been very busy in Kent this year. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE A waterfront commercial building at 2476 Westlake Ave. N. recently sold for $4 million, according to King County records. The seller was Youngquist Marina LLC, a family group that had owned the property for decades. The buyer was Sailor Enterprises LLC, which is associated with tenant Signature Yachts. Brokers were not announced. Public records indicate a loan from the seller. . . . Duncan, OK (73533) Today Variable clouds and windy with thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. A few storms may be severe. High 86F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 47F. Winds NNE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Some years ago I wrote in these notes about the last passenger train to run from Dundalk to Greenore on December 31, 1951 as I recalled that I had been on that journey from Quay Street Railway Station to the terminus at the Greenore Hotel on the night. Well, just this week I was informed by a friend that some railway enthusiasts from Dundalk and Greenore were holding a ceremony at Greenore Port (The old Hotel is long gone) on New Year's Eve to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of that event and I thought I might jot down a few memories I still have of that night before they fade completely from my mind! The reason I wish to do this is because I read recently in D.S.M. Barrie's book about the old Dundalk, Newry and Greenore Railway, first published in 1957, that there was a 97 year old man named Paddy McShane, who had started as a ticket checker when the first trains ran from Dundalk and Newry in April 1873. I am sure Paddy is long dead by now but it it struck me that almost exactly the same length of time had elapsed since that night as he had experience from the time of the opening of the line. There cannot be many around now who travelled on that train; and even less since the present Covid 19 pandemic reached us at the beginning of 2020 but at least my two friends who travelled with me Richard Martin from Blackrock who lived in one of the few houses along the Rampart Road in 1951 and Peter Clancy from Castle Road who is now a retired Parish Priest living in County Dublin, are still around and keeping reasonably well for their ages that are close to my own! The reason I managed to be on that trip at all was because of the kindness of my friend 'Rickey's' (as I still know him) Dad, R.F. Martin, who ran a paper and twine business at Jocelyn Street at the time. He somehow managed to get us into the Guard's Van when the train was stopped at Quay Street and where the Dundalk Brass Band were playing on the platform and the musicians packed in with their instruments when they finished playing. What I remember most about the night was that it was very cold, with snow falling from about teatime and when we reached Greenore, the whole Peninsula was covered in a white mantle of shining snow. The weather played a part in the event, because as Barrie recalls in his book, 'The evening of the 31st December, 1951 brought an intermittent blizzard so fierce that there were doubts whether the bus service which was to replace the trains could get through but thousands of people nevertheless turned out to see the end and hundreds of tickets were bought as souvenirs. The last train was due to leave Platform No. 3 at Central Station (as Clarke Station was then known) around 8 pm but, with the band playing and the crowds cheering and singing, it did not reach Quay Street Station until nearly 9 pm where there was another long delay. The result was that the train did not reach Greenore Station until near mid-night and thousands, from Dundalk and from the Newry train, were left stranded from home in the snow and cold. It was here that 'R.F.' showed his thoughtfulness and kindness to myself and my friends, as he had another driver bring his own car to Greenore and to bring us home safely. Many others were not so lucky, as what buses did turn up were not nearly adequate and many had to make their way home as best they could by way of cadging lifts in crowded vehicles and on bicycles they borrowed from locals; as they had to be at work on the following morning because in those days New Year's Day was not a public holiday (except in Scotland) --- and New Year's Day fell on a Tuesday that year! There were even stories that some had to walk the whole way 15 miles to Dundalk and Newry with the ground covered by snow and ice. I have even heard a local man saying that 'it was like Napoleon's Army retreating from Moscow in the winter of 1812/13'. Some overcrowded vehicles did slide off ice roads and the amazing thing was that there were no reports of serious accidents! There is much more I could write about my memories of that remarkable night but do not have space here. Maybe, however, some of my readers will be reminded of that famous Dundalk 'Trip Through Time' and recall them with fond memories of their own! Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for a national conversation on the right to die, saying the political system has "dragged its heels" on the issue. McDonald said campaigners like Vicky Phelan, who have called on Government to introduce laws to give terminally ill people the option of medically assisted death, have made a really compelling case. Ms McDonald said although the issue is fraught and sensitive, that does not absolve legislators from taking action, and that the debate must not drag on endlessly for another decade. She said: I think that Vicky and, indeed others, have made a really compelling case based on human dignity and choice. I follow very carefully what they have to say. I also listen very carefully to those who deliver palliative care, who are all about dignity in death. I think we need to we need to step our way through this issue with considerable thoughtfulness, because its a fairly fraught and sensitive issue. The fact that its fraught and sensitive does not absolve us as legislators from actually taking decisions and moving moving the debate on. I would like to think that we will not have a debate around this issue that drags on endlessly for another decade. I mean, I think we are now at a point where we need to have the conversation, we need to listen to the evidence, we need to listen to all of the perspectives and then we need to take a decision. Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald at Leinster House in Dublin Ms McDonald said, while she has yet to take a firm position on the issue, a decision is needed sooner rather than later. She said: I have an open mind on it. I dont have a fixed or a firm view, except that the political system has dragged its heels. We need to get to a position where we make a call on things and to do that, and to do that well and do it honourably, we need to have all of the perspectives. The subject has been brought to the fore by campaigners like Ms Phelan, the terminally ill cervical cancer campaigner, who has called publicly on Government to act. CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky Phelan alongside TD Gino Kenny outside Leinster House in Dublin She has supported legislation brought forward by People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, the Dying With Dignity Bill 2020, but has expressed frustration with a lack of political will to move on the issue. Ms McDonald has heaped praise on Ms Phelan, saying she is paying close attention to her campaign. I mean, what an incredible woman, what an incredible advocate, she said. Anything she says, and people like Vicky, it certainly lands with me and I hear her loud and clear. How to Clip Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print. You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it. When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue. North Andover, MA (01845) Today Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 57F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low around 45F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. ONCE again, Cork will be well represented at this years BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. A total of 550 exhibitions will form part of the showcase, which runs virtually again this year, from January 12 to 14. An Taoiseach Micheal Martin pictured with Head of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, Mari Cahalane (centre) alongside BTYSTE 2021 winner, Gregory Tarr from Cork, and BTYSTE 2020 winners, Cormac Harris and Alan OSullivan (right), also from Cork, at City Hall, Cork. Picture: Chris Bellew /Fennell Photography 2021 More than 100 projects have been submitted by Cork pupils, from schools all over the county. Given Corks track record at the event, hopefully some of the top prizes will be winging their way back to the Rebel County this month. Here, we catch up with some of the pupils taking part Ciara Brennan Inspired by family experience, Transition Year student at Colaiste Treasa in Kanturk, Ciara Brennan has explored an interesting topic for the virtual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2022. Its entitled Adolescents well-being during a parents cancer diagnosis: A Quantitative study to investigate the availability and accessibility of supports to this student group. Ciara, who explored the topic on her own, came up with it because her own mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, 2020. She started receiving treatment as we went into the January, 2021, lockdown, says Ciara. It was extremely hard to be at home with an ill parent and two younger siblings and trying to do my school work online. I struggled a lot with the lack of social interaction. Ciara told just two of her friends about her mothers illness. I didnt tell anyone else because I didnt want to put my unhappiness onto them. Both friends each had a parent who was also diagnosed with cancer around the same time. We could talk to one another about what we were going through. I found that beneficial. Concerned about Ciara, her parents offered her support from a private counsellor. But my parents would have had to pay for it. When one of your parents is already out of work and the other is on a Covid payment, it isnt financially do-able. They just couldnt afford it. In her school, Ciara says theres a big focus on pastoral care. But she feels that a cancer diagnosis in the family is such a sensitive topic. People might not be qualified in how to deal with it and your wellbeing afterwards. You have good and bad days. It isnt well understood within the school environment. Ciara says her mothers illness had a huge impact on my youngest sister, who missed being able to go out and play with her friends. Thankfully, Ciaras mother has recovered and is back at work, part-time. To carry out her project, Ciara formatted a pilot questionnaire with the help of Dr Roisin Connolly of CUH and UCC. She also had help from a student of applied psychology at UCC, Asma Abdullah M Basmurrah. She sent out the questions to adolescents who had a parent that had cancer. Ciara knew eight people who had a parent with that diagnosis. She also sent the questions to people who hadnt had that experience with their parents. When the results came back, we tweaked the survey and came up with more questions. Ciara found that adolescents home life was majorly disrupted during their parents cancer illness, what with the treatment and all that goes with it. They had to take on more responsibility in the home. The resounding finding was that adolescents who had a parent with cancer have a huge interest in meeting up with students in a similar situation. At school, were setting up a group for students who have an ill parent. It doesnt have to be cancer. The students can meet up every two weeks as a social outlet and to talk about how theyre coping. Saanvi Kaushik who attends Christ the King school has done her BT Young Scientist project on a mobile health app, designed to tackle OT waiting times. Saanvi Kaushik Fourteen-year-old Saanvi Kaushik is a second year student at Christ the King secondary school in Cork. Her project for the BT Young Scientist Exhibition is entitled Is an interactive mobile health app a feasible solution to tackle long paediatric occupational therapy (OT) waiting lists? Saanvi took on this topic on her own, influenced by her mother who is an OT manager with the HSE. Saanvi saw her mother struggling to deliver care to patients because of Covid-19. Face to face OT had stopped so it was time to move to the remote option. Saanvi says there are almost 30,000 children waiting for OT in Ireland. There was no one stop solution for OTs problems so I developed an app called Stellar. On the app, OTs can schedule appointments, offering remote sessions and creating programmes for that. Parents can find resources to help their children themselves, finding OTs on the app that are registered on it. I wanted to test the feasibility of the app and the best solution for OTs. So I did usability testing in UCC with 20 OT students. The results show that its a good solution. The app, says Saavni, is a tool to visualise and analyse the patients pathway. When the patient comes in, you see how much time it takes between getting an assessment and getting the treatment. When the time lag between the two improves, you can actually test how much cost to the healthcare system is saved. "According to my findings, at least 3m can be saved. I create current state and future state. I see what the current pathway of a patient is and calculate how much time could be saved. Saavni took into account the hourly pay rate of the clerical officer and OT involved in a patients treatment. Saavnis mentors are Teen-Turn, a charity that aims to provide teenage girls the opportunity to gain hands-on STEM experience so that they can visualise themselves in those kind of careers. Teen-Turn recently held a Sci-fest, presenting Saavnis project to see how feasible it is. A tech-savvy student, Saavni says she got into coding in first year and really likes it. Coding can be difficult at the start but when you get used to it and you see it working, its very rewarding. Saavni was introduced to coding by Teen-Turn. She also learned about it from viewing You Tube videos. When she goes to university, Saavni will study something to do with coding or computer science or maybe science. Im not sure yet but it will be something in STEM anyway. Maitiu Deasy and Cathal Buttimer, from St Brogan's College, Bandon, County Cork. Maitui Deasy Has Covid impacted the social skills of teenagers? is the question posed by thirteen year old second year student at St Brogans College in Bandon, Maitui Deasy, for the BT Young Scientist Exhibition. Maitui, who studies physics, chemistry and biology, was curious to see how the restrictions affected students when they couldnt go to school. Also involved in this project are Oran OLeary and Cathal Buttimer. There were no extra-curricular activities during lockdown, says Maitui. We wanted to investigate how the restrictions affected social interaction. We looked up sources on the internet; scientific articles and studies. We also sent out a survey to the students of St Brogans. Over half of the schools students filled out the survey. As well as asking if social skills were adversely affected, the three students wanted to know if the pandemic made it difficult to approach new people and start conversations. And there was the question of body language. Were students becoming poor at reading the kind of non-verbal social cues that make social interaction satisfactory? We found that 71% of participants surveyed agreed that their social skills were impacted while 16.7% strongly agreed. Did Maitui himself find that his social skills were impacted by Covid? Id be less sensitive towards peoples feelings because of restrictions and less likely to start a conversation with new people. I was at home for most of first year. I only got to see friends through phone calls. While Maituis generation is used to communicating by phone and online, he says its not the same as face-to-face interaction. I dont really like the phone. Normally, Id have real conversations with people and I enjoy that more. As to whether the impact of Covid on the social interaction of young people will be long-lasting, Maitui doesnt think he and his peers will recover fully. I think people will mostly recover but there will be a negative long term impact. In what way can Maituis, Orans and Cathals findings be used? I suppose they can be used to see how students have been affected (by the pandemic.) Its a way of finding out how students feel. Have some students been badly affected, mentally? Yes, you can sort of see it around. Some cant really make friends because theyve been online for so long. They dont really know how to interact. Whod have thought that a virus could have such far-reaching effects? The 2021 winner of the BT Young Scientist was from Cork. Pictured are Nita and Richard Tarr with their son Gregory Tarr, 17, who was a 6th year student from Bandon Grammar School Co. Cork when he was announced winner of the 57th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition last January. Picture: Chris Bellew /Fennell Photography MORE ABOUT THE EVENT The BT Young Scientist BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is designed to raise schools engagement in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). The Exhibition calls upon students aged 12-19 from all over the island of Ireland to showcase innovative science and technology project. In 2021, visitors from 77 countries accessed the students projects and the on-line portal. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is supported by several valued partners including the Department of Education & Skills, Analog Devices, Stripe, Perrigo, and RTE. Learn more at www.btyoungscientist.com Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, said; Were excited to bring the wonderful world of science and technology alive at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition this January. From fascinating student projects, mind-blowing shows and insightful business discussions, theres something for everyone to enjoy at the BTYSTE 2022. Registration for the full exhibition is now open to audiences from across the globe and we look forward to welcoming all of our virtual visitors next month. For more information or to register, visit www.btyoungscientist.com or follow @BTYSTE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or Snapchat (username: BTYSTE). CORK school principals have expressed their fears about the planned reopening of schools this week, following the surge in Covid-19 cases. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said yesterday that schools, colleges, and creches will reopen on Thursday despite record numbers of Covid-19 cases in Ireland. Education Minister Norma Foley is set to attend a meeting with public health officials tomorrow afternoon, with unions, management bodies, and Department officials in attendance. The principal of Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers in Cork city, Adrian Breathneach, said he was hoping the reopening may be delayed. From talking to a lot of colleagues, we think it is a huge risk, especially with the numbers at the moment. We were hoping it might be delayed a few weeks due to the big numbers, which are getting higher every day. Kids are carrying it even more than adults. I think it is maybe too soon to be opening up schools at the moment, he said. The primary school principal said they will abide by whatever decision the authorities make, but feels going back this week is premature. Kinsale Community School principal Fergal McCarthy said: I dont think it is the most pragmatic and safest thing for us to do, particularly now as the schools have become so adept at online provision. I dont there is the same urgency of having people back in school that there would have been in a bygone era. 'IMPOSSIBLE' The secondary school principal said it is going to be "impossible" for schools to manage infection control giving the big surge in positive cases numbers nationwide. Mr McCarthy said sourcing replacement teachers will also be very difficult. I dont think reopening is the safest thing to do with the level of infection in the community running very high. It is going to be impossible for schools to manage infection control in a school setting at one level and it is going to be really difficult for us to manage staffing at another level. Schools are not going to be able to find replacement teachers to adequately supervise the children and deliver the curriculum. Staffing is not an issue if you are in an online space because people can deliver the service in a remote setting. "Tony Holohan is talking about it coming to its zenith next week so why on earth would you open schools when the infection is rampant in our communities. We can use the Christmas break as a circuit breaker to slow down the rate of infection, he added. PREPARATION Mr McCarthy said teachers should be allowed to use next Thursday and Friday to prepare once again for remote learning and then teach online the following week. In the context of 20,000 cases a day unless something dramatically changes by next Thursday it should be delivered in an online setting. My advice would be to ask schools and staff to prepare for the delivery of the curriculum during Thursday and Friday of next week and then to teach remotely for the following week. Mr Breathneach said school faculties across Cork are bracing themselves for a return. All infection prevention and control measures in place in schools are kept under constant review, and we have continued to engage with public health officials over the Christmas period. (2/3) Norma Foley T.D (@NormaFoleyTD1) December 31, 2021 They could drop a bombshell to us on Wednesday after they meet again, but that is unlikely. We will probably be going back alright. We will drive on and do our best. We have to get our air filters in. It is a bit premature to be going back with the numbers. We had a load of cases before Christmas that we never had before. We dont know what it is going to be like when we go back, he added. The primary school principal said they are ready to reopen if called upon next Thursday, but he doesnt think it "makes sense" to put teachers and students in that situation. A spokesperson for the Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said she recognises the huge importance of school for children and young people. All infection prevention and control measures in place in schools are kept under constant review, and the Minister and the Department have continued to engage with public health officials over the Christmas period. As previously agreed, a meeting with public health will take place next Tuesday between unions, management bodies, the Minister, and the Department of Education in advance of school reopening, the spokesperson added. It was only after 20 days of relentlessly trying to convey their grievances to the Minister of Education, concerned secretaries and the Chief Minister of Telangana, that on December 28, primary and high school teachers called for a Secretariat Muttadi (Secretariat siege) in Hyderabad. This was in protest of Government Order (GO) 317, released on December 6, 2021, the same GO concerning Telangana Public Employment, which has ruffled many feathers. Around 500 to 600 teachers were detained but, to their relief, the Telangana High Court, which received around 5,000 appeals and has accepted about half of them, directed the concerned departments to address them accordingly. According to the GO, it is the concerned Head of Department and the District Collector of a particular district who will make the decisions when it comes to allotting jobs or finalising transfers, as a part of the allotment committee. This is for the district cadre posts. When it comes to multi-zonal and zonal posts, it will be Head of Department, Special Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary and others who will arrive at a decision. It was the criteria of seniority that was given utmost importance and teachers were asked for preferences as well. This system came into place after Telangana went from 10 to 33 districts. The primary and high school teachers fall under the district cadre posts. READ ALSO : Four days on, students who protested against exam leak stay detained in Gujarat The Steering Committee leader's Upadhyaya Sanghala Porata Committee (UPSC), a joint action committee of 16 teachers' associations, Chava Ravi, says that none of the teachers' association was consulted, "though they claim that Telangana Non-Gazetted Officers Association (TNGOA) and Telangana Gazetted Officers' Association (TGOA) were a part of the discussions." Then there is the question of giving importance to nativity of the teachers as well, perhaps as much as seniority. "Out of the 1,06,000 teachers, about 22,500 of them have been allocated to a district that is different from their current district. Nearly 10,000 of them have been allocated to a district that wasn't even mentioned in their preferences," he informs. UPSC says that they have received about 8,000 complaints, out of which 50 per cent concern nativity. "With regards to Mahbubnagar, Warangal, Karimnagar and Ranga Reddy districts, there were some malpractices and manipulation. Here, in some cases, it seemed like even the seniority factor was not considered and allotment happened against the preference," shares Ravi, who is also the General Secretary of Telangana State United Teachers' Federation (TSUTF). There are also cases wherein the process was not fair towards the physically challenged, teachers who have children who are mentally-challenged and cancer too, he says. The demands of the committee are that justice should be served when it comes to over 10,000 teachers and their nativity should be considered. Those teachers who have been posted permanently to remote areas should be posted on an ad hoc basis and they should be allowed to apply for general transfer in summers. They are hoping that by January 4, 2022, the new transfer list will be out. Madhu Jangiti, a teacher who teaches at Zilla Parishad High School in Rahimkhanpet, Karimnagar, has been issued a transfer order to Jagtial district, which is very inconvenient because all his relatives are in his present district. "The government really needs to consider nativity," he insists. The same has happened with Mujeeba Khanam who is in Karimnagar now, but was posted to Rajanna Sircilla. This was after 18 years of services. Effingham, IL (62401) Today A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers this afternoon. High near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight A steady rain this evening. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing overnight. Low near 60F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Washington, MO (63090) Today Cloudy with showers likely during the afternoon, and possibly a thunderstorm. High 67F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain and thunderstorms. Low around 60F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. A one-time destination for loans and cash withdrawals is transitioning into a hotspot for lattes and cappuccinos in Northampton County. Starbucks, the popular coffee shop chain with more than 33,000 stores worldwide, is nearing completion of a cafe at the former Bank of America building at Main Street and Polk Valley Road in Hellertown. Advertisement A Starbucks cafe is expected to open in the spring at Main Street and Polk Valley Road in Hellertown. The building, in The Shoppes at Hellertown, previously housed Bank of America. (Ryan Kneller/The Morning Call) The new cafe is expected to open in the spring, according to a Starbucks spokesperson. Starbucks is always looking for great locations to better meet the needs of our customers, the spokesperson said, noting the Hellertown location will employ approximately 25 workers. Advertisement The decades-old building, which has been vacant since 2018, also once housed other banks, including Fleet Bank, Summit Bank and First Valley Bank. Interior and exterior renovations have been ongoing for the past several months, and new landscaping and traffic patterns have also been installed around the building recently. A Starbucks cafe is expected to open in the spring at Main Street and Polk Valley Road in Hellertown. The building, in The Shoppes at Hellertown, previously housed Bank of America. (Ryan Kneller/The Morning Call) Starbucks, founded in Seattle in 1971, is known for its wide array of specialty beverages, including espresso drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes and mochas; Frappuccino blended coffee drinks such as caramel ribbon crunch, mocha cookie crumble and java chip; and Starbucks Refreshers, made with real fruit juice and lightly caffeinated with green coffee extract, such as mango dragonfruit, strawberry acai and verry berry hibiscus. Shops also offer food, including breakfast and lunch sandwiches, paninis, wraps, yogurt parfaits and baked goods such as brownies, cookies, croissants, danishes, muffins and scones. Hellertowns forthcoming Starbucks cafe will supplement about two dozen other Lehigh Valley locations, including a kiosk inside the Giant grocery store less than a half mile away at 1880 Leithsville Road in Lower Saucon Township. Other nearby locations are on East Third Street in south Bethlehem and at the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township. The forthcoming Hellertown cafe is hiring for various positions, including shift supervisor and barista. Prospective employees may apply online at starbucks.com/careers. Athens, AL (35611) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. The prime minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, is pledging that the European nations domestic flights would be green by 2030. As part of her New Years Address, she said that (translated) by 2025, Danes must have the opportunity to fly green on a domestic route. She added that by 2030 at the latest, we must be able to fly completely green when we fly domestically in Denmark. It was part of a broader commitment by the leader to toughen measures against polluters and to jump-start the countrys green transition. There are, however, reasons to be concerned that such an ambitious deadline can be reached, given the lack of ready alternatives. Electric planes may never succeed, and hydrogen flying, while much more promising, is nowhere near ready to be rolled out to a major airlines fleet. Not to mention, of course, that only hydrogen produced as a result of electrolysis, powered by excess renewable energy, can be called truly green. EnergiWatch has said that Denmarks standing policy of waiting for magic bullet technologies to come to fruition is not going to help it reach its international commitments on climate emissions. That said, Denmark has made more steps than some countries to help make the transition toward zero-carbon technologies. The country has already issued a hard deadline to end oil and gas exploration and is a big player in the wind power industry. At the start of 2021, it committed to build an artificial island which could collect and store power from Denmarks wind farms, enough to supply 10GW. At the same time, the country hopes that any excess wind power can be used to drive an electrolyzer, helping it develop a nice sideline as a producer of guilt-free Hydrogen. Kohler has revealed when you'll be able to snag the Stillness Bath it unveiled at CES 2021, as well as a number of other smart home products. The bath, which takes inspiration from Japanese forest bathing, aims to replicate a spa experience with the help of light, fog and aromas. All aspects of the experience can be controlled through Kohler's Konnect app. The Soak Freestanding Bath model will cost around $8,000 and you'll be able to order it by the end of March. Kohler Another model offers voice control and another, called the Infinity Experience, fills from the bottom and water overflows into the wood base. Those will be available in Q3 this year. Pricing will be announced later. Also at CES 2021, the company revealed the Touchless Residential Bathroom Faucet. The device will turn or off with a wave of your hand, though you'll still need to use a physical handle to set your preferred temperature. The faucet will automatically switch off after two minutes and when you set it to Vacation Mode, users can be assured it won't turn on accidentally while they're away. The device will ship later this year and cost $199. Kohler Elsewhere, Kohler has announced pricing and availability for its PerfectFill smart bathing tech. The system allows you to fill your bath to a specified depth and temperature through a voice command, control panel or the Konnect app. You can have up to 10 presets, and you'll be able to drain the bath using a voice command too. The system which pairs with a Kohler digital valve, shout and compatible bath will be available to buy in May, and it starts at $2,700. Later this month, Kohler will start shipping home water monitors that it developed with the help of Phyn. The H2Wise systems can monitor water use on every home fixture. Along with alerting homeowners immediately when they detect a leak, the systems will offer detailed insights about home water use. They also use pressure sensing to look for crystals forming in pipes, so they can alert users before pipes freeze and burst. Kohler The DIY version (H2Wise) can be installed under a single sink, while the pro model, H2Wise+, is attached to the home's main valve and can shut off water throughout the residence if it detects a leak. As well as the Kohler app, you can connect the units to voice assistants. The DIY model costs approximately $400, and Kohler says the pro version (which can also be used outdoors) will be an estimated $666.70. Among the other products Kohler will release this year is the Power Reserve Energy Storage System, which can pair with solar panel systems to store energy they produce. The battery can act as a backup for outages or to power the home using stored solar energy and reduce dependence on utility power. You can also prioritize the use of stored energy during peak usage times to lower the cost of your utility bills. There could be a benefit for homes that don't have solar panels, as the system can store energy from the power grid at times of lower electricity usage. Kohler Power Reserve will start at around $13,325 for a system with a 10 kWh battery capacity, though you can have up to 20 kWh. Follow all of the latest news from CES 2022 right here! In June 2021, Google and BYJUs announced a partnership to provide education services in India. By offering education content gratis and supporting personalised learning, Google and BYJUs see themselves as facilitating the transition from the traditional brick-and-mortar classroom to a virtual learning space, potentially benefiting millions of Indian students during and beyond the pandemic. Examining the implications of this tie-up, in the context of commercialisation of education and the increasing concentration of power with monopolistic corporations, it is argued that private platforms in the unregulated edtech sector are incentivised to prioritise growth above all else and their programmes are sharply opposed to the socially transformative aims of education. The term personalised learning, also seen as student-centred learning or context-adaptive learning, is sold as a technologically inflected alternative to the flawed one-size-fits-all approach of traditional school education. As a counterpoint to this idea, we will critically assess the ways in which the implementation of artificial intelligence-driven personalised learning models could adversely affect learning and the education system. Additionally, we will look into how the platformisation of education and its venture capital funding could have serious implications on keeping education as a not-for-profit public service. Platform Power VMY&R Business Director - New Delhi Amandeep Singh Kochar has taken on a new role as VP - Client Engagement, CX & Commerce at the agency. In this role, he will be based in Bangkok, Thailand. "A New Year with new beginning in a new country. Looking forward to work with highly driven and passionate team and leadership while delivering commercial growth to VMLY&R clients with our customer experience and commerce capabilities. This time in Thailand. Starting a new role as VP - Client Engagement, CX & Commerce at VMLY&R!" Kochar said in a LinkedIn post. In his previous role as Business Director - New Delhi, he headed the business for VMLY&R in New Delhi. Prior to VMLY&R, he was Director - Brand Strategy & New Business at Brandmovers. In a career spanning over 12 years, he has worked with KRDS India, BrandAppZ.com, and TCS. Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India) Give it a gentle jiggle then apply pressure, using a firm hand. Eventually you will get cocky, joked Lee Chizmar, who is arguably the Lehigh Valleys most decorated chef. Advertisement Chizmar was leading a class in oyster shucking at the Easton Public Market recently. He and his wife and business partner Erin Shea own Silvershell Kitchen + Counter, a New England-style clam shack and seafood vendor in the market. They also own Mister Lees Noodles just a few steps away, as well as their second Mister Lees location in South Bethlehem. Of course, they are both most well known for Bolete, their farm-to-table restaurant in Salisbury Township thats earned them numerous accolades including twice being nominated for a James Beard Award for best restaurant. The Beard awards are the food and dining industrys top honors, akin to the Academy Awards. Advertisement In 2015, Chizmar was a semifinalist for a James Beard Award for best chef, mid-Atlantic. He was one of 20 chefs from the mid-Atlantic region (and the only one from the Lehigh Valley) to earn that nomination. Those who have met Chizmar will tell you hes very down to earth, eager to share his knowledge and experience with others. Its one of the reasons they host the oyster-shucking classes at the market. At a recent class, a group of about six people sat around the large table just inside the market. Among the students: David Stifel of Easton who brought along his daughter, Lizzie, and son, Will. This is our first time, David Stifel said of shucking oysters. Silvershell Counter + Kitchen owner Lee Chizmar teaches a class how to shuck an oyster Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Easton Public Market. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call) Chizmar and the Silvershell staff passed out trays of about a dozen impeccably fresh oysters perched atop a bed of ice. Students also received a shucking bag that includes a shucking knife, a cut glove and a recipe to take home. Oysters are one of my favorite foods, Chizmar said. I can remember eating them when I was little ... like 3 or 4 years old. Chizmar talked a bit about how oysters can differ in flavor depending on where you get them. Silvershells oysters are always shipped by one-day air from off the coast of Rhode Island. The class had Narragansett oysters, which have a crisp, briny flavor. (West Coast oysters are generally thought to be creamier and with a more fish-like flavor, sometimes a bit minerally.) You want the freshest oysters you can get, Chizmar said. You want to smell your oysters every time. It should smell like the ocean. Advertisement No matter where you get your oysters, its possible to have one thats not so great. Best to toss it if it has an off odor. Lizzie Stifel gets help from Lee Chizmar to shuck her oyster. Silvershell Counter + Kitchen owner Lee Chizmar teaches a class how to shuck an oyster Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Easton Public Market. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call) The oysters waited in their tray of ice as the students got their gear ready. Oysters should always be kept as cold as possible. The students then took their oyster and placed it in a folded, clean towel, with just the hinge or heel exposed, holding with their non-dominant hands. Now onto the tricky part: Using an oyster knife, you have to work it into the hinge, firmly but not with too much force. (A gentle jiggle). Wiggle the knife but dont force it, Chizmar said. Add pressure as the knife goes in. The students also figured out that they need to stand to get a better posture and leverage for their hard work. Advertisement Once the students pried the oyster open, Chizmar told them to remove the lid of the oyster but carefully. Its like taking a blanket off a sleeping baby, he said. But the students werent finished yet. Next, they had to sever the muscle that keeps the oyster inside the shell. Using the knife carefully you slide under the oyster to separate it. Most of the students needed a few oysters of practice before they really started to get the hang of it. We are not graceful, David Stifel said. Silvershell Counter + Kitchen owner Lee Chizmar teaches a class how to shuck an oyster Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Easton Public Market. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call) The students were then able to enjoy their oysters. Glasses of champagne were on the table, not just because everyone likes champagne but because it pairs perfectly with oysters. Advertisement Also on the table were lemon wedges, dishes of mignonette (vinegar and finely chopped shallots), and a variety of hot sauces from Epic Acre Farm in Mertztown, Berks County. Oysters are the best vehicle for heat, Chizmar said. Some hot sauces that are too hot generally are excellent on oysters. OYSTER SHUCKING CLASSES When: 10 a.m. Jan. 8 and 15 Cost: $35 Tickets and info: silvershellcounter.com/shop/oyster-shucking-class Rising stars in comedy and country music and a big Broadway hit will compete for your attention this week in San Antonio. Heres a look at the weeks best bets. Book: Former S.A. journalist turned ace detective writer Laura Lippman returns with Seasonal Work (William Morrow, $26.99). Its a collection of stories, including one featuring private investigator Tess Monaghan, and a new novella, Just One More. On sale Tuesday. Stage: Hamilton returns to the Majestic Theatre for a two-week run. The must-see musical theater juggernaut tells the story of the countrys founding through the life of Alexander Hamilton, an orphaned immigrant who rose up to become a prominent force in his adopted homeland. Opens Wednesday. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, with additional performances at 1:30 p.m. Thursday and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 through Jan. 16, Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston. $49-$299, majesticempire.com . Comedy: New York-based comedian Rosebud Bakers first special, Whiskey Fists, was released in August on Comedy Centrals stand-up YouTube channel. New York Magazine, which included Baker on its list of Comedians You Should Know in 2021, calls her unflinching but not insensitive. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, 618 NW Loop 410. $40-$160 for tables for two, four or eight, improvtx.com/sanantonio. Universal Pictures Movie: Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyongo, Diane Kruger and Penelope Cruz have two Oscars and four more nominations among them. They probably wont add to those totals with the action flick The 355, but they probably had a blast playing rival spies who must band together to recover a top-secret weapon. Opens Friday. Classical music: Camerata San Antonio is kicking off the new year with three performances of a program titled Innocence Lost, which holds Shostakovichs String Quartet No. 8 and Schuberts String Quartet in A Minor. 4 p.m. Friday, First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson, Kerrville; 3 p.m. Saturday, Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 11093 Bandera; and 3 p.m. Jan. 9, Diane Bennack Concert Hall, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway. $20, cameratasa.org. No tickets will be available at the door. Concert: Conroe-born singer Parker McCollum made some noise on the Texas music circuit with his 2015 album The Limestone Kid. Six years later, hes got a major-label album, Gold Chain Cowboy, and a big hit, Pretty Heart, under his belt. With Flatland Cavalry. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway, $24.50-$329, attcenter.com. Thousands of San Antonio-area students are returning to classrooms this week after the winter break even as COVID-19 cases increase in the city and many staffers were absent Monday. Schools across the country are delaying the return to school or switching to virtual learning because of the spread of the omicron variant, but in San Antonio, no district changed its schedule because of the rise of the new variant. The one exception was the KIPP Schools charter network, which pushed back its reopening from Wednesday to Thursday to allow students and staff to get tested and learn their results before returning to school. San Antonio Independent School District and Edgewood ISD planned an intersession week this week, reserved for students who need to catch up on schoolwork. Those students attend in-person classes this week, while the rest wait to resume classes next week. Districts officials said they are monitoring local health conditions closely but are keeping school schedules as planned. They are encouraging students and staff to follow voluntary safety measures, including wearing masks, testing regularly and vaccinations. On Monday, Northside ISD had about 1,260 staff absences across its 125 campuses, out of which 926 were reported as teacher absences or any classroom-related position that required a substitute, said Communications Director Barry Perez. They are not all health-related (absences), they are not all COVID-related, Perez said. What I know is, no doubt some of them are illness and probably COVID-related. The district issued a statement last week letting families know of their continued plans to return to school Monday and urging them to err on the side of safety, even if it means being absent. If you or your child is symptomatic or ill, stay home and/or consult with your medical provider, Superintendent Brian Woods said in a statement issued Friday. Individuals who have confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be asked to isolate for a minimum of 5 days or until symptom-free. We will continue to ask that individuals living in the same home as a COVID-positive individual also remain isolated for 5 days depending on vaccination status. The district was able to fill about 58 percent of its absent teaching spots Monday, Perez said, but according to early human resources data, the district expected to increase that number to the normal 85 to 90 percent. At Southside ISD, only the Menchaca Early Childhood Center resumed classes Monday, and the rest of the district is slated for a full return Tuesday. Superintendent Rolando Ramirez stressed the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to wear masks even with vaccinations in areas with high transmission rates. To keep our school safe upon everyones return, we strongly encourage masks, Ramirez said in a statement. In addition, we will continue to have voluntary weekly Covid testing, notification of positive cases and adherence to our health protocols. Many districts updated their isolation and quarantine requirements to match the CDC and Metropolitan Health Districts guidelines: You should isolate for five days after testing positive. If you are asymptomatic after five days, your isolation can end. If you still have symptoms, you should continue isolating for 10 days. Also, if you are not boosted, you should quarantine after being exposed for five days and then wear a mask for five days. If you are boosted, you dont need to quarantine after being exposed but should wear a mask for 10 days after exposure. Ann David, a parent of three students in Alamo Heights ISD, sent two of them back to school Monday despite her husbands testing positive the day before New Years Eve. She scrambled to find her children COVID-19 tests, but she was able to get rapid tests Sunday night. They all tested negative. The one child who stayed home Monday did so because of allergies. There arent a lot of good choices right now, David said. A lot of the new research about virtual learning and disrupted learning from last year says that anything other than a standard schedule was, broadly speaking, not good for kids. There is a lot of reason now to keep things going and keep schools open. That said, Im fairly confident that a lot of kids and a lot of adults in the schools are going to come down with COVID-19 in the next two weeks, David said. On Monday the Food and Drug Administration approved booster shots for children 12 to 15 years old, which is very exciting for David, who could help her two older children be safer from the virus by getting them boosted. Most of all, David is concerned about the added stress on the school community. I am really concerned that adults are going to get ill and schools are going to have real staffing shortages more so than in the fall, David said. A tough year is likely to stay tough. At San Antonio ISD, this is the second year that the district adds a week of intersession after the winter break, said Deputy Superintendent Patti Salzmann, and its success and ongoing pandemic needs have kept it alive. Originally, when we came up with the idea of the intersession, it really was to both provide us with a buffer for both positivity rates that tend to increase around the holidays and it was also to help us gain more time with students who needed additional instruction time, Salzmann said. For those reasons, I think intersession has been successful for us. The district had expected to receive about 5,000 students for the intersession week starting Monday, but about 75 percent of them were expected to have reported for duty Monday, along with about 300 teachers across the districts nearly 100 schools. Most of those absent cited the cold temperatures or health concerns as a reason, Salzmann said. At Hawthorne Academy, 15 teachers welcomed the 103 students that showed up for class Monday out of the more than 600 regulars at the school. Sixth-graders where the largest group in attendance, but every grade level was covered. While most families of the students in need of additional instruction were invited to attend, the weeklong session was still voluntary and open to those who didnt need the extra instruction time. On Monday, sixth-graders in Cheryll Toscanos class mixed math skills with graphic design to measure and design uniforms for the San Antonio Spurs. On Tuesday, they will talk about height, wingspan and other design details, Toscano told her students. For Principal Valerie Walker, this was an opportunity not only to get her students back on track and her staff ahead of the game but also to provide a chance to get them adjusted and hopefully excited about the return to school. That anxiety of coming back to school, hopefully this eases that, Walker said. For my teachers, I hope this gives them an opportunity to see a different side of kids. ... My hope is that kiddos who always struggle and seem like they are not having a good time, that they can see that that kiddo does have joy and that theres a way that we can design learning experiences to get that out of them. Alamo Heights ISD Superintendent Dana Bashara made a plea to parents in a letter home asking them to apply to be a substitute teacher at the district to make up the teaching need when teachers are out sick or quarantining. Community Labs provided a free testing clinic to all Pre-K 4 SA students and their families Monday. The organization tests at 300 campuses across most districts in Bexar County. We already had this plan before we knew about omicron, said Sal Webber, the president of Community Labs. We know that when people are home and indoors over these breaks, there are usual spikes. Cynthia Garcia, who has three students at Northside ISD and one at Pre-K 4 SA, traveled to her parents house during the holidays and came to test her whole family Monday at the Community Labs clinic. Im a little uneasy, but I know (Northside ISD) has shown us that they do a lot of cleaning and a lot of face masks, Garcia said when asked about sending her students back to school this week. And Ive spoken to (my kids). We tell them even if they have their vaccine, we still wear a mask. I think it is OK that they are in school this week, Garcia said. When they were learning at home, you could tell a big difference of how they were learning. For Fabian Hernandez and Gabrielle Villa, they didnt want to send their Pre-K 4 SA student back to school until he tested negative. We were around a lot of people (during the holidays), and we just werent sure, Villa said. I wish other parents would have done what I did today not send their kid until they knew everyone was negative. Keeping children in school is critical, Webber said. When we talk to our superintendents, they say our testing is a key part of keeping their kids in schools. This is why he is worried come Jan. 31, when Community Labs funding from the Texas Department of Emergency Services runs out. Our funding after Jan. 31 is completely uncertain, Webber said. I dont think any schools want us to stop. That is a big open question for us. claire.bryan@express-news.net, danya.perez@express-news.net For years, Carl Bringer dressed as St. Nick, rumbling his electric wheelchair along asphalt and cracked sidewalks, waving to passing motorists as the Santa Claus of Fredericksburg Road. He wore the old school Santa suit: black shin coverings, red coat, pants, and hat, all ringed with white faux fur. And there was an itchy, fake silver beard he often stuffed in the pocket of his chair. Having cerebral palsy limited him, but it never stopped his rides along the busy street lined with risks. Then, in 2017, he was struck by a car, the fourth accident in several years. His close friends Kathy and David Walden helped Bringer move to Brookdale Senior Living to get needed care. Recently, he told another friend, Paul Stahl, he was sad he missed waving to folks along the busy midtown road. Stahls wife, Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl, had an idea when she heard put out a Facebook post for folks to send Christmas cards to Bringer and lift his spirits as he had done for so many people. After the post, cards started arriving last week. Some were postmarked beyond San Antonio, as far away as England. Bringer was shocked by the outpouring of goodwill. He was as excited as a youngster opening presents on Christmas morning. About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning. See More Collapse I was surprised, Bringer said. The cards came all at the same time. I need to find a way to thank them. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio war brides life woven with war, discrimination and love On Tuesday afternoon, 25 friends gathered at Mamacitas Mexican Restaurant at Interstate 10 West to celebrate his 61st birthday and let him know theyre always thinking of him. The Waldens arranged Bringers bash, his first birthday party in 10 years. Applause broke out when he arrived wearing a birthday cake hat with Carl embroidered on the bill. Friends gathered around him for hugs and photos. They set up a corner table to place a cluster of balloons and a basket filled with a dozen of his Christmas cards. There was also a birthday cake with a reproduced photo from a 2010 Express-News newspaper story about his holiday cheer. Cliff Cavin, an artist and evangelist, blessed the ceremony, those assembled and his cousin Carl. A few well-wishers shared how they met their friend. Stahl met Bringer more than 20 years ago as he steered his wheelchair through the Deco District. Stahl said his friend had never met a stranger. Hes got a gift, Stahl, 54, said. As isolated as he feels, he still has this gift to reach out and connect. I hope Carl knows how many people love and think about him. Volunteer coordinator Patricia Gonzalez, 37, shared how last June, she and hospice volunteer Charles Fisk helped get a motorized wheelchair from a family whose loved one had used it before he died. It wasnt long before Bringer was road testing the wheelchair at a high rate of speed. I had to tell him to slow down, Gonzalez said. Bringer calls the wheelchair his Ferrari. On ExpressNews.com: Strong faith inspires San Antonio humanitarian to host collection drives for the homeless and less fortunate Friends also shared details of Bringers past. They said he grew up with siblings near Castroville during hard times. However, they didnt mention why Bringer has always spread tidings of joy. Thats his personality, the way hes always been. It was a gift God gave him, David Walden, 77, said. When he met his wife Kathy, she made it known that Carl was part of the package. In 1986, she learned about Bringers generosity when he called her landline phone. He was in the hospital with a broken neck from his first car accident. He was dialing random numbers to wish people Happy Thanksgiving. Friends said he still makes the calls. When the phone rang 35 years ago, she picked up and talked to Bringer, unlike others who hung up. Walden said it was fate. A year later, she randomly met him along his route two blocks from her home. She was walking with her two daughters on Bandera Road and Skyview when she saw a young man fall to the ground. When she asked his name, he said Carl. She learned he was the same man who had called her. Walden moved away to Dallas for six years, and when she returned to San Antonio, she saw Bringer walking down Fredericksburg Road. By the third time, I got the drift, Walden, 73, said. It was a God thing. Anything we can do for him, well do it. Hes like a son. Over the years, the Waldens have helped their friend stay self-sufficient, navigate Medicaid issues and set up a medical power of attorney. They remembered how Bringer was a welcome sight along Fredericksburg Road. He would roll on a route from his home at the Fredericksburg Place apartments, down Vance Jackson Road, under the Interstate 10 overpass by Walmart and back home. Though known for his years of Yuletide greetings along the busy street, Bringer is a man for all seasons. He wore a clown outfit and rainbow wig for Halloween. For Fiesta, he donned a huge sombrero. On Easter, he dressed in an Easter bunny outfit. In between seasons, hed put on a Texas-sized cowboy hat or an anglers hat with little plastic fish. No matter his ensemble, motorists and bus drivers honked their horns as he stopped and darted through traffic on the four-lane road. Most drivers waved back, others did a double-take, and others yelled for him to stay out of the street. Bringer faced more challenges than traffic when he left his Section 8 apartment at the Fredericksburg Place complex. Someone stole his Santa suit once, and four men stole his motorized wheelchair. There were times when area toughs accosted him for money and broke into his apartment. On ExpressNews.com: Shes like an auntie: Northeast Side crossing guard uses music to connect with students, parents Now, he finds comfort in his room listening to music on his Amazon Echo smart speaker and looking over mementos from past years. One of his favorite songs is Bill Withers Lean on Me. He treasures an autographed photo of his idol, actor John Schneider from the television show, The Dukes of Hazzard. On Dec. 6, David Walden accompanied Bringer as he waved at passing motorists. Bringer was stationary, but it was fine. Yet, some things never change. The beeping and honking responses from drivers were back in Bringers life. He was outside in his element again. And the smile, spread across Bringers face, was the same as it was back when he was the Santa Claus of Fredericksburg Road. vtdavis@express-news.net WASHINGTON Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will move to change Senate rules to pass voting rights legislation by Martin Luther King Jr. Day if Republicans block a last-ditch effort to pass election reforms this week. Schumer made the announcement in a letter to Democratic colleagues Monday, going so far as to set a date Jan. 17 for the Senate to consider changing its rules because Republicans have repeatedly used the filibuster to scuttle the legislation in the Senate. Schumers pledge comes after President Joe Biden last month endorsed making an exception to the filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes to pass most bills. We must adapt, the senator from New York wrote. The Senate must evolve, like it has many times before. The Senate was designed to evolve and has evolved many times in our history. BACKGROUND: Schumer vows to pass voting bills in time for 2022 elections Democrats say new federal laws are urgently needed as Texas and other GOP-led states move to restrict access to the ballot box by minorities. Texas Democratic lawmakers decamped to Washington, D.C., for much of the summer to delay the states new voting laws and push their counterparts in the nations capital to stop them by passing federal voting laws. We must ask ourselves: if the right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, then how can we in good conscience allow for a situation in which the Republican Party can debate and pass voter suppression laws at the state level with only a simple majority vote, but not allow the United States Senate to do the same? Schumer wrote. Schumer said Democrats plan to use the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots this week to highlight the need for action on voting rights. He also called on Senate Democrats to urge the public to press for reforming the Senate rules. What happened on January 6th and the one-sided, partisan actions being taken by Republican-led state legislatures across the country are directly linked, and we can and must take strong action to stop this antidemocratic march, Schumer wrote. January 6th was a symptom of a broader illness an effort to delegitimize our election process, and the Senate must advance systemic democracy reforms to repair our republic. Republicans say Democrats are overstating the effects of restrictions enacted in red states in order to justify seizing control of elections with the federal government. It isnt about quote unquote voting rights, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has said. Its a naked power grab. Senate rules have been changed before by both parties, including on McConnells watch. In 2017, Republicans lowered the vote threshold to confirm Supreme Court nominees. The federal voting bills are aimed at undoing new voting legislation enacted last year in GOP-led states including Texas and requiring them to get approval from the U.S. Justice Department for such changes in the future. Republicans in the Senate have remained unanimously opposed to the bulk of those proposals, including measures that would prohibit states from imposing conditions or requirements on vote by mail, require states to accept a wide array of identification to vote and limit what partisan poll watchers are able to do, including setting an 8-foot buffer zone between the watchers and voters, among other things. Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn decried the Democrats proposals: All of this, I believe, is meant to weaken the integrity measures built into the voting system that most states including Texas have, he said. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Texas has long had some of the nations strictest voting laws, and the states restrictions on mail voting tamped down that practice even as it became twice as prevalent nationwide in 2020. Nationally, mail ballots were used by 43 percent of voters in the 2020 elections, according to the Census Bureau. But in Texas, just 8.6 percent of voter turnout in 2020 was from mail-in ballots. A new Texas law enacted ahead of the 2022 elections further requires voters to put their drivers license numbers or the last four digits of their Social Security numbers on future mail ballots. The renewed push for stronger federal laws on voting comes as the Biden administration sues Texas over the voting laws and redrawn political maps passed by the GOP-led Legislature in 2021, claiming theyre discriminatory against Black and Latino voters and individuals with disabilities. Biden has said voting rights are a top priority for his administration. If the only thing standing between getting voting rights legislation passed and not getting passed is the filibuster, I support making the exception of voting rights for the filibuster, Biden told ABC News David Muir. Its unclear, however, whether Schumer has enough support from his own party to change the rules. Moderate Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona have said they do not support changing the filibuster. ben.wermund@chron.com Each year, PolitiFact combs through the hundreds of false and misleading statements weve encountered in search of one that stands apart the one falsehood, or collection of falsehoods, that played the most significant role in undermining truth. We call this the Lie of the Year. For 2021, that designation goes to the campaign to whitewash the history of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In previous years, the Lie of the Year has ranged from specific false claims to whole storms of deceptive political rhetoric. Heres a look back at the past 12 years of winning whoppers. The U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic was crippled by conspiracy theories and misinformation that said the new virus was overblown, and maybe even a hoax. Lies about COVID-19 infected America in 2020, and the worst were not just damaging, but deadly. Former President Donald Trump minimized the threat of COVID-19 from the earliest days of the pandemic, flouted masks and other public health measures, elevated conspiracy theories about COVID-19 deaths, and championed miracle cures. The downplay and denial of COVID-19 was also picked up by online actors, Republican lawmakers and influential TV and radio hosts. Even as hundreds of thousands of Americans died from the disease, their message was consistent: The threat to your health was overhyped to hurt the political fortunes of the president. The 20201 Lie of the Year had something previous winners did not: documented proof of intent to deceive. In early 2020, Trump told journalist Bob Woodward the virus was "more deadly than even your strenuous flus," but he told the public something different. "I wanted to always play it down," he said later. "I still like playing it down. Because I dont want to create a panic." Trump worked hard to discredit a whistleblower complaint about a July 2019 phone call he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The whistleblower raised the concern that Trumps actions leading up to and on that phone call amounted to interference in the 2020 presidential election. The complaint sparked months of investigation and Trumps first impeachment in the House. Trump smeared the whistleblower as "partisan" and insisted more than 80 times that the whistleblowers account was incorrect, "total fiction" and "almost completely wrong." But despite Trumps claims, we found, the whistleblower got the call almost completely right. The whistleblowers account was validated by the very record of the call as released by the White House, plus testimony under oath from career diplomats and other officials. After 17 people were viciously gunned down at a Florida high school, lies about the students started when they advocated for action against gun violence. Students were called "crisis actors" and worse. During a time of little bipartisanship, the attacks on the Parkland students set off a shared outrage in nearly all political corners. Trump continually asserted that Russias meddling in the 2016 election was fake news, a hoax or a made-up story, even though there is widespread, bipartisan evidence to the contrary. In both classified and public reports, U.S. intelligence agencies said Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered actions to interfere with the election. Conspiracy theories and hoaxes have always been part of Americas political conversation, but in 2016, they took off online. Fake news found a willing enabler in then-candidate Trump, who at times repeated and legitimized made-up reports. We defined fake news as fabricated information that was manipulated to look like credible news reporting for easy spread online. From "thousands and thousands" of people cheering in New Jersey on Sept. 11 to dubious accounts of his own record and words, Trumps inaccurate statements in 2015 covered a lot of ground, exhibiting a boldness and disregard for the truth that we hadnt seen before in a presidential candidate. By December 2015, we had rated 76% of Trumps claims Mostly False, False or Pants on Fire. No other politician had clocked more falsehoods on our Truth-O-Meter, and our only real contenders for Lie of the Year were Trumps. We rolled all of them into the 2015 Lie of the Year. In 2014, there were just two Ebola-related deaths in the United States, yet fear of the disease stretched nationwide, stoked by exaggerated claims from politicians and pundits. They said, wrongly, that Ebola was easy to catch, that immigrants illegally in the country may have been carrying the virus, and that it was all part of a government or corporate conspiracy. The false claims distorted the debate about a serious public health issue and edged the nation toward panic. In all, PolitiFact rated 16 separate Ebola claims as Mostly False, False or Pants on Fire, so we chose this collection as our 2014 Lie of the Year. President Barack Obama and other Democrats made this claim when marketing the Affordable Care Act. But in the fall of 2013, people started to receive insurance cancellation notices, which definitively proved that the statement was wrong. Boiling down the complicated health care law to a soundbite proved treacherous. Obama and his team made matters worse, suggesting the claim had been misunderstood all along. The political uproar led to a rare presidential apology. During the 2012 presidential campaign, Mitt Romneys campaign unleashed an ad suggesting that Jeep was pulling its plants out of Ohio, a critical swing state, and moving production to China. But the Ohio Jeep plants werent going anywhere; the moves in China were to expand into the Chinese auto market. A flood of negative press coverage rained down on Romneys campaign, and he failed to turn the tide in Ohio, a key battleground state. After two years of Republicans making false charges about the 2010 health care law, Democrats turned the tables. They slammed Republicans in the House for voting for a cost-cutting budget resolution promoted by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Democrats claimed that voting for this resolution amounted to voting to end Medicare. But Ryan never proposed ending Medicare; instead, he wanted to bring more private insurers into the program. Democrats later modified their talking point to say Republicans wanted to end Medicare "as we know it." As lawmakers finalized the Affordable Care Act, Republicans couldnt stop repeating their mantra that the law is a government takeover of health care. Its not. "Government takeover" connotes a European approach where the government owns the hospitals and the doctors are public employees. But the Affordable Care Act relied largely on the free market, and it did not nationalize the countrys health system in any way. Sarah Palin was the first to say that the Affordable Care Act included "death panels" PolitiFacts very first Lie of the Year. The idea of government boards that would supposedly determine whether seniors and people with disabilities were worthy of care, was wholly fictional. There were not and still arent any such death panels in the law. Yet about 30% of the public in 2009 believed they were part of the health care law. Air Serbia has said it plans to introduce new routes, increase frequencies on existing destinations and upgrade its services this year, noting that 2021 has made it quicker, more flexible, more cautious, but also braver. Entering the new year with a new CEO, the company said, We have big plans when it comes to upgrading our services and offering the best possible user experience, with a special focus on digitalisation of operations, i.e., the modernisation of our mobile application and website. We are planning to boost frequencies to certain destinations, introduce new routes and offer many new exciting experiences for our passengers. Air Serbia has said it plans to introduce new routes, increase frequencies on existing destinations and upgrade its services this year, noting that 2021 has made it quicker, more flexible, more cautious, but also braver. Entering the new year with a new CEO, the company said, We have big plans when it comes to upgrading our services and offering the best possible user experience, with a special focus on digitalisation of operations, i.e., the modernisation of our mobile application and website. We are planning to boost frequencies to certain destinations, introduce new routes and offer many new exciting experiences for our passengers. Air Serbia will begin introducing several new routes from Nis and Kraljevo starting tomorrow, although it is also expected to add new destinations from its main hub in Belgrade over the coming twelve months. Furthermore, the airline plans to renew its turboprop fleet, develop a new booking engine that will first be available on the mobile app, and then on its website, as well strengthen cooperation with partner airlines. It has also acquired new software which will help it respond to evolving conditions with optimised pricing information, helping it to drive incremental revenue opportunities. The carrier has outlined plans to restore three routes from Belgrade which were halted since March 2020 due to the pandemic, among which are Madrid, Venice and Nice. The company noted, We are leaving 2021 behind us but not the lessons it taught us. It was a year of frequent changes to travel restrictions, but we also changed and developed in accordance with it, and despite the difficult circumstances, we achieved good results. In early December we surpassed 1.5 million passengers handled in 2021, which represents an increase of as much as 76% compared to the whole of 2020. We hope to continue growing at this rate in the future as well. The airline had previously said it expects to make a full recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and operate at pre-2020 levels by the start of next year. Englefield Estate has become the first private landowner to fund places on the Princes Countryside Funds Farm Resilience Programme to support its tenant farmers. The Berkshire and Hampshire farming estate, covering 14,000 acres, will fund places on the programme as its farmers begin to navigate the biggest changes in land management for 50 years. There are 23 let farms, covering 3,500 acres of commercial forestry, a Home Farm of around 1,700 acres, 330 residential properties and 150 small commercial business premises. The new Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive, will see farmers rewarded for taking actions that generate environmental benefits and reduce carbon emissions. Now outside the EUs CAP, and with the phasing out of the BPS over the next six years, farmers in England will be encouraged to sustainably produce healthy food profitably and without subsidy, as laid out in the Agriculture Act 2020. The Princes Countryside Funds programme is providing business and environmental skills training and one to one advice to 14 of the Englefield Estates tenant farmers. The programme began in September 2021 with a Business Health Check designed to help improve the processes around measuring costs on the farm. The first workshop followed in November where farmers discussed results of their benchmarking work with industry experts. Edward Crookes, estates director for the Englefield Estate said: We are committed to working with farmers to ensure that they have every chance to run thriving, sustainable farm businesses in the future. "They are in position to adapt to the challenges presented by the ELM transition and are able to deliver environmental benefits that will slow the rate of climate change, improve biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions. Adapting to change and reducing environmental impact is not just the right thing to do, it is critical to business continuity and this programme provides practical support and tools for farmers to be able to do just that. By March 2022, a further five business and environmental workshops will be delivered to the estates tenant farmers by agricultural consultants and experts. These will cover topics including practical cost management, business planning and managing change, and managing your farmed environment. These are followed by an on-farm visit with a local programme coordinator from the Princes Countryside Fund to review the workshop content and create a business action plan. Beth Summers, senior programme manager for the charity said: We are so pleased to be working with Englefield Estate to provide their farm tenants with access to our Farm Resilience Programme. "A recent evaluation, of the Farm Resilience Programme has demonstrated the incredible benefits to farmers productivity, profit, and confidence provided by the programme. "We are delighted to be helping the Englefield Estate create a more sustainable future for their farm tenants. The Farm Resilience Programme is delivered by the Princes Countryside Fund, a UK-wide charity that was founded by Prince Charles in 2010. In his April state of the city address, outgoing Mayor Robert Donchez said despite things being upended by the pandemic, 2,988 permits were pulled in 2020 for an estimated $305 million in construction costs. That was down about 500 permits from the previous year but showed the city had not seen a significant drop in development. Since the closing of Bethlehem Steel more than a quarter-century ago, the city has seen an investment of $1.6 billion and approximately 8,000 jobs on the reformed, 1,800-acre south Bethlehem manufacturing site, according to Donchez, who was term limited and couldnt seek reelection in 2021. Council member J. William Reynolds, who will be sworn in Monday as mayor, has said he plans to continue supporting economic revitalization projects that will improve the city. Alicia Miller Karner, the citys director of community and economic development, provided an update on projects expected to start or be completed in 2022. She said the projects touch on significant points that concern officials: continued redevelopment of one of the areas largest brownfield sites in the Bethlehem Steel site; removal of blighted properties; and preservation of historical structures when suitable. Here is Karners list of future development, in no specific ranking. Former Boyd Theater The six-story-tall mix-use building of the former Boyd Theatre property on West Broad Street in Bethlehem, shown in a draft rendering, won approval from the city's planning commission. 26-44 W. Broad St. Once a vibrant staple of the performing arts scene in Bethlehem, the Boyd Theater building has sat vacant since 2011 after sustaining severe weather damage that year. The West Broad Street storefronts were condemned in 2015 because of the buildings deteriorating state. DLP Capital, a private real estate investment and financial services company, and developer Rocco Ayvazov of Monocacy General Contracting have unveiled plans for an estimated $50 million, six-story apartment project. Demolition of the theater is expected in early January. Projected units: 195 Amenities: underground parking; pool and fitness center, first-floor commercial space Advertisement Wind Creek hotel expansion Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 Construction continues Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, on Wind Creek Bethlehems $150 million, 276-room hotel expansion slated to open in November 2022. The expansion will add to the existing 282-room hotel with the 276-room second hotel tower taking Wind Creek Bethlehem to 558 rooms, including 50 suites. The property also will have about 60,000 square feet of event space. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call ) 77 Wind Creek Blvd. Wind Creek Bethlehem is in the midst of a $90 million hotel expansion thats slated to open in November. The addition will take the casino resorts accommodations to 558 rooms, including 50 suites. The expanded property will also feature ballrooms, a pool, spa and 35,000 square feet for meetings or events. Units: 276 additional hotel rooms Advertisement Bowery Farming The Bowery Farming complex will open at this site in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII. (Anthony Salamone / The Morning Call) 1025 Feather Way Bowery Farming Inc. of New York has chosen Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII, off Route 412, for its next indoor, vertical-farming operation in the U.S. and the first in Pennsylvania. The company expects to sell its produce to a market of nearly 50 million within a 200-mile radius, and it will bring 70 full-time jobs. Vertical farming is the practice of growing plants in vertically stacked layers or inclined surfaces. Estimated cost: $30 million Size: 150,000 square feet, a multistory farm Advertisement Laros Mills and Lofts VM Development Group is adding 116 apartment units with a rooftop terrace at the former Laros Silk Mill in Bethlehem. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call ) 600 block of East Broad Street; 650 E. North St. Eastons VM Development Groups renovation of the former Laros Silk Mill is expected to bring apartments and first-floor commercial space to the North Side. Features include: 116 apartments, rooftop lobby Advertisement South Side apartments A rendering by Spillman Farmer Architects shows what the Flatiron-style building proposed for 14-18 W. Third St. in Bethlehem would look like. (Spillman Farmer Architects / Spillman Farmer Architects) 14-18 W. Third St. Eighty-seven apartments with first-floor commercial space are planned for two dilapidated, long-vacant buildings at a gateway to the citys South Side. The Flatiron-style building would replace two vacant 2 -story buildings next to developer Dennis Benners 300 S. New St., which is anchored by St. Lukes University Health Network and Lehigh University. Demolition of the buildings and construction is scheduled to begin during the first quarter. Developer: Joseph Posh Features include: 87 apartments, 8,300 square feet of first-floor commercial space 202 Wyandotte St. Nearby, a $7.5 million project will preserve the historic Wilbur Mansion and include nine boutique hotel rooms, restaurant and meeting space. 610 E. Third St. Peron Development plans a mixed-use concept. The five-story building will have 74 units and nearly 22,000 square feet of first-floor retail space. Advertisement Other projects A rendering of what the Floyd Simmons Armory project in west Bethlehem will look like when completed. (Contributed Photo / USA Architects) Karner listed the following other projects expected to be finished next year: the Floyd Simmons Armory (West Bethlehem historic preservation/new construction residences); 810 Monocacy (long blighted, adaptive reuse); Westgate Mall redevelopment; Cigars International expansion in LVIP VII; and adaptive reuse of the Zion Hungarian Lutheran Church at East Fourth and State streets into an unspecified number of residential units. The list goes on and on, she said, evidence of a still-robust interest in Bethlehem. Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com. Only subscribers with PAID Print or E-Edition subscriptions please enter here to gain access. If you are not already a Paid subscriber do not go through this portal. Please return to the subscription page to purchase one of our offers. Thank you! Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category andwent to an undisclosed location to enjoy and celebrate the. It has now come into notice that the duo was apparently enjoying a wildlife safari in Africa. A famous author shared a picture of hers with Alia and Ranbir at a wildlife safari in Kenya. Danish author and designer Lisa Christoffersen shared a picture on Instagram, which showed her with the couple. She captioned it as, A chance rendezvous while on safari. Had a wonderful time chatting with the super nice #Bollywood stars from India @aliaabhatt and #ranbirkapoor. She also added cute couple hashtag to the picture. Through another hashtag posted by the author, the location is revealed to be Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The author also gifted a book to the duo, as could be seen in the picture too. She wrote about the same in her caption, Gifted them a copy of my book, Bush Friendly Tips for Girls (Boys Too)! - A Living Safari Guide to Kenya. I'm sure it will come in handy during their travels through East Africa! Tan Chong Huat, Chairman of RHT Group of Companies, Tan Tong Guan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Asia Vets Holdings Ltd., and Jayaprakash Jagateesan, Chief Executive Officer of AlDigi Holdings Pte. Ltd. at the signing ceremony. [L-R] SINGAPORE, Jan 3, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Catalist-listed Asia Vets Holdings Ltd. ("Asia Vets Holdings", the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement ("SPA") with RHT AlDigi Financial Holdings Pte. Ltd. ("Vendor") and AlDigi Holdings Pte. Ltd. (the "AlDigi Group" or the "Target") on 30th December 2021 to acquire from the Vendor 100% of the ordinary shares in the issued and paid-up share capital of the Target (the "Proposed Acquisition").The S$45 million consideration for the Proposed Acquisition shall be satisfied by way of allotment and issuance of 335,436,357 new ordinary shares ("Consideration Shares") in the capital of the Company at the issue price of approximately S$0.13415 per Consideration Share. The Proposed Acquisition, subject to, inter alia, the approval of the Company's shareholders, adds an additional revenue stream as well as an opportunity to diversify the Group's portfolio of businesses. The Company also believes that the Proposed Acquisition has the potential to increase the market capitalisation and widen the investor base of the Company.Mr Tan Tong Guan, Asia Vets Holdings Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We have been actively exploring various acquisition opportunities to maximise value for shareholders and enable the Company to achieve higher revenue levels. The Proposed Acquisition, when completed, is expected to enable us to capture opportunities within the fast-growing financial and technology business and we are confident of the industry's significant long-term growth prospects."The Target's subsidiaries are digital finance and technology firm RHT DigiCapital Pte. Ltd., intellectual property consultancy RHT i-Assets Advisory Pte. Ltd., and its proposed subsidiary, capital markets advisory firm RHT Capital Pte. Ltd. (collectively with the Target, the "Target Group").The Proposed Acquisition will enable the Company to build on the Target Group's established continuing sponsorship and licenced corporate finance business to develop new digital solutions to serve both traditional and digital finance markets.Mr Jayaprakash Jagateesan, AlDigi Group Chief Executive Officer, said, "We have developed a fintech platform to reshape the capital markets to become the gateway to diverse digital assets and investments, built on a commitment to enhancing efficiency, accessibility and equal opportunity across capital markets and alternative investments. The Proposed Acquisition will further accelerate our efforts to develop new innovative products to capture the fast-growing digital security token economy with a focus on real estate, non-fungible tokens, and environmental, social and governance investments."Post-completion of the Proposed Acquisition, the Group will continue to own and operate its veterinary business.This media release is to be read in conjunction with the full text of the Company's announcement dated 30 December 2021 released on SGXNET, in relation to the proposed acquisition.About Asia Vets Holdings Ltd. (SGX:5RE) (www.asiavets.com)Asia Vets Holdings Ltd. (the "Company"), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, AVH Animal Ark Pte. Ltd. (together with the Company, the "Group"), provides veterinary care and clinical services to small animals in Singapore.The Group currently operates two veterinary clinics providing a full range of general veterinary services including medical, surgical and dental care for small animals and after-hours emergency services.About AlDigi Holdings Pte. Ltd. (www.aldigi.co)The AlDigi Group combines proven expertise and deep experience across capital markets, blockchain technology and intellectual property to deliver next-gen digital finance solutions through the following subsidiaries/ proposed subsidiaries:- RHT Capital- RHT DigiCapital- RHT i-Assets AdvisoryThe AlDigi Group leverages its proven proprietary institutional grade technology to deliver digital asset solutions across multiple asset classes and sought-after alternative investment products. As part of the ONE RHT ecosystem of multidisciplinary professional services, the AlDigi Group has access to a wide range of expertise including sustainability to add value to its digital asset solutions.Issued on behalf of Asia Vets Holdings Ltd.For media enquiries, please contact:Elliot SiowCommunications ManagerRHT Communications & Investor Relations Pte. Ltd.DID: +65 6381 6347Email: elliot.siow@rhtgoc.comThis announcement has been prepared by the Company and its contents have been reviewed by the Company's sponsor, ZICO Capital Pte. Ltd. (the "Sponsor"), in accordance with Rule 226(2)(b) of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the "SGX-ST") Listing Manual Section B: Rules of Catalist.This announcement has not been examined or approved by the SGX-ST and the SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this announcement.The contact person for the Sponsor Ms Alice Ng, Director of Continuing Sponsorship, ZICO Capital Pte. Ltd. at 8 Robinson Road, #09-00 ASO Building, Singapore 048544, telephone +65 6636 4201.Source: Asia Vets HoldingsCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. TEL-AVIV, Israel, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading inverter and energy storage solution supplier and Enlight Renewable Energy, an Israeli traded (TASE: ENLT) Developer and IPP with global operation across the US, Europe and Israel, announced today a joint agreement which in that Sungrow will supply Enlight with 430 MWh of its flagship liquid cooled energy storage system (ESS). The contract is the largest ESS agreement signed to date in Israel, bolstering the country's energy transition and marking a massive scale-up in installations for the newly launched system. Last year the Israeli government introduced its goal of generating 30% of its electricity needs via renewables by 2030. Solar PV is expected to contribute to most of it, corresponding to 26% of Israel's renewable electricity in 2030, indicating 12 GW to 15 GW of new PV installations in the coming decade. To reach such a high percentage of solar usage, Israel is currently aiming to develop an advanced solar-plus-storage system to ensure a stable and reliable electricity grid. Sungrow will supply 430 MWh of its latest 4-hour liquid cooled ESS, a combination of a contracted 230 MWh for stage 1 and a locked 200 MWh battery for stage 2, which enables profitability, flexibility and safety. The capital and operating expenses of Sungrow's ESS are reduced as a result of pre-assembly, easy on-site installation, and a more effective cell working environment which slows capacity loss substantially. With the modular DC/DC converter, the battery rack can be fully charged and discharged. Further, the system is optimized in safety performance because of its standout anti-leakage design and an integrated aerosol fire fighting system. Combing with the solar system, the highly integrated ESS can be widely used in multiple applications, including energy shifting, ancillary service, like ramp rate control, reactive power provision and more. "We are excited to announce our first strategic procurement agreement in the energy storage arena via the selection of Sungrow's New ESS Li-ion Solution. We believe that the combination of Sungrow's product leadership and CATL's cell technology will provide us with the superior solution we need for our advanced solar plus battery projects, driving best-in-class plant performance," said Gilad Yavetz, CEO of Enlight Renewable Energy. "Following a stringent selection process including visits to Sungrow's ESS reference sites and manufacturing facility, and strict technical specifications, we are proud to be selected as the solution provider for Enlight's 430 MWh project in Israel, a landmark of installations which represents our commitments to the decarbonization process that Israel is leading," said Tzvi Ben David, Country Manager of Sungrow Israel. James Wu, Vice President of Sungrow also commented, "The advanced liquid cooled ESS technologies we offer make it easier for our customers to turn more solar energy into assets. Israel is the key market for Sungrow to expand the global business. The booming of renewable energy entails a broader trajectory for energy storage development. Through our efforts, we have seen an intense desire by the people and the government to continue evolving in ways to the grid parity and a cleaner future." Israel, though a country with scarce land and natural resources, attaches great importance to technological innovation. As one of the most innovative and energetic PV and ESS players, Sungrow made its first entry into the Israeli market two years ago and has built a professional local team offering responsive service. Adding the 430 MWh project to its portfolio, the Company will gain over 50% of the Israeli market share in 2022. The Company endeavors to create value through its technology initiatives and application teaming up with more partners. About Enlight Renewable Energy Traded on the Tel Aviv stock exchange (TASE: ENLT), Enlight is a leading renewable energy company which focuses on initiation, development, financing, construction and operation of renewable energy generation projects. The company operates in Israel, Europe and the United States, with a diversified portfolio of operating projects and projects under construction and pre-construction, with a total generation capacity of 2.2 GWDC and total energy storage capacity of 0.5 GWh. In addition, the company owns an additional 14.8 GWDC pipeline of generation capacity and 6.9 GWh of energy storage pipeline in various stages of development. For more information, visit https://enlightenergy.co.il. About Sungrow Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over 182 GW installed worldwide as of June 2021. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters, with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions. With a strong 24-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power installations in over 150 countries. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1718153/The_430_MWh_Energy_Storage_Contract_Signing_between_Enlight_and_Sungrow.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1344575/Logo.jpg London, January 3, 2022 CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) officially commences 2022 trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the United States and Borsa Italiana's Euronext Milan in Italy as a fully focused agriculture and construction player. As the parent company to globally respected agriculture and construction brands and the innovations and services that drive them, CNH Industrial is committed to delivering value to its shareholders and stakeholders. This new beginning for the CNHI ticker is the result of a long-planned strategic operation to separate CNH Industrial's 'On' and 'Off' Highway businesses. Since announcing the spin off in 2019, management has worked to set up the new organization and set out its long-term priorities. With the delivery of this milestone, the Company looks forward to presenting its future direction at its Capital Markets Day on February 22, 2022. Details on this event and live stream will be forthcoming. "Today we are excited to usher in the new CNH Industrial, the result of detailed strategic planning, hard work and boundless determination. I want to congratulate our entire team, and our Senior Leadership Team in particular, for driving this to completion and thank the Board of Directors for overseeing this operation to its successful conclusion. As a pure player in agriculture and construction, we will bring our undivided attention to bear on supporting our customers and dealers. This involves developing innovative products and processes to enhance productivity; accelerate profitable growth; and spearhead our ambitious ESG plans to ensure we act in full respect of people and the planet," said Scott W. Wine, Chief Executive Officer, CNH Industrial. "I would also like to wish our former colleagues, and now respected peers, in the newly-formed Iveco Group N.V. every success as they commence independent operations and begin trading on Borsa Italiana's Euronext today." CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) is a world-class equipment and services company that sustainably advances the noble work of agriculture and construction workers. The Company provides the strategic direction, R&D capabilities, and investments that enable the success of its five core Brands: Case IH, New Holland Agriculture and STEYR, supplying 360 agriculture applications from machines to implements and the digital technologies that enhance them; and CASE and New Holland Construction Equipment delivering a full lineup of construction products that make the industry more productive. Across a history spanning over two centuries, CNH Industrial has always been a pioneer in its sectors and continues to passionately innovate and drive customer efficiency and success. As a truly global company, CNH Industrial's 35,000+ employees form part of a diverse and inclusive workplace, focused on empowering customers to grow, and build, a better world. For more information and the latest financial and sustainability reports visit: cnhindustrial.com For news from CNH Industrial and its Brands visit: media.cnhindustrial.com Media contact: Rebecca Fabian CNH Industrial Tel. +1 312 515 2249 Email: mediarelations@cnhind.com Attachments ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - Zurich Insurance Group AG (ZURVY) announced Monday that its Italian unit Zurich Investments Life S.p.A. has agreed to sell its life and pension back book to the Portuguese insurance company GamaLife - Companhia de Seguros de Vida, S.A. The life and pension back book is composed of both traditional and unit-linked policies. The completion of the deal is anticipated to take place in the second half of this year, subject to regulatory approvals. The company noted that the transaction will see approximately $9.5 billion of net reserves transferred to GamaLife. On completion of the deal, Zurich's capital requirement under the Swiss Solvency Test is expected to decrease by approximately $1.2 billion, adding approximately 11 percentage points to the Swiss Solvency Test ratio. In addition, the transaction is expected to increase the company's liquidity by approximately $200 million. The company said the sale does not change contractual obligations toward policyholders and distributors. Zurich will continue to offer innovative protection and unit-linked solutions to customers in Italy. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks rose notably on Monday despite lingering Omicron worries. Germany's Minister Karl Lauterbach told media the country wants to get approval for Pfizer's Paxlovid oral Covid-19 drug in January. The benchmark DAX jumped 138 points, or 0.9 percent, to 16,022 in early trade. Deutsche Wohnen shares rallied 2.2 percent. The property company said it has appointed Konstantina Kanellopoulos and Lars Urbansky as co-chief executive officers. Philip Grosse will remain Chief Financial Officer until 31 March 2022. Evotec AG, a drug discovery and development company, fell over 1 percent. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has selected the company for a grant of 7.5 million euros, for the development of EVT075, a potential first-in-class immunomodulatory therapy to fight Covid-19. Automakers rose broadly after monthly sales reports from several global automakers. BMW climbed 2.6 percent, Daimler added 1.5 percent and Volkswagen rose 2.2 percent. Airline Lufthansa soared 5 percent after Citi upgraded the stock rating. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LONDON, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Sterility Testing Market in terms of revenue was worth of USD 1036.13 Million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 2193.8 Million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 12.6% from 2021 to 2028. The global Sterility Testing market size is expected to grow at a substantial growth rate due to several driving factors Like, Increasing the growth of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and surge in advanced new drugs are the major factors expected to drive the growth of the Global Sterility Testing Market. Growing demand for product testing in the pharmaceutical sector remains the key driver of growth in the sterility testing market. The pharmaceutical testing in 2000, the production of pharmaceutical goods stood at 127,504 Euro valuation. This figure more than doubled in 2019 and reached 275,000 euro valuation. Similar trends are being witnessed globally, wherein investment in the pharmaceutical sector in Asia Pacific, and North America are at a record high. Moreover, the investment in these opportunities continues to witness better results. In 2018, the pharmaceutical sector in the US witnessed a record 58 patent registration. Growing technologies for effective analysis, primary assessment, and growing prospect of Artificial Intelligence, cell culture, among others make the pharmaceutical industry even more promising investment in the future. The growing demand for innovation in the pharmaceutical innovation, the growing efficacy of research, and key use of sterility testing in product testing remains major highlights of growth in the sterility testing market. Get Sample Copy of This Premium Report@ https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/621 Top Companies of Sterility Testing Market Merck KGaA Baxter Healthcare Corporation Boston Analytical Neopharm Labs Inc. LexaMed LTD Danaher Corporation Sartorius AG Gibraltar Laboratories Pace Analytical Services, Inc. Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC. Nelson Laboratories Pacific Biolabs BioConvergence LLC Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Toxikon Corporation. Wuxi Apptec Rapid Micro Biosystems, Inc. Sterility Testing Market: Key Drivers The sterility testing market report includes kits and reagents segments, which is expected to contribute highest revenues to its growth. The growing demand for affordability and convenience to use remains main drivers of the sterility testing market. The repetitive purchases of kits and reagents also remain a promising driver of its growth. Moreover, improving focus on drug launches amidst an increased competition between China, US, and countries like India remains a key driver of growth, globally. For example, FDA in both the US, and China have streamlined product approval, reducing delays for bringing pharmaceutical products to the market, along with grants for rare disorders. Additionally, the independent nature of various quality testing procedures, and growing demand to speed run approvals, globally remains a promising driver of advanced testing in the sterility testing market. Increasing demand in biotechnology also remains a major area of future growth for players in the sterility testing market. Biotechnology remains a promising arena, with key concerns still in place about the safety of various drugs. This is likely to open a major opportunity in the near future in the sterility testing market. Global Sterility Testing Market Segmentation: By Product Kits and Reagents Instruments Services By Application Pharmaceutical and Biological Manufacturing Medical Devices Manufacturing Others By Test Membrane Filtration Direct Inoculation Other Increasing Growth of Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries and Surge in Advanced New Drugs are the Major Factors Expected to Drive the Growth of Global Sterility Testing Market. Growth of pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies and increasing number of drug launches are the factors which are expected to drive the growth of sterility testing Market. Biotechnology has emerged as an important growth sector in pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical companies have made increasing use of biotechnology in discovering and manufacturing new medicines. In 2018, the funding for biotech ventures was at its highest, compared to previous years. According to statistics biotechnology, funding for startups was at USD 8 billion in 2018, compared to USD 4 billion in 2017. The investment in biotechnology statistics shows that biotechnology markets are increasing worldwide. According to the 2015 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on biotechnology statistics; the U.S. has 11,367 biotech firms followed by 2,831 in Spain and 1,950 in France. Growing approvals from the regulatory bodies are surging the launch of new drugs and several products, which is also expected to fuel the market in the coming years. According to Chemical & Engineering News, although pharmaceutical companies last year were unable to top the record-shattering 59 new drugs approved in the U.S. in 2018, they were still on a roll. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration in North America, The 48 medicines represent another highly productive year for the pharmaceutical industry, with cancer and rare-disease drugs. Get Methodology @ https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestMethodology/PostId/621 Sterility Testing Market: Covid-19 Impact The pharma sector witnessed a major influx of investment, thanks to the coronavirus crisis. Despite its tremendous negative impact on the global economy, the coronavirus witnessed major investments in innovation, in research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and even in government facilities. During this important, it was highly important to make sure the vaccines, or other pills were highly safe, and effective. As most vaccines are based on dead cell tissue of the virus, and there wasn't enough time in most countries to ensure a widespread testing, the sterility testing became even more important. Currently, many vaccine manufacturers rely on the 14-day method to ensure the safety of their products. The efficacy provided by sterility testing ensures quick access to mass manufacturing for suppliers, and safe products for other stakeholders including patients, and regulatory agencies alike. The growing demand for more innovation in sterility testing continues to drive innovation in the sterility testing market. North America is expected to dominate the global sterility testing market owing to the increasing government support for pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and rising demand for sterilized products in this region. The government is taking a number of initiatives to help pharma companies and up gradation assistance scheme to support the pharma industry. According to biotechnology industry data survey, the Canadian biotechnology sector has an aggressive R&D agenda and high expectations for bringing new products to market over the coming years. In 2017, a majority (54%) of respondents identified their companies as operating at an emerging phase of development, while 22% identified themselves in the growth phase. Europe is the second largest region in this market due to the increasing R&D investment in life sciences in this region. On Special Requirement Sterility Testing Market Report is also available for below region: North America U.S, Canada Europe Germany , France , U.K., Italy , Spain , Sweden , Netherland, Turkey , Switzerland , Belgium , Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific South Korea , Japan , China , India , Australia , Philippines , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand , Indonesia , Rest Of APAC, Latin America Mexico , Colombia , Brazil , Argentina , Peru , Rest of Latin America Middle East and Africa Saudi Arabia , UAE, Egypt , South Africa , Rest Of MEA Get Full Access of all Trends:https://brandessenceresearch.com/medical-device/sterility-testing-market-size-and-share Related Reports: Olive Oil Market size is Expected to Cross USD 1661 Mn by 2027 by 2027 Virtual Reality in Gaming Market Expected to Reach USD 40993.1 Million , Globally by 2027 , Globally by 2027 Pet Food Market size is Expected to reach USD 118.77 Bn in 2027 in 2027 Prosthetics Market Size to hit USD 12.40 Bn by 2025 by 2025 Global Endpoint Security Market USD 21.18 Bn by 2027 by 2027 Next-generation sequencing (NGS) Market size to hit USD 26762.5 Mn by 2027 by 2027 Metaverse Market Size to hit USD 596.47 Billion by 2027 by 2027 Herbal Supplements Market size to hit USD 9134.8 Mn in 2027 in 2027 Oilfield Chemicals Market To Witness Significant Growth of USD 34 billion by 2025 by 2025 Temporary Power Market Size revenue grew to USD 9.7 billion by 2025 by 2025 Livestock Monitoring Market Size, Share Projected to Touch USD 1587.5 billion by 2025 by 2025 Service Robotics Market Worth USD 36.7 billion at 15.25% CAGR By 2025 i-Factor: Live Market intelligence platform I-Factor is our guaranteed seal to keep our clients ahead of the competition, always. This knowledge platform delivers real-time updates on key economic indicators, competitive landscape, changing demand, trends, customized regional insights, and more. The platform visualizes key data points to help make decision making agile, trustworthy, and holistic. Register for free trail here @ https://brandessenceresearch.com/i-factor/login/userRegister Brandessence Market Research & Consulting Pvt ltd. Brandessence market research publishes market research reports & business insights produced by highly qualified and experienced industry analysts. Our research reports are available in a wide range of industry verticals including aviation, food & beverage, healthcare, ICT, Construction, Chemicals and lot more. Brand Essence Market Research report will be best fit for senior executives, business development managers, marketing managers, consultants, CEOs, CIOs, COOs, and Directors, governments, agencies, organizations and Ph.D. Students. We have a delivery center in Pune, India and our sales office is in London. Website: https://brandessenceresearch.com Blog: Injection Molding Machine Manufacturers 2021 Mr. Vishal Sawant Email: vishal@brandessenceresearch.com Email: Sales@brandessenceresearch.com Corporate Sales: +44-2038074155 Asia Office: +917447409162 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1392316/BEMR_Logo.jpg A divided Pennsylvania appeals court said Monday that vote-by-mail ballots returned without dates in Lehigh County should not be counted, reversing a county judges decision in a case that could affect the outcome of a close race for a seat on Lehigh County Court. In an opinion for the two-judge majority, Judge Patricia A. McCullough said the court was obligated to follow a state Supreme Court ruling on the same issue in the 2020 presidential election, when undated ballots in Philadelphia and Allegheny County were challenged. Advertisement Although the Supreme Court ruled that the undated ballots should be counted in that instance, a majority of four justices said the missing dates were not a minor flaw and should not be overlooked in future elections. The Lehigh County case will decide the outcome of a race for Lehigh County judge in which Republican David Ritter leads his closest challenger, Democrat Zachary Cohen, by only 74 votes. But the Commonwealth Court decision may not be the final word, as Cohens attorney said he will ask the Supreme Court to hear an appeal. Advertisement We respectfully disagree with the decision of the Commonwealth Court. Weve always understood that only the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania could finally resolve whether these timely received ballots from registered voters would be counted, and we are appealing this decision immediately, Philadelphia lawyer Adam Bonin said. Ritter said he and his attorneys are pleased by the decision. We are now hopeful the matter will soon be fully and finally resolved so that the citizens of Lehigh County will have a full complement of judges on the Court of Common Pleas, Ritter said. Ritter and Cohen are two of six candidates who ran for three seats on the Lehigh County bench. At issue are 261 mail-in ballots that were returned on time and otherwise complete but lacked dates on the outer security envelope. The board of elections voted in November to count the votes after hearing arguments on the meaning of the Supreme Court decision. Ritter appealed the decision and Lehigh County Judge Edward Reibman found the date requirement serves no purpose and that it goes against the overarching notion in the law that it should promote participation in free and fair elections and that the Legislature should not create unnecessary obstacles to voting. Given that the parties agree there is no fraud and no apparent reason why the failure to place the date on the return envelope, or placing it on the wrong part of it, should disenfranchise 261 voters, it is not for this court to do so, Reibman wrote. The 261 mail-in ballots at issue must be counted. Reibmans decision explored questions unresolved in the Supreme Court case last year, including the Legislatures intent in including the date requirement and whether that requirement runs afoul of the federal Voting Rights Act, which prohibits demands for unnecessary information in order to cast a vote. Advertisement Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. > In a fractured decision, the state Supreme Court reached a judgment last year after the presidential election that ballots without dates should not be disqualified. Three justices agreed that the error was a minor inconsistency for which voters should not be disenfranchised. Four justices disagreed. Among the four dissenting members, Justice David Wecht filed a separate opinion saying the votes at issue in that case should be counted but missing dates should not be overlooked in future elections. Wecht also suggested that the Legislature should clarify its reasons for including the date requirement and whether it was intended to be mandatory. In her opinion for the Commonwealth Court majority, McCullough said that although four of the justices voted to count the ballots in the 2020 election case, the part of the courts decision that matters going forward is that the three dissenting justices and Wecht found the language the Legislature included in the Election Code requiring a date on mail-in ballots is mandatory and unambiguous. Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon joined in McCulloughs decision. Judge Michael Wojcik filed a dissenting opinion arguing that the Lehigh County ballots should be counted, disagreeing with the other two judges that the split Supreme Court decision contains a majority ruling on the issue of whether signatures are mandatory. He noted that Wecht did not apply the same analysis regarding the purpose of the signature requirement and whether it addressed a weighty interest such as preventing fraud. Wojcik said he views the signature requirement as similar to the instructions in the same section of the Election Code on what color ink to use when marking a ballot. He noted that in a past case, the Supreme Court has ruled that using a different color of ink should not invalidate a ballot. There, our Supreme Court construed the Election Code liberally so as to not disenfranchise Pennsylvania voters over a technicality. In light of the foregoing criteria, I would do so here as well, and I would not blithely disenfranchise those 261 voters who merely neglected to properly enter a date on the declaration of an otherwise properly executed and timely-submitted ballot, Wojcik wrote. Advertisement Morning Call reporter Peter Hall can be reached at 610-820-6581 or peter.hall@mcall.com. BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks hovered near record highs on Monday despite soaring cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant across Europe and elsewhere. Sentiment was underpinned after HS Markit's final manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) came in at 58.0 in December, matching an initial flash estimate and raising hopes that growth rates could better in 2022. The pan European Stoxx 600 rose 0.6 percent to 490.46, a tad lower than its November record high of 490.58, after having ended flat with a negative bias on Friday. The German DAX climbed 0.8 percent and France's CAC 40 index added 1 percent, while the U.K. markets were closed for a public holiday. Zurich Insurance Group AG shares rose about 1 percent. The Swiss insurer announced that its Italian unit Zurich Investments Life S.p.A. has agreed to sell its life and pension back book to the Portuguese insurance company GamaLife - Companhia de Seguros de Vida, S.A. Ahold Delhaize edged up slightly. The Dutch operator of supermarkets, convenience stores, hypermarkets, and others, said that it has started 1 billion-euros share repurchase program, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. Deutsche Wohnen shares rallied 2.5 percent. The German property company said it has appointed Konstantina Kanellopoulos and Lars Urbansky as co-chief executive officers. Philip Grosse will remain Chief Financial Officer until 31 March 2022. Evotec AG, a drug discovery and development company, fell 2.4 percent. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has selected the company for a grant of 7.5 million euros, for the development of EVT075, a potential first-in-class immunomodulatory therapy to fight Covid-19. Automakers rose broadly after monthly sales reports from several global automakers. Volkswagen, BMW and Renault jumped 2-3 percent. Airline Lufthansa soared 6.3 percent after Citi upgraded the stock rating. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. CABORCA, MEXICO, ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2022 / Mexus Gold US (OTC PINK:MXSG) ("Mexus" or the "Company) announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Irmex Mining, a Mexican Corporation, for its Mabel project located in Northern Mexico. The agreement will include cash and a 10% Net Profit Interest (NPI). The Mabel property consists of 8 concessions and totals 1,459 hectares. "We've been in discussions with Irmex for quite some time and are thrilled that they are now involved to move the Mabel property forward." added Mexus CEO, Paul Thompson. The company also announced that it is scheduled to ship activated carbon from production at its Santa Elena mine to a U.S. refiner during the first week of January. Leaching continues at the property with grades running from .39 oz to .72 oz Au with an average of .66 oz Au returning to the pregnant pond. Mexus' recent improvements of the leaching circuit should result in a steadier production schedule and increased recoveries. Mr. Thompson added, "The signing of an agreement for the Mabel property allows us to turn our focus to finding the right JV partner for the Santa Elena project and to confirm what is believed to be a potential 1,000,000 plus ounce gold resource. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and am excited for what 2022 holds for Mexus and its shareholders." About Mexus Gold US Mexus Gold US is an American based mining company with holdings in Mexico. The fully owned Santa Elena mine is located 54km NW of Caborca, Mexico. Mexus also owns rights to the Ures property located 80km N of Hermosillo, Mexico. This property contains 6900 acres and has both gold and copper on the property. Founded in 2009, Mexus Gold US is committed to protecting the environment, mine safety and employing members of the communities in which it operates. For more information on Mexus Gold US, visit www.mexusgoldus.com. Mexus Gold US (775) 721-9960. Paul Thompson SrForward looking Statement: Statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the failure to complete successfully the development of new or enhanced products, the Company's future capital needs, the lack of market demand for any new or enhanced products the Company may develop, any actions by the Company's partners that may be adverse to the Company, the success of competitive products, other economic factors affecting the Company and its markets, seasonal changes, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any statements in this press release. SOURCE: Mexus Gold US View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/680516/Mexus-Signs-LOI-for-its-Mabel-Property-Gold-Production-Continues-at-its-Santa-Elena-Mine AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2022 / Turner Valley Oil and Gas, Inc. (the "Company") ("Turner") (OTC PINK:TVOG), now doing business as Turner Venture Group, Inc., is pleased to announce the acquisition of a Texas-based Hemp / CBD consumer packaged goods (CPG) Company ("Hemp Operator") operating with 3 existing retail stores and a national e-commerce sales presence. Retail Locations Since hemp / CBD became federally legal in 2018, this Hemp Operator has expanded to 3 retail locations in the greater Houston marketplace. The Hemp Operator's retail locations have allowed them to establish repeat business, brand identity, product trials and gross profitability. The Hemp Operator has established a credit card merchant account and an operating account for this business through a local federally insured community bank. These locations have served as case studies to model the potential for expansion by management to plan to expand up to 10 locations within the near term, subject to financing and strategic direction. This footprint will drive sales and profits but also helps establish a strong retail presence in the event of future reform leading to new product opportunities. Product Production & Development The Hemp Operator is a seed to shelf integrated manufacturer and distributor of its complete product line. All products are manufactured in the USA with America made ingredients. The Hemp Operator has developed over 100 products which have passed testing via certificate of analysis ("COA") and other required regulatory steps to be able to sell in all 50 states. These products include tinctures, pain relievers, flowers, lotions, bath salts, edibles, drinks and various other products that include their own recipe of CBD or other compounds. Hospice Trials (WholeSale) It is exciting to include that this Hemp Operator has started a trial with a major hospice provider which upon conclusion of its trials, may look to expand its own brand of hemp, CBD and related products as a wholesale / white label operation. The intention by this group is to offer alternative CBD supplements to its patients as an alternative to traditional pharmaceutical treatments. Audit Plans Briggs & Veselka Co. has begun the audit the Company's financial statements for the past two years and support completion of required SEC filings necessary for uplist to the OTCQB marketplace tier. Add a link to their website. Growth Plans The Hemp Operator desires to expand the business through a multi pronged approach. This includes establishing wholesale distributors, expanded e-commerce efforts,white label customer programs, and additional retail locations. Management strongly believes that sales can be accelerated cost effectively by offering whole distribution opportunities with existing retail outlets and similar industry product distributors. These industries not only include current CBD outlets but also cosmetic, medical and wellness products. There are also opportunities in the physical therapy sector. Closing Steps Turner has completed its preliminary agreement to close the acquisition. As part of the closing process, Turner will initiate advanced due diligence, audits of the Hemp Operator business, final legal documents such as management agreements and the terms and conditions via the Purchase and Sale Agreements and various other requirements. These will be filed via the companies website, OTC Markets, press announcements and EDGAR filings as needed or as permitted. Management In order to prepare for this acquisition and expand the operating team of Turner, James B. Smith has appointed Jordan P. Balencic, D.O. as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, both effective January 1, 2022. Dr. Balencic is a physician entrepreneur with over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience in the health and wellness industry. He brings both public and private company experience across several industries including healthcare, food and beverage, and creative services. "As a former business advisor to Turner, I am deeply honored and proud to be joining the team in this capacity," said Dr. Balencic." I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and management to contribute to the Company's long-term growth strategy." It is estimated that at closing of this acquisition, a new COO and General Counsel will likely be appointed. Interested Parties Additional Information on the Hemp Operator and our current Reg D private placement can be obtained by contacting The Company directly at info@tvoginc.com. Interested Parties will be required to execute a non disclosure non circumvention agreement to protect the fidelity of our agreements with the Operator while we are going through the closing and integration process Please refer to most recent website announcements for more information: https://tvoginc.com/industry-news/turner-news/ About Turner Valley Oil and Gas, Inc. Turner (OTC:TVOG) is a Venture Holding Company that acquires equity interests in innovative products and companies within the hemp, health, wellness, sanitation, infrastructure and supply chain technology segments. Turner's cornerstone acquisition of Bloomi Labs, LLC has formulation of a CBD Hand Sanitizer manufactured domestically. The Company's second acquisition includes an established CBD / Hemp operating with 3 existing retail stores and a national e-commerce sales presence. Disclosures Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Key Links: OTCMarkets Profile: http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/TVOG/profile Disclaimer: https://TVOGinc.com/contactus/disclaimer/ Corporate Website: http://TVOGInc.com | http://BloomiClean.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/tvoginc | http://twitter.com/BloomiClean Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TVOGinc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TVOGinc/ Contacts: Dr. Jordan Balencic, CEO Turner Valley Oil And Gas, Inc. Address: 5900 Balcones Drive, Suite 4503, Austin,TX 78731 Phone: 1-830-291-8189 Email: TurnerVentureGroupInc@gmail.com or info@TVOGinc.com SOURCE: Turner Valley Oil and Gas, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/680585/Turner-Venture-Group-Announces-Acquisition-Agreement-of-Hemp-CBD-Company Acquisition broadens camelina operations across North America, Europe and South America Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., (OTCQX: GCEH), avertically integrated renewable fuels company,today announced that it has acquired Camelina Company Espana S.L. (CCE), Europe's largest camelina crop innovator and seed producer headquartered in Madrid, Spain. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220103005073/en/ CCE has received international acclaim for more than 10 years by developing world class intellectual property (IP) in camelina to support a sustainable biofuels value chain. CCE's IP includes superior genetics, breeding capabilities, high quality planting seed, advanced agronomic research, and knowledge to support the cultivation of camelina by contract farmers. CCE, together with Sustainable Oils, Inc. (SusOils), also a wholly owned subsidiary of GCE, will further enhance the company's portfolio of patented camelina genetics. CCE and SusOils have been collaborating for some time to expand and harmonize their collective research and development activities. The combined capabilities will accelerate the development of proprietary germplasm and varieties of camelina that will provide third-party contract camelina growers in North America, Western Europe and South America with additional revenue opportunities by sustainably increasing their fallow crop rotation options. "The addition of CCE to our family of companies and its synergy with SusOils further advances our goal of increasing the commercial value of camelina through improved agronomics and plant genetics. Together, CCE and SusOils will build on our combined decades of camelina research and development activities that are focused on improving yield, reducing growing time, modifying plant oil chemistry to enhance biorefinery efficiency, and improving livestock feed qualities of camelina meal," said Richard Palmer, GCE's President CEO "This acquisition demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing both domestically and internationally in the science, infrastructure and farmer education necessary to deliver high-quality camelina feedstocks to satisfy the growing worldwide demand for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels while not displacing food crops or impacting food security. This acquisition provides an established launching pad for our rapid expansion into Europe and South America." Established in 2010, CCE is Europe's largest camelina crop innovator and seed producer. In 2013, it was the first global company to receive a sustainability certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), a global sustainability standard and certification system for biofuels and biomaterials production. The company has extensive expertise in camelina production along the complete value chain, having supplied sustainable and certified camelina oil for aviation biofuel production, as well as camelina meal, a high-quality plant based protein source for the livestock feed industry. The company maintains an ongoing plant breeding program with more than 600 camelina germplasm lines and owns nine proprietary camelina varieties, which enables the sustainable introduction of camelina in different crop rotations without displacing any primary crops. "We are excited by the significant synergies that exist between CCE, GCE and SusOils," said Yuri Herreras Yambanis, Director, CCE. "Combining the knowledge and expertise of our organizations provides us the opportunity to further advance camelina research and production in ways that deliver profitable and sustainable advantages for both regenerative agriculture and the renewable fuels industry." Camelina is an essential part of the feedstock plan for GCE's integrated farm-to-fuels strategy. In early 2022, GCE will open a newly renovated renewable diesel biorefinery in Bakersfield, California, and supply ExxonMobil up to 220 million gallons annually of renewable diesel under a pair of long-term purchase agreements. About Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. ("GCE" or "GCEH") is a vertically integrated renewable fuels company specializing in nonfood-based feedstocks used for the production of advanced biofuels and biomaterials. With a footprint that stretches from the laboratory to the farm gate through to biorefinery production, GCE's farm-to-fuels value chain integration provides unrivaled access to reliable, ultra-low carbon feedstocks. When online, the Bakersfield Biorefinery will be the only facility of its type, processing both traditional feedstocks as well as domestically produced camelina oil into sustainable, ultra-low carbon fuels in California. To learn more, visit gceholdings.com. About Camelina Company Espana S.L. Camelina Company Espana S.L. (CCE) has developed a sustainable camelina value chain: from breeding and planting seed production to agronomic expansion and camelina processing for advanced biofuel production. CCE introduces camelina into existing crop rotations without any food displacement as a catch crop or replacement of traditional fallow periods employing its proprietary camelina varieties and prediction models to optimize its elite varieties in different cropping systems, primarily in Europe and South America. CCE was established in 2010 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. To learn more, visit camelinacompany.es. About Sustainable Oils, Inc. Sustainable Oils, Inc. (SusOils), GCEH's wholly owned plant science subsidiary, owns an industry-leading portfolio of intellectual property, including patents and production know-how, to produce its proprietary varieties of camelina, a nonfood based ultra-low carbon biofuels feedstock. SusOils' corporate headquarters are located in Great Falls, Montana. To learn more, visit susoils.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" of Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements are forward-looking statements and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from forward-looking statements are described in the sections titled "Risk Factors" in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220103005073/en/ Contacts: Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. Natalie Findlay contact@gceholdings.com (424) 318-3518 Sustainable Oils, Inc. Fran Castle contact@susoils.com (919) 348-8013 Researchers in Jordan have designed a solar-assisted heat pump system for swimming pool heating at a hotel in the coastal city of Aqaba. They found that the system has a payback time of only 1.94 years and that total profits after ten years of operations may reach around $1.88 million.A group of scientists from Mutah University, in Jordan, and Amman-based Golden Energy Company has assessed the energy and economic performance of a PV-powered heat pump system used for heating the swimming pools of a hotel building in the coastal city of Aqaba. Their simulation considered the hotel had annual average ... 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. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar appreciated against its major counterparts in the New York session on Monday, amid safe-haven demand due to a spike in coronavirus cases across the globe as well as on elevated treasury yields. In the U.S., the seven-day rolling average of Covid cases crossed 400,000 on Sunday due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. U.S. President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said on Sunday that the 'really unprecedented' spike in cases could cause serious illness in many unvaccinated Americans. Key U.S. economic data due this week include ADP private payrolls, jobs report, factory orders and ISM's manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs. The Federal Reserve will publish the minutes from the December meeting on Wednesday, which could offer more clues on the timing of the first rate. The greenback touched 4-day highs of 1.1300 against the euro and 1.2761 against the loonie, up from its early lows of 1.1384 and 1.2630, respectively. The greenback is likely to find resistance around 1.12 against the euro and 1.30 against the loonie. The greenback rebounded from its previous lows of 1.3535 against the pound and 0.9105 against the franc, hitting 5-day highs of 1.3452 and 0.918, respectively. If the greenback extends rise, 1.31 and 0.93 are possibly seen as its next resistance levels against the pound and the franc, respectively. The greenback jumped to near 2-week highs of 0.7188 against the aussie and 0.6777 against the kiwi, off its prior low of 1.1384 and a 4-day low of 0.6857, respectively. The greenback may target resistance around 0.70 against the aussie and 0.66 against the kiwi. The greenback climbed to 115.37 against the yen, its highest level since November 25. This followed a 4-day low of 114.95 hit at 8:15 am ET. On the upside, 118.00 is possibly seen as its next resistance level. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Regulatory News: AKKA Technologies (Paris:AKA) (BSE:AKA) (ISIN:FR0004180537) held its Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on Wednesday morning, 22 December 2021. The Shareholders approved all the proposed resolutions described below: For each resolution: Number of shares for which votes have been validly cast: 21,400,544 - Proportion of share capital represented by these votes: 69% - Number of profit shares for which votes have been validly cast: 7,927,487 - Total number of valid votes cast: 29,328,031 Resolutions For Against Abstained 1 Deletion of paragraphs 6 and 7 of Article 17 "COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS" of the Company's Articles of Association 29,327,883 100% 0 0% 148 2 Acknowledgement of the report of the Board of Directors of the Company regarding the cancellation of the 7,927,487 profit shares issued by the Company N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3 Cancellation of the 7,927,487 profit shares issued by the Company 29,327,883 100% 0 0% 148 4 Powers 29,133,381 100% 0 0% 194,650 The minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting are available on the Company's website https://www.akka-technologies.com/ in the section "Investors". Next events: Publication of Full Year 2021 Results: Thursday, March 10th, 2022 at 5:45 PM (CET) Publication of First-quarter 2022 Revenue: Thursday, May 5th, 2022 at 5:45 PM (CET) ABOUT AKKA AKKA is a European leader in engineering consulting and R&D services. Our comprehensive portfolio of digital solutions combined with our expertise in engineering, uniquely positions us to support our clients by leveraging the power of connected data to accelerate innovation and drive the future of smart industry. AKKA accompanies leading industry players across a wide range of sectors throughout the life cycle of their products with cutting edge digital technologies (AI, ADAS, IoT, Big Data, robotics, embedded computing, machine learning, etc.) to help them rethink their products and business processes. Founded in 1984, AKKA has a strong entrepreneurial culture and a wide global footprint. Our 20,000 employees around the world are all passionate about technology and share the AKKA values of respect, courage and ambition. The Group recorded revenues of 1.5 billion in 2020. AKKA Technologies (AKA) is listed on Euronext Paris and Brussels segment B ISIN code: FR0004180537. For more information, please visit: https://www.akka-technologies.com/ Follow us on: https://twitter.com/AKKA_Tech View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220103005276/en/ Contacts: Stephanie Bia Group Communications Investor Relations Director Tel: +33(0)6 47 85 98 78 stephanie.bia@akka.eu The project has won the "Emerging Infectious Diseases and New Radiological, Biological and Chemical Threats" Call for Expressions of Interest Regulatory News: Pherecydes Pharma (FR0011651694 ALPHE), a biotechnology company specializing in precision phage therapy to treat resistant and/or complicated bacterial infections, and the CEA, today announced the selection of the PhagECOLI project submitted within the framework of the 'Emerging Infectious Diseases and New Radiological, Biological and Chemical Threats' Call for Expressions of Interest. This project will receive a Bpifrance grant of 2 million, 50% of its estimated cost, of which Pherecydes Pharma will receive 80% and the CEA 20%. The PhagECOLI project draws on the complementary expertise and experience of Pherecydes Pharma and the CEA. The aim of this three-year project is to offer new treatments for hard-to-treat or resistant E. Coli infections thanks to precision phage therapy. To provide the best approach to the therapeutic need, Pherecydes Pharma and the CEA will develop a new generation of tools to measure the efficacy of anti-E. Coli phages on the patient's bacterial strain. These new tools could then become the basis for a brand-new generation of phagograms1 for the various target bacteria. This financial support will also allow Pherecydes Pharma to accelerate the development of its anti-E. coli phages. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Escherichia coli within the group of bacteria presenting a critical priority in terms of searching for new treatments, given how dangerous and antibiotic-resistant it is. According to ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) data, resistant E. coli infections are the most frequent infections in European hospitals, with more than 163,000 cases a year. Guy-Charles Fanneau de La Horie, Chairman of the Executive Board of Pherecydes Pharma, stated: "I am delighted to be able to combine our efforts with those undertaken by the CEA in recent years in the field of the detection of phages' activity on target bacteria. The goal of the approach jointly developed with the CEA is to put in place a brand-new generation of reliable, rapid and sensitive tools enabling optimized treatment for patients and physicians. We are also very proud to receive Bpifrance's support for this project with our anti-E. Coli phages". Nadege Nief, Deputy Head of the CEA's Micro-Technologies for Biology Healthcare division,said: "We are very pleased to be able to develop this new generation of tools with Pherecydes Pharma. Through its experience and projects, Pherecydes has today become the most-advanced European industrial player in this field, and its precision phage therapy approach fully corresponds to the research carried out by the CEA on the optical phagogram in recent years. We firmly believe that, together, we can develop fast and industrializable tools for the effective treatment of patients facing a therapeutic impasse About Pherecydes Pharma Founded in 2006, Pherecydes Pharma is a biotechnology company that develops treatments against resistant bacterial infections, responsible for many serious infections. The Company has developed an innovative approach, precision phage therapy, based on the use of phages, natural bacteria-killing viruses. Pherecydes Pharma is developing a portfolio of phages targeting 3 of the most resistant and dangerous bacteria, which alone account for more than two thirds of hospital-acquired resistant infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The concept of precision phage therapy has been successfully applied in several dozen patients in the context of compassionate use, under the supervision of the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM). Headquartered in Nantes, Pherecydes Pharma has a team of around twenty experts from the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology sector and academic research. For more information, www.pherecydes-pharma.com About the CEA The CEA is a major player in the field of research benefiting the French State, the economy and citizens. It provides concrete solutions to their requirements in four key areas: the energy transition, the digital transition, technologies for the medicines of the future and defense security. The only French public research body in the global top 100 innovation players, the CEA plays the role of a catalyzer and accelerator of innovation serving French industry. It improves the competitiveness of companies in every sector by creating effective and distinctive products and provides innovative solutions to shed light on our society's changes. The CEA deploys this dynamic across all French regions by supporting its local partners' innovation approaches, thus contributing to the creation of value and long-term jobs throughout the country to meet industry's needs. At the same time, it supports the development of its 220 start-ups, agile channels for transmitting the know-how and disruptive technologies developed in laboratories. www.cea.fr Disclaimer This press release contains non-factual elements, including, but not limited to, certain statements regarding future results and other future events. These statements are based on the current vision and assumptions of the management of the Company. They incorporate known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could result in significant differences in results, profitability and expected events. In addition, Pherecydes Pharma, its shareholders and its affiliates, directors, officers, counsels and employees have not verified the accuracy of, and make no representations or warranties about, statistical information or forecast information contained within this news release and that originates or is derived from third party sources or industry publications; these statistical data and forecast information are only used in this press release for information purposes. Finally, this press release may be drafted in French and in English. In the event of differences between the two texts, the French version will prevail. 1 Tool developed by Pherecydes Pharma to select the most active phages on the collected bacterial strain. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220103005232/en/ Contacts: Pherecydes Pharma Philippe Rousseau CFO investors@pherecydes-pharma.com NewCap Dusan Oresansky Investor Relations pherecydes@newcap.eu T.: +33 1 44 71 94 92 NewCap Arthur Rouille Media Relations pherecydes@newcap.eu T.: +33 1 44 71 00 15 CEA Press Office presse@cea.fr T.: +33 1 64 50 20 11 Regulatory News: ABIONYX Pharma (FR0012616852 ABNX PEA PME eligible), a new generation biotech company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative therapies for patients, today announces that the French Drug Safety Agency (Agence Nationale de Securite du Medicament or ANSM), granted a Compassionate Access Authorization for the bio-HDL (CER-001) in COVID-19 disease. COVID-19 is associated with respiratory symptoms characterized by acute lung injury, rapidly progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome. The pulmonary dysfunction is rapidly accompanied by a major "cytokine storm" during which inflammatory cytokines are released abundantly into the bloodstream leading to host tissue damage. Decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL and HDL have been observed in patients with COVID-19 infections. Patients with low HDL at hospital admission had an increased risk of developing severe disease compared with patients with high HDL. With recovery from COVID-19 infections, serum lipid levels return to pre-infection levels. These lipid abnormalities could be modified by pharmacological agents that increase plasma ApoA-I and HDL levels, but more importantly increase the number of functional HDL particles. Thus, CER-001, a recombinant bio-HDL, may have the potential to improve the clinical outcome of patients with COVID-19. The current data do not allow us to presume a favourable benefit-risk ratio for the use of CER-001 in the context of this authorization. In France, the use of proprietary drugs that do not yet benefit from a market authorization (AMM) and that are not the subject of a clinical trial, may be obtained with a Compassionate Access Authorization from the ANSM. The patient Temporary Authorizations for Use (ATU) have become Compassionate Access Authorizations (AAC); the terms and criteria for access to these treatments have not been changed overall by the reform for patients or healthcare professionals; on the other hand, pharma and biotech companies must apply for early access if they are considering clinical and commercial development in a given indication. In particular, a Compassionate Access Authorization is granted by the ANSM under the following conditions: The product is meant to treat, prevent or diagnose a severe or rare disease, - There is no appropriate treatment available, with no possibility to include a patient in an ongoing clinical trial, - The ACC is delivered at the request and under the sole responsibility of the prescribing physician, when the drug is likely to benefit to the patient. About ABIONYX Pharma ABIONYX Pharma is a new generation biotech company that aims to contribute to health through innovative therapies in indications where there is no effective or existing treatment, even the rarest ones. Thanks to its partners in research, medicine, biopharmaceuticals and shareholding, the company innovates on a daily basis to propose drugs for the treatment of renal and ophthalmological diseases, or new HDL vectors used for targeted drug delivery. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220103005285/en/ Contacts: NewCap Investor relations Louis-Victor Delouvrier abionyx@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 98 53 NewCap Media relations Arthur Rouille abionyx@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 00 15 Regulatory News: Etablissements Maurel Prom (Paris:MAU) (Euronext Paris: MAU, ISIN FR0000051070, "the Group", "M&P") announced today that it has appointed Jean-Philippe Hagry as the Group's new Chief Operating Officer (Technical Director), following Philippe Corlay's retirement. Jean-Philippe Hagry took up his new role on 1 January 2022 and has also joined M&P's Management Committee. Olivier de Langavant, Chief Executive Officer at M&P, stated: "I would like to sincerely thank Philippe Corlay for his unwavering commitment and dedication since he joined M&P in 2003. Philippe has been a key part of the Group over the years, particularly in relation to developing and launching production in the M'Boundi and Onal fields. I am also delighted to welcome Jean-Philippe Hagry as the new Chief Operating Officer. I am confident that his personal qualities, his substantial and diversified international experience and his incredibly broad technical and commercial expertise will be a great asset to M&P Jean-Philippe Hagry Graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique (French public institution of higher education) and the Institut Francais du Petrole (IFP School French institute of petroleum), Jean-Philippe Hagry began his career in 1988 at the Total group as a reservoir engineer, with placements in both France and Norway, before taking over responsibility for the reservoir department in Angola. From 1999 to 2005, he took on a variety of roles, including Business Development Manager for the Middle East and Asia, particularly in LNG (liquefied natural gas), before becoming Chief Executive Officer for the local subsidiary Total Gas Power in the United Arab Emirates. In 2005, he was appointed Vice President of Gas and Development in Venezuela. In 2009, he joined Total once more as an Internal Auditor for two years, before being appointed Vice President of Brass LNG (Nigeria). In 2014, he became Vice President of Libra/Meru and non-operated assets of Total Brazil, then Vice President Delegate for Iraq from 2017 to 2021. He joined the M&P Group in September 2021. Francais Anglais pieds cubes pc cf cubic feet millions de pieds cubes par jour Mpc/j mmcfd million cubic feet per day milliards de pieds cubes Gpc bcf billion cubic feet baril B bbl barrel barils d'huile par jour b/j bopd barrels of oil per day millions de barils Mb mmbbls million barrels barils equivalent petrole bep boe barrels of oil equivalent barils equivalent petrole par jour bep/j boepd barrels of oil equivalent per day millions de barils equivalent petrole Mbep mmboe million barrels of oil equivalent For more information, visit www.maureletprom.fr/en/ This document may contain forward-looking statements regarding the financial position, results, business activities and industrial strategy of Maurel Prom. By nature, forward-looking statements contain risks and uncertainties to the extent that they are based on events or circumstances that may or may not happen in the future. These projections are based on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which may prove to be incorrect and which depend on a number of risk factors, such as fluctuations in crude oil prices, changes in exchange rates, uncertainties related to the valuation of our oil reserves, actual rates of oil production and the related costs, operational problems, political stability, legislative or regulatory reforms, or even wars, terrorism and sabotage. Maurel Prom is listed for trading on Euronext Paris CAC All-Tradable CAC Small CAC Mid Small Eligible PEA-PME and SRD Isin FR0000051070/Bloomberg MAU.FP/Reuters MAUP.PA View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220103005291/en/ Contacts: Maurel Prom Press, shareholder and investor relations Tel: +33 (0)1 53 83 16 45 ir@maureletprom.fr NewCap Financial communications and investor relations/Media relations Louis-Victor Delouvrier/Nicolas Merigeau Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 98 53/+33 (0)1 44 71 94 98 maureletprom@newcap.eu Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers his 2022 New Year Address through China Media Group and the Internet on New Year's eve. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The year 2021 witnessed Chinese President Xi Jinping's tight schedule of "cloud diplomacy:" he had 79 telephone calls with leaders of foreign countries and international organizations, and attended 40 major diplomatic events via video link. These activities have strengthened the bonds between China and the rest of the world and showed that the country, with a civilization of more than 5,000 years and a population of over 1.4 billion, is making continuous efforts to seek common development and a better future for mankind. HIGHLIGHTS OF BILATERAL ACTIVITIES In the face of complicated international situations, China-Russia ties have become a staunch force for world peace and stability. From major cooperation projects to the official extension of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, and to the successful conclusion of the China-Russia Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation, cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results last year. As Xi put it in December, in his second virtual meeting in 2021 and 37th meeting since 2013 with Russian President Vladimir Putin, China and Russia have actively fulfilled their responsibilities as major countries, and acted as a pillar of strength in following true multilateralism and upholding fairness and justice in the world. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Joe Biden via video link, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) About a month before this talk, Xi held a video call with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden. The Chinese president pointed out that the most important event in international relations in the coming 50 years will be for China and the United States to find the right way to get along. He also highlighted mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation as three principles in developing China-U.S. relations in the new era. In the month between the two meetings, Xi conducted a series of bilateral and multilateral activities, including congratulating Olaf Scholz on his election as German chancellor, addressing the opening ceremony of the China-Laos Railway via video link and sending congratulatory messages to the re-elected presidents of Vietnam and Uzbekistan. QUOTES ON MULTILATERALISM 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), the 30th anniversary of China's joining the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations (UN). Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly via video on Sept. 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) The Chinese president has expressed several times that China is determined to champion multilateralism. And new fruits of friendship are yielded thanks to candid exchanges and innovative cooperation mechanisms. -- On the China-Central and Eastern European Countries summit in February, Xi said China intends to "import more than 170 billion U.S. dollars of goods from CEE countries" and will "work to double CEE countries' agricultural exports to China and raise two-way agricultural trade by 50 percent." -- The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity was held in China's Kunming in October, at which Xi announced China's initiative to establish a Kunming Biodiversity Fund and take the lead by investing 1.5 billion yuan (233 million U.S. dollars) to support biodiversity protection in developing countries. -- While addressing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations via video link in November, Xi called for fostering a closer community with a shared future for China and ASEAN, while keeping in mind people's aspirations for a better life. HARMONIOUS RELATION WITH NATURE The world has come to a crossroads where humanity is confronting the challenges of the times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Xi has put forward a series of new ideas and initiatives, which shows that China is a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order and a provider of public goods. Workers unload a batch of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines at M'poko International Airport in Bangui, Central African Republic, on July 6, 2021. (Chinese Embassy in CAR/Handout via Xinhua) China would provide an additional 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Africa, Xi announced while addressing the opening ceremony of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation via video link. As the first country to propose the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public good and to advocate global vaccine cooperation, China provided over 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and organizations throughout 2021. Xi said "China will do its best to help developing countries cope with the COVID-19 pandemic," in a written message to the first meeting of the International Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation in August. In terms of climate issues, as "the first from the leader of a single country," quoting U.S. media CNBC, to speak on the Leaders' Summit on Climate in April, Xi reaffirmed that China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Throughout the year, China has not only pledged to achieve carbon neutrality, but also promoted the establishment of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, issued the China-U.S. joint declaration on enhancing climate action, and participated in adopting the Glasgow Climate Pact. In his keynote speech at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021, Xi called on countries to answer the "call of our times," defeat the pandemic through solidarity, strengthen global governance and keep pursuing a community with a shared future for mankind. SEEKING DEVELOPMENT Only when countries develop together can there be true development, and only when countries prosper together can there be true prosperity, Xi said, while addressing via video link the opening ceremony of the Second UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference. The UN welcomes the China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI) as it will speed up implementing the 2030 Agenda, said Siddharth Chatterjee, UN development system resident coordinator in China. The GDI proposed by Xi is an initiative to support the development of developing countries, promote global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era and strengthen international development cooperation. The Lane Xang EMU train of the China-Laos Railway departs from Vientiane Railway Station in Vientiane, Laos, Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) China walks the talk. On Dec. 3, the first train of the China-Laos Railway left Vientiane in the afternoon after the cross-border railway was officially put into operation. The 1,035-km electrified passenger and cargo railway, connecting Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province with the Lao capital, Vientiane, has fully adopted Chinese technical standards and consists of two sections. The start of its construction dates back to December 2016. Xi said the China-Laos Railway is a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. "China is willing to work with Laos and other countries along the route to speed up the building of a closer Belt and Road partnership and a community with a shared future for mankind," he said. While some are seeking to stir confrontation or sow division, Xi has been proposing the promotion of humanity's common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. "With a strong sense of responsibility for the future of all mankind, we need to champion the common values of humanity, foster broad-minded tolerance toward the understanding of values by different civilizations, and respect the explorations of different peoples to turn values into reality," Xi said, addressing the Communist Party of China and World Political Parties Summit held in July 2021. "By doing so, the common values of humanity will be translated into the practice of individual countries to serve the interests of their own people in a concrete and realistic way," he said. The Heubach Group ("Heubach", the "Company"), a leading global producer of pigments and SK Capital Partners ("SK Capital"), a private investment firm focused on the specialty materials, chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors, announced today the completion of the acquisition of Clariant's Global Colorants Business ("Clariant Pigments"). The combined business will operate under the Heubach brand, creating a global pigment technology and industry leader. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211231005108/en/ The newly combined Heubach Group is a leading global provider of comprehensive color solutions, supplying a broad portfolio of organic, inorganic, and anti-corrosive pigments, pigment preparations, dyes, colorants and specialty materials. The Company is a technological and quality leader and operates its global business from nineteen manufacturing facilities across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa, employing approximately 3,000 people. The headquarters of the Heubach Group will be established in Vienna, Austria. Johann Heubach, of the Heubach Group, stated, "The new Heubach is a world-class organization with great talent, technology and assets. For us, product excellence and sustainability are core. We are well-positioned to create significant value for our customers and business partners across the many industries we serve." Aaron Davenport, a Managing Director of SK Capital, noted, "The combination of Heubach and Clariant Pigments creates an industry leader committed to the highest standards in manufacturing, quality and service. We look forward to supporting management in the growth and improvement of the Company by investing into talent, innovation and market expansion." The Heubach Group is excited to announce the appointment of Stefan Doboczky as Chief Executive Officer of the Heubach Group, effective January 10, 2022. Mr. Doboczky joins the Heubach Group having most recently served as CEO of Lenzing AG, a global leader of cellulosic fibers and biochemicals. Prior to Lenzing, Mr. Doboczky was member of the Managing Board of Royal DSM, the Dutch Life Science and Material Science Group, where he spent almost two decades in various general management roles. Mr. Doboczky holds a PhD in Natural Science from the Technical University of Vienna (A), as well as an MBA from IMD in Lausanne (CH). Stefan Doboczky noted, "I am very excited to join the new Heubach Group. I am convinced that by combining these successful businesses we will create a powerful offering for our customers in the pigment and colorant space." The Valence Group of Piper Sandler Co., BofA Securities and Citigroup served as financial advisors to Heubach and SK Capital. Committed financing for the transaction was provided by BofA Securities, Citigroup, HSBC, KeyBanc, Citizens, ING and MUFG. Lenz Staehelin AG and Kirkland Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to Heubach and SK Capital. Milbank LLP acted as legal counsel to Heubach. Homburger AG acted as legal counsel to Clariant and Deutsche Bank AG served as Clariant's financial advisor. About Heubach Group With a tradition of delivering excellence that stretches back over 200 years, the Heubach name is synonymous with innovation, attention to customer needs and reliability in creating colors. Today's Heubach is a global industry leader in the field of pigments, pigment preparations, dyes, colorants and specialty materials. Heubach is committed to reliable supply of high-quality materials to meet customers demanding production environments. Sustainability is a part of the Heubach DNA. Heubach has a global manufacturing footprint including 19 facilities around the globe and generates approximately 1 billion in annual sales. For more information, please visit www.heubachcolor.com. About SK Capital SK Capital is a private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors. The firm seeks to build strong and growing businesses that create substantial long-term value. SK Capital aims to utilize its industry, operating and investment experience to identify opportunities to transform businesses into higher performing organizations with improved strategic positioning, growth and profitability as well as lower operating risk. SK Capital's portfolio of businesses generates revenues of approximately $14 billion annually, employs more than 20,000 people globally and operates 191 plants in 32 countries. The firm currently has greater than $5 billion of assets under management. For more information, please visit www.skcapitalpartners.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211231005108/en/ Contacts: Europe Stephen Fishleigh BackBay Communications +44 203 475 7552 (o) +44 7904 114 002 (m) stephen.fishleigh@backbaycommunications.com United States Jeremy Milner BackBay Communications 401-862-9422 jeremy.milner@backbaycommunications.com NOXXON Pharma N.V. (Euronext Growth Paris: ALNOX) (Paris:ALNOX), a biotechnology company focused on improving cancer treatments by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), announced today an expansion of the agreement with Atlas Special Opportunities, LLC (ASO) for the additional provision of up to 17 million in equity-linked securities. Additionally, today, NOXXON issued 2,419 convertible bonds (including 44 convertible bonds issued in relation to the transaction fee) for a total of 2.419 million nominal value. "This capital increase further strengthens NOXXON's financial visibility and allows us to focus on achieving key operational goals including completion of the ongoing NOX-A12 GLORIA brain cancer Phase 1/2, advancement of the GLORIA expansion arms testing additional combinations and the launch of two new studies: a pivotal Phase 2/3 in glioblastoma and a Phase 2 in pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, the expanded capital facility, if fully utilized, provides financing capacity sufficient to fund operations for virtually all of 2022, according to the current business plan," said Bryan Jennings, CFO of NOXXON The flexible convertible bond agreement with ASO, initially disclosed on April 23, 2020, and amended on October 14, 2020, has now been further amended to expand its capacity. A total of 17 additional tranches of 1 million nominal value each shall be added to the convertible bond facility upon drawdown by NOXXON of the nominal amount currently available. The total remaining nominal capacity of the vehicle before this expansion and today's issuance stands at 10.45 million. Availability under the amended facility, including the 17 million expansion, is 27.5 million prior to today's issuance. The full characteristics, terms and conditions of the financing may be found in the April 23, and October 14, 2020 press releases pertaining to the agreement and the dilutive potential of this latest amendment in the Annex to this press release. NOXXON maintains an updated summary table of issued convertible bonds in the Investors' section of its website. About NOXXON NOXXON's oncology-focused pipeline acts on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the cancer immunity cycle by breaking the tumor protection barrier and blocking tumor repair. By neutralizing chemokines in the TME, NOXXON's approach works in combination with other forms of treatment to weaken tumor defenses against the immune system and enable greater therapeutic impact. NOXXON's lead program NOX-A12 has delivered final top-line data from a Keytruda combination trial in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer patients published at the ESMO conference in September 2020 and in July 2021 the company announced its Phase 2 study, OPTIMUS, to further evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in combination with Merck's Keytruda and two different chemotherapy regimens as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. NOXXON is also studying NOX-A12 in brain cancer in combination with radiotherapy which has been granted orphan drug status in the US and EU for the treatment of certain brain cancers. GLORIA, a trial of NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy in newly diagnosed brain cancer patients who will not benefit clinically from standard chemotherapy has delivered interim data from the first two cohorts showing consistent tumor reductions and objective tumor responses. The company's second clinical-stage asset NOX-E36 is a Phase 2 TME asset targeting the innate immune system. NOXXON plans to test NOX-E36 in patients with solid tumors. Further information can be found at: www.noxxon.com. Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp Dohme Corp. Visit NOXXON on LinkedIn and Twitter. About the GLORIA Study GLORIA (NCT04121455) is NOXXON's dose-escalation, phase 1/2 study of NOX-A12 in combination with irradiation in first-line glioblastoma (brain cancer) patients with unmethylated MGMT promoter (resistant to standard chemotherapy). About the OPTIMUS Study OPTIMUS (NCT04901741) is NOXXON's open-label two-arm phase 2 study of NOX-A12 combined with pembrolizumab and nanoliposomal irinotecan/5-FU/leucovorin or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in microsatellite-stable metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. Disclaimer Certain statements in this communication contain formulations or terms referring to the future or future developments, as well as negations of such formulations or terms, or similar terminology. These are described as forward-looking statements. In addition, all information in this communication regarding planned or future results of business segments, financial indicators, developments of the financial situation or other financial or statistical data contains such forward-looking statements. The company cautions prospective investors not to rely on such forward-looking statements as certain prognoses of actual future events and developments. The company is neither responsible nor liable for updating such information, which only represents the state of affairs on the day of publication. ANNEX Table: Dilutive Potential of Convertible Bond Vehicle assuming conversion price of 0.27 per share Description Price per share paid No. Bonds Converted Shares Received Nominal Value Converted to Shares* Dilution Shareholder starting with 1% would then hold ** Middle Tranche existing vehicle 0.27 475 1,759,259 475,000 2.30% 0.98% New Tranche of EUR 1 million 0.27 1,000 3,703,703 1,000,000 4.73% 0.95% All 17 New Tranches 0.27 17,000 62,962,962 17,000,000 45.77% 0.54% Conversion of all remaining uncalled tranches and 17 New Tranches 0.27 27,450 101,666,666 27,450,000 57.68% 0.42% Rounded up for simplicity of presentation for amounts not used due to fractional shares. ** The percentages shown each take into consideration only the dilutive effect of the transaction(s) specified in the Description column of the same row; these percentages are not cumulative with above rows. 1 Press release issued on December 29, 2021 incorrectly calculated and overstated the dilutive potential of the convertible bond vehicle included in the annex. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220103005296/en/ Contacts: For more information, please contact: NOXXON Pharma N.V. Aram Mangasarian, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer Tel. +49 (0) 30 726247 0 amangasarian@noxxon.com Investor and Media Relations: LifeSci Advisors Guillaume van Renterghem Tel. +41 (0) 76 735 01 31 gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com NewCap Arthur Rouille Tel. +33 (0) 1 44 71 00 15 arouille@newcap.fr Regulatory News: MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a French clinical-stage biotech and a pioneer in the development of microbiome-based ecosystem therapies dedicated to improving survival outcomes for patients with cancer, announced today that its CEO and co-founder, Herve Affagard will present the company at the upcoming H.C. Wainwright Bioconnect Virtual Conference held January 10-13, 2022. The presentation will be available on-demand through the H.C. Wainwright conference portal, starting at 7:00 am EST/1:00 pm CET on Monday, January 10, 2022. A replay of the presentation will also be made accessible in the investors' section of the company's website at www.maatpharma.com from Friday, January 14, 2022 and for 90 days after the event. 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 already achieved proof of concept in a Phase II clinical trial in acute GvHD. Our powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, supports the development and expansion of our 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). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220103005329/en/ Contacts: MaaT Pharma Herve AFFAGARD Co-Founder and CEO Sian Crouzet COO/CFO +33 4 28 29 14 00 invest@maat-pharma.com MaaT Pharma Pauline RICHAUD PR and Corporate Communications Manager +33 6 07 55 25 36 prichaud@maat-pharma.com Trophic Communications Corporate and medical Communications Jacob VERGHESE or Gretchen SCHWEITZER +49 89 23 88 77 31 maat@trophic.eu The retractable charging station connects to a smart energy management system, enabling user accessibility and management of mobility and energy data ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- E-LIFT, a Rotterdam-based smart hardware company that manufactures EV charging solutions for vehicles and boats, will introduce their new customizable GS Pop-Up Station during the CES event from January 5 to 8 in Las Vegas. The company will branch out into North America with their retractable charging station, which is unique of its kind. It is available with up to four plugs for simultaneous EV charging and several personalization options. Additionally, it can be equipped with sensors that link to E-LIFT's Sustainable and Smart Energy Management System (SENSE). The SENSE platform functions as the adaptive and modular management system for users' mobility and energy needs in times of transition. Consumers can log into the system to remotely monitor and manage their mobility and energy consumption data, resulting in a cost-effective energy transformation that is beneficial for governments and companies looking to reshape their future with the use of renewable energy resources. The SENSE platform connects to the GS Pop-Up Station and the entire range of products in E-LIFT's portfolio, which includes a variety of charging stations suitable to any setting, such as power generators, solar panels and batteries for energy storage. "We are thrilled to announce our Pop-Up Charging Station at CES2022 and to show the world what smart hardware can do in combination with a sustainable digital infrastructure," said Patrick Oranje, E-LIFT co-founder and CEO. "We sincerely believe that our vision, products and services make the mobility and energy transition accessible and beneficial to all. Moreover, E-LIFT will help businesses and governments create a greater impact on society. By introducing new concepts, business models and delivering tangible results, customers and citizens can increase efficiency in their day-to-day activities, ultimately resulting in an improved mobility experience and smarter energy use." This year E-LIFT will deliver solar panels and batteries to create a future-proof smart grid to meet the needs of local, regional and national communities. These products will dually function as a power source and power storage point, supporting a sustainable and smart energy ecosystem. Additionally, they will enable users to store excess energy for later consumption or sharing across homes, buildings and businesses. With its smart grid, E-LIFT will leverage proven and new technology to help generate solutions for global environmental challenges. The company will facilitate the integration of renewable energy and mobility networks with greater intelligence to support international environmental goals and the transition towards a low-carbon economy. According to Arthur Dallau, E-LIFT co-founder, Business Development & Partnerships, "We are on a clear mission during CES 2022. Through partnerships, we want to reinforce and promote the responsible use of technology to improve current and future generations' lives and build a brighter future. As industry innovators and leaders, our duty is to make the energy and mobility transition a reality. We have the conviction that our corporate responsibility consists of creating a balance between financial and societal value. For this reason, E-LIFT is presently collaborating with partners not only to develop a circular production process for all of our products as part of our sustainability strategy but also to become a frontrunner in co-developing industrial symbiosis in several continents." To learn more about E-LIFT's charging solutions, go to www.elift.nl/en and visit the E-LIFT booth (Exhibitor 3) at Eureka Park as part of the Dutch Pavilion at CES 2022. About E-LIFT Established in 2019, E-LIFT is a Dutch smart hardware company that manufactures customizable charging solutions with simultaneous EV charging capabilities and personalization options. Through continuous innovation, E-LIFT has produced a wide range of premium-quality products with a modern design and unique features: the Pop-Up (ground retractable) Station, Fixed Station, Quick Charger, and Wall Station. In 2021, E-LIFT expanded its product range by adding solar panels and batteries for energy storage to its portfolio. Additionally, the company has developed the Sustainable and Smart Energy Management System (SENSE) platform with partners, geared towards energy network consumption and management. E-LIFT also offers project management services to support businesses in the transition to electric mobility and ensure seamless integration of its charging infrastructure. E-LIFT is currently active in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. It is branching out into North America through partners and resellers. E-LIFT products are now available in Europe, North and South America, Asia and more. For more information, visit www.elift.nl/en. Contact To schedule a meeting for business inquiries at CES 2022, please get in touch with Arthur Dallau, Business Development & Partnerships, at arthur@elift.nl or Lisa van der Heijden, Project Manager, at l.vanderheijden@elift.nl. For media inquiries, please contact Nathy Ercol at n.ercol@elift.nl. CES is a registered trademark of Consumer Technology Association (CTA). BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Switzerland stock market climbed to a fresh all-time high on Monday, and despite paring some gains past mid-afternoon, ended the session on a bright note. Optimism about growth offset concerns about surging coronvirus cases in Europe and elsewhere. The benchmark SMI, which spurted to 12,997.15, ended the session with a gain of 63.51 points or 0.49% at 12,939.17. Credit Suisse rallied nearly 2.5%. Swiss Life Holding gained 2.15%. Zurich Insurance Group shares climbed 1.55% after the company announced that its Italian unit Zurich Investments Life S.p.A. has agreed to sell its life and pension back book to the Portuguese insurance company GamaLife - Companhia de Seguros de Vida, S.A. Swiss Re, Nestle, UBS Group, Holcim and ABB ended higher by 1.1 to 1.5%. Logitech, Richemont and Swisscom ended with modest gains. Lonza Group and Alcon declined 1.63% and 1.34%, respectively. Partners Group shed about 0.9%. In the Mid Price Index, Dufry gained 6.75%. AMS moved up 4.16% and VAT Group ended stronger by 3.35%. Flughafen Zurich and Baloise Holding gained 2.8% and 2.4%, respectively. Georg Fischer, Helvetia, Zur Rose, Clariant, Straumann Holding and Cembra Money Bank also ended sharply higher. Tecan Group shares tumbled more than 7%. SIG Combibloc declined 4.4% and Kuehne & Nagel ended lower by 1.29%. In economic news, the procure.ch and Credit Suisse Manufacturing PMI for Switzerland edged up to 62.7 in December of 2021 from 62.5 in the previous month, above market expectations of 61. In coronavirus news, Switzerland is currently undergoing a fifth wave of the pandemic, with the number of new daily coronavirus infections reaching new highs. On Friday, the government decided not to introduce any new pandemic measures for the time being after it tightened restrictions for the unvaccinated on December 17. However, the government says a package of additional measures could be activated quickly in the event of a deterioration in the health situation. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil prices climbed higher on Monday, the first session of the year 2022 amid hopes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies will stick to their plan to raise monthly crude production by the previously decided 400,000 barrels per day. The group is scheduled to meet on Tuesday via videoconference to determine production levels for February. Oil's uptick was also due to reports that Libya, one of OPEC's more important oil drillers, will likely lose about 200,000 barrels daily in output over the next week because of a damaged pipeline. Oil prices rose today despite major cities across the world announcing changes to their travel guidelines and coronavirus disease (Covid-19)-related protocols amid an exponential surge in new coronavirus cases. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for February ended up by $0.87 or about 1.2% at $76.08 a barrel. Brent crude futures are up $1.20 or 1.54% at $78.98 a barrel. The OPEC+ is of the view that the impact to oil demand from the Omicron variant will be 'mild and short-lived.' Last week, Saudi King Salman called on all oil producers to stick with the alliance's recommendations and output caps to ensure market stability. OPEC's new Secretary-General Elect Haitham Al Ghais said today that one of the group's 'major priorities is to promote the continuation of the OPEC+ pact through 2023.' He was referring to the production controls between the Saudis and Russians that have largely put a floor beneath crude prices since 2016. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Luxury electric car giant Tesla Inc (TSLA), recently opened a new location in the Xingjiang province, which has sparked a lot of controversies since the Chinese government has been accused of prosecuting religious minorities in the region. The company announced the news on December 31 on Weibo, Twitter's Chinese counterpart, which was first noted by the Journal. The news has made headlines especially because it came right on the heel of President Biden announcing to sanction on imports from the province as it is heavily infected with labor camps. The Chinese leadership is heavily linked with the systematic elimination of Uyghur Muslims, who are religious minorities in the country. US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken said, '[we]?call on the Government?of the People's Republic of China to immediately end genocide and crimes against humanity against the predominantly Muslim?Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.' The post said, 'In 2022, let us together launch Xinjiang on its electric journey! Tesla (heart) Xinjiang.' The company has not commented on the situation. According to Human Rights Watch, China is executing almost 1 million Uyghurs through concentration camps, forced sterilizations, rapes, and other heinous atrocities. China has labeled the people as terrorists and has claimed the camps as 'reeducation' camps rather than extermination camps. Apart from Tesla, other major tech companies are also finding it difficult to handle the situation as China remains one of the largest markets for a lot of major US-based tech companies. Tesla's rapid growth is 2021 owes a great deal to the Chinese market and its opening of the new store in Urumqi, the capital of the province has only solidified the importance of China as a market for the company. However, the carmaker is going to get a huge backlash from both national and international human rights activists for the recent development. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX TESLA-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de i Focal Systems, a San Francisco, CA-based retail automation company, closed a $25.8m Series B financing round. The round was led by Point72 Ventures, joined by existing investors Costanoa, Zetta, and Zebra Technologies, among others. The company will use the new funds to continue its growth and innovation with their AI-powered retail automation solutions, as well as expand its global sales and technical teams. Led by Francois Chaubard, CEO, Focal Systems has developed a platform to help retailers automate and optimize operations to maximize cash flows through improved inventory, supply chain, and labor efficiency. Focals AI leverages a network of patented low-cost shelf cameras that digitize the sales floor and backroom hourly to deliver impactful operational efficiencies, availability increases, sales growth, and inventory reduction. Entering 2021, the company had 10,000 cameras deployed, and over the course of the year, that number has grown 400%, with more than 40,0000 additional cameras deployed to major retailers across the globe. The company already has commitments to deploy an additional 200,000 cameras in 2022. FinSMEs 03/01/2022 HomeToGo SE (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: HTG), a provider of a marketplace with a large selection of vacation rentals, acquired Amivac, a vacation rental business unit of Groupe SeLoger, which operates the French brands amivac.com, vacances.com and vacances.seloger.com. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The acquired brands operated by AMIVAC provide subscription listing services for both homeowners and professional agencies, which will contribute to growth for HomeToGos Subscription & Services platform. Looking ahead, the amivac.com, vacances.com and vacances.seloger.com brands will continue to operate under their independent identities. The acquisition was signed in August 2021, and closed on January 1, 2022. Founded in 2014 by Dr. Patrick Andrae, CEO, HomeToGo operates a marketplace for alternative accommodation that connects millions of travelers searching for a place to stay with thousands of inventory suppliers across the globe. While HomeToGo SEs registered office is located in Luxembourg, HomeToGo GmbH is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. The company operates localized websites and apps in 23 countries. FinSMEs 03/01/2021 ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least four members of Yemen's pro-government forces were killed in a missile attack carried out by the Houthi militia in the country's southern oil-rich province of Shabwa on Sunday, a military official told Xinhua. "The Houthi-fired missile landed on a public market and a fuel station in Usaylan district of Shabwa, killing at least four soldiers stationed in the residential area," the local military source said on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, battles are continuing between the Yemeni government forces backed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and the Houthi militia in various areas of Shabwa which has large oil fields. During the past hours, heavy bombardment launched by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition largely supported the pro-government Yemeni forces to achieve progress in Shabwa's fighting. "The Houthis lost key sites in Shabwa's district of Usaylan while the government forces are still continuing to advance with an aim of capturing the whole province from the rebels," an official of the province's military command confirmed to Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since the Houthi militia overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014. Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthis forced him into exile. Enditem On 10 December 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met virtually with the government delegation of Nicaragua that is in China for a visit. State Councilor Wang Yi praised the delegation members asice-breakers of bilateral ties and pioneers for China-Nicaragua cooperation. The delegation has traveled thousands of milesand carries an important mission. Working productively with the Chinese team, it has participated directly in and witnessed the historic moment of resuming diplomatic relations between the two countries. He warmly congratulated both teams for the record-breaking speed in resuming diplomatic ties. He noted that China is delighted to have a new friend in Latin America and the Caribbean, and a good partner in advancing Belt and Road cooperation and building a community with a shared future for mankind. State Councilor Wang Yi stressed that the one-China principle is the general consensus of the international community and a universally-agreed norm governing international relations. Nicaragua has made an important decision to resume and develop normal relations with China, thus choosing to stand on the right side of history with the overwhelming majority of countries in the world. The resumption of diplomatic ties is fully in keeping with the fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries and is sure to be welcomed and supported by the two peoples. China and Nicaragua shall cement the one-China principle,the political foundation of bilateral relations, work together to chart the course of development of bilateral ties, and steadily advance exchanges and cooperation in various fields that will bring benefits to both countries and peoples. State Councilor Wang Yi pointed out that Taiwan has been a part of China since ancient times. Although the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have yet to be reunified, the sovereignty and territory of China has never been severed and the fact that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China has never changed. China must be united and reunification is inevitable. Complete reunification is the shared aspiration of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. Laureano Ortega, Adviser to the President of Nicaragua, stated that today is an important historic moment for the government and people of Nicaragua. Exchanges between the two countries date back a long time. The two governing parties and two countries share revolutionary friendship and brotherly bonds. The resumption of diplomatic ties is supported by the entire Nicaraguan population. With profound sincerity in resuming diplomatic relations, Nicaragua will fully honor its commitments, firmly uphold the one-China principle, and support all the endeavors and actions of China for its complete reunification. Laureano expressed Nicaraguas high regards for Chinas pivotal role in safeguarding world peace and stability and promoting human progress. Nicaragua will work with China in upholding their national sovereignty, independence and dignity, in practicing multilateralism, and in defending global fairness and justice. Nicaragua highly echoes Chinas diplomatic vision and proposals, and stands ready to join the great initiative of Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen collaboration with China in various fields to enhance national development and well-being. Finance Minister Ivan Acosta, a member of Nicaraguas government delegation, noted that the resumption of diplomatic ties opens the door to bilateral engagement and to shared prosperity. Nicaragua is convinced that China is a reliable partner for development. It looks forward to learning from Chinas experience of success and delivering more benefits to the people of Nicaragua. Prior to the virtual meeting,the representatives of the two governments officially signed in Tianjin the Joint Communique on the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations Between the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of Nicaragua. Xiaomi, a few days back, announced the latest iteration of its proprietary Android skin MIUI 13. The MIUI 13 comes with new widgets, new dynamic wallpapers, face verification protection, document watermarking, telecommunication fraud protection, Mi Sans font, and more. Xiaomi has started rolling out MIUI 13 China Beta Builds for eligible devices including the Redmi K40 Pro. We installed Android 12 based MIUI 13 China Beta ROM on our Mi 11X Pro (known as Redmi K40 Pro+ in China), and here is our first impression post to help you understand the new features and changes MIUI 13 brings to the eligible devices. 1. Widgets MIUI 13 comes with new widgets, and anyone who has used iOS widgets wont need anytime to figure out that Xiaomi has blatantly copied Apples implementation. However, if you can look past this, Xiaomi seems to be on the right track with the MIUI 13 Widgets, but there is still tons of scope for improvements. Let me explain with an example below, In the battery widgets, Xiaomi also shows users the amount of battery left in the devices connected via Bluetooth such as TWS, Wireless neckbands, Smartwatches, and Fitness bands. However, users dont get to see the percentage of battery left on the gadgets once they connect a Bluetooth device to their smartphone. 2. Conversation Widgets MIUI 13 supports Conversation Widgets which Google had introduced a few months back with the Android 12. However, finding Conversation Widgets might be a little tricky. Users need to find the Android Widgets option and then choose widget to enable Conversation Widget. 3. Mi Sans Font Xiaomi is introducing a new Mi Sans Font with the MIUI 13. Users still have a dynamic scaling feature with the new font. It will be interesting to see if Xiaomi brings the Mi Sans font to MIUI Global ROM. However, we shouldnt really expect the company to introduce Dynamic Scaling on Global ROM since the feature was introduced more than 2 years in China ROM. 4. Document Watermarking Xiaomi is introducing a new Document Watermarking feature with the MIUI 13. As the name suggests, it allows users to watermark the images. Users can head over to Gallery, open an image, and slide from the bottom to bring up the menu. Users can only add a Watermark containing up to 14 characters. Xiaomi is not providing users an option to change the opacity, font color, and size of the text. We hope with future releases, Xiaomi adds more options to the Protective Watermark. 5. Face Verification Protection Xiaomi also announced the Face Verification protection feature during the official announcement. However, we couldnt test it since we couldnt find Face Unlock on our Mi 11X Pro, which could be probably due to the fact that the firmware built wasnt intended for Mi 11X Pro. 6. Sidebar The Sidebar has been around for the last few years on different Android skins. Xiaomi is pretty late in bringing the Sidebar to MIUI. However, the companys implementation is quite different from other OEMs. When you tap on an app from the Sidebar, the app opens in a floating window rather than occupying the entire screen. 7. Battery Stats No MIUI version upgrade is complete without changes to the Battery Stats. Xiaomi used to show the temperature in degrees earlier, which the company has now replaced by texts such as Cool, and Warm. Apart from it, there is also a new optimized charging feature that reduces battery aging. With MIUI 13, users now also have toggles to switch between Save Battery, Balanced, and Performance modes. Based on the mode selected by the user, the battery icon in the status bar also changes. 8. Telecommunication Fraud Protection The Secure web browsing feature in MIUI 13 ensures that you dont fall prey to phishing attacks. It automatically checks for links in the incoming messages and warns users of the possible risks. 9. Secure Mode MIUI 13 brings with it a new Secure Mode feature, which when turned on allows users to install only those apps that passed the security tests designed by Xiaomi. The Secure mode seems like a nice to have feature, and we can hope the company to introduce it on MIUI 13 Global ROM. 10. Family Guard A new Family Guard feature makes its way to Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13. As the name suggests, the feature will allow users to manage devices, view locations, and also control installed apps for their family group. However, users will need to grant access to sensitive information such as Location, Call history, and Messages. However, to set up the Family Guard, users need to down a Kite Guard app, which is developed by Xiaomi. There is a good chance that the Family Guard might remain exclusive to MIUI China ROM. 11. MIUI Warning Center Xiaomi is introducing a new MIUI Warning Center with MIUI 13. The Warning Center in MIUI 13 offers warnings for Earthquakes, Disasters, and other alerts via smart home devices such as Flood, Smoke, and Gas. The Earthquake alert notifies users about the upcoming earthquakes. Xiaomi also notifies users of the updated information during the earthquake. There is also a Disaster warning feature that didnt work during our testing. There is also an Alerts section that notifies users of the alerts issued by the smart home devices added in Mi Home. The supported smart devices are Flood detectors, Smoke detectors, Gas Detectors, and Smart Locks. All three features seem exclusive to the China region, so we shouldnt really expect them in MIUI Global ROM. 12. Mi Smart Hub MIUI 13 also features a new Mi Smart Hub feature, which offers a more connected experience between smart home devices. With Mi Smart Hub, users will be able to find nearby devices with a simple gesture to seamlessly share and access content such as music, display, even apps across multiple devices. Mi Smart Hub feature isnt yet ready, and the company seems to be testing it internally with the help of the beta testers. Verdict MIUI 13 doesnt feel like a major upgrade over the MIUI 12.5 Enhanced. Except for the Widgets, there are absolutely no visual changes. It would have been more appropriate for the company to call it MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Plus or MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Pro rather than MIUI 13. Xiaomi has not implemented Material You UI from Android 12, which is certainly a major con considering other OEMs have incorporated it in their UIs. Samsung has introduced Odyssey Neo G8, which the company says is the worlds first monitor to feature a 4K (3,840 x 2,160) 1000R curved screen with 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time (GtG). It also introduced Smart Monitor M8, successor to last years M7 model and Samsung High Resolution Monitor S8 for creators and designers. The Odyssey Neo G8 gaming monitor features Quantum Mini LEDs, Quantum HDR 2000 with a 2,000nit peak brightness and a million-to-one static contrast ratio. Built with a similar design language as the Odyssey Neo G9, it has a sleek white exterior, comes with CoreSync lighting, so the light in the back of the the monitor automatically detects colors on the screen and projects them in real life to create a deeper sense of immersion. Samsung Smart Monitor M8 The Samsung Smart Monitor M8 32 has ultra-slim thickness of 11.4mm, about three-quarters thinner than M7 model. It features a sophisticated flat-back design and comes in a new warm white color. The monitor has a UHD panel with 99% sRGB color gamut, supports 1.07 billion colors and 400 nit brightness. It has Smart TV and productivity apps built-in. The monitor comes with a movable magnetic SlimFit Cam for crystal-clear video calls, and the built-in Video Call application supports the most popular calling apps, including Google Duo. Since it has USB Type-C port, it supports 65W charging. Samsung High Resolution Monitor S8 The Samsung High Resolution Monitor S8 comes in 27 and 32 models with a UHD screen that offers up to 98% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA Display HDR 600, and this is the worlds first UL (Underwriter Laboratories) verified Glare Free monitor offering a Matte Display, says Samsung. The monitor has USB Type-C 90W charging and LAN ports that can charge laptops and mobile devices without, additional docking station. It has Height Adjustable Stand (HAS) featuring tilt, swivel and pivot control points. All these monitors will be showcased at the CES 2022 this week. This is our best offer! You get home delivery Monday through Saturday plus full digital access any time, on any device with our six-day subscription delivery membership. This membership plan includes member-only benefits like our popular ticket giveaways, all of our email newsletters and access to the daily digital replica of the printed paper. Also, you can share digital access with up to four other household members at no additional cost. Subscriptions renew automatically every 30 days. Call 240-215-8600 to cancel auto-renewal. Most subscribers are served by News-Post carriers; households in some outlying areas receive same-day delivery through the US Postal Service. If your household falls in a postal delivery area, you will be notified by our customer service team. BAGHDAD, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iraqis denounced on Monday the U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, including an airstrike that killed two militia leaders two years ago, stressing that such attacks violate their country's sovereignty and brought destruction to the country. "America violates the laws in everything, and it hit Iraq at Baghdad International Airport, which led to the martyrdom of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani. This is a violation of the Iraqi sovereignty, and for us, this is a major crime," Ahmed Kamal Abdul-Hassan, a shop owner told Xinhua. Abdul-Hassan referred to the deadly attack on January 3, 2020, by a U.S. drone on a convoy near Baghdad International Airport that assassinated the Iranian Commander Qassem Soleimani and Deputy Chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Abdul-Hassan also said that the United States "brought chaos, terrorism, and all criminals to Iraq," adding that "the U.S. wants to control all Arab countries." For his part, Mustafa Razzaq, a college student, told Xinhua that the airstrike that assassinated Soleimani and al-Muhandis "is a violation of Iraq's sovereignty. In general, everyone agrees that it is a terrorist strike." "America brought false democracy and freedom. They claim it is freedom, but it is a false freedom," noted Mustafa. Ali Abdul-Hassan, a government employee, told Xinhua that after Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled by U.S.-led troops in 2003, many people thought that the United States would bring development, prosperity, and progress to the country. But "the U.S. interest was above everything, and its invasion into Iraq was only to control the oil and the Iraqi economy to make Iraq completely dependent on the American side," he concluded. The U.S. airstrike that killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis sparked tension and reprisal attacks between Iran and the United States on Iraqi soil. Two days after the airstrike, the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in the country. On Dec. 29, 2021, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi confirmed the end of the U.S.-led coalition forces' combat mission in Iraq after the withdrawal of the forces from the country. Enditem Keep the conversation about local news & events going by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Recent updates from The News-Post and also from News-Post staff members are compiled below. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Dr. Anthony Fauci said the new year is bringing bad news as the super-contagious omicron variant powers a vertical spike in COVID cases. But even as omicron drives the worst caseloads of the entire pandemic, the famed pandemic doctor believes the wave could peak quickly. Advertisement Cases are not going up gradually; they are going straight up, Fauci told WPIX TV on Monday. What we are hoping is you reach a peak, and the cases come down rather quickly. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Susan Walsh/AP) The meteoric rise, followed by a rapid decline in omicron cases is what doctors experienced in South Africa, where the new strain was first identified in late November. Advertisement Despite being much more contagious, omicron appears to cause less severe disease for the vaccinated than previous strains of COVID. And those who survive it will have some refreshed protection from other forms of the circulating virus. Thats an excellent sign for eventually getting the pandemic under control, but first, the U.S. will have to endure a rough few weeks or more. The promising news is we have the tools to get out of it sooner than later, Fauci said. People line up for a Covid-19 test near Brooklyn Borough Hall in Brooklyn, New York. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) Following significant pushback by medical personnel last week, Fauci defended the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Dec. 27 guidance allowing reduced isolation restrictions for people infected with COVID-19 or who have come in close contact with a COVID-positive person. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > The CDC quarantine period was shortened from 10 days to five days if they are no longer experiencing symptoms or running a fever. Once out of isolation, theyre asked to wear a mask for the next five days when around others. Fauci said the CDC is considering requiring a negative test by asymptomatic people or those who have been in close contact before being allowed to leave isolation. Along with evolving clinical science about how long COVID patients stay contagious, he cited the need to avoid a collapse of essential services if millions of workers are sidelined. You got to make sure that society remains functional, he said. You try to strike a balance. Advertisement A medical worker administers COVID-19 testing at a testing site in Times Square subway station in Manhattan, New York. (Yuki Iwamura/AP) Fauci said he remained concerned about how the tens of millions of unvaccinated Americans will cope with omicron. But he admitted being hopeful that the protection from widespread infection combined with the relatively large share of the vaccinated and boosted population will allow the country to finally turn the corner in the seemingly never-ending fight to end the pandemic. You would hope there would be enough background protection in the population to prevent these massive outbreaks, he said. Gillette, WY (82718) Today Becoming partly cloudy and windy. High 52F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Windy with partly cloudy skies. Low 34F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. RENO, Nev., Dec. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Exploration Inc. (NGE or the Company) (TSX-V:NGE; OTCQB:NVDEF) announces the addition of Nancy Richter to the Companys Board of Directors. Ms. Richter is an economic geologist with more than 25 years experience exploring for and developing Carlin-type gold projects in Nevada. From 2005 to 2020, Ms. Richter was a senior member of Barrick Golds exploration team, managing exploration at two of Barricks major districts as Chief Exploration Geologist, Turquoise Ridge (2013-2015) and Chief Exploration Geologist, Cortez (2015-2017), then later leading all US exploration as US Exploration Manager (2017-2020). Prior to joining Barrick, Ms. Richter worked as an exploration and mine geologist for a number of other companies, including as a Project Geologist for Newmont at the Post/Betze Mine on the Carlin trend. Ms. Richter holds an MS in Economic Geology from the University of Arizona. James Buskard, NGE President: From grassroots exploration to open pit and underground development, Nancy has been a key figure in leading exploration programs at each of Nevadas three largest Carlin districts. Most recently, as Barricks US Exploration Manager, Nancy helped guide the exploration program at Fourmile a project that began as a deep geologic target where they used wide-spaced, early drill holes to build the geologic framework to successfully target what has become the most significant new discovery in Nevada in the last decade. We are fortunate to learn from this extremely relevant path to discovery as we integrate the results of our work to date to target potentially economic mineralization at South Grass Valley, as well as plan the next phases of work at our nearby North Grass Valley project. On behalf of all our stakeholders, I am very pleased to welcome Nancy to our team. Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, the Company has granted incentive stock options to independent directors under its Stock Option Plan entitling them to purchase an aggregate of up to 1,050,000 common shares of the Company. The stock options are exercisable on or before December 8th, 2031, at an exercise price of $0.10 per share. About Nevada Exploration Inc. With mature, exposed search spaces seeing falling discovery rates, NGE believes the future of exploration is under cover. Nevadas exposed terrains have produced more than 200 million ounces of gold, and experts agree there is likely another 200 million ounces waiting to be discovered in the half of Nevada where the bedrock is hidden beneath post-mineral cover. NGE has spent more than 15 years developing and integrating new hydrogeochemistry (groundwater chemistry) and low-cost drilling technology to build an industry-leading, geochemistry-focused toolkit specifically to explore for new gold deposits under cover, and the Company is now advancing a portfolio of projects totalling more than 180 square kilometres. NGEs most advanced project is South Grass Valley, located approximately 50 kilometres south-southwest of the Cortez complex, operated by Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick Gold Corp. and Newmont Corporation joint venture), within the specific region of north-central Nevada that hosts Nevadas largest Carlin-type gold deposits (CTGDs). Since acquiring the project, NGE has completed: an infill borehole groundwater sampling program, detailed air magnetic and gravity geophysics surveys, a soil geochemistry sampling program, an initial diamond core drilling program consisting of 10 stratigraphic orientation holes, and a follow-up reverse-circulation drilling program consisting of 17 holes to increase the density of its bedrock sampling. Based on the results of its combined exploration datasets, NGE believes it has discovered a mineral system at South Grass Valley with the architecture and scale to potentially support multiple CTGDs. As the Company continues to advance the project, per NI 43-101, 2.3(2), the Company must remind its stakeholders that the project remains an exploration target for which the potential quantity and grade of any mineral resource is still conceptual in nature, and that it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource. For more information, the Companys latest videos are available at: https://www.nevadaexploration.com/investors/media/ For further information, please contact: Nevada Exploration Inc. Email: info@nevadaexploration.com Telephone: +1 (604) 601 2006 Website: www.nevadaexploration.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. Wade A. Hodges, CEO & Director, Nevada Exploration Inc., is the Qualified Person, as defined in National Instrument 43-101, and has prepared the technical and scientific information contained in this News Release. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, expectations, beliefs, plans, and objectives regarding projects, potential transactions, and ventures discussed in this release. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions, regarding, among other things, the assumption the Company will continue as a going concern and will continue to be able to access the capital required to advance its projects and continue operations. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are the risks inherent in mineral exploration, the need to obtain additional financing, environmental permits, the availability of needed personnel and equipment for exploration and development, fluctuations in the price of minerals, and general economic conditions. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company is disclosed in the Companys continuous disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Fresh off a vacation to Costa Rica, New Jerseys first lady, Tammy Murphy, has tested positive for coronavirus. Both she and the governor were vaccinated and had booster shots; she has no symptoms so far, NJ.com reported. Advertisement Gov. Murphys office announced her results Sunday afternoon after they both had rapid antigen tests following their return from an eight-day vacation to Costa Rica, the news outlet reported. Tammy Snyder Murphy, wife of New Jersey Gov. Murphy (Seth Wenig/AP) The couple tested themselves after contact with a non-family member in their home. Advertisement While the governor is not required to quarantine, given new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he will hold a COVID-19 meeting scheduled for Monday online. Just two days earlier, Gov. Murphy had toured the states new federal testing facility, declaring an omicron tsunami ripping through the state, the news outlet reported. On Dec. 22, when the family left for the eight-day vacation, there had only been 9,711 new coronavirus cases, a record for the time. In just a weeks time, that record was beat seven times over, with 28,512 confirmed cases as of Friday, the news outlet reported. The speed at which omicron is spreading is staggering, the governor said outside the East Orange facility, urging residents to get tested and isolate if they are positive. New York, Dec. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Wind Electricity Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06193693/?utm_source=GNW Ltd., Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Pattern Energy, IBERDROLA Renewables, EON Climate & Renewables, Alstom, ABO-Wind, Vattenfall, A2 Sea, Tradewind Energy, Geronimo, ReGen Powertech, Leitwind, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, Northland Power Inc., Duke Energy Corporation, Electricite de France S.A., American Electric Power (USA), Orsted A/S, DeWind Inc., Dongfang Electric Corporation Limited, Enel Green Power S.p.A., Wind World (India) Limited, Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation and Guodian United Power Technology Company Limited. The global wind electricity market is expected to grow from $89.66 in billion 2021 to $104.18 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2%. The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $184.97 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 15.4%. The wind electric power generation market consists of sales of wind power and related services.The wind electric power generation industry includes establishments engaged in producing electricity by using wind turbines. The wind energy is converted to electric power through the rotation of the blades of a rotor (between 10 and 25 rpm), producing kinetic energy, which in turn drives a generator that converts the mechanical energy into electricity.The electricity produced is then supplied to electric power transmission systems, which are used to move large quantities of power from generating facilities to substations, and to distribution systems, which are used for short distances to transport electricity to customers locally. This market includes revenues generated from both offshore and onshore wind turbines. The main connectivity types in wind electric power generation market are on-grid and off-grid.A solar power generation system that is connected to the utility grid is known as an on-grid solar power system. The electricity generated by the system is fed into the grid and used to power various gadgets. The different locations include onshore, offshore and is implemented in industrial, commercial and residential sectors. Asia Pacific was the largest region in the wind electricity market in 2021.Western Europe was the second largest region in the wind electricity market. The regions covered in the wind electric power generation market are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. Growing investments in the clean energy sector is contributing to the growth of the wind electric power generation market.Clean energy is an energy derived from renewable, zero-emissions sources, that does not pollute the environment. Solar, hydro, and wind energy are the primary sources of clean energy. For instance, in 2020, according to Africa Business Communities, UK invested over $66.7 million (50 million) into clean energy projects in Africa. The UK government invested in advanced, clean technology and is partnering with African countries to develop sustainable energy sources to meet the African energy demand which is set to increase by 60% by 2040. Growing investments in the clean energy sector to meet the energy demand is driving the wind electric power generation market. The hybrid wind-hydro power generation systems has emerged as a key trend in the wind electric power generation market.Hybrid wind-hydro power generation systems generate electricity by combining wind turbines and pumped storage. Using these systems, electric power from wind energy is generated around the clock and electric power from water movement is generated when the water that flows down from the reservoirs.When there is surplus energy, the additional water is pumped back to the reservoirs, acting as a large-scale battery. Due to the simultaneous work of wind turbines and hydro turbines, there is a continuous supply of electricity from the plant.For instance, in 2020, India introduced a 30 GW hybrid solar, wind power project in Kutch district. By 2022, the country intends to increase renewable energy capacity to 175 GW, and by 2030, to 450 GW . Power generation companies should consider embracing the hybrid wind-hydro turbine model to improve the electricity generation outputs. Weather conditions have always been a major challenge in the wind electric power generation market.Weather change is related to most extreme weather conditions, from around the globe. For instance, in 2019, in India, according to a new study by the Harvard John A.Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and the Harvard China Project, warming of Indian Ocean, triggered by global climate change, will cause a slow decline in wind power output in India. The study also states Indian monsoon is weakening, leading to a steady decline in wind power.As a result, over the past 40 years, the potential production of electricity has fallen by 13%. Adverse weather conditions has a negative impact on wind electric power generation resulting in decline of wind power. In July 2021, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), an India based automotive manufacturer acquired 31% share in ReNew Sunlight Energy (RSEPL) for $1.6 billion. By acquiring RSEPL shares, M&M will be able to become an exclusive user and use RSEPLs solar energy. As a result, RSEPL has signed an electrical supply deal with the company. ReNew Sunlight Energy (RSEPL) is an India based wind electric power generation company. The countries covered in the wind electric power generation market are Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Russia, UK, USA and Australia. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06193693/?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. __________________________ RADNOR, Pa., Jan. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Owlet, Inc. (Owlet) (NYSE: OWLT) f/k/a Sandbridge Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: SBG) (Sandbridge). The action charges Owlet with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the companys business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Owlets materially misleading statements to the public, Owlet investors have suffered significant losses. CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR OWLET LOSSES LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: January 18, 2022 CLASS PERIOD: March 31, 2021 through October 4, 2021 CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS: James Maro, Esq. (484) 270-1453 or Toll Free (844) 887-9500 or Email at info@ktmc.com OWLETS ALLEGED MISCONDUCT Owlet, headquartered in Lehi, Utah, operates as a digital parenting platform, focusing on giving real-time data and insights to parents. Its products include: Owlet Monitor Duo that gets the snapshot of babys wellbeing; Owlet Smart Sock that tracks babys heart rate and oxygen while sleeping and gets notifications if baby needs to be checked on; Owlet Cam, a smart HD video baby monitor; and Dream Lab, an online and personalized infant sleep solution. On July 15, 2021, Sandbridge combined with the company Owlet Baby Care Inc., and the combined company was renamed Owlet. Then, on October 4, 2021, Owlet disclosed that it received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDAs letter informed Owlet that its marketing for the Owlet Smart Sock in the United States renders the Smart Sock a medical device requiring premarket clearance or approval from FDA, and that [Owlet] has not obtained such clearance or approval in violation of the Federal, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In the letter, the FDA requested that Owlet take prompt action to remedy the alleged violations and that Owlet cease commercial distribution of the Smart Sock for uses in measuring blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate where such metrics are intended to identify or diagnose desaturation and bradycardia using an alarm functionality to notify users that measurements are outside of preset values. Following this news, Owlets stock price fell $1.29, or 23%, to close at $4.19 per share on October 4, 2021. WHAT CAN I DO? Owlet investors may, no later than January 18, 2022 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Owlet investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF? A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. At the end of the day, we have succeeded if the bad guys pay up, and if you recover your assets. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com. CONTACT: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP James Maro, Jr., Esq. 280 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PA 19087 (844) 887-9500 (toll free) info@ktmc.com A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8a53e10-acca-48eb-bb2f-8e8b1000428f NAPLES, Fla., Jan. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proprietary trading firm SurgeTrader announced that it has added MetaTrader 5 (MT5) as an available trading platform, in addition to MetaTrader 4 (MT4). In doing so, SurgeTrader is now able to provide its proprietary traders with market access to over 500 additional CFD equity and cryptocurrency products. The institutional, multi-asset MetaTrader 5 platform delivers everything required for full-fledged and flexible trading operations. MT5 offers a potent arsenal of tools: a flexible trading interface, technical and fundamental analysis tools, access to the MQL5 development community, strategy back-testers, and alerts. However, the built-in functionality is just the beginning. Additional services deliver tons of new features, where traders can subscribe to signals, run trading robots, use technical indicators, and more. SurgeTrader provides funded accounts, backing their traders with real money accounts, and buying power up to $10 million. Upon qualifying for a funded account, traders keep 75% of the profits they earn thereafter. The SurgeTrader funded account program is built on flexibility and, in collaboration with ASIC-regulated broker EightCap, MetaTrader 5 gives traders more options with access to an expanded library of hundreds of new equity and crypto products to trade in addition to major and minor FX pairs, indices, metals, oil, and commodities. "We're in an exciting era where markets are converging and strategies cross asset classes. We're committed to providing traders with direct market access to as many products, across as many asset classes as possible. Through MT5, we give our traders access to hundreds of more products to trade," says Garrett Hollander, SurgeTrader Chief Marketing Officer. Hollander continues, "Traders come in all shapes and sizes, with preferences on what they want to trade and how they trade. We are actively seeking a broad mix of traders to whom we can distribute our capital and diversify our risk. Offering MetaTrader 5, and the array of new products that come with it, aligns with our approach and objectives." SurgeTraders can now choose from two industry-leading platforms MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. These are the most widely-used platforms in the trading space and, in conjunction with EightCap, enable a great trading experience, low spreads, and lightning-fast execution on a massive range of financial instruments and assets. About SurgeTrader: SurgeTrader, LLC is a US-based proprietary trading or prop trading firm, with a mission to accelerate trader funding and provide capital to profitable traders. Once traders have proven they can be profitable by passing an Audition, they become a part of the SurgeTrader funded trader community, with access to an account funded with up to $1 million. For more information on SurgeTrader or how to become a funded trader, visit https://www.surgetrader.com. Contact: Garrett Hollander 239-829-8438 info@surgetrader.com Related Images Image 1: prop trading SurgeTrader prop trading, funded trader accounts This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment NEW YORK, Jan. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RANE (Risk Assistance Network + Exchange) identifies the core trends and constraints that will shape global developments in the Annual 2022 Geopolitical Forecast. Following the prolonged pandemic and an uneven economic recovery, global economic growth will likely slow from 2021 . . Iran and the United States will likely reach a limited deal in which Tehran offers some concessions on its nuclear program in exchange for U.S. sanctions or financial relief. Iran and Israel will avoid direct confrontation, but cyber interactions will provoke security threats. in which Tehran offers some concessions on its nuclear program in exchange for U.S. sanctions or financial relief. Iran and Israel will avoid direct confrontation, but cyber interactions will provoke security threats. Disputes over the Minsk agreements and Russias demands for security guarantees will keep tensions in eastern Ukraine elevated. guarantees will keep tensions in eastern Ukraine elevated. A surge of financially motivated cyberattacks as criminals increasingly target 5G, cloud computing, and IoT devices, resulting in more disruptions and cybersecurity requirements in Western countries. Ransomware will continue to grow in frequency and geographic scope as improved U.S. cyber defenses make attacks elsewhere more attractive. as criminals increasingly target 5G, cloud computing, and IoT devices, resulting in more disruptions and cybersecurity requirements in Western countries. Ransomware will continue to grow in frequency and geographic scope as improved U.S. cyber defenses make attacks elsewhere more attractive. The fallout from the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan will increase the risk of violence in South Asia. The primary terrorism threat to the West will remain lone actors and small cells, as counterterrorism efforts cause groups to focus on local priorities. Every year, RANE analysts assess the risk landscape to provide our members with the geopolitical intelligence they need to address a range of rapidly changing, material threats, commented RANE CEO Steve Roycroft. As we enter 2022, RANEs Annual Geopolitical Forecast provides objective analysis of developing risks while identifying opportunities for risk mitigation. Other primary drivers of global risk in 2022 include deepening tension between the US and China, which will affect trade and defense partnerships, and growing Western support for Taiwan, which will deepen cross-Strait tensions. Visit us at www.ranenetwork.com to learn how to become a member and gain access to the complete 2022 Geopolitical Forecast. About RANE RANE (Risk Assistance Network + Exchange) is a network-based risk intelligence company that connects risk and security professionals to critical insights and expertise, enabling them to more efficiently address their most pressing challenges and drive better risk management outcomes. RANE members receive exclusive access to community-driven risk intelligence and a range of support services and risk management programs. RANEs community includes over one million members, 400leading corporations and institutions, and 10,000 network expert firms. New York, Jan. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "United Kingdom Facility Management Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06106046/?utm_source=GNW The United Kingdom is one of the largest markets for facility management services in Europe in terms of maturity and sophistication. Given the high penetration of facility management services, several service vendors operating in the country have been focused on expanding their presence to leverage the growing demand for facility management, especially with the recent trend favoring the outsourcing of non-core operations. Key Highlights The market is highly competitive, owing to the presence of several organized players and the strong presence of top global companies, such as CBRE, JLL, and Emcor, among others. According to JLL, the growing formalization of the economy in the country has resulted in an increasing proportion of organized players. According to a BCIS study, maintenance expenditure in the UK stands just under 3% of the countrys GDP; BCISs life cycle cost benchmark estimates indicate that maintenance (fabric and services maintenance and decorations) represents around 40% of total facilities management costs, including cleaning and utilities, thus, valuing the FM market at around 7.5% of the countrys GDP. Owing to such developments in the country driven by the growing trend of outsourcing, the market is expected to see further growth over the coming years. The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a mixed business impact on facilities management firms, as the restrictions on the movement of people have resulted in a decline in project work and a reduced level of activity across many customer sites. Major players in the market, such as Mitie, CBRE Group, and others, were adversely affected due to the pandemic lockdown. FM providers have been experiencing supply chain disruptions leading to difficulties in procuring materials and supplies. Also, they have found it harder to cope with staff shortages owing to various factors that include lockdown restrictions, self-isolation, and illness. However, the readily built environment has played an important role in supporting various industries from health and social care to transport and utilities and helped tackle the spread of the virus. Since the facility management industry is heavily reliant on workers from the European Union. The soft FM services are primarily dependent on this source of labor, and restricted access post-Brexit can have significant implications. FM businesses, particularly those holding EU contracts, are expected to be affected by potential changes to migrant labor, the supply chain, and other regulations in the post-Brexit scenario. Key Market Trends Single FM Service is Expected to Witness a Significant Growth Working with a single facility management service provider entails primarily delegating task management to separate entities. It also entails having a different service provider for each service the organization requires, such as cleaning, reception, and vending machines. Using the services of specialized service providers has several advantages. It enables the customers to concentrate on their core business, while single-service providers provide effective services to customers and help operational efficiency. Having experts handle task management will result in much higher efficiency and service quality. It will also free up company employees to focus on the most important business areas while saving resources for non-core activities. The outsourced FM has been successfully used in various sectors, including the public sector, retail, professional services, healthcare, technology, logistics, manufacturing, and education. The areas that FM services look after vary widely, primarily depending on its type, the size of the company, and the sector in which it operates. Some organizations will only require a single service solution provider. This is driving the demand for single FM in the country. Vendors operating in the UK market have been offering single services to the clients, regardless of the emergence of bundled and integrated services, because some organizations still require single solutions. For example, TC Facilities Management Ltd offers single services, such as cleaning and security, across multiple sectors in more than 5,500 locations nationwide. According to The Q2 2021 RICS UK Facilities Management Survey, in Feb 2021, approximately 6% of the respondents believed that the single FM sector was going to witness the highest growth in the next 12 months. The response rate increased in May 2021 as 10% of the respondents believed single FM to witness the highest growth. However, substantial respondents in the survey believed that other services such as bundled FM and in-house services are poised to see the highest growth rate in the next 12 months. Commercial Entities is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share The commercial entities cover office buildings occupied by business services, such as corporate offices of manufacturers, IT and communication, and other service providers. Owing to this, the provision of necessary fitments and interiors and commercial buildings decoration and management has gained significant importance, thereby driving the market in the countrys commercial sector. UK Commercial Group provides a broad range of commercial facilities management services such as commercial cleaning services, duct cleaning training, and complete facilities management across its Newcastle office. Similarly, B38 Group, a national facilities management and property support company established to meet clients highest expectations in the commercial property sector, delivers commercial property support services, including; facilities management, property maintenance, construction, civil engineering, corporate interior fit-out, and energy services. The spread of COVID-19 has forced the mass closure of workspace and the implementation of work-from-home policies in most industries, especially in the corporate buildings of the IT and telecommunication sector, which negatively affected the market. However, for some businesses, the new normal initially may mean virus-proofing their offices through short-term fixes, new working patterns, and long-term design upgrades that put hygiene at the core of workplace planning. This may positively impact soft services, such as COVID-19 cleaning services, in the region. In September 2020, Hearst UK, a publisher of multiple brands, including ELLE, Harpers Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and Esquire, appointed Churchill Group and Pareto FM as facilities for its London offices. Under the terms of the agreement, the Portfolio by Churchill may oversee cleaning and event management activities, with Pareto assuming responsibility for delivering all mechanical, electrical, and fabric-related planned and reactive maintenance services and project management services. Several new service solutions were also introduced, including a workplace hygiene program, PRISM, and COVID-19 mitigation services from Portfolio, and Pareto expanding its Women in Engineering program with an electrical apprenticeship. The market is witnessing multiple partnership activities between the vendors and the commercial entities in the United Kingdom. In 2019, TC Facilities Management (TCFM) secured numerous new customers to deliver its cleaning and window cleaning services in the wholesale, commercial and high street and office sectors across the UK. The contracts, worth GBP 3 million per annum, saw more than 300 colleagues join TCFM. The company delivered cleaning services to more than 100 sites for 14 of its new customers. Competitive Landscape The United Kingdom Facility Management is highly fragmented as it is a highly competitive market with the presence of several players of different sizes. This market is expected to experience a number of mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships as companies continue to invest in offsetting the present slowdowns that they are experiencing strategically. November 2021 - ISS extended its partnership with Ecclesiastical Insurance for a further three years that will see ISS Restoration provide restoration services to Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, including churches, cathedrals, and heritage buildings, as well as the Ecclesiastical growing portfolio in the education and real estate sectors. November 2021 - JLL launched a commercial partnership and strategic investment in SFR proptech leader Roofstock. The deal includes a minority investment in Roofstock by JLL and a partnership that enables JLL to expand its service offerings in the residential sector. As part of the deal, Roofstock also purchased Stessa, an asset management software-as-a-service solution for SFR investors, which had been owned by JLL Technologies (JLLT), Additional Benefits: The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06106046/?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. __________________________ WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Jan. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vivacitas Oncology, Inc. ("Vivacitas" or the "Company"), a privately held oncology company focused on tough-to-treat cancers, is pleased to announce that Dr. Jai Grewal, MD, has agreed to become a new member of their distinguished Neuro-Oncology Advisory Board. Dr. Grewal will be joining Dr. Andrew Lassman, MD, MS, FAAN in the company's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Jai Grewal With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Grewal is a board-certified neuro-oncologist, serving as a principal researcher and executive board member of the American Cancer Society (Nassau County, New York Region). His clinical practice encompasses the management of patients with primary and metastatic brain and spine tumors. These include glioblastoma, astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymoma, meningioma, lymphoma, and other diagnoses. Dr. Grewal has a particular interest in central nervous system metastases and in utilizing multi-modality treatment, including surgical options, limited-field radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and standard and experimental chemotherapy. As the author of numerous academic publications, Dr, Grewal's acumen positions him as a respected figure of the medical community nationwide. He is an active member of many neuro-oncology boards and hospital cancer committees and a recurrent speaker at universities and hospitals around the country. Dr. Grewal is a member of the following associations: Society of Neuro-Oncology (SNO) American Academy of Neurology (AAN) American Medical Association (AMA) Nassau County Medical Society (NCMS) Suffolk County Medical Society (SCMS) Dr. Grewal stated, "I am pleased to join the Vivacitas' Scientific Advisory Board, and believe that the company's therapeutic pipeline brings needed hope to patients battling cancers with limited treatment options. It is my expectation that the Advisory Board will help the company bring new treatments to our patients as quickly as possible." Dr. Grewal completed his neurology residency at the University of Texas, Southwestern, and pursued a Neuro-Oncology fellowship at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Currently, Dr. Grewal practices at Neurological Surgery, P.C. at Rockville Center, New York. "Once again, Vivacitas demonstrates its excellence as we continue to expand our Scientific Advisory Board and surround ourselves with the most talented professionals in our mission to enable new therapy options to positively impact patients' lives. I am sure Dr. Grewal's expertise will strengthen our already solid team and help us move to the next level," said Vivacitas' EVP of Clinical Operations, Tina Runk, commenting on the announcement. ABOUT VIVACITAS ONCOLOGY: Vivacitas Oncology is a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on tough-to-treat cancers. It originated with the vision of Dr. Joseph Rubinfeld (co-founder of Amgen) and Infusion 51a, LP to transform select chemotherapies beyond their initial potency, toxicity, stability and/or pharmacokinetics challenges and unlock maximum treatment and tolerability potential. Through an enduring spirit, Vivacitas continues to apply clarity, tenacity and vision in our fight against aggressive cancers and our pursuit of new treatment options for patients and their families worldwide. For further information please visit www.vivaoncology.com or Elise@vivaoncology.com Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment English Danish 3 January 2022 As announced in company announcement no. 7/2021 Roblon has signed an agreement to acquire Vamafil spol. s.r.o. 9 December 2021 with acquisition date 3 January 2022. Completion of the transaction was subject to confirmatory due diligence on a couple of matters, retention of management and other customary closing conditions. This has been done with satisfactory results and the parties have agreed to carry out the transaction as agreed. The agreed acquisition price for the shares is EURm 8, and preliminary adjustments made for net debt and normalization of working capital have been calculated at 0.7 mEUR. A total of 8.7 mEUR has been paid today, of which 1.5 mEUR is withheld via Escrow agreement as security for the sellers warranty obligations for 18 months from todays date. As previously announced Roblon intends to continue the development of Vamafils existing business area. In addition, the acquisition of Vamafil will facilitate Roblons growth in its core business within the fibre optic cable industry and strengthen competitiveness and profitability by relocating selected parts of its production facilities from Denmark to the Czech Republic. With the relocation, Roblon will moreover move geographically closer to the majority of the manufacturers in the European fibre optic cable industry. This means that Roblons position will be comparable to that achieved in the USA with the Companys location in North Carolina. In view of the current COVID-19 resurgence, the planned relocation will be initiated once the spread of the virus has stabilised and the risk of travel restrictions in the Czech Republic and Denmark has been reduced. The relocation is expected to proceed in mid-spring 2022 and be completed by the end of 2022. Frederikshavn, 3 January 2022 Roblon A/S Jrgen Kjr Jacobsen Lars stergaard Chairman of the Board Managing Director and CEO Enquiries regarding this announcement should be addressed to: Managing Director and CEO Lars stergaard, tel. +45 9620 3300 Attachment Bethesda, MD, Jan. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CareMetx, LLC, a leading technology-enabled hub services company focused on improving patient access to specialty medications, announced today the acquisition of Human Care Systems, Inc. (HCS), a company focused on helping patients adhere to and benefit from pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. Its flagship offering is Resilix, a proprietary technology platform that delivers a personalized treatment experience for patients. This acquisition will enable CareMetx to support the entire patient journey- from initiation to adherence- by adding services that address treatment barriers for specialty therapies. This acquisition marks the beginning of a very exciting time for CareMetx and HCS, said Mark Hansan, CareMetx President and Chief Executive Officer. Our combined organization and team members share a passion for supporting a patients journey to access and adhere to specialty therapies. We are thrilled to be joining CareMetx, says Matt Hall, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Human Care Systems. We are already working together to support a shared client, so we know the complementary nature of our organizations technology and services. Both companies will continue to offer their capabilities on a stand alone basis, but we are excited to come together to offer manufacturers a full end-to-end patient services and technology solution. Hansan added, We know HCS not only brings best-in-class patient adherence technology, but they also have the most dedicated team members working with customers and patients. By putting these two companies together, we are in a position to overcome barriers to access and adherence, support our customers, and ultimately help millions of patients benefit from the treatments their providers prescribe for them. Hall added, I want to thank the entire HCS team for their efforts over the past 14 years. We are so proud of what we have accomplished including building our Resilix platform, helping dozens of manufacturers, and most importantly educating and supporting millions of patients. All of this couldnt have been accomplished without the dedication and hard work of the entire team, and we know CareMetx is the right partner for our team and our continued growth. Hansan adds, We are excited Matt Hall will continue as the President of HCS, and the senior leadership team will continue to serve the combined companies. About CareMetx CareMetx, LLC is a leading technology-enabled hub services platform facilitating patient access to specialty medications. Serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device manufacturers, CareMetx leverages digital eServices integrated in a cohesive platform to promote efficiency in the healthcare ecosystem and remove barriers for patients and providers. CareMetx is committed to delivering compassionate advocacy to patients, decision-making data, and confidence-building insight to manufacturer clients. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, CareMetx serves more than 80 brands. Learn more at caremetx.com and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/caremetx-llc. About Human Care Systems Human Care Systems is the treatment experience company. Its Resilix platform is purpose-built for biopharma Patient Services and delivers visibility and control over the full set of patient services touchpoints. Resilix delivers a seamless patient experience including coordination among phone, field, reimbursement, and digital touchpoints. At its core, Resilix is built to optimize the experience for each user: patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, phone, field, reimbursement, and fulfillment. These user experiences directly impact initiation, adherence, persistence, and outcomes. Learn more at humancaresystems.com and follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/human-care-systems/ Boston, MA, Jan. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SVN International Corp. (SVNIC), a full-service commercial real estate franchisor of the SVN brand, announces the addition of its new franchise office, SVN | Real Estate Associates. Led by Managing Directors Seth Jernigan and Carey Greene, the Durham-headquartered firm provides commercial brokerage and property management services, as well as residential property management services, in North Carolinas Triangle region and beyond. After 54 years of growth and success as an independent firm, Jernigan said, we are excited that joining SVN allows us to maintain local ownership and independence and, at the same time, add the strength and resources of an international brand and network. The [North Carolina] Triangle region is poised for explosive growth over the next decade and we are better positioned than ever to play a leading role in its transformation. The timing of this alignment could not be better. On REAs joining the SVN network, SVNs President and CEO Kevin Maggiacomo commented, As the SVN brand expands across the globe, we are partnering with market leaders who share our vision of a collaborative, open, and transparent approach to commercial real estate. REA has long been an impactful leader in Durham and the Triangle region and is yet another strong addition to this organization. We look forward to growing SVN | Real Estate Associates presence in North Carolinas Triangle area. About SVN | Real Estate Associates: REA is one of the oldest and most well-respected real estate companies serving North Carolinas Triangle market. For more information, please visit www.www.svn-rea.com. About SVN: The SVN organization is a globally recognized commercial real estate entity united by a shared vision of creating value with clients, colleagues, and our communities. The SVN brand is comprised of over 1,600 advisors and staff in more than 200 offices across the globe in six countries. Our brand pillars represent the transparency, innovation, and inclusivity that enables all of our Advisors to collaborate with the entire real estate industry on behalf of our clients. SVNs unique Shared Value Network is just one of the many ways that SVN Advisors create amazing value with our clients, colleagues, and communities. For more information, visit www.svn.com. All SVN offices are independently owned and operated. To learn more about becoming an SVN commercial real estate business owner, visit http://www.svn.com/franchise/. NEW YORK, Jan. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gainey McKenna & Egleston announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Instadose Pharma Corp. (f/k/a Mikrocoze, Inc.) (Instadose, Mikrocoze, or the Company) (OTCMKTS: INSD; MZKR) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on behalf of investors who purchased Instadoses common stock between December 8, 2020 and November 24, 2021, both dates inclusive (the Class Period). The Complaint alleges that Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company had performed inadequate due diligence into the Business Combination and/or ignored significant red flags associated with Instadose Canada; (ii) the Companys internal controls and policies were inadequate to detect and/or prevent impermissible trading activity by control persons of the Company; (iii) the foregoing subjected the Company to a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action; and (iv) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On July 9, 2021, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) announced that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Instadose Canada, Grant Ferdinand Sanders (Sanders), was charged quasi-criminally with one count of fraud in relation to his role as Chairman and CEO of Instadose Canada, which, since July 2017, had raised more than $9.4 million from investors. The OSC alleged that investor funds were diverted to the benefit of Sanders, his family, and associates, and that Instadose Canada materially misrepresented the nature of its business. On October 15, 2021, Instadose Canada announced that an overwhelming majority of its shareholders voted in favor of the Business Combination, which remains subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by a Canadian court. Following completion of the Business Combination, Instadose expected that its Board of Directors would consist of, among others, Sanders. On November 24, 2021, in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Company disclosed that [o]n November 23, 2021, the Company was notified by the SEC that it had ordered, pursuant to Section 12(k) of the [Exchange Act], that trading in the securities of [Instadose] is suspended for the period from 9:30 a.m. EDT on November 24, 2021, through 11:59 p.m. EDT on December 8, 2021. The Company advised investors that the SECs order specifically stated that it appears to the [SEC] that the public interest and the protection of investors require a suspension in the trading of [Instadose] securities . . . because of questions and concerns regarding the adequacy and accuracy of information about Instadose . . . in the marketplace, including: (1) significant increases in the stock price and share volume unsupported by the companys assets and financial information; (2) trading that may be associated with individuals related to a control person of Instadose . . .; and (3) the operations of Instadose[]s Canadian affiliate. On this news, and after the Companys common stock began publicly trading again on December 9, 2021, the Companys stock price fell $22.61 per share, or 91.87%, to close at $2.00 per share on December 9, 2021. Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Instadose should contact the Firm prior to the February 28, 2022 lead plaintiff motion deadline. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. If you wish to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact Thomas J. McKenna, Esq. or Gregory M. Egleston, Esq. of Gainey McKenna & Egleston at (212) 983-1300, or via e-mail at tjmckenna@gme-law.com or gegleston@gme-law.com . What would you do to save the life of your child? Thats the question driving Foxs new series The Cleaning Lady, premiering Monday. Advertisement The heart of the mob drama is Thony De La Rosa, a Cambodian doctor-turned-maid who left the Philippines to seek treatment in the United States for her sons life-threatening immunodeficiency disorder. But when she becomes entwined in a gangsters world after witnessing a murder, her own life is on the line unless she keeps cleaning up their spills. Theres a dark wish fulfillment element, showrunner Melissa Carter told the Daily News. What would it take for me to commit a crime? What would it take for me to be OK with something thats a little morally off-center. If the justification is that it would save your child, then people are on board. Advertisement Elodie Yung and Valentino/Sebastien LaSalle in the premiere episode of "The Cleaning Lady" airing Monday, Jan. 3. (Fox) Justifications are the backbone of The Cleaning Lady. Thony (Elodie Yung) is trying to save her sons life. Mobster Arman Morales (played by Mexican actor Adan Canto) is using his criminal profits to fund the Armenian army to protect his homeland. FBI Agent Garrett Miller (Oliver Hudson), who tries to flip Thony to serve as a mole, is doing his job. I really cant approach my character and have any judgment in thinking this is bad what shes doing, this is good, this is wrong. I can only approach her journey and what shes got in her heart through empathy, through compassion, through putting myself in her shoes, Yung, the 40-year-old French-Cambodian actress who plays Thony, told The News. [ Winters TV offerings: New shows to watch, try and avoid ] Its very hard for me to even look now and have an intellectual way of looking at the story and what shes done. Shes just being reactive. Shes made the decisions she has to make when she has to. Maybe not the best, but always having in mind the life of her son and the urgency of saving him. The Cleaning Lady lives in a messy gray area: the mobster who seems to genuinely care about Thonys son and maybe even her, the FBI agent who toys with peoples lives all in the name of a win. There are no good guys and bad guys, Yung said. Elodie Yung and Oliver Hudson in an episode of "The Cleaning Lady." (Michael Desmond/Fox) Ive got qualities and I have flaws, said the actress, whose own heritage helped inspire Thony, down to her character sharing the same name as her fathers cousin. I have good days and bad days. Ive made good decisions and bad decisions. I live with regret and hope. [ The women of Claws take a last run at the Florida drug game in final season ] Miller, the buttoned-up boy in blue, is supposed to be the hero. But thats not how it works, Hudson said. Instead, the FBI agent has decided the end justifies the means, no matter who gets hurt in the process. Elodie Yung and Adan Canto in "The Cleaning Lady." (Michael Desmond/Fox) If Thony gets to save her son, but three innocent people die because of her war, is that justified? ... What if its three bad guys? Hudson, 45, told The News. Advertisement As a dad, I would kill for my kids. I would go to jail for my kids. I dont know how you would ever stop fighting for a child, especially one who is going to die. You risk it all. You put it all on the line. And its what The Cleaning Lady explores: Is there anything you wouldnt do for your children? People are complex and complicated, showrunner Carter told The News. Its not black and white. Its a gray, gray world. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ask any search engine marketing expert about SEO and people will quickly realize there are a lot of moving parts. Few SEO agencies offer truly full-service SEO packages. It's more common for an eCommerce SEO company to offer a group of services that affects search engine optimization but does not account for the whole picture because the entire scope of SEO is simply too complex. Some SEO firms build backlinks; others produce optimized content. Others yet might take a look at site page structure and optimize little ranking factors like title tags, metadata, code, and image attributes. These ranking signals, together with others, paint the entire picture of at least 200 ranking factors that affect a website's organic standing. There is something, however, that the best eCommerce agencies have in common, especially those that offer full-service SEO marketing strategies. They've nearly all developed a protocol for delivering and interpreting the results of eCommerce SEO audits. The reason that an audit is such a highly valuable aspect of a company's eCommerce SEO services is that it lays the groundwork, the direction, for success. An eCommerce business simply can't be optimized blindly; first, the current organic rankings of the website must be analyzed, along with its overall health, before keyword research should even be performed. A well-developed expertly administered eCommerce SEO audit will analyze the current organic rankings of the website, exposing valuable insights about competitive and other lucrative keywords. An SEO audit will also uncover the current link structure, identifying issues with broken and toxic links, as well as with crawler errors. An eCommerce agency can also use an audit to evaluate the structure of an online store, as well as the security and site speed of the website. In addition, audits can be used to identify existing streams of website traffic and pinpoint issues with web design that may have a splash effect on SEO. An audit can have implications for content marketing as well, uncovering issues with content age and duplicate content, among others. In addition, an audit will help support initiatives to monitor Google Analytics and Google Search Console for fluctuations in organic traffic before conclusions can be drawn as to the causation of trends. These are the reasons that the best eCommerce SEO agencies unequivocally utilize SEO audits. At the end of the day, it gives them a direction to follow by which they can develop a coherent, articulate SEO strategy for a client's eCommerce store. Interested eCommerce merchants should investigate 1Digital Agency at 1DigitalAgency.com or contact the company directly by phone at 888-982-8269 or by email at info@1digitalagency.com. 1Digital Agency has developed an industry-leading eCommerce SEO audit, and it offers it free of charge. Related Images Image 1: eCommerce SEO Audit An eCommerce SEO audit can lay the groundwork for success for the rest of an SEO campaign. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment NEW YORK, Jan. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Zhangmen Education Inc. (NYSE: ZME) in or traceable to Zhangmen Educations initial public offering conducted on or about June 8, 2021 (IPO), pursuant to the IPO prospectus (the Prospectus) and Form F-1 registration statement, as amended (together with the Prospectus, the Registration Statement), of the important January 18, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Zhangmen Education securities pursuant and/or traceable to the IPO you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Zhangmen Education class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2213.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 18, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the Registration Statement was false and/or misleading and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Chinese authorities were in the process of implementing sweeping new regulatory reforms on the private education industry in China including, among others, prohibitions on (a) profit-making by private education companies, (b) engaging in core-curriculum tutoring on weekends and vacations, and (c) capital-raising by companies like Zhangmen Education; (2) the known risks, events, and uncertainties noted in the Registration Statement were reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Zhangmen Educations business; and (3) based on the foregoing, the statements in the Registration Statement concerning Zhangmen Educations historical financial performance, market demand, and industry trends were materially incomplete, inaccurate, and misleading. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Zhangmen Education class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2213.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 lrosen@rosenlegal.com pkim@rosenlegal.com cases@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com Gloucester, MA (01930) Today Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 50F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 43F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. SHIPSHEWANA [mdash] Lorene Miller, 69, Shipshewana, died at 7:15 p.m., Saturday, April 30, at Life Care Center, LaGrange. She was born Sept. 8, 1952 in LaGrange, to Lester and Mary Alice (Miller) Hochstetler. On Oct. 24, 1974 in Shipshewana, she married Chris B. Miller, he survives. Survivor Mercedes has had the fastest engine on the grid for eight years almost continuously. Ferrari took on the German manufacturer for a time and then Honda came along. Using the Honda engine figures, there is now an estimate of the horsepower of the different F1 engines. The era of Honda and McLaren was a particularly big failure, but with Red Bull Racing, Honda rose to the occasion. It didn't just stop at victories, the partnership also made it possible for Max Verstappen to take the world title in 2021. The Japanese manufacturer has developed the engine magisterially. Ferrari swaying, Mercedes steady up On the Japanese website F1-motorsports-gp.com an analysis has been made of the four engines of Mercedes, Honda, Renault and Ferrari and the increase in horsepower over four years. Last year's Honda engine has been taken as a starting point, this power source possessed 994 Horsepower. From that point the figures were calculated back to 2018 and forward to 2021, creating a table that doesn't show definitive results, but does show how the different developers have done between 2018 and 2021. The figures on display consist of the self-developed ICE along with the MGU-K which is the same for everyone and produces 161bhp. Mercedes only grew; from 980bhp in 2018, to 995 the year after, to 1005 in 2020 and 1015 last year. That 1015bhp is not the most powerful engine F1 has had, the table shows. Ferrari shows a somewhat more meandering progression over the years, with a high of 1030bhp in 2019 and a low of 970bhp in 2020. It should be noted, however, that these figures have to do with Ferrari's alleged foul play regarding fuel. Straight line up at Honda Honda worked its way up from a 'paltry' 943bhp in 2018 to a whopping 1014bho in 2021. In doing so, it loses out to Mercedes by one point. Especially in the later races of last season, it was very noticeable how much faster Mercedes' engine turned on the straights, with Lewis Hamilton's fresh engine in the Brazil GP as a highlight. Renault worked their way up from 915bhp to 1000. A final interesting fact is that by 2021, it was estimated that each engine supplier possessed at least 1000bhp. Ferrari and Renault were both on the round number, while Honda and Mercedes fought it out with slightly more horsepower. Mercedes, with one horse more, seems to have deservedly become champion among the constructors. A Jeffrey Epstein victims $500,000 settlement deal in 2009 with the notorious sex offender, which Prince Andrew says shields him from lawsuits, was unsealed Monday by a Manhattan federal judge. The agreement between Epstein and Virginia Giuffre was revealed through ongoing litigation between her and the British royal. Advertisement Giuffre says Epstein lent her three times to Andrew for sex when she was 17 and he was 41. Prince Andrew smiles as he stands with his left arm around the waist of a young Virginia Giuffre around 2001. Ghislaine Maxwell stands in the background. Lawyers for Queen Elizabeths son argue the broad terms of the deal protect him from Giuffres lawsuit. Advertisement The 11-page agreement forever discharge[s] Epstein and other potential defendants from the beginning of the world to the day of this release. The deal resolved a federal lawsuit Giuffre filed in Florida against Epstein. Giuffres lawyer David Boies said the deal is irrelevant to her sexual assault lawsuit against the Duke of York. The release does not mention Prince Andrew. He did not even know about it. He could not have been a potential defendant in the settled case against Jeffrey Epstein both because he was not subject to jurisdiction in Florida and because the Florida case involved federal claims to which he was not a part, Boies said in a statement. A hearing in Giuffres lawsuit against Andrew is scheduled for Tuesday. A photo of Virginia Giuffre introduced in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell. (Official Court Document) Andrew met Epstein through his friend Ghislaine Maxwell in the early 2000s, according to court filings. His name came up multiple times at Maxwells sex trafficking trial, which ended last Wednesday with her being found guilty of facilitating Epsteins serial abuse of minors. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Epsteins former private pilot Larry Visoski testified at the trial about flying the prince numerous times as a passenger on Epsteins private planes. The deceased financiers longtime house manager Juan Alessi told jurors he was driving Maxwell to the spa at former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago country club in 2000 when she first spotted 16-year-old Giuffre walking the grounds. Maxwell then allegedly recruited Giuffre into Epsteins sex trafficking scheme. Advertisement According to Giuffres lawsuit, Epstein and Maxwell forced her to sleep with Andrew at Maxwells London townhouse, Epsteins Upper East Side mansion, and on Epsteins private island in the Caribbean when she was 17. Prince Andrew says Giuffre's settlement deal with Jeffrey Epstein shields him from litigation. (Koji Sasahara / AP) Andrew has strenuously denied the allegations. In his latest bid to quash Giuffres lawsuit, his lawyer Andrew Brettler claimed that her Australian residency bars her from suing in a New York court. Giuffre maintains that Colorado is her home, where she is registered to vote and will return once her elderly father-in-law in Australia no longer needs round-the-clock care. In her latest filing, Giuffre demanded the prince prove that he cannot sweat, which the royal attempted to use as a bizarre alibi during a 2019 interview with the BBC. Epstein was arrested for trafficking underage girls for sex in July 2019. He hanged himself in his cell at Manhattans Metropolitan Correctional Center a month later. Yes, like every other state in the nation At least half of it No, keep funneling to the General Fund Eliminate the fuel tax Uncertain Vote View Results A team at the University of Pennsylvania is proposing the use of a liquid-organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC)specifically, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (THQ)for use as an endothermic fuel for thermal protection of hypersonic aircraft engines. A paper on their work is published in the journal Fuel. The conversion and endothermic heats of reaction were measured over a Pd-Al 2 O 3 catalyst at 60 bar and temperatures between 500 and 600 C. Heats of reaction as large as 950 kJ kg1 were obtained, with conversions greater than 80% at 600 C. The catalyst was stable over a period of at least several hours and no coking was observed. For comparison, the reaction of methylcyclohexane formed tars that quickly blocked the reactor, even at 500 C on this catalyst. These results suggest that LOHC could serve as alternative fuels for endothermic cooling. Cao et al. The notion of using endothermic fuels as a thermal management technique for hypersonic aircraft reaches back to the 1960s. The basic notion is to transfer heat to a cold fluid fuel as a heat sink; as the temperature of the fuel increases, it reaches the point at which endothermic reactions occur and the compound converts to simpler products that can be used as fuel for propulsion. However, despite the interest in the possibility, coke formation and it accumulation in the fuel lines are two of the critical constraints for regenerative cooling using hydrocarbon fuels, according to a critical review by Dinda et al. earlier this year. The new work by Cao et al. suggests an alternative approach to avoid the known problem set. Resources In collaboration with the Guam Department of Education and $1.5 million in funding from the Governors office, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness center will start up a Safe Guam School app. Back in 2019, when Guam Behavioral Health director Theresa Arriola attended a National Mental Health Conference in Utah, a student spoke of a mobile app where kids could independently report whether someone is thinking of suicide, ongoing bullying and fights that are about to occur. Inspired by their innovation, the Safe Guam School app will operate in the same fashion. Kids hear and they know things but if they find it difficult to report because they dont want to be the target of the bullying or be talked about, its not traceable, said Arriola. When this app launched in Utah, it literally saved lives. As soon as Guam Behavioral gets an alert, Arriola said the proper authorities, such as the school principal or a teacher, will immediately address the situation. Appreciation Arriola thanks the Governors office and Guam DOE for their partnership as she believes the app will be a game changer in helping students. Were very focused here at Guam Behavioral, and Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration has a priority of really beefing up the childrens and adolescents services. We are in the mindset, its so obvious that if we take care of the young in their behavioral or mental state, there wont be that many or at least smaller amount of adults who need servicing, said Arriola. Taking care of them at a younger age is really the key. That has been the mandate that the Lt. Gov. and governor has given to me to make sure were doing everything we can to provide access to care to children and families. Although they already have a program director and the grant to work on the app has been approved, Guam Behavioral is still in the process of hiring other staff members. Arriola anticipates they should have everything set by the end January. State Attorney General Letitia James has subpoenaed two of Donald Trumps children as part of her ongoing investigation into the former presidents business practices, a new court document revealed Monday. James is seeking testimony from Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump in connection with a civil probe of the Trump Organization, which is at the heart of the elder Trumps financial success. Shes separately demanded testimony from Trump himself. Advertisement The investigation is examining whether the one-time real estate mogul manipulated the values of his properties to obtain tax breaks and other financial benefits. In this Jan. 11, 2017, photo, President-elect Donald Trump, center, stands next to Allen Weisselberg, second from left, Donald Trump Jr., right and Ivanka Trump, left, at a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. (Evan Vucci/AP) As her investigation into financial dealing of the Trump Organization continues, Attorney General James is seeking interviews under oath of Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump, a spokesman for James said in a statement. Despite numerous attempts to delay our investigation by the Trump Organization, we are confident that our questions will be answered and the truth will be uncovered because no one is above the law. Advertisement Trump, Ivanka and Trump Jr. responded in a filing in Manhattan Supreme Court late Monday that James demand for documents and testimony was an improper effort to obtain information that would then be used in a Manhattan district attorney criminal probe. Trump lawyer Alan Futerfas wrote that James subpoenas were a transparent gambit with unique potential for abuse. New York States statutory and constitutional protections were not designed to be so easily avoided. The subpoenas are an obvious improper end-run around the rules, Futerfas wrote. Justice Arthur Engoron, who previously ordered Eric Trump to sit for questioning in the probe, will rule on the new dispute. James has already subpoenaed the former president, and set a Friday deadline for his testimony. Trump responded with a countersuit to block the probe into his company. The AG is conducting two parallel investigations of Trumps business dealings one civil and one criminal. The latter is being done in collaboration with the Manhattan district attorneys office, which has resulted in tax fraud charges against the Trump Organization and its longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg. Weisselberg is accused of failing to pay taxes on fringe benefits from the company, including rent, living expenses, private school tuition and car lease. The Trump Organization and Weisselberg have pleaded not guilty. Advertisement The criminal probe is ongoing, raising the stakes for the Trump family members opposing James subpoenas. Futerfas wrote that were there no criminal case, Trump, Trump Jr. and Ivanka might well be inclined to testify. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Advertisement In this file photo, New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks at a news conference, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in New York. (Ted Shaffrey/AP) James, a Democrat who dropped out of the New York governors race last month, opened the investigation into the Trump Organization in 2019 after Michael Cohen, Trumps onetime lawyer, said the Queens-born Republican had inflated his assets in financial documents. Cohen originally made those claims in testimony to Congress. Among the properties being investigated is 40 Wall St., a mixed-use building in lower Manhattan that the Trump Organization owns an interest in. A man was charged in connection to an assault on two cops and the theft of a womans car. On Sunday, a man and woman saw Tresean Durrell Ramey standing next to their car after he appeared to have been seen inside it, according to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam. The man and woman then led officers towards Ramey and said the car appeared to have been rummaged through. A security guard was interviewed and told officers he saw Ramey walking on the side of the road looking through car windows. The guard then reported Ramey was inside the womans vehicle, according to the complaint. Ramey appeared to be under the influence of a drug, the complaint stated. While Ramey was detained at the Tumon Precinct, he began yelling at officers, kicking the door to his cell and refusing to calm down. Officers attempted to then have Rameys legs restrained but he refused and kicked an officer and headbutted another in the mouth, according to the complaint. Ramey was charged with burglary of a motor vehicle as a second-degree felony and two counts of assault of a peace officer as a third-degree felony. Haiti - 218th independence : Message from the American Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken On the occasion of the celebration of the 218th anniversary of Haitis independence, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken delivered a message from the United States Government. Message from Secretary of State Blinken : "On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I send warm greetings to the Haitian people as you celebrate the 218th anniversary of your independence. Last year brought immense challenges to Haiti with the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, the August 14 earthquake, and rising insecurity and kidnappings. All of this occurred during a global pandemic that has brought additional economic hardship to Haiti and the region. We recognize the struggles of the Haitian people and will support our partners in Haiti to rebuild and strengthen the institutions necessary to overcome these challenges in order to achieve prosperity and stability within the country. The United States remains a steadfast partner as Haiti seeks to build a broad consensus and negotiate a path to a more secure, prosperous, and stable republic. We encourage all voices to play an active and productive role in ensuring progress toward democracy. On this day of independence, the American people stand with the people of Haiti as they strive for a brighter future." HL/ HaitiLibre Quincy, IL (62301) Today Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain this afternoon. High 63F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 53F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Written By Reporter Sophia Voight is a reporter for the Hastings Star Gazette. She is from Oshkosh, WI and graduated from the UW Oshkosh with a bachelor's degree in Multimedia Journalism in 2021. She can be reached with any news tips at svoight@orourkemediagroup.com | We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit One big question deserves to be on every police officers mind when pulling a moto A hate crime victim was so rattled by a homophobic bigots attack in a Manhattan subway station he was left afraid to show signs of affection with his boyfriend in public. Elliot Blankenship, 22, said he didnt think twice about helping the man who wound up attacking him. The stranger asked to borrow his cell phone to text someone. Advertisement Blankenship said he was on his way back home to Brooklyn after visiting his boyfriend about 2 a.m. Nov. 15 when the jarring episode unfolded on the D train platform of the Seventh Ave. station. Police released an image of a suspect they say slapped a gay man after seeing a photo of him with his boyfriend on the victim's cell phone. (NYPD) On Dec. 24, cops released a surveillance image of the suspect and asked the publics help identifying him and tracking him dow. No arrests have been made. Advertisement The stranger had a phone number on a slip of paper in his wallet and claimed it belonged to a woman he was in a relationship with and asked Blankenship to text her and ask for her help. He was in a bad situation and was bedraggled, Blankenship said of his attacker. When the woman sent a response brushing him off, the stranger took Blankenships phone. Thats when he saw the photo on his lock screen of the victim and his boyfriend. The image set the man off, and he called Blankenship a f---ing f---t. Elliot Blankenship, right, was on his way back home to Brooklyn after visiting his boyfriend (blurred on left) about 2 a.m. Nov. 15 when the jarring episode unfolded on the D train platform of the Seventh Ave. station. (Obtained by New York Daily News) He didnt punch me directly and kind of just swung and cracked the side of my head, Blankenship recounted. I froze up. I didnt really know what to do. I kind of slid to the ground against the metal column and he kept hitting me, and then for whatever reason stopped and walked away. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Blankenship, overcome with rage, ran after his attacker, screaming, So Im a f----t, and Im the f----t that is going to f---ing kill you! Then I stopped and realized how I looked, Blankenship said. I just started crying, that gasping awful crying when it just comes at you all at once and hits you in the chest. Blankenship suffered a split lip but didnt go to the hospital. MTA workers took him to a booth, where they called police. Advertisement In the days after, Blankenship was afraid to take the train late at night and started leaving his boyfriends place earlier than usual. Both he and his boyfriend are transgender and he was afraid that public displays of affection would make them a target of more violence. I kept wondering if there was going to be someone who sees this, and sees two men sharing affection, and decides to hurt me or, worse, hurt him, he said. I think he does need help, whether thats counseling, housing or therapy, he said of his attacker. Its depressing to think about the system chewing him up and spitting him out and hes right back where he started. Cops ask anyone with information on the suspect to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential. Our View: Checks and balances only work when lawmakers are willing to use them Terry Wilcox: AARP has a conflict of interest on drug pricing legislation. That could hurt the seniors it protects In an interview with ANHA Sarah Glynn responded to a question on the effect of keeping the party in the U.S. and EU terror list, says: ''This is used to legitimise attacks on the PKK, and to delegitimise the PKKs perspective. It is also used to delegitimise other Kurdish organisations that can be accused of links with the PKK. Articles about the PKK often include a sentence saying that it is listed as a terrorist organisation, immediately prejudicing the reader. What is a terrorist act? There is no agreed definition. In UK law it need not involve terror, or, indeed, action, as it could consist of planning future action. The Belgian court case is important in showing that the PKK has been taking part in a non-internationl armed conflict. Good actions are, of course, really important, but they cant demonstrate that a party is not also terrorist whatever that may mean. Recently, many calls and initiatives were undertaken worldwide, calling for the removal of the party from the black list. Are these campaigns fruitful? No one campaign will achieve this but together they can get the idea normalised and accepted. Politicians will only act if they feel sufficient pressure from below, when acting becomes the popular option. On December 21st an article was published on Bella Caledonia where politicians and intellectuals called for the delisting of PKK from the terror list. Did this affect the people in Scotland? I wrote the article and have written others for Bella. I also always share my articles about the Kurds in Scottish social media, and am quite well known on the Scottish left Scotland is a small country! Again, one article wont make a difference, but a steady stream of articles can get people engaged. I do also think it helps, with this particular issue, that people could see that some well-known Scottish names were supporting the delisting. Do you have a call for the U.S. AND EU to remove the PKK from the terror list? Just by the stroke of a pen, Western governments can make a real difference to the chance of peace in the middle east. By removing the PKK from their terrorism lists, they could increase the prospects of a negotiated settlement to Turkeys Kurdish Question a settlement that would allow the Kurds to live in peace and dignity and would provide the basis for removing the bigotry that has corroded Turkish society. Nearly two years ago the Belgian courts ruled that the PKK should not be considered a terrorist organisation because it is a party in a non-international armed conflict, which makes it subject to the laws of war and not criminal law. Listing the PKK as a terrorist group has no justification in law. It is also important to look at the reasoning behind the law on which this judgement is based. The law developed as a response to anti-colonial and anti-fascist struggle, and acknowledges that in some circumstances there is a place for armed resistance. For very many Kurds the PKK is respected as the defender of their rights and very existence and as warriors for a better form of society. Recent history shows that peace is possible when both sides are ready to negotiate as weve seen in South Africa and Northern Ireland. The PKK have been ready to negotiate for a long time, but Turkey prefers to try and crush Kurdish identity with violence. They treat every expression of kurdishness as a terrorist act. Those countries that follow Turkeys lead and outlaw the PKK, make it easier for Turkey to choose violent suppression over peace, and even to use their elastic definition of terrorism to extend this suppression to anyone who shows support for the Kurdish cause including to Kurdish communities out with Turkey. Any country that is serious about wishing to see an end to violence, needs to de-list the PKK and push for a genuine resumption of the peace process.'' L..A ANHA Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF, Media Centre issued a statement to media and public on Monday, waring of attacks by the Turkish occupation army on NE Syria, stating that the directly affect our fight against ISIS cells. The statement reads: Many gains had been achieved by SDF sacrifices during 2021 year against ISIS/ Daesh cells in NE Syria, in which was able to foil many possible attacks in NE Syria, discovered also several terrorist schemes and foil it before carrying out by ISIS/ Daesh elements, as well as to foil a several terrorist operations in the final phases, dismantling many sleeper ISIS cells and arresting its elements, our forces have also been vigilant in detecting and neutralizing many explosive devices, preventing bombings and sabotage, as well as carrying out many combing campaigns to control ISIS dens, particularly on the Syrian-Iraqi border and the desert areas. The operations of our forces against the terrorist organization during 2021 have gained more importance than ever, especially as the leaders and elements of the organization attempt to reorganize and take advantage of the security conditions that have taken place as a result of the preoccupation of our military councils to repel Turkish occupation attacks against NE Syria, which have periodically coincided with those of Turkey. Our forces and security agencies have effectively managed the file of ISIS/Daesh detainees and prevented attempts to flee on numerous occasions. They have also taken control of many terrorist operations in the most dangerous ISIS hotbed in al-Hol Camp and carried out comb operation with collaboration with the Internal Security Forces, ISF, in March to track down terrorist cells in the camp. Dozens of elements have been arrested and many potential operations in the camp have been thwarted. Our forces have also been able to dry up many cofactors to the terrorist activity of ISIS elements and prevent them from reaching and blackmailing the local population. They have succeeded in reassuring the residents in frontlines, with helping the notables and leaders in the community, our forces and the judicial agencies of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria have been prevented from dragging dozens of young people as potential elements into the ranks of the terrorist organization. Our forces have also carried out numerous large-scale combs to track down terrorist cells at the Iraqi-Syrian border. In May, a sweep of Wadi al-Aqiq destroyed many of the caves used by leaders of the terrorist organization to camouflage and hide weapons and IEDs. On February 4th, 2021, our forces carried out a large-scale combing campaign to track down the killers of the two administrators, Saada Al-Hermas, the co-chair of the Tal Al-Shayer town council, and Hind Al-Khudair, the deputy co-chairmanship of the town council. The campaign culminated in the arrest of the terrorists who planned and executed the terrorist operation, and handed them over to the judiciary. That campaign was one of the most prominent retaliatory operations carried out by our forces to track down ISIS terrorist cells and arrest their elements. The following is a summary of the operations carried out by our forces individually or jointly with the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in NE Syria during the year 2021. The number of single and joint security operations against ISIS: 115 operations. The number of terrorist cells dismantled: 93 cells. The total number of ISIS cells members and suspects, as well as the people who provided assistance to the terrorist organizations cells: 802 Number of ISIS organization cell deaths during operations: 8 dead. Number of thwarted operations in their final stages: 47 The number of large and dangerous terrorist plots that have been uncovered and thwarted: 16, among which the plan to attack al-Hasakah Prison was revealed and thwarted. - Dismantling IEDs and Explosive Ordnances: 87 Our forces thousands of them had been sacrificed themselves and wounded to protect the region and the world of the threat of ISIS terrorism and the eradication of its so-called State, affirm their continued struggle against the terrorist organization and declare their commitment to work together with the Global Coalition Forces to Defeat ISIS. At the same time, we stress the need for increased support and support for our forces, particularly in the case of the establishment of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of ISIS Criminals in Prisons in North and East Syria, and Justice for the Victims. We also warn of the failure of the international community to help the local community affected by ISIS control of the area, particularly in the reconstruction file. At the same time, we stress the seriousness of Turkey's tensions and attacks against our regions, which have a direct impact on our fight against ISIS cells, with reports confirming Turkey's harbouring of many terrorist leaders and elements in Turkish occupied areas and mercenary factions in NE Syria, the Turkish attack coincided with the successes of our forces against ISIS terrorist cells confirms Turkey's ill will to obstruct our fight against the terrorist organization. " T/S ANHA We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. A VIDEOGRAPHER from Henley is celebrating 40 years in the industry after rediscovering his passion for film during the coronavirus pandemic. Richard Pinches, 56, bought his first stills camera in the summer of 1981 at Henley Photographic in Hart Street, which is now Cafe Rouge. Seven years later, he converted one of his parents barns at Meadows Farm in Marlow Road and opened his own photography studio called Meadows Farm Studios. The business has expanded over the years as Mr Pinches moved into video and embraced digital technology. He has worked with brands including Rolls-Royce, BMW, Xerox, Sony, Panasonic and Dell. He photographed Kate Middleton before she married Prince William and became the Duchess of Cambridge. Mr Pinches said: Im very lucky. I almost fell into this career by accident. I was going to do a graphic design or architecture course before I picked up a camera. It has been a wonderful career Ive been all over the world and Ive shot for some major brands. And in 40 years Ive seen a lot of technological developments, from analogue to digital. Its a much more competitive market now as its much easier to shoot with a digital camera. Mr Pinches, who was born in Henley, attended The Henley College to study chemistry, biology, art and photography. Under the tutorship of Roger Pugh, he learned how to use his first camera, a Cosina PM1, which cost 49.95. He recalled: This really was the point when I got the bug and even biology took a second place to art and photography. It became my chosen vocation and I went on to Berkshire College of Arts and Design in Reading to do a diploma in commercial photography. When I finished I very quickly got a job as an assistant in Paul Howards studio near Reading. He was a master of lighting and taught me how to light products, food, beverages and cars. Paul insisted I do one portfolio shot every month to increase my skills but I saw my future there was limited and I didnt want to be an assistant any more so I applied to other larger local studios and got a job as a studio photographer with Giles Smith photography, near Stokenchurch. This was a big jump for me being only a year out of college and I did struggle at first to learn the new discipline of shooting with clients watching me work but I quickly flourished. Mr Pinches then opened his own studio at Meadows Farm. His grandfather had bought the 50-acre farm when the Fawley Court estate was auctioned in lots. It became Meadows Farm when Mr Pinchess parents, Peter and Helen, built their family home there in 1964 and reared a beef herd. The couple had five children, including Richard. I asked my father if I could use one of his barns, said Mr Pinches. He said yes, so I turfed out his equipment and started my own business. My dad was a bit sceptical at first. He was a hard father to please. He was an ex-soldier and a hard farm worker and it took him a while to realise I could make a business out of it. He was definitely very happy in the end and he was even a model for me for some things, such as hearing aids. I would use my mothers household items such as a lampshade as props. The Meadows Farm studio soon had three photographers, several assistants, an administrator and a full-time set builder. Most of Mr Pinchess work involved national advertisements for big name brands. He was Hyundais official advertisement photographer for five years and Dells advertisement photographer for four. He also did some portrait work. He didnt know who Kate Middleton was when she came to the studio on behalf of her mother, Carole, who owns a childrens party company. Mr Pinches said: My then wife saw her in the studio and told me who she was dating and Miss Middleton was amused at her hitherto incognito presence. She was working with the children in the photos and getting them to sit still. She was very amused that we didnt know who she was. She found it quite sweet and touching. I did joke when one of the kids was acting up that itd be their only opportunity to punch a future member of the royal family. As he embraced digital technology, he was able to work on film sets as well as continue with his photography work. He converted one of his drive-in studios into a soundproofed green screen video stage. He worked with Mel B, aka Scary Spice, on her fitness videos and on a variety of short films including Worth It! (2014), Venus and Mars (2015) and Without Direction (2016). Now he does all the drone work for the Stonor Park estate. Mr Pinches said: One of my favourite memories has to be the first time we shot drone footage there and Will Stonor trying to herd about 200 deer in front of his vehicle. More recently, he has focused on more analogue photography, including developing unusual techniques such as adding extra layers of interest on to images by partly destroying them. He explained: I have been burying colour film in soil. This might sound odd but it actually produces some stunning results where the soil microbes eat the photographic gelatine layers, revealing extremely interesting artefacts in the emulsion. These results are spectacular to look at as the layers are eaten at different rates, producing colourful imagery that looks out of this world and mimicking cosmic nebulas. My work is all based on barbed wire as a metaphor for conflict, which reflects my keen interest in the history of wars. He says the first lockdown in March last year gave him time to rediscover his analogue roots. Theres no magic and artistry in the process of digital unlike with film, said Mr Pinches.In lockdown I set up a dark room and started a fine art photography course at the University of Hertfordshire and it re-energised me. Im keen to move away from digital photography and use analogue techniques in a combination of monochromatic and chromatic styles. This includes a photographic process dating from 1852 called wet plate collodion. It is a very slow process working on tin and glass plates which are the complete opposite of generic digital photography. Mr Pinches is to hold an exhibition at the Old Fire Station Galley in Henley in February to mark his anniversary. He will be showing his fine art photography as well as early work and his modern commercial material. A NEW comedy based on the life of Spike Milligan will open the spring season at the Watermill Theatre in Bagnor, near Newbury. Spike by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman is booking from January 27 to March 5. Its the booming Fifties and Britain is in the clutches of Goon-mania as men, women and children across the country scramble to get their ear to a wireless for the latest instalment of The Goon Show. While Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers get down to the serious business of becoming overnight celebrities, fellow Goon and chief writer Spike finds himself pushing the boundaries of comedy and testing the patience of the BBC higher-ups. Flanked by his fellow Goons and bolstered by the efforts of the shows irrepressible sound assistant, Janet, Spike takes a flourishing nosedive off the cliffs of respectability and mashes up his haunted past to create the comedy of the future. Will his dogged obsession with finding the funny elevate the Goons to soaring new heights or will the whole thing come crashing down with the stroke of a potato peeler? Olivier Award-winning actor John Dagleish will play the title role, with Stephen Fry voicing the BBC announcer and Margaret Cabourn-Smith playing Janet. George Kemp plays Peter Sellers with Jeremy Lloyds as Harry Secombe, James Mack as Dennis Main Wilson/Peter Eton, Ellie Morris as June and Robert Mountford as a BBC executive. Hislop and Newman say: Writing Spike gave us a chance to celebrate the genius of the founding father of modern comedy, explore what inspired him and steal all his jokes. The Watermills artistic director Paul Hart says: The play will commemorate 20 years since Spikes death and will be equally good fun for those who know the Goons and for audiences who are new to Spikes distinctive brand of humour and how we all need a laugh at the moment. For more information and to book, visit www.watermill.org.uk Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. Justice delayed is heartbreak multiplied for the family of beloved FDNY Emergency Medical Technician Yadira Arroyo. Nearly five years after the 14-year veteran first responders gruesome on-the-job slaying, her relatives still await the Bronx prosecution of her accused killer left instead to count sad Christmas mornings and missed birthdays and more than 50 court dates for oft-arrested defendant Jose Gonzalez. Advertisement It has been frustrating for everyone, said her brother Joel Rosado, who followed his sister onto the job and wears her badge number. We just want justice to be served. FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo was struck and killed when Jose Gonzalez allegedly hijacked her ambulance in the Bronx on March 16, 2017. (Handout) Arroyo, 44, left behind five sons after her horrific March 16, 2017, death beneath the wheels of her hijacked ambulance. The youngest was just 7 years old. Advertisement Gonzalez and his rap sheet of 31 prior arrests are due back in court on Jan. 13, the latest in a litany of appearances across the last 57 months, with the focus on his mental health and ability to stand trial for the killing. He will return with a new lawyer, a move likely to again delay the proceedings as Arroyos family wonders if the wheels of justice will ever turn their way. I cannot speak about what he has done in the past, said Rosado. All I can say now is that he took one of the most important people in my life, he took away the mother to five boys and the daughter away from a mother. FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo's ambulance. (Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News) The Bronx district attorneys office says the case remains on hold despite the findings of an expert witness and a state psychiatrist that Gonzalez was mentally competent to face a jury of his peers. The defense has produced its own experts arguing the accused killer is not competent, and the legal battle drags on. There has been a long and arduous process to determine the defendants fitness to stand trial, which includes numerous examinations and hearings, said Patrice OShaughnessy, spokeswoman for District Attorney Darcel Clark, noting that the pandemic added to the delays. As such, the process toward trial continues. We will continue to pursue justice for Yadira Arroyo no matter how long it takes to resolve this case. Jose Gonzalez in Bronx Supreme Court in 2017. (Gregg Vigliotti / For New York Daily News) As the potential mental health defense slowed the pace of prosecution to a crawl, the victims loyal family and fellow EMTs and paramedics appeared for every Bronx County Courthouse hearing. But Oren Barzilay, head of Local 2507, the union that represents FDNY EMTs and paramedics said he believed the case against Gonzalez was becoming a farce. No justice, five years, said Barzilay. Its an insult what hes doing to the system, that hes allowed to carry on this long. Everybody knew Yadira. She was a hard worker, a single mom with kids to take care of. Advertisement What keeps us coming back is we are a family. Everybody knew her. But our members are discouraged. Front page of the New York Daily News on March 12, 2017. (New York Daily News) Defense attorney Richard Barton, who recently took over the Gonzalez case, declined to comment on the long delays. The horrors of her last day remain fresh despite the passage of time. Arroyo and partner Monique Williams were driving through the Bronx around 7:10 p.m. when they spotted Gonzalez riding on the back of their ambulance. FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo (Facebook ) The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > The pair pulled over when Gonzalez jumped from the vehicle and tried to steal a passing mans backpack. When Arroyo stepped out of the ambulance to investigate, the suspect climbed inside, threw the vehicle in reverse and ran her down. The callous killer then put the ambulance in drive and rode over her again. An off-duty MTA cop and several bystanders tackled Gonzalez as he tried to flee. Jose Gonzalez in Bronx Supreme Court in 2017. (Gregg Vigliotti for New York Daily News) His first court appearance, in April 2017, came with a not guilty plea and was followed by dozens of inconclusive Bronx hearings on the plethora of charges in a killing that shook the city. Advertisement Gonzalez is also awaiting trial in a separate case from Feb. 25, 2017, when he was charged with attempted assault for allegedly punching a city police officer on a Bronx street, court records show. Authorities said Gonzalez kicked out the window of a police car after his arrest, but was turned loose after a judge rejected an appeal from prosecutors to hold him on $5,000 bail. Less than a month later, Arroyo was dead. And the mourning, just like the cycle of court sessions, continues. We want the court to find him guilty, said Rosado, so we can all finally put this to rest. Greenville, TX (75401) Today Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 84F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early. Thunderstorms developing late. Low 63F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we've all known individuals who have done more than their share to help their neighbors and communities with food, comfort, care, companionship and dozens of other needs. If you know of such a person, you can nominate them to be featured in our upcoming H South Africa: Presiding Officer to ensure limited disruption to work of Parliament The Presiding Officers of Parliament have assured that all efforts will be made to limit any disruption to the business of Parliament following the fire that gutted parts of the precinct on Sunday. In a statement, the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Amos Masondo, said the fire that destroyed parts of Parliament came at a critical time when preparations for hosting the 2022 State of the Nation Address and Budget speech were at an advanced stage. President Cyril Ramaphosa had requested the Speaker to convene a Joint Sitting of Parliament for the State of the Nation Address on 10 February 2022. The firefighters fought the blaze throughout the day, bringing under complete control fire in the NCOP offices, and continued to battle the flames in the NA Chamber and some offices that were severely gutted by fire. Significant damage has been caused to the New Assembly Wing, which includes the NA Chamber. The Presiding Officers however confirmed these flagship programmes of Parliament will not be affected by this unfortunate incident. While urging the law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in establishing the cause of the incident, they welcomed the swift arrest of a man in his 50s in connection with the incident. Mapisa-Nqakula and Masondo further appealed for calm, cautioned against any speculation and encouraged everyone to afford the law enforcement authorities space to investigate and provide the much-needed conclusive information. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who visited the site of the fire yesterday, said he was deeply saddened by the scenes he had witnessed. This is a disastrous event that should sadden all of us Notwithstanding the damage that has been done to this precinct, the work of Parliament will carry on. He said the speedy response of the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town in mobilising the response to this emergency was appreciated. The real praise and applause belongs to the fire officials and crews of the City of Cape Town who have done a great job. While they have worked to stop Parliament from being razed to ashes, it is very clear that this fire has devastated the parliamentary precinct and its contents and assets, including Parliaments historical treasures of heritage, he said. President Ramaphosa said Parliament and the security agencies of government are looking into the cause of the incident and these investigations must be allowed to continue. While these investigations continue, I believe we are united as a nation in our sadness at this destruction of the home of our democracy. In the wake of this devastating occurrence we will continue to consult on what we can do to ensure continuity in the functioning of Parliament as the critical institution in our democratic infrastructure. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-01-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Hu Xiaodao The past year of 2021 has witnessed COVID-19 rampaging across the world, changes never seen in a century evolving in acceleration, and the world entering a period of instability and reform. Today lets take a look back at the major hotspots that will exert far-reaching impacts on the international situation. 1. Russia-NATO relation mired in Ice Age In 2021, the situation in east Ukraine kept escalating and the relation between Russia and NATO plummeted to a historical new low. Despite NATOs claim to be committed to forging a partnership with Russia and conducting dialogue and pragmatic cooperation in areas of common interests, the two sides have barely worked together on anything. Judging from their conflicts on a range of issues, from refugees on the Belarus-Poland border to Ukraine, the strategic struggle between Russia and NATO is likely to keep escalating in the future. 2. American troops pulled from Afghanistan in disgrace With the last C-17 transport plane taking off from the Kabul International Airport on August 30, Americas hurried pullback from Afghanistan finally wrapped up amid disputes and chaos. Driven by the engrained hegemonistic mentality, no sooner did the US pull itself out of the quagmire in Afghanistan than it plunged itself into the vortex of major-power competition, which is in no way a wise move. If the Biden administration cannot give up its old-style mindset of creating enemies for itself everywhere, the US is bound to make more irretrievable strategic mistakes. 3. Russia, Belarus jointly respond to threats from the West Russia and Belarus joined hands to respond to the strategic containment and threats from the West. In September, Russian and Belarusian Armed Forces conducted the Zapad-2021 strategic military exercise; in November, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed the Russia-Belarus Union State integration decree, vowing to jointly resist external forces to interfere in their internal affairs. The suppression and containment by western countries has, contrary to what they expected, made Russia and Belarus more united than before. Going forward, the two countries may further intensify the all-round strategic collaboration through economic and trade cooperation, joint exercise and training, joint military operations, and integrated dispatch of troops, in the joint efforts to deal with challenges from the West. 4. Iranian nuclear issue remains unsolved The seventh round of the Iran nuclear talks among parties to the Iranian nuclear deal concluded in Vienna, capital of Austria, on December 17. The statement issued after the talks said that the US and Iran didnt reach a consensus on lifting the sanctions. The US and Iran never reached an agreement either during the talks on the nuclear deal or on the diplomatic front. Iran was eager to push the negotiations forward, but the outcomes didnt pivot on it alone they required active efforts from the US side too, and the situation today should be attributed to Americas unilateral exit from the deal in the first place. Its position, or change of position, holds the key to whether the Iran nuclear talks will make any breakthroughs. 5. US, UK, Australia forge trilateral security partnership On September 15, the US, the UK, and Australia announced to form a trilateral security partnership. According to their agreement, Australia canceled a contract on buying 12 conventionally powered submarines from France and turned to the US and the UK for technological support in its endeavor to establish a nuclear submarine force in the navy. This sparked alarm in regional countries and the international community. The establishment of the trilateral security partnership not only brazenly stirred up confrontation and division, escalated the arms race, and sabotaged peace and stability in the region, but also breached the spirit of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and undermined the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone Treaty. The AUKUS is yet another testament to Americas practice of a hegemonistic mindset and ploy to forge an alliance system. But such a move, instead of cementing security interests for itself, has driven its traditional allies like France and Germany further away. 6. Palestinian-Israeli conflicts exacerbate After multiple rounds of conflicts in April, Palestine and Israel announced a ceasefire on May 21 under the joint efforts of multiple parties. The role of the US in the Palestine-Israel peace talks has gradually changed from a mediator to a trouble maker, and its intervention may further aggravate the Middle East situation. In view of this, the international community should build consensus on the issue and provide more support for Palestine and Israel to resume dialogue and negotiation. 7. DPRK and ROK resume official channels of communication On September 21, ROK President Moon Jae-in called for resuming the ROK-DPRK and US-DPRK dialogue at an early date, and expressed his hope for relevant parties to jointly release the end-of-war declaration. On October 4, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released a communique that DPRK decided to restart all lines of communication with ROK from 9:00 am that very day. Resuming communication means that ROK and DPRK now have the means to hold a dialogue any time to better understand each others intentions. Its the first step toward improving bilateral relations. Relevant parties should resume at an early date the substantive consultations on the denuclearization and peace process on the Korean peninsula thats the only way to achieve lasting peace on the peninsula. 8. Gulf countries see ease in tension At the beginning of the year, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and UAE resumed comprehensive diplomatic relations with Bahrain and Qatar and normalized bilateral relations. In May, Saudi Arabia resumed engagements with Iran. On August 28, the Iraqi government hosted the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, which was considered an important conference demonstrating the reconciliation among Gulf countries. State leaders or foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey attended the meeting. The raging COVID-19 pandemic and Americas adjustment of its Middle East policy have added uncertainties to the situation in the Gulf region. Against such a background, a stable external environment and regional cooperation become more important, and regional countries all seek to restart dialogues, mitigate tension, and safeguard their own security. The overall landscape and state-to-state relations in the Gulf region are in a period of profound reshuffling. 9. Terrorist threats come back The year 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Although countries have continuously reinforced their capability of tackling terrorist attacks, the threat of terrorism has not been rooted up yet. From August to November, the extremist organization Islamic State (IS) launched 52 attacks in Afghanistan, causing more than 600 casualties. In December, it launched attacks in the Province of Dayr az Zawr in east Syria and the port city of Basra in southern Iraq, causing multiple casualties as well. After the American troops pulled out of Afghanistan, terrorism has become a regular and more complicated phenomenonin the Middle East and South Asia. Americas 20-year-long anti-terror war in the country has only led to more serious and deadly terrorist attacks because it has all along only taken counterterrorism as a tool to promote its own geopolitical strategy. The US politicization of counterterrorism and smearing of other countries legitimate measures to fight terrorism and eradicate extremism has left an opening for terrorist forces. 10. COVID-19 continues wreaking havoc worldwide The year 2021 has seen COVID-19 sweeping across the world with a string of mutations from Delta to Omicron, taking a serious toll on the politics, economy, public health, and social life of all countries. Countries like the US and India are hit most by the pandemic. Generally speaking, the long-tail effect of the pandemic will continue to show and a turning point wont arrive anytime soon. Therefore, joining hands in battling the pandemic remains the top priority for the international community. In the coming new year, countries around the world should stand side by side and weather through this tough period together with concrete actions. The country that is obsessed with political manipulation and eroding solidarity in the global anti-virus campaign will eventually eat the bitter fruits of its own making. Editor's note: The original Chinese-version of the article was written by Hu Xiaodao, who is a researcher of the APD Institute. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of China Military Online. A NYPD cop was released from the hospital Sunday after repair of a startling bullet wound to his head as he napped in his car between two New Years shifts in Harlem. Officer Keith Wagenhauser, 33, was greeted with a standing ovation from dozens of colleagues, and Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, as he was wheeled out of New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell and then stood up to walk to a nearby NYPD van, where Mayor Adams offered him a helping hand to climb aboard. Advertisement Officer Keith Wagenhauser, shot in the head as he slept in his car between tours in the parking lot of the 25th Precinct, leaves New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Hospital in Manhattan on Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News) Wagenhausers too-close encounter occurred after he finished an eight-hour New Years Eve shift. The seven-year veteran and former Marine opted to sleep in his personal car in the parking lot outside the 25th Precinct stationhouse until his 7 a.m. tour Saturday, cops said. Advertisement The horrific wakeup came about 6:15 a.m., however, when Wagenhauser felt rain coming through his shattered car window and blood dripping from a painful head wound. The officer was taken to New York-Presbyterian, where he underwent surgery to remove a bullet fragment from his fractured skull. Officer Keith Wagenhauser, the bullet wound on his head still visible, is pictured outside New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Hospital on Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News) The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Police do not believe Wagenhauser was the intended target of the bullet that slammed into him and likely traveled some distance before hitting the officers window, Sewell said Saturday. There have been no arrests. Sewell and Adams have both vowed to get guns off city streets amid a startling rise in crime in 2021. Mayor Adams lends a hand Officer Keith Wagenhauser as he leaves New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Hospital in Manhattan on Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News) Were gonna get this shooter and were gonna get the shooters in our city, Adams declared. Were gonna get the guns off our streets and families should not have to go through this. We want this guy caught. Deputy Inspector Christopher Henning, commanding officer of the 25th Precinct, described the officers hospital release as a momentous occasion. This is good for morale, good to see a smile on Keiths face [and to] have him walk out with his family, Henning said. Lining the corridor with all the members of the 25 Precinct that he worked with ... it was a very good day for him and his family as well as us. Advertisement Hes been an outstanding officer for the [precinct] and for the residents of upper East Harlem, Henning said. Uniontown, PA (15401) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 67F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 51F. Winds light and variable. A woman who says she was threatened and attacked by Ashli Babbitt, the Donald Trump supporter who was shot dead by police after storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, recalls anything but an incredible person words the former president once used to describe her. Celeste Norris told the Associated Press that Babbitt, who was having an affair with Norris long-time boyfriend, rammed her vehicle with an SUV, pounded on her car windows threatening to assault her and had to be restrained by police. Advertisement Ashli Babbitt (Twitter) Norris said the trouble began in 2015 when she learned the 35-year-old Babbitt, who was married and then known as Ashli McEntee, was sleeping with her live-in lover. According to Norris, she called Babbitts husband to tell him what was happening, which angered Babbitt. Advertisement Norris said she eventually moved out the apartment she shared with her boyfriend and that Babbitt promptly moved in. Months later, Norris said she was driving on a Maryland roadway in July 2016 when a white SUV chased her vehicle and rammed it from behind multiple times. Norris said she dialed 911 and was advised to pull over and wait for help. She said the SUV driver also pulled over and then approached her vehicle it was Babbitt, according to Norris. She pulls up yelling and screaming, Norris told the AP. It took me a good 30 seconds to figure out who she was. Just all sorts of expletives, telling me to get out of the car, that she was going to beat my a--. Rattled by the encounter, Norris got an order of protection against Babbitt. But according to Norris, Babbitt claimed in court that their collision was an accident. In 2017, Norris received a second order of protection from Babbitt. This driver's license photo from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), provided to AP by the Calvert County Sheriff's Office, shows Ashli Babbitt. (AP) According to Norris, Babbitt had on at least one occasion followed her home from work, Norris claimed. She also said she was getting calls from unlisted numbers at all hours of the night. I lived in fear because I didnt know what she was capable of, Norris told the AP. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. In 2019, Norris filed a $74,500 personal injury suit against Babbitt, which was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. Babbitt had by then gotten a divorce and married Norris ex-lover, Aaron Babbitt. Advertisement Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > On Jan. 6, Babbitt, a 14-year Air Force veteran, marched into history when she was killed by U.S. Capitol police while storming the Capitol to stop the certification of the 2020 election that she falsely believed had been stolen from then-President Trump. FILE - Insurrections loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jose Luis Magana/AP) [ Tucker Carlson and Fox News step up efforts to sell Jan. 6 revisionism, streaming service ] Babbitt has since been largely celebrated as a martyr by right-wing extremists. Trump in October recorded a video on what would have been Babbitts 36th birthday, painting her as a victim in his cause and claiming We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family. The 45th president said it was his great honor to address those mourning Babbitt a woman he called a truly incredible person. An attorney representing Babbitt likened her killing to an execution. The U.S. Capitol Police officer who shot Babbitt as she crashed through a broken window in a Capitol building doorway was cleared of any wrongdoing. Advertisement With News Wire Services MUMBAI - Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and EHL Education Group, Switzerland have collaborated to offer a Professional Diploma Program to hospitality industry students at CIIs Vocational Education and Training by EHL (VET by EHL) Learning Centres across India. The 18-month program offering Swiss quality education will include six months of academics at CII accredited institutes and 12 months of hands-on field experience at select IHCL hotels. Speaking about this partnership, Gaurav Pokhariyal, Senior Vice President & Global Head - Human Resources, IHCL, said, As an industry leader, IHCL is committed towards developing a strong pipeline that is future ready. We are proud to partner with CII for this initiative, which will help bridge the skill gap in the growing travel and tourism sector. This is a vital step towards increasing the talent pool of hospitality professionals in the industry. The students undertaking the VET by EHL program will go through multiple skill-based certification levels, including internship and apprenticeship at select IHCL hotels. The program will focus on key areas such as culinary, F&B service and accommodations. Post successful completion of the program, students will be awarded the VET by EHL Professional Diploma. In line with its vision to develop and nurture talent, IHCL has undertaken several initiatives. Recently, IHCL announced 100 per cent placement for the graduating class of 2020 at the Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad (IHM-A). The company has also partnered with Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, Switzerland and ESSEC Business School in France to offer scholarship programs to deserving individuals. About CII The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering Industry, Government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes. CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization, with over 9000 members from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 300,000 enterprises from 294 national and regional sectoral industry bodies. For more than 125 years, CII has been engaged in shaping India's development journey and works proactively on transforming Indian Industry's engagement in national development. CII charts change by working closely with Government on policy issues, interfacing with thought leaders, and enhancing efficiency, competitiveness, and business opportunities for industry through a range of specialized services and strategic global linkages. It also provides a platform for consensus-building and networking on key issues. Extending its agenda beyond business, CII assists industry to identify and execute corporate citizenship programmes. Partnerships with civil society organizations carry forward corporate initiatives for integrated and inclusive development across diverse domains including affirmative action, livelihoods, diversity management, skill development, empowerment of women, and sustainable development, to name a few. As India marches towards its 75th year of Independence in 2022, CII, with the Theme for 2021-22 as Building India for a New World: Competitiveness, Growth, Sustainability, Technology, rededicates itself to meeting the aspirations of citizens for a morally, economically, and technologically advanced country in partnership with the Government, Industry, and all stakeholders. With 62 offices, including 10 Centres of Excellence, in India, and 8 overseas offices in Australia, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore, UAE, UK, and USA, as well as institutional partnerships with 394 counterpart organizations in 133 countries, CII serves as a reference point for Indian industry and the international business community. About EHL Group EHL Group encompasses a portfolio of specialized business units that deliver hospitality management education and innovation worldwide. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Group includes: EHL Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne is an ambassador for traditional Swiss hospitality and has been a pioneer in hospitality education since 1893 with over 25,000 alumni worldwide and over 120 nationalities. EHL is the worlds first hospitality management school that provides undergraduate and graduate programs at its campuses in Lausanne, Singapore and ChurPassugg, as well as online learning solutions. The university of applied sciences is ranked n1 by QS World University Rankings by subject and CEOWorld Magazine, and its gastronomic restaurant is the worlds only educational establishment to hold a Michelin Star for a third consecutive year. EHL Advisory Services is the largest Swiss hospitality advisory company specializing in service culture implementation, business consulting, as well as the development and quality assurance of learning centers. EHL Advisory Services has offices in Lausanne, Beijing, Shanghai and New Delhi and has delivered mandates in more than 60 countries over the past 40 years. www.ehl.edu About The Indian Hotels Company Limited The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. These include Taj the iconic brand for the most discerning travellers and the World's Strongest Hotel Brand and India's Strongest Hospitality Brand as per Brand Finance 2021, SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels, Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels and Ginger, which is revolutionising the lean luxe segment. Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel - The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903. IHCL has a portfolio of 232 hotels including 58 under development globally across 4 continents, 11 countries and in over 100 locations. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is India's largest hospitality company by market capitalization. It is primarily listed on the BSE and NSE. Please visit: www.ihcltata.com ; www.tajhotels.com ; www.seleqtionshotels.com ; www.vivantahotels.com ; www.gingerhotels.com Rakhee Lalvani +91 22 6137 1909 IHCL Its a milestone moment for the hospitality industry. The impact of the pandemic is undeniable, and with that stress comes mega-trends that ripple throughout the industry. Some of these - such as the unique labour market dynamics we are seeing - will level out in time. Others are likely to play out over future decades, creating fundamental ripples and long-term change that hotels need to be working towards right now. In part one we look at three major trends that are going to change how you operate your properties themselves, and how they can be future-proofed to make the most out of what is yet to come. Stay tuned for part two, where we look at the digital and data trends you need to be thinking about for the rest of 2021 and into 2022. 1. Hard to hire, harder to keep: Why you need to address the labour shortage It has been a year of wild ups and downs for many within the hospitality industry. Few industries have been hit as hard as we have, causing widespread job losses across the sector, despite the extension of government support in many places. According to the US Department of Labor, for the year from February 2020, (when the pandemic was first arriving on American shores), just under 40% of the total jobs lost were in the leisure and hospitality industry. Now, while it might be the case that consumers are now returning and the sector is rebounding, the same cannot always be said for hospitality workers. Job openings have reached record highs in the sector across many major economies around the world. For example, looking at the most recent ONS data for the UK, vacancies for accommodation and food service businesses have increased more than ten-fold from their lowest point. The bottom was hit in April to June 2020, where there were just 8,000 vacancies, compared to 117,000 now. Even this estimate is below trade body UK Hospitalitys estimate of a 188,000 shortfall of workers. In the US, unemployment for leisure and hospitality workers is now reaching pre-pandemic levels, and pay has now exceeded levels commonly being paid before COVID hit. All of this means that retaining your employees, and then achieving the best results with them are now paramount as we move towards recovery for travel and tourism globally. It is also now time to make an investment into technology solutions to alleviate the pressure of running a hotel with a smaller team and ensure your staff can do more with less. It also makes sense to up-skill and re-skill your staff. This will serve to help with retention, mitigate the effect of constraints in hiring capacity, and help maintain effectiveness at a time of reduced budgets in many hospitality businesses. While the idea of increasing any budget right now can seem like a risky move, investing in tech and focusing on staff retention makes both good economic sense and represents a sensible long-term strategy. When it comes to technology, todays good enough' is usually outdated by tomorrow. Not only will an investment in new technology improve efficiency at present, it will pay dividends in the future. Estimates vary on how much it costs to replace a staff member, but none of these approximates are cheap. A review of research by the Centre for American Studies noted that, the typical (median) cost of turnover was 21% of an employees annual salary. Its unlikely that in this unusual labour market staff recruitment has reduced in cost. Instead, the reverse is most likely the case on the ground for most hospitality businesses. So, how can you make the most out of every staff member and keep them working in your hotels? One of the simplest ways to increase efficiency with limited staff numbers is by implementing new technology solutions to take the heavy lifting out of your day to day. From a revenue management perspective, efficiency is based on freeing the team up from tasks to focus their efforts on maximising revenue. It's vital that revenue management teams make timely decisions based on reliable and accurate business data. By removing time-consuming manual tasks with innovative tech solutions, you can have actionable insights at your fingertips, save considerable time and can switch focus to positively impacting your bottom line. Now is the best time to adopt newer technologies that will drive productivity and stimulate growth. See how much time you can save with our ROI calculator. Studies show that while pay is important, the biggest reasons for not being able to retain staff are just as often a lack of progression and opportunities. Therefore, the number a key objective for hotel managers in dealing with this trend is to build comprehensive training plans that lead to structured and clearly laid out employee progression upwards through the organisation. This then creates the benefits of: Retaining knowledge in the organisation. Reducing the direct and indirect recruitment and initial training costs. Increases resilience through organisational flexibility and back-up in key positions via cross-training and mentorship. Improves productivity. Increases customer satisfaction, particularly when customer service and digital skills are taught. Raises the bottom line. Other elements that can enhance that all-important retention are flexible working conditions, a focus on workplace safety and retention-focused compensation. All of these should help you to do more with less and keep your most valuable asset, your staff, ready for the full return of demand and the next challenge for our sector. 2. Coping with a crash in corporate demand Let's face it: corporate travel is in a very different place versus pre-pandemic. Where once business travel seemed vital - enough so that airlines could base their entire road to profitability on the premium business traveller - now the corporate traveller is a comparatively rare sight. The restrictions in international travel and the rise in video conferencing have lessened the importance companies put on face-to-face interaction - with huge consequences for hospitality. The Global Business Travel Association estimates that across 2020, business travel spending crashed by 52% and that the sector is likely not going to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2025. Instead, the hospitality industry is now far more reliant on the leisure traveller, and the green shoots of recovery are now very much present when it comes to this sector. We have previously discussed in a blog post why domestic demand is a key driver right now, and why this dynamic is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Although international leisure travel is now returning to growth as well, new variants mean this is shrouded in uncertainty once again. Hoteliers will need to address this mega-trend of reduced corporate demand and a reshaped travel market head-on. What's required is not only a long-term strategic outlook but also one that starts right immediately. There are two primary paths that hoteliers need to be taking when it comes to making up for the loss of business travel: re-allocating marketing spend and introducing flexibility for facilities previously utilised primarily by corporate clients. The first strategic consideration is likely already in place for your properties, but it is worth emphasising how important it is to be effective in directing marketing spending. The shifting nature of travel restrictions and changing government advice is creating a highly fluid situation. At present, demand can rise rapidly and fade away just as quickly. These shifts are largely dependent on the situation in the leisure market, and are minimal overall in the corporate market. A great way to maximise the effectiveness of this strategy is by drawing on strong business intelligence that shows accurately where demand is, and will be, generated. Take a look at our Global Market Insight tool, which not only provides a real-time picture of demand and its origin but also incorporates GDS search for many locations (a good indicator of corporate travel). When it comes to property resources once devoted purely or largely to corporate travel, hoteliers need to be considering how they can adapt to new conditions. Consider working with local businesses to meet their needs on a flexible basis. For example, hotel meeting space might be useful for hosting companies that have downsized corporate office space, operating as flexible working spaces. Another way to maximise space utilisation and continue to drive revenue from it could be to try to zero in on companies that need large meeting spaces located close to their employees. These companies might need these to reduce costs or to fulfil social distancing requirements, but the key is to look less at the traditional opportunities and pivot into whatever demand is available. 3. MICE might never be the same Hoteliers need to face the fact that even the 2025 estimate of a return to pre-pandemic corporate travel spend may be optimistic, and that this segment has fundamentally changed forever. Not only have businesses been forced to consider work-from-home policies in a way that could not have evolved without the shock of the pandemic, but there is also a growing body of evidence that remote work is here to stay. Events will change too, moving from live in-person events that focus purely on the face-to-face, towards hybrid meetings and events that put together a digital broadcast (and increasingly interaction) with the live event. A 2020 survey by Cvent of 700 event planners, managers, coordinators and directors in Western Europe found that more than three-quarters are looking at putting together a hybrid event in 2021. Hotels can move towards this future by creating environments that support these kinds of events and allow those booking them to really show off their product. Most critical to this is having the tech support necessary for hybrid meetings and events. Nobody wants their event, which is being broadcast to the entire internet, to go down unexpectedly. Those that make this process as convenient and slick as possible are most likely to capture the market. Hoteliers with significant MICE space who want to move towards this should improve digital infrastructure and support in the following ways: A must-have is to invest in fast bandwidth internet, and preferably on-premises 5G capability. Have space and power outlets for AV stations and equipment. Think about how the space is going to be utilised and prepare accordingly. Use the space to record interviews and break-out sessions throughout the exhibition area. Make sure the lighting is suitable for livestream events. Create a list of AV and technical partners who can strengthen proposals for hybrid events. These can also be useful advising and filling in for where you lack expertise. Create a microsite advertising your capabilities, and make sure the visitors can fully visualise the space and its capabilities. It may be worth creating a virtual tour, but at the very least have detailed floor plans. There may also be value in investing in a dedicated studio space to support very high-quality recordings. When periods of dislocation and disruption occur, they often create an environment ripe for change and innovation. With the pandemic continuing to hover menacingly over the hospitality industry, that moment is now, and nowhere is that change more apparent than in the need to revitalise our industrys focus on digital and data. These areas will define the success of hospitality companies in the next few years as they come out of the pandemic period and the way it has created a fire blanket over a previously hot travel market. Those that survive will need to be lean and effective at reaching and retaining customers. This wont be possible without understanding who those customers are through analytics, personalising their experience and reaching them with the right offer when they are considering booking. In this post we therefore look at the digital adoption underpinning the industry, how that is driving personalisation, and how revenue management is moving with these trends to become a more evolved and integral part of hoteliers approaches. To catch up on our first three trends, which covered staffing, changing demand patterns and the future that awaits the MICE segment, click here. Read on to see how to take your hotel into the digital age. 4. Its a case of digital or decline You may be sick of hearing it, but the digital and data side of the hotel business is not going away. In fact, quite the opposite is true, and you need a comprehensive strategy in place that takes a digital-first mindset, both for reaching out to the customer and handling their information behind-the-scenes. The fundamentals are clear: hotels need to be fostering a long-term relationship with their most profitable guests and looking for similar potential bookers in their marketing and partner programs. Thats just not possible in todays distribution system without the right digital approach. Lying at the heart of this are well-structured and accessible datasets that allow insights to be derived and shared across different segments of the business, depending on their needs. This can start with something as simple as site analytics and SEO, growing into a comprehensive suite that includes Customer Relationship Management (CRM), a Property Management System (PMS), financials, marketing and promotions, revenue management and third-party data. The key is to keep building and integrating these layers in a structured manner that improves the picture of information each time and to then link that back into measurable goals and informed decision making. It is also pretty much mission-critical now to make sure that information is hosted in the cloud. Migrating data away from local systems creates several benefits, most noticeably breaking down internal silos and sharing information far more easily, but also being able to link internal data and systems up to third party micro-services. The growing profusion of services in this latter category allow more nimbleness from hospitality companies as they can tap into a wide range of external expertise and skills. Through this, hospitality businesses can fully contextualise relationships with their customers, not just in a particular moment, but across that entire lifetime. With that, comes efficiencies and revenue-generating opportunities: marketing can be better directed; loyalty programs targeted meaningfully; in-stay ancillaries positioned at key moments; and post-stay communications tailored, all while streamlining overall operations. That ability to increase the margins through this process will be vital at a time when hotels are being faced with tough budget calls. A huge part of the ability to reach out and talk to customers effectively is a result of being able to action the data and talk to that consumer on a personal level, which brings us to our next trend: personalisation. 5. Putting a premium on personalisation Another trend that is now a must and that has been on the rise for a while is personalisation. Taking all your touch points with a customer and bringing together what you know to provide a personalised service will be a core part of getting your hospitality business back on its feet. Why is that? Because a host of surveys and studies have shown that personalisation works. It does this by creating a connection between brand and business in initial interactions, helping to secure first-time bookings, and then also builds the relationship, so that customers trust that brand and return to it. More than one piece of research has found that around 80% of consumers say that they are more likely to shop with a brand that creates personalised experiences. For a hotel brand, personalisation takes on several phases depending on the customers point in their journey, all of which should be linked up by a central CRM system. These are: As they search and book At a time of curtailed budgets, maximising paid channels and reducing cost of acquisition is a must, making personalisation more a requirement than an option for hoteliers looking to conduct campaigns. Marketers need reliable data from a variety of sources to create accurate personas of their guests. They need to be looking closely at forward-looking data and noting when and where demand is coming from to produce personalised digital advertising. At a time when so much is up in the air, they cannot be solely reliant on what their prior guest has looked like and need to work to spot all revenue opportunities in the market. That is why a market intelligence solution like Market Insight is now indispensable for hotel marketing teams - providing granular, segmented demand insights to better inform marketing campaigns. Then on own-brand channels, personalisation needs to take another step up to capture these potentially valuable direct bookings. This should encompass a dynamic online experience that can tailor the messaging and process depending on the visitors location, language, prior booking interest and preferences. Before they arrive / In the time between booking and the stay, revenue and data gathering opportunities abound, but no one wants to be spammed with useless material. Hoteliers need to nurture those email connections and build in relevant and engaging communications with guests. A CRM system can kick into gear here and identify what works and doesnt for different guest personas, capture key data and allow ancillary offers and up-selling to be positioned correctly. In the time between booking and the stay, revenue and data gathering opportunities abound, but no one wants to be spammed with useless material. Hoteliers need to nurture those email connections and build in relevant and engaging communications with guests. A CRM system can kick into gear here and identify what works and doesnt for different guest personas, capture key data and allow ancillary offers and up-selling to be positioned correctly. At the property / Once guests arrive, then there is a huge opportunity to impress and build a long-term relationship, as well as boost property-related revenues. Using data gathered pre-stay, hotels can offer personalised interactions on the property, although it is important to think about the human elements and how staff can take advantage of information as well as feed it back into a system. Once guests arrive, then there is a huge opportunity to impress and build a long-term relationship, as well as boost property-related revenues. Using data gathered pre-stay, hotels can offer personalised interactions on the property, although it is important to think about the human elements and how staff can take advantage of information as well as feed it back into a system. Post-stay / The post-stay phase is often neglected but automated and personalised messaging in this phase can draw guests back in and push them towards loyalty programs, which are extremely valuable from a repeat booking and data perspective. Look towards creating one-on-one messages here that reflect key pieces of personal information and that references their stay. Creating customer personas and profiles and linking these up across a complete journey will unleash a host of revenue generating potential and marketing opportunities. As the cost to install these capacities continues to fall, while the need to maximise own-brand channels remains a priority, personalisation will only become more attractive and important in the race to remain competitive. 6. A rewrite for revenue management The pace of revenue management is stepping up dramatically and will continue to do so post-pandemic. It is going to be critical for revenue managers to have a high degree of agility across data-gathering, analysis and implementation of strategies. Having a data first foundation that can identify patterns as they emerge and react to them in a market-specific context will be critical. The underlying drivers of this trend are more accommodation businesses going after a smaller pool of travellers, creating intense competition, and a highly fluid situation. Historical trends are now less reliable to set strategy and hospitality businesses are offering a wider range of rates tied to flexible policies or ancillaries to draw in customers. As revenue managers shift back from support staff to revenue generators, they will need to fully understand these trends and lead the response to them. With hotel operators leaning more heavily on their revenue managers to help them get an edge in the market, there is then a race to create the perfect set-up in this new environment. Achieving a better balance for the revenue management department will rely on achieving the right technological base, the core of which is a suite of advanced business intelligence tools powered by industry leading data. With forecasting more challenging and less reliant on prior periods, revenue managers need real-time data that covers on the books (OTB), but more importantly, forward-looking demand data, and information on the local environment (major events, travel restrictions, etc.) at any given moment. This is where a market intelligence solution comes into play. They also need increasing agility when it comes to what discounting and promotional strategies they can set, alongside the overall rates. Since the pandemic broke, flexibility has been a priority for both consumers, as well as search engines and OTAs. This has driven a rise in semi-flexible rates and a fall in the prevalence of non-refundable rooms on offer. The trend will carry through for the foreseeable future and revenue managers need to be able to respond, creating rates that cater to market needs, whether that is accommodating cancellation policies, or additional discounts for upselling rooms or for increasing length-of-stay. By using the Rate Strategy feature within Rate Insight, you can see pricing and promotional strategies in your market, understand the impact of promotions on your competitiveness and then benchmark this strategy against your compset. As revenue managers move toward the role of key revenue generators, able to influence demand more directly, they need to be elevated into the heart of hospitality business decision-making and coordinate closely with their marketing and sales counterparts. This requires a holistic commercial strategy and close collaboration, all underpinned by shared data insights. 7. Total RevPAR becomes the go to metric As noted above, the traditional position of the revenue manager to purely set room rates and advise on strategy from deep in the back office is going to fade. The revenue managers position is going to grow and move towards the centre of hospitality businesses. Fundamental to this, is the need for more effective and encompassing metrics that really reflect what is going on within a property. Out of these metrics, Total Revenue Per Available Room (Total RevPAR or TRevPAR) is set to be the critical metric to take forward and put at the centre of how you measure property performance. Already, pre-pandemic there was a need to increase the scope of how to measure a revenue managers success. This has now taken on added urgency as hotels need to really understand costs against revenues when operating capital is at such a premium, looking beyond pure revenue generation from rooms sold. The metric takes the total revenue base for a hotel and then divides this between the total available number of rooms to give a per-room metric for how a hotel is performing across its entire business, not just from room sales. This should include all additional revenue generating areas, ranging from food and beverage to on-site spas, to commissions from in-destination activity partners. This breadth is why Total RevPAR is becoming the core key performance indicator (KPI) for many accommodation providers, as it is a more effective measure of success than traditional RevPAR. By monitoring its constituent parts, hoteliers have granularity on performance across the business, which they can then tweak for greater business performance. For example, they can quickly identify trends in their ancillary revenue streams and recalibrate pricing in these all-too-often static areas or place high-demand items front and centre on their owned channels. This kind of approach is only going to become more important as hotels look to widen their offerings, both to attract back critical leisure travellers, but also to squeeze all potential revenue out of their properties to carry them out of this difficult period. Conclusion That summarises our seven key trends for 2022. Although many of these have been pushed to the forefront by the extraordinary times we are going through, taking them into account and using them to remodel your hospitality business makes long-term sense. If you need help in doing this, then we are to give you advice and set you up for success. Get in contact with our team today and see how we can make sure you are ready for whatever comes your way in 2022. About Transparent OTA Insight empowers hoteliers to deliver smarter revenue, distribution, and marketing outcomes through its market-leading commercial platform. With live updates, 24/7 support, and highly intuitive and customizable dashboards, OTA Insight integrates with industry tools including hotel property management systems, leading RMS solutions, and data benchmarking providers. OTA Insight's team of international experts supports more than 55,000 properties in 185 countries. Winner of the Best Rate Shopping & Market Intelligence Solution, Parity Management Software, and Business Intelligence categories in the 2021 and 2022 HotelTechAwards, OTA Insight is widely recognised as a leader in hospitality business intelligence. For more information about OTA Insight, visit www.otainsight.com View source Business executives like to believe they can read people--understand what makes someone tick--whether its an employee, a coworker, vendor or someone on the other side of a negotiating table. Half the time, though, theyre wrong, social scientists tell us. We consistently misperceive people, especially those who are not like us. We lose a lot of good people and profitable deals as a result. We retard social progress and the national economy. But the good news is that we can do better with a bit of work. Peoples perceptions about others play an important role in shaping their own attitudes and behaviors, as well as social norms more broadly, economists Leonardo Bursztyn and David Yang of the University of Chicagos Becker-Friedman Institute wrote in a new research paper. Experimental treatments to re-calibrate misperceptions generally work as intended. TOMLINSONS TAKE: Diversity is good for business, yet bias persists in Texas Bursztyn and Yang collected 79 research papers published over the past 20 years on how people perceive each other. Those papers examine how differences in wealth, earnings, ethnicity, politics, religion, nationality and other factors shape our misperceptions. The professors found some remarkably consistent behaviors, many of which we dont want to acknowledge about ourselves. The most obvious is we are more accurate and forgiving in our perceptions of people with whom we have commonalities. Throughout our lives, we have in-groups with which we share something and out-groups that we consider different or foreign. This leads to the second finding: Our misperceptions about others come from within ourselves and our in-group, not from the out-groups. Respondents overwhelmingly tend to think that other in-group members share their characteristics, attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors, while those in the out-groups are opposite of themselves, the authors write. In 25 years of reporting, Ive seen people naturally group based on tribe, birthplace, education, career or even industry. These in-groups establish an identity based on what they share and only later establish criteria for excluding others. The research suggests that some people find it useful to project biases onto out-groups, Bursztyn and Yang wrote. Sometimes biases are used to generate competition. For example, executives at Exxon and Chevron might talk trash about the other to create an esprit de corps in their workforces. A darker example is that some conservatives, seeking to raise their profiles, declaim that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are predatory criminals. Every time a politician says their rival is anti-American, they are using demagoguery to radicalize their in-group against an out-group. We should not be surprised to find, then, that half of what people think about an out-group is wrong. Studies prove that when we judge people by their race, politics, wealth or any other outward appearance, we make assumptions about their character. But these stereotypes about out-groups are mainly based on ignorance, not facts, the research shows. Those ill-conceived misperceptions are neither random nor accidental. Leaders of an in-group tend to be prideful, confident and vocal in their superiority. Believing that your group is better also requires you to think the out-group is inferior and untrustworthy. Con artists understand this well. Few of us trust a person on the street trying to sell a fancy watch. But if someone at church says hes selling because of financial troubles, people are less likely to authenticate it before handing over the cash. We stereotype people and project our biases onto others, the research shows. We are ignorant of people outside our in-groups and stigmatize those unlike us. These behaviors explain why workforces are not more diverse, why some customers avoid certain businesses, and why companies find it challenging to innovate. We set up echo chambers and exclude people who do not sing the same song. We can overcome our biases. But we must let our guards down, open our minds, and learn from others not like ourselves. We must admit that maybe people in the out-group are more like us than we know. Psychologists have experimented with replacing bigoted information with facts for decades. TOMLINSONS TAKE: First phase of Texan's fight against discrimination ends at SEC While full convergence to truth is uncommon, in about half of the studies, experimental treatment moved treated subjects posterior beliefs at least half of the way towards the truth, corresponding to a substantial re-calibration of perceptions about others, Bursztyn and Yang found. The most effective treatments used narratives, anecdotes, vignettes, or immersive experiences such as pair-wise matching, games, and specific training. The proverbial walking a mile in anothers shoes, as they say. Experts call this diversity, equity and inclusion training. Demagogues interested in promoting division are demonizing attempts to overcome our misperceptions. While hate serves the tribalists agenda, its bad for business and society. We should do better for all our sakes. Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics. twitter.com/cltomlinson chris.tomlinson@chron.com Some Texas Walmart shoppers were forced to patronize other stores Sunday and Monday after a La Marque supercenter temporarily closed for a deep cleaning. The retail giant announced Sunday afternoon that it was closing its La Marque Supercenter location at 6410 Interstate 45 at 2 p.m. to allow third party cleaning crews time to thoroughly clean and sanitize the building, according to a release. The decision comes amid a renewed increase in positive COVID-19 cases across the country, according to the company's released statement. "As an essential business and a member of the La Marque community, we understand the role we play in providing our customers with food, medicine and other essential items, especially at this time," the statement read. "Everything were doing is for the well-being of our associates and the thousands of customers we serve daily, and in consideration of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and health experts. We will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission." THE LATEST NUMBERS: Interactive maps, charts show spread of COVID across Houston The location will remain closed Monday to give associates extra time to restock shelves and prep the store when it reopens Tuesday at 6 a.m., according to a company spokesperson. The move is an extension of Walmart's efforts to keep employees and customers safe amid the ongoing pandemic. When the store reopens Tuesday, the store will continue to conduct associate health assessments and all unvaccinated associates must still wear face coverings, according to the release. "We will continue working closely with elected and local health officials, adjusting how we serve the community while also keeping the health and safety of our customers and associates in mind." In the record books, 2021 is set to go down as Houstons best year ever for job growth. But the statistics mask the ups and down, fits and starts, despair and hope that characterized the economy last year. Will 2022 move us close to normal? We asked three local economists, Bill Gilmer of the University of Houston, Patrick Jankowski of the Greater Houston Partnership and Parker Harvey of Workforce Solutions, for their forecasts for the coming year. The outlook looks bright. The engines that drive the local economy are starting to hum again. But, of course, theres wild card: COVID-19. Since the outbreak first shut down the economy in the spring of 2020, economists have said the course of the economy would largely be set by the course of the pandemic. That relationship will remain in place in 2022. Heres what the forecasters see ahead: Strong gains, but still recovering losses Houstons job growth in 2021 ranks among its best years ever, and 2022 will match or exceed it. Through November, Houston added about 130,000 new seasonally adjusted payroll jobs, and since the early 2020 lockdowns it has added a total of 273,700. Yet, in these unusual times, the metro area has lagged much better performances by the state and nation. We remain well short of replacing those lockdown losses suffered in early 2020, bringing back only 73.7 percent of them. Contrast this to 82.5 percent of 2020 losses returned by the U.S., while the state of Texas restored all these losses this fall. The Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth metros areas led the state in this return to pre-pandemic employment levels, while San Antonio stands only 4.9 percent short. What is Houstons problem? Certainly oil stands in the middle of it. We only need to know that a combined Midland/Odessa so far have regained just 700 jobs or 2.6 percent of their early 2020 job losses. Houstons large upstream oil sector has behaved only a little better than west Texas, losing 37,600 jobs in 2020 and to date returned only 10,400. On HoustonChronicle.com: New child tax credits pull Houstonians from the brink of financial ruin Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer And expect oils recovery to be different this time. The fracking industry has now taken $300 billion in assets through three rounds of bankruptcy since 2014. Producers have finally recognized that fracking is a high-cost source of oil, and that the go-go days of 2003-2014 are finished. A fracking recovery will help Houston out this year, but dont set expectations very high. It is a smaller, chastened, and slower-growing industry for the foreseeable future. The partial lifting of public health restrictions that followed on the heels of the 2020 lockdowns provided limited relief for local job losses, but by this past spring a significant surge in Houstons economic activity was finally underway led by bars, restaurants, retail, health care, barbers, and nail salons. These are jobs sensitive to close personal contact and social distancing, and vaccine distribution and lifting of many public health restrictions provided consumers with the confidence to engage in the economy. A short list of nine large contact-sensitive sectors accounted for 42 percent of Houstons total employment in 2019, but also accounted for 67 percent our peak job losses. But more that 80 percent of these jobs were back by summer, making the vaccines the most important cure so far for COVID-related economic problems. The vaccines were easy part of fixing the economy, with the return of jobs now and in 2022 more dependent on a healthy national and global economy. This is not about Houston businesses engaged in close local contact, but those that sell their goods and services to the rest of the nation or world. These jobs - called the economic base - drive the local business cycle and return revenue and profits to the metro area. We see a struggle underway to restore local base jobs while the global economy faces COVID-driven plant closings and supplier disruptions, transportation breakdowns, and workers still falling ill or reluctant to return to work. One rule of thumb suggests that Houston lost 85,000 of its base jobs in 2020 and only 26,500 have returned so far. So, there is still plenty of room for base jobs and the business cycle - including oil - to spur solid growth next year and beyond Progress, however, must overcome the current economic chaos seen across many industries and countries. The current and projected job growth in Houston is exciting, with a likely increase of 150,000 new jobs this year and another 137,000 in 2022. Along with broad progress in the business cycle, meaningful help from oil should also arrive in 2022 and then continue to spill into 2023, allowing even 2023 to see above-trend growth near 80,000 jobs. Only then does normality settle in with around 60,000 new jobs each year. But be careful interpreting these large gains in 2021 and 2022, as they follow on the heels of a deep and unprecedented downturn. It will be the middle of next year before all the COVID job losses are back and we return to where we began the cycle in February 2020. The greatest economic cost of the pandemic for Houston and the rest of the world was the loss of nearly 2 1/2 years of healthy economic expansion. Bill Gilmer, director, Institute for Regional Forecasting at the University of Houston 2022 Houston job growth forecasts: Parker Harvey: +71,200 Patrick Jankowski: +75,500 Bill Gilmer: +137,000 See More Collapse More normal pace Through the first 11 months of this year, the region created more than 130,000 jobs. 2021 will be the best year for job creating. The previous record was 1981 when the metro area created 126,900 jobs. 2022 will be another good year for Houston, though job growth will slow to a more normal pace. The Partnerships forecast calls for the region to create 75,500 jobs. In a year in which growth is not overstimulated by high oil prices or spiked by low oil prices, the region creates 60,000 to 70,000 jobs. Bottom line: 2022 will be a better than average year for job growth in Houston. The region will see growth across all sectors of the economy. The greatest job gains will occur in administrative services (primarily outsourcing and contract workers), professional services (legal, accounting, management consulting, public relations, IT), and health care. Construction, energy, manufacturing, and wholesale trade struggled prior to the pandemic and they continued to shed jobs as the economy reopened. Were starting to see improvement in those sectors, however. Rather than being a drag on Houstons recovery, as they have been the last 12 to 18 months, they will provide some lift to job growth next year. On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston's Black neighborhoods saw a surge of new businesses Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Several factors will drive growth in 2022: the ongoing U.S. expansion, growth in the global economy, the need to restock inventories drawn down during the pandemic, the return of global oil demand to pre-pandemic levels, and an influx of newcomers to Houston. Im seeing more out-of-state license plates on Houstons streets than Ive seen in several years. The greatest threat to Houstons economy next year remains the COVID-19 virus. Were currently dealing with the delta and omicron variants, but we could see a new strain pop up in 2022. Its unlikely that local officials would call for another shutdown, but a surge might delay hiring and investment decisions or make consumers reluctant to open their wallets. This would slow Houstons growth, but it wouldnt derail it. A more likely headwind to growth is the lack of available workers. It seems every other shop, restaurants, and warehouse has a Help Wanted signs posted outside. Job growth would be even stronger if more residents entered the workforce. Patrick Jankowski, senior vice president of research, Greater Houston Partnership Putting distance from the pandemic Looking back at 2021, the Houston metro has seen its share of ups and downs as we navigate our way back to full recovery. So, what does the future hold, particularly next year as we approach the start of year three of the pandemic? 2022 will stand as the first year since 2019 that job growth for the region returns to normal. Professional and business services will lead the way with over 17,000 jobs next year as the professional, scientific and technical portions that support oil and gas continue to build on the early momentum that theyve shown this year. Leisure and hospitality, after seeing massive over-the-year gains throughout 2021, will start to revert back to a more normal pace of growth of around 11,000. Likewise, transportation, warehousing, and utilities will also start to see its growth moderate after setting multiple records this year. Mining and logging, the sector comprising the oil and gas industry, will start to participate more fully in the recovery, building on the improvement that weve seen in the past few months. Health care and social assistance will continue to be the steady reliable source of job growth that its almost always been. And with the rebound of the energy industry, we can expect manufacturing to finally see some improvement next year. On HoustonChronicle.com: Prices of local goods jump amid supply chain issues, labor shortages Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Other services, with businesses such as beauty salons and repair services will also start to moderate after a tremendous rebound throughout much of this year. Construction, after being down every month on a year-over-year basis since the start of the pandemic will end the year up 2,100 jobs. Lastly, the remaining sectors will post a mixture of modest growth and even a few declines with retail, the most notable one, resuming its pre-pandemic downward trend as consumers continue the shift to online shopping. The pandemic only accelerated that trend to the detriment of traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. Overall, by next December Houston's over-the-year job growth will come in at 71,200. This is admittedly a much lower number than the 143,000 added in the 12 months ending in November. The 100,000-plus year-over-year growth that we've seen throughout 2021 is a byproduct of the extreme drop in 2020 rather than true reflections of our job market's health. Consequently, as we get further and further from year one of the pandemic, we will begin to see more reasonable growth. As a bonus, if we manage to stay the course, this will also get us back to our pre-pandemic level of 3.2 million jobs by next December and with it, the single-most important milestone in the recovery thus far. Parker Harvey, principal economist, Workforce Solutions A pair of armed drones one of which reportedly had Soleimanis revenge painted onto its wing were shot down Monday outside Baghdads international airport in Iraq. The incident occurred on the two-year anniversary of the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by U.S. forces. Iraqi security officials said two fixed-wing suicide drones were shot from the sky without incident. Advertisement A security official inspects the wreckage of a drone at Baghdad airport, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. (HO/AP) This was a dangerous attack on a civilian airport, an official with the U.S.-led international military coalition stationed at the airfield said. No one had claimed ownership of the downed aircraft as of noon Monday. Advertisement The wreckage of a drone is seen at Baghdad airport, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. (HO/AP) The 2020 strike in Iraq that killed Soleimani also took-out Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who enjoyed Iranian support. Iran responded at the time by firing missiles into an Iraqi airbase housing American military personnel. More than 100 U.S. troops suffered brain injuries. Officials believed the drones destroyed Monday were targeting U.S. advisors stationed near the airport. Pro-Iran Shiite factions based in Iraq have called for the end of all U.S. presence in Iraq. They have also promised revenge for the assassination of Soleimani, who led Irans elite Quds Force. With News Wire Services The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and federal regulators on Monday decided theyre also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds once enough time has passed since their last dose. But the move, coming as classes restart after the holidays, isnt the final step. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must decide whether to recommend boosters for the younger teens. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDCs director, is expected to rule later this week. The FDA also said everyone 12 and older eligible for a booster can get one as early as five months after their last dose rather than six months. Vaccines still offer strong protection against serious illness from any type of COVID-19. But health authorities are urging everyone whos eligible to get a booster dose for their best chance at avoiding milder breakthrough infections from the highly contagious omicron mutant. Children tend to suffer less serious illness from COVID-19 than adults. But child hospitalizations are rising during the omicron wave -- most of them unvaccinated. THE LATEST NUMBERS: Interactive maps, charts show spread of COVID across Houston The vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech is the only U.S. option for children of any age. About 13.5 million 12- to 17-year-olds just over half that age group have received two Pfizer shots, according to the CDC. For families hoping to keep their children as protected as possible, the booster age limit raised questions. The older teens, 16- and 17-year-olds, became eligible for boosters in early December. But original vaccinations opened for the younger teens, those 12 to 15, back in May. That means those first in line in the spring, potentially millions, are about as many months past their last dose as the slightly older teens. As for even younger children, kid-size doses for 5- to 11-year-olds rolled out more recently, in November -- and experts say healthy youngsters should be protected after their second dose for a while. But the FDA also said Monday that if children that young have severely weakened immune systems, they will be allowed a third dose 28 days after their second. Thats the same third-dose timing already recommended for immune-compromised teens and adults. Pfizer is studying its vaccine, in even smaller doses, for children younger than 5. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. In Houston, were lucky to draw on the riches of all our indigenous and latter-day cuisines to make up our dazzling soup repertoire. Mexico, Louisiana and the Deep South have long contributed to the oeuvre, and a rich spectrum of Asian traditions now chimes in. Simply put, there has never been a better Houston era for the consumption of soups. And optimal time to enjoy them is right now, in the unpredictable depth of midwinter. Here are some of our favorite or dare we say super? bowls to add to your life list. A heart attack was the last thing on Victoria Guajardos mind when she started experiencing chest pain. At 27, she was just too young. Earlier that year, in 2019, her father had a heart attack. But it wasnt the same, Guajardo recalled. He was out of breath and in a lot of pain. As she experienced short bouts of pain, she assumed her new, more active job was the culprit. I would rest and it would go away, she said. Then, I would resume my day. On HoustonChronicle.com: What would you do to save your dog? A Houston woman's tireless quest to cure Bella's cancer. Then, one night, Guajardo came home from her shift, experiencing pressure on her chest so great that she could not even lie down. She wondered: Should I go to the doctor or am I just tired? Guajardo decided to drive to a clinic in Harlingen, where she lives in the Rio Grande Valley. After some tests, she learned shed just had a heart attack. Shocked, she was transferred to a hospital for more tests. They told me that my arteries were too small and that they needed to do a procedure to widen them, Guajardo said. But during the procedure, my heart stopped twice. She was placed on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, which pumps and oxygenates a patients blood outside the body. They said there wasnt anything more they could do for me there, Guajardo explained. Instead, the hospital staff recommended that she travel the 330 miles to Houston for more specialized care. At the time, Guajardo did not know about any of this. She wasnt conscious. It was her parents Martha and Hector Guajardo Sr. in the waiting room who made the decision to transport their daughter to Houston right away. My mom gave the consent because I wasnt awake, Guajardo said. Because of a storm, Guajardo could not be airlifted and instead was driven five hours in an ambulance. Guajardo did not come to until she was finally at Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center. I woke up not knowing where I was or what day it was, she recalled. I had a tube down my throat. I couldnt talk. I couldnt lift a literal finger to call the nurses. It was early September a couple of weeks after shed driven to the clinic. When she came out of the medical coma, she was connected to a left ventricle assist device (LVAD) a mechanical pump that assists the heart with pumping blood which was a temporary solution. Eventually, Guajardo would need a new heart. Waiting for a heart Cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Ismael Salas remembers when he met Guajardo in 2019. She was transferred to us because she was at very high risk, said Salas, associate professor of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. He explained that heart failure occurs at all ages. And theres a long list of causes, he said. In Guajardos case, he said the LVAD was needed to improve her condition, allowing blood to once again properly pump through her body. The idea is to switch to that, improve her health, send her home and continue monitoring her, Salas explained. Guajardo stayed at the hospital until November. After being in a medical coma for so long earlier, she had to relearn even the simplest of movements. Physical therapy became a top priority. I used to call myself a spaghetti person, she said. When I would get up, I was like a baby. I would try to sit and just flop down. I couldnt pick up my head. On HoustonChronicle.com: When 'the Michael Jordan of surgeons' needed a lung transplant, a former trainee at Houston Methodist was ready Guajardo was worried. She is a single mother. If I cant move, how can I take care of my child? she asked. I was very afraid. Eventually, however, she regained strength and was able to return home to her son, Alfredo De La Cruz. For more than a year, Guajardo made the drive from Harligen to Houston for monthly checkups. Then, in April 2021, she was placed on the transplant list for a new heart. Transplant patients can only be within a three-hour drive of the hospital, in case an organ becomes available. Guajardo had to move in with her brother Hector near Missouri City while she waited. Her son stayed with her parents and sisters in Harlingen, so he could continue the school year. Ive been fortunate to have my family help out so much, she said. My son misses me all the time, but hes also a very strong boy. He understands, too. Guajardo heard stories that it could take years to be matched with a heart. Then, a CT scan revealed nodules were growing on her lung and two blood clots had formed on her heart. The doctor said it wouldnt be safe for me to go home, Guajardo recalled. I had to stay in the hospital until my heart came. She remained in the hospital from Sept. 13 through Oct. 20, when, in the early morning, a nurse came into her room and announced there was a possible heart. I was excited but so scared, too, Guajardo said. They let you know ahead of time that something could be wrong. It might not be a fit. You dont want to tell people because you can get their hopes up, and then it might not happen. Still, she called her family and her mother headed straight to Houston. Guajardo remembers waking up after the surgery, finding herself surrounded by IVs, tube and monitors. Im never going to get well, she thought. I felt I was never going to get back to where I was. But fortunately, that passed. A new beginning Feeling overwhelmed after a heart transplant is typical, Salas explained. But she was a really special case, he said. She always had a great spirit. Salas remembers visiting Guajardo in the intensive care unit soon after the operation. You got a great heart, he told her. Everything went well. Every day Salas went to her room, he was greeted with a smile. By mid-November, Guajardo was regaining her strength and moving more. She listened to music with her mother all day, which helped her maintain a positive outlook. On Nov. 17, Guajardo was discharged from the hospital. We always closely follow our patients, Salas said. There is a constant fear of transplant rejection, and patients are on put on special anti-rejection medicines. Guajardo is doing well, Salas added. Whenever he helps a transplant patient, he is in awe. When you get the heart out of an icebox, its cold, Salas said. Then you warm it up. When it starts beating, its like a miracle in motion. You never get tired of that. Before returning home, patients ring a bell in the hospital. Its amazing and its something that reminds us of why we do what we do, Salas said. On HoustonChronicle.com: She may never walk again. But this Texas cheerleader has hope and grit. Guajardo spent Thanksgiving at her brothers home. Alejandro, now 9, came with his grandparents to visit. Shes has been recovering there ever since. Every day, Ive been feeling better, she said. Ive been able to go for walks and just feel more comfortable. Everything is looking good. Alejandro returned to spend Christmas and New Years with his mother. He was so excited to come to see me, Guajardo recalled. He is ready for me to come home. She is grateful for her new heart, which arrived sooner than she expected. Its a new beginning, she said. And Im very lucky to have a new beginning with a new heart. Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer. Gustavo Huerta, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A Willis High School student who on Snapchat threatened to bring a firearm to campus surrendered to law enforcement, according to authorities. The Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constables Office on Friday secured an order of apprehension for the boy, who turned himself in for the Dec. 17 threat made on the popular instant messaging app, according to the agency. A 48-year-old man accused in his wifes death took his own life in Florida as local authorities attempted to confront him months after he fled the Houston area while out on bond, according to U.S. Marshals Tuesday afternoon. Police tracked Trent Paschal to Ocala on New Years Day after a tipster learned he had warrants for his arrest including a bond forfeiture case linked to a murder charge. Paschal was indicted in the October 2020 shooting death of his estranged wife, Savannah Paschal, 30, at a La Marque home. During a Tuesday press conference at Houston Crime Stoppers, Shirley Kinchen Savannahs mother said Paschals suicide provides a closing chapter in the 14-month ordeal for her family and other victims he might have hurt on his way to Florida. Did I want him to be held responsible for his actions? Did I want to look him in the eye and for him to face me again with what he had done? Yes, Kinchen said. Am I sorry that he no longer walks on this earth? No. He is no longer a threat to our family and to society. According to authorities, Paschal posted a $250,000 surety bond last January and, at some point, removed a GPS ankle monitor that a judge ordered him to wear. The removal did not trigger a tampering alarm. In April, he then stole a black Chevrolet Tahoe from a Harris County dealership during a test drive, according to court records. Police believe Paschal pointed a knife at the dealership employee and told him to get out of the car, court records show. He left in the vehicle and his whereabouts remained unknown until the weekend. The female tipster, a civilian, told the Marion County Sheriffs Office that Paschal was naked and asleep in a white van, according to a police report. Authorities surrounded the van reported stolen in Illinois and Paschal was told to come out with his hands up. Deputies then heard a muffled pop followed by the sound of something falling in the van, the report stated. Deputies opened the door and found him dead of a gunshot wound to the head. Inside the van, investigators found a pistol with more than one live round. At the time of his death, Paschal was facing several charges, including murder, in Galveston County, as well as aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault against a public servant in Harris County. The latter charge stemmed from Paschals initial clash with Harris County Sheriffs Office deputies after his wifes death. A deputy confronted him during a Greenspoint-area traffic stop and shot him six times when he refused to put down a revolver. Deputy U.S. Marshal Alfredo Perez added that authorities believe Paschal got rid of the GPS ankle monitor after healing from the injuries he sustained during the shooting. We believe that he was able to slip his ankle monitor off because his leg was swollen from the trauma of the gunshots, Perez said, adding Paschal stashed the device at his mothers home. Once the swelling went down, he just slipped it off and plugged it into the wall. Kinchen said she would, in the future, like to see more monitoring of repeat offenders like Paschal who are out on bond. I think that they should look at criminal history no, he (Paschal) did not have a violent criminal history but he had a criminal history. He thumbed his nose at the justice system and the bond protective orders, she said. He was arrested three times by Friendswood, by Galveston County and Harris County after he committed murder of my child. He was let out every time. Kinchen, alongside her husband Michael, added she wishes to remember their daughter who worked with domestic abuse victims at Bay Area Turning Point as an advocate for the underdog. The family, she said, will continue to honor Savannahs name by helping victims of domestic violence as well as fighting for bond reform. We waited a little over a year; many people wait decades. nicole.hensley@chron.com joel.umanzor@chron.com William Ericson Ladd was born Sept. 14, 1974, in Atlanta. He died a month before his fifth birthday in a car accident. On what would have been Ladds 47th birthday, a flight attendant named William Ericson Ladd entered a secure crew member entrance at Houstons George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where customs officials conducted an extensive interrogation. Investigators say the senior United Airlines flight attendant had posed as the long-dead Georgia boy for two decades. Ultimately, he admitted to federal agents he was Ricardo Cesar Guedes, a 49-year-old who owned a Lake Houston home, got married, bought a BMW, took out a loan and worked as a flight attendant, including 40 trips for United in 2020 all in Ladds name. Guedes is detained pending trial for impersonating a U.S. citizen, entering a secure airport area with fake documents and passport fraud. In the past five years, the Diplomatic Security Service has opened an average of 2,000 passport fraud cases yearly, investigating such cases. Special agents stationed in 86 countries track down evidence for the State Department along with partner law enforcement units in 15 countries. A review of local prosecutions reveals Guedes is among several defendants accused of playing the long game, spending years constructing a fake identity based on a pile of real documents that belong to someone else. Guedes also used Ladds identity to sponsor his spouses application for permanent residency. He has no prior criminal record. His defense lawyer declined to comment. The particulars of local prosecutions shed light on the complexities and cruelties of passport fraud, a crime that has become far more difficult to pull off as official IDs become increasingly high tech. RELATED: Fake wedding albums in scheme paired immigrants from Vietnam with U.S. citizens Nicholas Porter, an assistant special agent in charge with Diplomatic Security Service, said defendants in these cases take on the identities of dead and living victims. Con artists cannot just paste a photo into an existing passport like they may have done in the old days, he said. Instead, aspiring impostors tend to build their way to a fake identity over time, obtaining one authentic document after another in their victims name, before they apply for a passport or some other document that tips off officials to their scheme, Porter said. People find creative ways to hunt down possible victims, the agent said. I think youd be surprised what people find just combing the internet, looking for obituaries. Theres a tremendous amount of information on people, Porter said. There are multiple ways of getting basic information to build the supporting documents to apply for a U.S. passport. Scammers check to see if death certificates have been issued and look for young people who never established credit, he said. Sometimes they track down lost IDs. The State Department has also found that Puerto Rico is a hot market for buying real passports from U.S. citizens who dont want them, Porter said. Nathan Lindstrom, Freelance / Para La Voz Floating weddings piloted under alias Suspects in this region built fake identities by applying for increasingly difficult-to-obtain documents as they earned confidence, documents show. These defendants assumed new identities for a variety of reasons. A typical federal prosecution involves a noncitizen who is using a fake identity to live, work or travel as a U.S. citizen, officials say. In other cases, U.S. citizens with murky personal histories use new IDs to conceal their true identities or gain access to a coveted profession or, in the case of Cynthia Lynn Knox, both. Knox, also known as Cynthia Lyerla, was a suspect in her husbands 1988 stabbing death in Southern California. She was also sued for wrongful death in their toddler daughters drowning in a fish pond, according to court records. Before that, the child had nearly died from ingesting too many Advil and again by nearly drowning in a bathtub. Knox received $300,000 in life insurance proceeds for the deaths of her spouse and child and vanished with her lover-turned-husband, John Litchfield. The couple ended up in League City piloting floating weddings and quinceaneras as charter cruise ship captains, according to court documents. Knox admitted in federal court the first step in creating her new identity was obtaining the birth certificate of an infant who died at birth in 1965 in Santa Ana, Calif. She used that to apply for a new Social Security number in the early 90s. Over decades posing as Christina White, Knox secured an Arizona drivers license, a merchant mariners license, a transit worker ID, Coast Guard certification to operate a large vessel, a passport and Transportation Security Administration documentation. Police recovered 20 IDs and 40 credit cards in the home she shared with Litchfield. Both had served as captain on charter and dinner cruises out of Kemah and Galveston since the 1990s. Decades later, Whites passport renewal application caught the attention of an investigator at the Bureau of Consular Affairs as a possible fraud. Diplomatic Security Service special agents searched dozens of databases, chased leads and scanned the internet, ultimately landing on a 1988 news clip about the homicide of Harold Lyerla. The agents sent Whites new passport photo to a retired detective in Lompoc, Calif., who said he was certain she was the murder victims missing widow. Fingerprints on Whites renewed Merchant Mariners license also matched fingerprints taken in the California murder case. Knox completed a three-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft and making false statements in a passport application, according to records. Theres no indication she was prosecuted in either her husband or daughters deaths. Assuming IDs of living victims Other defendants orchestrate passport fraud to reap the benefits of citizenship, the State Department investigator said. Jesus Duenas-Barajas, a 53-year-old Mexican national, was convicted of lying on a U.S. passport application and aggravated identity theft. For nearly 30 years, Duenas-Barajas used the identity of Roy Nava, a teenager who died in 1978, records show. Duenas-Barajas admitted in court documents he applied for a passport in 2012 at the Westfield Post Office on Red Oak Drive in Houston using the Social Security number and birth certificate in Navas name. Hed also obtained a drivers license in the dead childs name. Authorities caught on to the scam when he called Social Security in 2013 requesting a form and couldnt answer basic questions about himself. Investigator Adam Porter, from the State Department, said many think no one is harmed, but these crimes do have victims. He tells trainees what brings home the seriousness of these scams is when the people targeted are significantly disadvantaged and in some cases still alive. One example is the case of Rafael Soriano-Sanmartin, an Austin man sentenced for passport fraud in April. Soriano-Sanmartin had been a caretaker for a person who is blind, deaf and mute, Porter said. He admitted in court that for 20 years he had been using his clients identity to secure documents. In the recent case at Bush Airport, officials say Guedes overstayed his tourist visa and began using a Social Security card in the Georgia childs name 17 years after Ladd died. From there, he obtained a pile of documents in Ladds name. His most recent passport renewal raised some red flags for consular officials. First, his social security number was issued in 1996, 22 years after Ladd was born. Second, a death certificate showed William Ericson Ladd died in 1979. The birth date on that death certificate matched the birth date in Ladds passport renewal application. True identity prompted by gravesite photo So who was the man whod been serving drinks and giving safety demonstrations on flights to the Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru? The fingerprints the flight attendant had given for his United background check matched birth records of a son born to the Guedes family in 1972, according to court documents. Social media images of the man posing as Ladd showed him with what appeared to be family members in Brazil, where about half his flights as an a United employee had been. A woman linked to those images, Maria Auxiliadora Duarte Guedes, told federal agents from the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service in Brazil that she didnt know anyone named William Ericson Ladd. But she did have a son born in Brazil. And fingerprints on this mans ID card matched the United employees passport application. The deceased childs mother, Debra Green, confirmed her boy was buried decades ago in Alabama. Green couldnt recall whether hed been issued a Social Security number. When confronted by federal officials in September, Guedes identified himself as William Ericson Ladd. An official warned him it was a federal crime to lie to him. Guedes said he was born in the United States but was raised by his missionary parents in Brazil. Then the official notified him the government had a death certificate for William Ericson Ladd. According to documents, Guedes became silent. The official showed Guedes a photograph of William Ericson Ladds gravesite in Alabama. The flight attendant ultimately signed a new fingerprint sheet using the name Ricardo Guedes. As officials placed him under arrest, they recalled, he told them, I had a dream, and the dream is over. Now I have to face reality. gabrielle.banks@chron.com twitter.com/gabmobanks The community activists studied the overgrown ditch in northeast Houston. Plants sprouted up. Water sat stagnant. Trash accumulated in spots. They had no doubt what this represented to them: unequal flood protection in a lower-income community of color. The neglect is criminal, or it feels criminal, said Frederick Woods II, who lives in the area and joined those calling for better treatment. Theres no equity. Were paying our fair share and getting nothing in return. City policy requires residents to clean out open ditches in front of their homes and the culverts connecting them a burden neighbors in this part of town notice does not fall equally. Many open ditches are in less wealthy communities, such as northeast Houston. Other wealthier areas have curbs and gutters, which residents must also maintain but arent as intensive to keep up. Northeast Houston residents are calling on the city to take back the responsibility for keeping the ditches and culverts clear. They argue some of their neighbors cannot afford or are physically unable to do it. They note they pay their share of taxes. As it stands, city workers clean culverts only if major repair is needed. Houston Public Works has a $15.3 million budget to cover equipment and labor for ditch maintenance. It responded to more than 5,000 requests last year for ditch cleanup in northeast Houston. The department in a statement said that it was willing to work with the residents to address their concerns. The flooding that is in this area is not our fault, said Genette Smith, 76, on a tour of the area. On HoustonChronicle.com: Three years in, Harris County flood bond progress slow but steady Fixing the culvert problem emerged as an obvious first step when community leaders formed Northeast Super Neighborhoods United to address common issues. Leaders of the group were fed up with feeling treated as if they were worth less because their homes didnt cost as much. Our homes mean to us what everybody elses homes mean (to them), said organizer Jackie Mayhorn, who lives in Northwood Manor. It may not be the same value, but, to us, its like a million-dollar home. We want to protect our assets also. The lack of perceived value felt blatant, said her husband, Ivory. The requirement to clean their own ditches felt insulting. Communities of color have long been shown to bear an inordinate share of environmental harm. President Joe Biden aimed to address these disparities. Local leaders hoped to see change, too, including with flooding. Harris County commissioners scrambled when federal dollars were unexpectedly cut short for projects planned after Hurricane Harvey, momentarily jeopardizing plans meant to benefit the poorest neighborhoods. Jim Blackburn, an established environmental expert here, wondered if a federal project could also benefit northeast Houston, such as flood tunnels like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering to minimize flooding on the wealthier west side and through the central city. Blackburns firm, Sustainable Planning and Design, pulled together a report for the super neighborhood coalition about how it might advocate for this and other initiatives, such as the ditches. On HoustonChronicle.com: A massive underground tunnel may be the way to alleviate Houstons flooding, Army Corps says The open ditch systems werent necessarily worse, the report stated. But poor maintenance was contributing to regular flooding from smaller storms. It took only one culvert clogged with debris or leaves to block water flow. Ditches and storm sewers are important as the first line of defense from flooding, said Matt Zeve, deputy executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District. But illegal dumping persists. Tires, a shopping cart and even an animal skull were easy to spot. People, meanwhile, pay the price: Smiths home flooded so many times in the 50 years shes lived there that shes lost count. Some residents leave ahead of heavy rains, fearful of power loss or getting stuck, the community activists said. Others pay to park their car at the nearby airport. Every storm you name, those neighborhoods were hit hard, City Council member Tarsha Jackson said. And climate change is making heavier rains more likely. Jackson has a committee working to help her propose a maintenance schedule for the city to take over cleaning the ditches again. The catch will be how to fund it, she said. In one spot on a recent day, a city of Houston grate covered a drain filled with Styrofoam cups, a SunnyD bottle and a Funyun bag. Young men stood outside a convenience store nearby. Montari Morrison, a local pastor, questioned how this sight would make those men feel about themselves. What message does that send? Morrison asked. He answered the question himself. You guys dont matter. emily.foxhall@chron.com twitter.com/emfoxhall Hundreds of thousands of students will return to Houston-area schools Monday amid a COVID-19 surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant, which has led to spikes in infections and hospitalizations across Texas. The wave carries a weary sense of resignation for parents, teachers and students entering the third calendar year of the pandemic. Returning to virtual learning is not an appealing option, they said, leaving vaccinations, masks and testing as their best defense. Im feeling pretty unsafe because COVID has been spreading so much lately, but I dont want to go back to virtual learning anymore either, said Talyen Abdelrahman, a 17-year-old student at Houston ISDs Wisdom High School. We just want people to be more protective (of each other) and wear their masks so we can avoid that. Abdelrahman sat in an SUV with her mother and younger siblings waiting to get a PCR test at Worthing High School, where HISD had set up one of nine drive-thru testing sites in the days leading up to the return to school. Cars entered the line from Scott Street, crawling all the way to the end of Wilmington Street and looping back around to enter the school parking lot. Some families near the front said theyd been waiting for their test for over two hours. Similar scenes have played out across the country in recent weeks, as a surge in cases left people scrambling to get tested before gathering with loved ones for the holidays. A change in federal guidelines, which now recommend a five-day quarantine for those who have tested positive, has also left some people confused as to how they should move forward with school Monday. Maria Veloz, a parent of students at Carrillo Elementary School and Lamar High School, waited at Worthing to get tested with her children because her entire family tested positive for COVID-19 over the holidays. Though the original 10-day quarantine for her children expired Sunday, her husband came down with the virus more recently. She said she will likely hold her children back from school until his five-day quarantine is up, too. Overall, she was pleased with the way the district has handled testing in the lead-up to Mondays classes, even though it was unclear whether the thousands of HISD students and staff members tested Sunday would receive results in time to make an informed decision about returning to class Monday morning. I feel their schools have done a lot to keep them safe, and I do feel comfortable sending them back. Right now its more of a matter of keeping others safe, Veloz said. In addition to the drive-thru testing sites at schools around the city, the district has promised to provide free PCR testing for staff and students whose parents consent at every campus, while maintaining the mask mandate implemented by Superintendent Millard House II. We are looking forward to adding this layer of protection to our COVID-19 mitigation strategies, House said in a statement. We remain committed to keeping our students and staff safe and working toward implementing strategies that can help us continue offering safe and sustainable in-person instruction. HISD was unable to provide statistics Sunday for how many people had been tested at the districts drive-thru sites, or how many students and staff had already called in sick for the first day back at school. Its also unclear how area school districts would handle widespread staffing shortages. But districts are likely to see a sharp spike in new cases as the virus explodes across the Houston area. As of Sunday afternoon, Harris County had the fifth-most confirmed COVID cases in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins Universitys coronavirus resource center. Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, said her primary concern is making sure people get vaccinated to offset the severity of the surge and avoid a return to virtual learning. She said she has been talking with House about how the union can collaborate with HISD to improve messaging around the vaccines. Virtual learning was not successful, and we lost a lot of students. It would be detrimental to our students to have to go back to that this year, Anderson said. The concerns Ive received from teachers are that they dont want to go back to virtual instruction, especially the way it was handled last time, so the only thing that prevents that from happening is getting people vaccinated. In a letter to parents, Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck said she met with other area superintendents, local health officials and medical experts from major Houston hospitals on Thursday to discuss reasonable and prudent actions the school districts can take to combat the most recent spike in COVID cases. The experts shared that we can expect to see a surge from mid-January to the end of the month, Whitbeck wrote. Fort Bend will test staff on Monday ahead of the resumption of in-person classes on Wednesday. The district has made additional drive-thru testing available to students in response to the omicron surge, Whitbeck said in an email. The district will not allow lunchtime visitors for the month of January and other adjustments will be as needed, the superintendent said. The omicron surge has not spared children; 76 kids under the age of 18 were hospitalized with COVID in the Houston area as of last week, a fourfold increase since early December. Vaccination rates remain low in school-age populations. Only 15 percent of 5- to 11-year-olds in Houston have received at least one dose of the vaccine, the lowest rate among any eligible age range. Despite low vaccination rates, superintendents and other education leaders across the state have largely urged a return to regular in-person instruction, with precautions in place. Outside of Houston, Austin ISD will continue to require masks on campus and will offer testing to students and staff and vaccination clinics for anyone 5 and older. In an email sent to parents, district administrators said they were keeping schools open because they were confident that mitigation strategies were working and because vaccines are now widely available. Our layered protocols work! We have been here before. We can do this. Our kids need the schools to stay open, Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde wrote in the email. She added that Austin ISD would continue social distancing, serving lunches outdoors and using its advanced air filtration system to slow the spread. In San Antonio, Northside ISD will continue to follow its COVID-19 protocols, such as allowing nurses to test students and following quarantine protocols for those who have tested positive. For Fort Worth ISD, the plan is to open up as normal unless told otherwise by local or state officials. Throughout the next week, the district will look to reinforce its pandemic protocols such as making masks and hand sanitizer available on all campuses. The district also deep-cleans its buildings, sanitizing areas where children tend to touch the most, such as water fountains, table tops, doorknobs and their classrooms. Its a big effort, said Claudia Garibay, a Fort Worth ISD spokesperson. Houston Chronicle staff writer Nora Mishanec contributed reporting. This report contains material from the Texas Tribune , a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says shes been kicked off yet another social media site. The Georgia Republican said Monday that her Facebook account has been locked for 24 hours, calling it beyond censorship of speech. Advertisement Im an elected member of Congress representing over 70,000 U.S. taxpaying citizens and I represent their voices, values, defend their freedoms, and protect the Constitution, she said in a statement. [ Marjorie Taylor Greenes personal Twitter account permanently banned over repeated violations of COVID-19 misinformation policy ] Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been blocked from posting on Facebook for 24 hours. (Jose Luis Magana/AP) A spokeswoman for Meta, Facebooks parent company, told the Daily News on Monday that one of Greenes posts violated our policies and was removed, but would not specify the contents. Advertisement Removing her account for this violation is beyond the scope of our policies, the spokesman said. The alleged lockdown comes just a day after Twitter permanently banned her for repeatedly spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines. Weve been clear that, per our strike system for this policy, we will permanently suspend accounts for repeated violations of the policy, a Twitter spokesman said in a statement to The News. Greene again alleged a personal attack on her and her freedoms, calling it the start of a Communist revolution. The Senate has yet to confirm Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez as director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, meaning he likely will need to be nominated again and will face an uphill battle to be confirmed. The Senate has a deadline Monday to hold over the nomination for the next legislative session. Even if Gonzalezs nomination is held over, a number of political obstacles stand in the way of confirmation by the full Senate. ICE has gone five years without a Senate-confirmed leader. President Joe Biden nominated Gonzalez in April. The prospects for the confirmation of Sheriff Gonzalez in 2022 would not be very auspicious were Biden to nominate him again, said Rice University political science professor Mark Jones, who noted that the confirmation process would essentially start over. If Biden nominates Gonzalez again, hes likely to face the same result in 2022 that he has in 2021. The struggle to confirm Gonzalez reflects shifting norms in the Senate and the growing difficulty of confirming political appointees in recent years, said Max Stier, CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes effective government. Everything is becoming harder and slower, and you have even fewer people actually being confirmed for very important positions, Stier said. As of last Thursday, just 266 of Bidens political appointees had been confirmed, according to the Partnership for Public Service and the Washington Post, compared with 383 during the Obama administration. The position of ICE director is especially challenging to confirm, considering the polarizing views on immigration enforcement and the 50-50 split of party control in the Senate. The position itself in this instance, ICE director, is one thats become a bigger lightning rod, a more controversial position, Stier said. Former President Donald Trump failed to secure Senate confirmation for an ICE leader during his entire term. Jones said the Senates failure to confirm Gonzalez has less to do with his ability to lead the agency than with how Republicans intend to utilize the hot-button issue of immigration during the 2022 midterm elections. Gonzalez still has a long track record of criticizing ICE, which means that during a time when Republicans realize that immigration policy is an advantageous one for them, theyre unlikely to support his confirmation even though, from a policy perspective, his position is not nearly as far from their position, Jones said. Republicans have questioned the Democratic sheriffs commitment to immigration enforcement since he was tapped for the role in April. During a Senate committee hearing on Gonzalez in July, Republicans called attention to the sheriffs decision to end his departments cooperation with ICE through a controversial program called 287(g), in which local law enforcement agencies screen jailed suspects to identify those who are in the country illegally. Under scrutiny: Gonzalez faces tough questions at Senate confirmation hearings to lead ICE Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, had raised the issue even earlier. In regard to Sheriff Gonzalez, I have some concerns partly because law enforcement officers are not supposed to be policymakers or pick and choose which laws they want to enforce, and Im concerned about Harris County withdrawing from the 287(g) program, Cornyn said during an April conference call. Gonzalez has said he would not end the 287(g) program at ICE if he were to become director. ICE hasnt been led by a confirmed director since the Obama administration. The agency faces a number of internal problems, including low morale. A Pew study in 2019 found that 54 percent of the American public had an unfavorable view of ICE, with just 19 percent of Democrats and people leaning toward the Democratic Party expressing a positive view. When there isnt a push to get somebody in there, thats hard on morale, said University of Texas public policy professor Ruth Wasem. Looking ahead to the next federal budget cycle, Wasem said the agency needs a leader who can advocate and secure funding for it. In a report for the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, Wasem wrote that immigration agencies under the Homeland Security Department frequently work in isolation from one another. Trouble at ICE: US immigration agencies are siloed, lack coordination Whenever you dont have leadership in the agencies, it means that the important decisions are being made elsewhere, Wasem said. Having a leader gives you a chance that the agency can move forward. Gonzalez, a Houston native, worked 18 years as a police officer and then served six years on the City Council. He had just begun a second term as Harris County sheriff when the White House tapped him to lead ICE. If Gonzalez is renominated and confirmed to head ICE, he would inherit a 20,000-person federal law enforcement juggernaut, directing a staff four times the size of the force he commands as sheriff. For now, Gonzalez will continue as sheriff while he and the White House decide whether to pursue a confirmation process in 2022. If Gonzalez is nominated again, the Biden administration could begin that process as soon as this month. Gabrielle Banks contributed to this report. elizabeth.trovall@chron.com twitter.com/eliztrovall Asylum seekers pleading their immigration cases in Houston are among the least likely to win their cases to lawfully remain in the United States, according to a new report looking at 62 immigration courts across the country. Despite Houstons reputation for being a welcoming city, immigration judges there denied between 89 and 100 percent of cases from fiscal years 2016 to 2021, according to a Syracuse University analysis of over 223,469 asylum decisions nationwide. Once you're in Houston, you're kind of done, said Syracuse University researcher Austin Kocher. Basically all of the judges deny 90 percent or more of their cases. Houston immigration attorney Ruby Powers said it can be very draining to take on an asylum case, which take many hours and intimate discussions with clients, all while knowing theres a good chance it will be denied. Some attorneys even decide not to take asylum cases. I have a legal assistant who came to me from another firm and theyre like I didnt know you could win asylum because theyve never seen it before, she said. The Syracuse University report also analyzed denial rates in smaller courts in the Houston area, such as the Houston - Gessner court and the Conroe court, which saw judges deny up to 96 percent and 98 percent of asylum cases, respectively. In comparison to Houstons consistently high denial rates, New York judges denied between 5 and 95 percent of cases, according to the data analysis of federal court records, meaning asylum seekers in New York have a much higher chance of winning their case. Houston immigration attorney Leslie Giron Kirby takes this into consideration when she meets asylum seekers who may not be planning to stay in Houston. Their final destination may be L.A. or New York or some other venues that may have a higher rate of approval, she said. If I see that the client may have an option or another possibility to go and apply somewhere else, I counsel them to do that, because of the denial rates here in Houston. Several factors contribute to the inconsistencies in asylum denial rates among courts, such as the asylum seekers country of origin. Country conditions play an important role in an asylum case, as clients have to prove they have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. Some groups that have had higher rates of success pursue cases elsewhere. Chinese immigrants, who won 81 percent of their asylum cases in 2021, are far more likely to live and pursue a case in New York rather than in Houston. Meanwhile, Hondurans win just 22 percent of cases and more frequently live in Houston, according to Syracuse University data. In fact, Central Americans from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are the largest asylum-seeking groups in Houston immigration courts and theyre also facing some of the harshest denial rates. But even asylum seekers coming from the same country can still face very different odds of winning their cases depending on their court venue. Looking exclusively at Honduran asylum decisions from the past 20 years, New York courts denied 62 percent of cases compared to 93 percent denial rates in Houston. Ideological perspectives in immigration courts and legal precedence established in the different federal courts of appeals also play a role, according to Powers. The Ninth Circuit in California is a lot more favorable toward asylum law, said Powers, who has represented asylum seekers from at least 20 different countries. The federal courts of appeals have the authority to rule on asylum decisions that have already been challenged in the Board of Immigration Appeals. Judges with low denial rates are also more likely to be in courts located in traditionally Democratic states, while in many cases asylum is less likely to be granted in courts in states that typically vote for Republican presidential candidates. Asylum cases are often decided years after an immigrant has entered the country. Cases that were decided in 2021 were pending for an average of 2.5 years, according to Syracuse University data. Some 1.5 million cases are backlogged in immigration courts across the country, including some 89,000 in Houston-area courts. Narrowing Access to Asylum: Biden administration receives another blow after its attempts to end Trumps Remain in Mexico policy Along with low grant rates, Trump-era policies that have continued under President Joe Biden have also presented significant roadblocks to seeking asylum. One of them, called Title 42, is a public health law used at the border to send people back to Mexico and block their opportunity to seek asylum. Trumps Remain in Mexico policy also known as MPP (Migrant Protection Protocols) is also restarting after the Biden administration effort to end it was stymied by a legal challenge in Texas and Missouri. It creates the perfect storm to take away a legal right that is in the books. It's part of asylum law, said Giron Kirby. Its so heartbreaking. elizabeth.trovall@chron.com Imagine a scientist, a doctor and a venture capitalist strolling into a Houston bar in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. They trade gossip and jokes over drinks until some offhand comment leads to an idea for the next lifesaving technology. On a table napkin, they sketch out a plan to prove that the technology works, testing it with volunteers from our diverse patient population so they can launch Houstons next billion-dollar company. Sound like a joke? Maybe. There certainly isnt any bar like that now at the center of Houstons giant medical center. And even if there was, few would probably be walking to it. Whether sidewalks or bridges or tunnels, pathways at the TMC are a notoriously confusing labyrinth. And, finally, the venture capitalist? TMC bylaws ban for-profit companies. For all of Houstons many medical world superlatives and in terms of sheer size, the TMC is the largest medical research center in the world it lags other hubs when it comes to launching billion-dollar start ups. At long last, however, that could be changing. A new development called TMC3 that broke ground in September should help reposition Houston, and allow us to stop leaving the big money on the table. The master plan includes 5 million square feet of buildings with restaurants and shops on the first floors, organized around a series of parks resembling the double helix of a DNA molecule. The architect planning this new venture is David Manfredi, the founding principal of the firm hired by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2009 to enliven Kendall Square in Cambridge, hailed as the iconic innovation district by the Brookings Institution in its report on the new geography of innovation. Kendall Square has incubated some of the most successful biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in America. Among them is Moderna, the company that developed a lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna began as a partnership of Harvard professors and an entrepreneur at a biotech venture studio. The proximity of scientists and venture capital was critical to translating mRNA technology into our best defense against the pandemic. What about Pfizer? Their Cambridge research spaces are in Kendall Square, too. Whats so magical about this place? In addition to bringing together many different educational, research and business enterprises, Kendall Square is hip. When the scientists arent experimenting on rats and the financiers tire of working their spreadsheets, they can relax together at parks, cafes, restaurants and bars. Manfredi told the editorial board he knew he had succeeded when his three daughters made plans to go to Kendall Square and he wasnt invited. Houstons efforts to recreate that kind of atmosphere are exciting, but success is anything but guaranteed. A medical center built up over more than seven decades wont change quickly. Its own fascinating backstory reveals why change will be hard. Back in 1943, Houston sold a 134-acre forested section of Hermann Park to the MD Anderson Foundation. With this land and funds from the foundation as as a local match, city leaders convinced Texas lawmakers to choose Houston as the site of the states first cancer center. Baylor College of Medicine relocated from Dallas as well and, in 1945, the Texas Medical Center was born. TMC manages the land, doling out pieces to 61 nonprofit member institutions that include Houston Methodist, St. Lukes, Memorial Hermann, Texas Childrens Hospital, Ben Taub and others. The high-rises we see today didnt come about all at once. Initially, low-slung buildings spread out among the trees and along streets laid out like those of a gated neighborhood. As each institution grew, TMC allotted more parcels of land and built up parking garages. Each big institution established its own fiefdom. The overall result is a district with the scale and crowds of a big city but without the interconnectedness that makes urban areas work best. Things have begun to change, however, and in 2013 TMC hired William McKeon as its new president and CEO. He had background in working with biotech companies and he soon made plans to throw for-profit firms into the mix. In 2014, the TMCx start-up accelerator launched in a repurposed Nabisco factory. Then, instead of allotting land to each of the TMCs member institutions individually, he convinced them and commercial life sciences companies to commit to a master-planned innovation district on what was a set of giant surface parking for the Veterans Affairs hospital. He also created an exception to the ban on for-profit corporations. After an initial design by Gensler that envisioned the double helix, TMC brought on Manfredi, thanks largely to his experience improving Kendall Square. The master plan calls for a radically transformed urban space where innovation, life-saving science and potentially billion-dollar developments all coexist. But to reach its full potential for transforming Houston, it will have to be more than just a successful island of urban life in the midst of a mess of parking, apartment, office and hospital buildings. Thats where the city, county and TMC must all play their roles in stitching together the surrounding urban fabric, connecting them to transit and Brays Bayou paths. The $1.8 billion first phase of construction is well underway and will include 950,000 square feet of research space, a hotel with upward of 500 rooms and 65,000 square-feet of conference space, a 350-unit residential tower and parks designed by Mikyoung Kim. The new streets have been poured. The construction of the TMC3 Collaborative Building is underway along with the unavoidable parking garage. Houstonians already have reasons to feel pride in the TMC for what it is today. Medical discoveries are nothing new, including the recent success by a Baylor team lead by Dr. Peter Hotez and Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi that developed a patent-free, lower-cost, easier-to-produce COVID vaccine that is being manufactured in India. TMC3 could help open a new chapter in the centers success, however, helping the whole region. It represents a pivot that could bring institutions together to form a greater whole in way that attracts investment capital, jobs and talent. When the next global health emergency arrives, Houstons scientists and entrepreneurs could launch the equivalent of the next Moderna. For all the turmoil of the last two years, decades from now Houstonians may well look back at these years as the moment when the city made a transition to a biotech hub. Stewart F. House/Getty Images Texas will beat the state of Florida, the Dallas Cowboys will have another Super Bowl ring and the Lone Star State will finally have its swagger back. These were the promises made by Republican gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines in a political advertisement aired Sunday during the Cowboys game against the Arizona Cardinals. Shortly after 2 p.m. on Jan. 6, supporters of President Donald J. Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, turning the seat of American democracy into the scene of an unforgettable crime. Inside, lawmakers had been preparing to count the Electoral College votes that would bring Trumps presidency to a close. Outside, the rioters erected a hanging gallows. They waved Trump 2020, Blue Lives Matter and Confederate flags. Some were armed. After marching down Pennsylvania Avenue at Trumps urging, the rioters had overwhelmed police surrounding the Capitol. They pushed past them, stripped them of their weapons, dragged them to the ground, sprayed them with chemical irritants, beat them, bludgeoned them, or tased them. Through clouds of smoke, they broke down barricades. They scaled the walls. They shattered windows. Congressional staff took cover in offices and closets, piling furniture against doors as the crowd snaked through the buildings historic hallways. The rioters forced their way into House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office. They entered the Senate chamber. They reached the dais, where Vice President Mike Pence had sat moments earlier. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Network and cable TV, plus internet sites, broadcast it all live for hours. Members of Congress, evacuated from their chambers with gas masks in tow, could hardly believe it themselves. U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., called into CNN as the attack was happening. I have not seen anything like this since I deployed to Iraq in 2007 and 2008, he said. I mean, this is America. And this is whats happening right now. The president needs to call it off. Call it off. Its over. The election is over. On the phone with Fox News that afternoon, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., condemned the attack as un-American and unacceptable. I have been in this Capitol for more than 10 years. Ive never seen anything like this, McCarthy said. As the insurrectionists forced their way into the building, they chanted, Fight for Trump! and Hang Mike Pence! Pence, as vice president, had the constitutional responsibility of overseeing the typically quiet certification of state election results by Congress. Although Trump urged Pence to reject results from the battleground states that gave Joe Biden his victory, Pence said he would not intervene, enraging the pro-Trump crowd. As the chaos unfolded, Trumps media supporters who would later downplay and deny what happened in various ways grew concerned and tried to get messages to the president. McCarthy, the Republican House leader, was able to reach the president directly to ask him to put a stop to what was going on. McCarthy would later evade questions about the call, but other House members said Trump told him, Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are. Around 4 p.m., Trump finally asked his supporters to go home. This was a fraudulent election. But we cant play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home, we love you. Youre very special. In the days that followed, Trump, some of the loudest and most influential members of the Republican Party and vocal partisan media personalities offered a deluge of justifications, excuses and conspiracy theories to reframe the events of Jan. 6 as no big deal. They said Jan. 6 was instigated by undercover left-wing activists who were part of antifa. That was proved false. They said the rioters hadnt used force and one Republican congressman likened the events to a normal tourist visit. Video proved that wrong. They claimed the attack on the Capitol had nothing to do with race, even though white supremacists and far-right militia groups were among the most active participants, and many rioters wore racist t-shirts. They suggested the whole affair was staged by the government, a false flag operation. Others suggested it was entirely a peaceful protest. All of that was wrong. They said that the rioters were political prisoners and shouldnt face serious charges. A host of federal judges and courts have held otherwise. The political shapeshifting was striking. McCarthy at first said that the president bears responsibility for the riot. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called it a failed insurrection, said that the mob was fed lies, and argued that Trump was practically and morally responsible for provoking the event of that day. But soon they tolerated bizarre claims from lawmakers in their ranks, such as that those arrested for rioting were treated worse than prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and that federal agents may have been instigators. The two Republican leaders disparaged bipartisan efforts to investigate Jan. 6. There is no new fact about that day that we need the Democrats extraneous commission to uncover, McConnell said in a statement. Even Pence, whose life was in danger, downplayed the unprecedented attack as just one day in January. PolitiFact had many options to choose from for our Lie of the Year: claims that the 2020 election was stolen, claims that the COVID vaccine didnt work, and this one, lies about the Capitol insurrection. We picked these lies for two reasons. First, the attack was historically important; a federal judge called it the most significant assault on the Capitol since the War of 1812. While some members of Congress lodged protests when the Electoral College count was close, as in 2000, or when individual states had close margins, like Ohio in 2004, never before had Americans overtaken the Capitol to hold up electoral proceedings and threaten lawmakers. In fact, the peaceful transfer of power has long been a hallmark phrase in describing, with pride, the American experience. Second, the events of Jan. 6 were widely broadcast on that day and many days afterward, allowing the public to see for itself exactly what happened. The body of evidence includes direct video documentation and many eyewitness accounts. So efforts to downplay and deny what happened are an attempt to brazenly recast reality itself. Its meant to sow doubt and make us unable to react in the ways we need to react to what is actually a threat to democracy, said Kate Starbird, an associate professor and expert in misinformation at the University of Washington. Lies about the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and its significance are the 2021 Lie of the Year. Editors note: This is an excerpt of a much more comprehensive article available at PolitiFact.com. Researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this article. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. People walk down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in the background as snow falls on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP) Hudson, NY (12534) Today Cloudy with showers. High 57F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Symphonic Distribution adds $37M funding, eyes acquisitions Independent music distributor Symphonic has closed a $37 million Series B funding round. Philadelphia-based NewSpring Growth led the round with participation from Ballast Point Ventures. This funding round comes after 5 years of strong growth for Symphonic with a projected net revenue at the end of the 2021 of $12 million. In addition to its home base of Tampa, the company has offices in Nashville, Brazil and Colombia and a headcount of 100. With the new funding founder Jorge Brea plans to build his corporate development team in Q1 and then look at acquisitions beginning in Q2 including in the ulta-comptitive market in rights to music catalogs. Weve been able to build a lot of value over the years and grown revenue substantially, founder Brea told the Tampa Bay Business Journal. We went to building a top-class team, did a controlled cash burn and were now to the point we could take on more capital to do even bigger moves. Anything can happen in five years and there are larger companies who could acquire or merge with us, he continued. Or if a Series C appears if it looks good to everyone involved, that could be an opportunity. But certainly, in the next year or two were just putting our head down and growing organically. Bruce Houghton is Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and serves as a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown which acquired both publications in 2019. He is the Founder and President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music. Share on: Many of the resident horses at Second Hand Stables have qualities that would make it unlikely for them to be saved. But these qualities are what make them more precious in Gentile's eyes. (Photo courtesy of The Berkshire Eagle.) Gentile really wanted to focus on draft horses, who are prone to health issues because of their size. These health issues end up being costly to the owner. PreviousNext Savoy Woman Gives Draft Horses Refuge From Slaughter SAVOY, Mass. In August, animal lover Kristie Gentile embarked on a mission to rescue draft horses from the grim fate of slaughter. "I tend to take the horses that are less likely to be saved," she explained. "Horses with like severe disabilities or horses that aren't broke, that wouldn't make good riding horses, elderly horses. So the majority of my horses are sanctuary horses. and that just means that they'll live the rest of their life out here." Second Chance Stables and Draft Horse Rescue is a non-profit organization whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and retire or responsibly rehome draft breeds otherwise headed for, what Gentile refers to as, the slaughter pipeline. "It's this awful, awful thing, but it's like this really well-kept secret unless you're in the horse world," Gentile said. Draft horses are large breeds often used for labor Many of the resident horses at Second Hand Stables have qualities that would make it unlikely for them to be saved. But these qualities are what make them more precious in Gentile's eyes. Like Dan, the Belgian draft, is completely blind and has a seeing-eye horse for support. It is illegal to slaughter horses in the United States but it is not illegal to ship them to countries where it is allowed, like Canada and Mexico. Gentile's goal is to rescue them from an auction or kill pen directly before they are shipped. Gentile added that horses sent to slaughter are not killed in a humane way and are not properly cared for during transit. For example, she said they are not properly fed and watered. She hopes to educate the community on these practices while rescuing horses. "It's just a horrific horrific thing these guys go through," she said. "I've had them come to me completely emaciated. I have one right now that has put on over 300 pounds." An article by the Humane Society of the United States about horse slaughter reads: "Slaughter is a brutal and terrifying end for horses, and it is not humane. Horses are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water, or rest in crowded trucks. They are often seriously injured or killed in transit." For about two years, Gentile has been involved in rescuing and fostering horses. She opened Second Chance Stables after deciding that she really wanted to focus on draft horses, who are prone to health issues because of their size. These health issues end up being costly to the owner. Her drive to rescue the large horses was discovered when trying to find a companion for her own. "I was around horses when I was younger. I got older had kids got out of it, and when I moved up to Savoy, I wanted to get back into it," she explained. "So, I had gotten a horse, and while I was looking for a companion for her, I stumbled across the rescue world that I didn't really, honestly I didn't even know, existed." There are reportedly not a lot of draft-specific rescues that aren't hours away. "There's really nothing, directly in this area, and we actually don't have any nonprofits in Western Mass," Gentile added. "So I thought this would be a good fit for the area." Samson was the first Belgian draft that started it all for Gentile. The half-blind and very loving horse found a forever home with a caring family after being fostered through Heart and Hooves Rescue in East Brookfield. Charlie the Belgian gelding is also one of Gentile's permanent residents. He was saved from a Pennsylvania kill pen and arrived at the rescue underweight, detached and blind in his right eye, which needed to be removed. Now, he is being rehabilitated and has blossomed into a kind and loving gentleman. There are currently eight horses on the property and possibly one more arriving in January. Two of the horses who are rideable and will make good trail horses are up for adoption. Horses are given a full evaluation before being adopted out. The rescue sits on 13 acres with complete with a barn, paddocks, and spaces for turnout, or playtime. Gentile said her "amazing" neighbors make the one-woman operation possible because they allow her to rotate the horses through their pastures and are always lending a helping hand. The rescue has applied for a 501(c)3 exemption from the Internal Revenue Service and is able to accept donations and fundraise but a majority of the financial piece comes from Gentile. The rescue also does sponsorships, which she tried to make more involved than the typical program. "Basically, we do it a little bit differently than other rescues. A lot of other rescues do sponsorships where you pay a fee you get a picture or you get a stuffed animal or something like that every month. I wanted to really bring it into the community," Gentile explained. "So we started a sponsorship program, and you make a donation monthly to the rescue. But twice a month my sponsors come up they spend some time with the horses. They do some grooming or learn some horsemanship. They do some of the dirty work, cleaning poop that kind of stuff. It's more interactive. They really get to see what's going on, which is nice." When asked what her goals are for 2022, Gentile said she would simply like to keep the rescue going, understanding that horse rescue is a costly venture. "My biggest goal is to just be able to keep doing it. Most small rescues like myself fail within the first year. It's very hard to keep people interested. It's very hard when you don't have like hundreds of acres of land," she explained. "And people are really interested in the saving piece. They really want to help save. But trying to make people understand that these horses are saved, but they're saved with these long term chronic conditions, medications, feeding, vet bills, farrier bills. Those are the everyday costs and that's really where the money is. "So if you're not pulling one horse every month or two, people can lose interest. So my goal is honestly, just to be able to still do this." Transfer any credit card balance Get control of your Debt. 0% APR* for 6 mo. NO transfer fee! Gus Jammalo gives Gene Kemp a trim, the last one his well-known barbership. Jammalo says, at 87, it's time for him to go fishing and spend time with his family. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The year 2021, the second year of the pandemic, saw a return of community events, devastating fires, abrupt departures, a successful vaccination program, major buildings changing hands downtown and the election of a new, more diverse government, including the city's first woman mayor. That a woman would finally take the corner office for the first time in North Adams' 126-year history was already in the cards by the closing of nominations in July. Only women for the first time would vie for mayor: Lynette Bond, Rachel Branch, Aprilynn Carsno and Jennifer Macksey. Macksey, a former treasurer and chief financial officer for the city, would the win general election on Nov. 2 over Bond to become the 33rd mayor of North Adams. The change in the corner office was kicked off with the decision by Mayor Thomas Bernard not to stand for a third term The incoming City Council would also be breaking new ground with elections of Michael Obasohan and Ashley Shade. Obasohan is believed to be the first Black person elected to the council and Shade the first transgender person. While there was a short-lived social media campaign to "oust the incumbents" and calls for write-ins, all six incumbents on the ballot were easily re-elected. The council's past two years were rocky: there were three presidents in four months, four councilors stepped down and the panel went two months with seven members. The first to leave was Robert Moulton Jr. in 2020 but three more resigned this past year, two of them council presidents. Bryan Sapienza would be voted in by the council to replace Hopkins and Harpin (whose name was still on the ballot) would be reseated along with Obasohan after the election. Peter Oleskiewicz had joined the council last year after Moulton left. The new nine-member council is Jennifer Barbeau, Lisa Blackmer, Keith Bona, Harpin, Obasohan, Oleskiewicz, Sapienza, Shade and Wayne Wilkinson. COVID-19 Redux The Northern Berkshire regional vaccination center opened on Jan. 11 to a capacity crowd; on June 17, the very last person to be inoculated walked out the door at 7:06 p.m. In between those five to six months, the collaborative held 40 clinics and administered 24,913 doses of vaccine for the novel coronavirus. The North Berkshire clinic was one of three under the umbrella of the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative and was run by the Northern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee and Northern Berkshire EMS. Though not considered "mass" vaccination sites, the collaborative was cited by Gov. Charlie Baker a s a model operation for the state to follow. Burning Issues The city's new fire chief found himself dealing with two major fires in a short period. Brent Lefebvre was appointed in March as the new fire chief , replacing Stephen Meranti, who retired after 17 years. The city had two major fires in one month that required help from dozens of fire departments. In May, a brush fire on East Mountain spread through Clarksburg State Forest and into Williamstown, burning a 1,000 acres. More than 120 firefighters from 19 different communities and the state worked to contain it. Not two weeks later, a blaze at George Apkin & Sons was started by a battery sparking during the scrapping of a junk car into baling unit. It spread to a pile of cars and car parts 100 feet long and two stories tall. Dozens of firefighters from as far away as Orange and Northampton brought the massive blaze under control in about 24 hours. But it would be two house fires earlier in the year that would create a firestorm of controversy over the state of the city's fire hydrants. Broken or missing hydrants affected efforts to control the blazes at Greylock Apartments and on Veazie Street and an audit found about 130 fireplugs in various states of disrepair. The City Council would approve the mayor's request to borrow $300,000 to fix the problem but the hydrant issue would continue to highlight the infrastructure problems plaguing the city, as Bernard had outlined in his state of the city address in February. This would include the public safety building , a longstanding problem that would become one of the main topics in the mayoral race. Mohawk Theater No building has probably seen as much discussion over the past two years as the long vacant Mohawk Theater. The structure was declared surplus last year and, in a second request for proposals, a bid was accepted from developer Veselko Buntic to use it as an events space for a planned hotel in the adjacent Dowlin Block. City Councilor Keith Bona, however, objected to the mayor's decision to award the bid below assessed without the council's input and called for a reconsideration . A number of residents, and the state Rep. John Barrett III, also protested a sale that would abandon the concept of a performing arts theater. The council, which seemed ready to approve, went at the last minute with a compromise designed by Bona and Councilor Benjamin Lamb to amend the 2019 order require council approval for any sale and to put of a decision until January. This would give incoming Mayor Jennifer Macksey input; her inaugural speech leaned toward pursuing the performance venue. In other public property actions, council rejected a plan to turn the former Sullivan School into a housing development; plans for a new access and sidewalks to make the area around Brayton School safe for walking will start next year; and the School Committee abandoned plans for a Greylock School project on advice from the Massachusetts School Building Authority to focus on renovating Brayton to meet the needs of a declining school population. Business Changes The big sale was the Holiday Inn, now Hotel Downstreet , purchased as NA Hotel LLC for $4.45 million. The 90-room hotel is now owned by Peregrine Group, a property management company, and will be managed by Main Street Hospitality. There are plans to rejuvenate the 1974 structure over the next year. People in the News The late state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi's largess continues to benefit the city more than four years after her death. The final settlement of her will left another $91,651 gift to the public library for a total of $266,651.56 and $109,276.86 for the future bike path for a total of $319,276.86. John "Jack" and Joyce Brooks also left $40,000 toward the library, on top of the same amount to their alma mater Drury last year; and $1,885 was gifted to the high school's cinema and screenwriting course in memory of former Drury High School teacher Francis Merrigan. But 2021 saw the passing of longtime North Adams chronicler Joe Manning at age 79. Manning first discovered the Steeple City 25 years ago and became a frequent and beloved visitor. The author, historian, genealogist, freelance journalist, poet, photographer, and songwriter made the city his "spiritual home" even though he never lived here. POSTPONED: Internet Safety Presentation Set at Drury High The District Attorney's Office announced Thursday that that the Internet Safety Presentation will be postponed until March because of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Originally Published on Jan. 3, 2022, at 4:00 pm NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Berkshire District Attorney's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Massachusetts State Police, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, and North Adams Public Schools are teaming up to provide parents, caregivers, and educators a presentation on how to best protect children from online exploitation. The law enforcement agencies will give a presentation at Drury High School on Wednesday, Jan. 12. The Berkshire Food Project is providing dinner prior to the event starting at 5:45 p.m. The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Williams College will provide free child care to those who request it. The organizations request that those interested in attending RSVP to Stephanie Puc at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition at 413-663-7588 or spuc@nbccoalition.org by Friday, Jan. 7. Participants can indicate if they would like child care. "Our children now spend an enormous amount of time online where they can be vulnerable to exploitation. This presentation gives parents and educators the tools they need to ensure that our youth are safe and secure," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said. "I thank all of our partners for their expertise and effort to put this presentation together. The Northern Berkshire community truly embodies the concept of taking a village to raise a healthy and safe child." The topics include internet safety, social media 101, digital footprints, online gaming, cyberbullying, sexting, sextortion, and protection against online predators. The speakers are Chief of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office's Child Abuse Unit Stephanie Ilberg, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Grant, FBI Child Exploitation Task Force Officer Danielle Rex, State Police Troopers Deshawn Brown and Andy Canata, and U.S. Attorney's Office Victim Witness Specialist Lauryn Myers. District Attorney Andrea Harrington and North Adams Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Malkas will provide opening remarks. Governor Says Schools Will Remain Open SALEM, Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker gave no indication that the schools will go remote this year despite the rising cases of COVID-19. Speaking at Saltonstall School early Monday morning, the governor noted that his administration has "aggressively partnered" with schools across the state to ensure they could safely open in the new year. "We said for quite awhile from the beginning of the school year, and in fact al the way back to last spring, that it was critically important for kids to be back in school for a number of reasons," he said during the livestream event, pointing to the potential affects of remote learning on social development, education and mental health. "The vast majority of the schools and districts in Massachusetts are opening today." Both the Massachusetts Teachers Association and American Federation of Teachers had called for a delay in openings to give districts the opportunity for further testing of the novel coronavirus after the holiday break. The state has seen its positive numbers skyrocket because of the highly transmissible omicron variant. Some schools did delay opening to set up testing centers for faculty and staff but the vast majority, including those in the Berkshires, opened on Monday. "There was all kinds of talk last week about how schools wouldn't open in Massachusetts today. It did pretty much across the commonwealth. There are very small number of district that aren't in school," Baker said. The state has said it will distribute another 200,000 rapid test kits on top of more than 2 million provided to targeted areas before the holidays specifically for schools. However, high demand has made these kits difficult to obtain. In Salem, Superintendent Brian Hendrickson said the schools had been provided with test kits, that testing was done over the weekend and that staff had been fitted with new masks that morning. "While there will be curveballs to navigate over the next few days, we feel its important for kids to be in school," he said. It was a message that Mayor Kim Driscoll, standing with the governor, reiterated: "the most important thing we want to stress to our students and our families is the need for our students to be in person." In North Adams, Superintendent Barbara Malkas acknowledged last week that there ha been a daily and steady increase in the number of positive cases in the school district. That included five positive results at the high school and Brayton and Greylock elementaries. Like many districts, North Adams has been participating in the pool testing program and, according to Malkas, staff were issued self-administered tests before the start of school. "In addition, we will continue to implement our mitigation strategies for masking, personal hygiene, classroom disinfection, weekly COVID surveillance testing, and supporting vaccination and booster shots," she wrote in a missive to parents. "Please consider double masking for your child(ren) for the first week back to school when infection rates are expected to increase." Baker said some 2,200 schools were participating in some way with the state's testing system and that more than 450,000 school days had been saved through the work of school and public health officials. "I do believe that the people of Massachusetts will pull hard once again to make sure that kids are in school and have that in-school experience which is so important to their development both economically and socially," he said. But the governor added that keeping kids in the classroom will be the priority. "The rules here are pretty simple: we count in-person school as school," said the governor. "If a school district is not open at some point over the course of a year, they can use snow days until they run out of snow days. "But they do need to provide their kids with 180 days of in-person education this year and we'll do everything we can to help them deliver on that." The new City Council is sworn in on the stage of the Robert Boland Theater at Berkshire Community College on Monday morning by City Clerk Michele Benjamin. Councilor and School Committee members take their seats for the swearing in. The Eagles Band performs during the event. Michele Benjamin, re-elected in 2019, takes the oath first before swearing in councilors. Benjamin administers the oath to incoming School Committee members. Peter Marchetti will again serve as president of the City Council. Peter White returns as vice president for the next two years. Newly elected Ward 3 Councilor Kevin Sherman, left, and Councilor at Large Earl Persip III draw the seating positions for the next regular meeting of the council. PreviousNext Pittsfield Swears in New City Council, School Committee Mayor Linda Tyer took the opportunity to give her state of the city address. She is halfway through her second four-year term. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Mayor Linda Tyer, halfway through her second term, welcomed the incoming City Council and School Committee at Monday's biennial inauguration and looked back at what has been accomplished and to the challenges ahead. "Let's look back for just one minute to Jan. 6, 2020, the date of our last inaugural ceremony. It seems like 100 years ago, we've all been through so much," she said. "At that time though we had no idea of the utter devastation and hardship that was to come in the weeks and months and sadly now years come, COVID-19 totally abandoned our way of life and as we know, the pandemic rages on." The event traditionally held in the Council Chambers was relocated to the Robert Boland Theater at Berkshire Community College for better social distancing due to the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases. Four of the city's seven wards saw new leadership in the 2021 municipal election and familiar faces were voted into the at-large seats. The councilors, School Committee members, and City Clerk Michele Benjamin took their oaths of office to officially start their terms. Incumbents Peter Marchetti, Peter White, and Earl Persip III returned as at-large councilors. Retired Pittsfield Police officer Karen Kalinowsky was inaugurated for the other at-large seat. Kenneth Warren is the new representative of Ward 1. He replaced Helen Moon, who decided not to run for a third term. Charles Ivar Kronick was sworn in as the Ward 2 councilor. Former councilor Kevin Morandi did not run for a sixth consecutive term, a decision that was announced simultaneously with former Ward 4 Councilor Chris Connell. Former Councilor Kevin Sherman returned to the panel to represent Ward 3 and replace Nicholas Caccamo, and Conservation Commission Chairman James Conant was inducted as the Ward 4 councilor. The remainder of the wards are being represented by familiar faces: Incumbents Patrick Kavey in Ward 5, Dina Lampiasi in Ward 6 and Anthony Maffuccio in Ward 7. Marchetti was re-elected as council president and White was as vice president. Kalinowsky nominated Sherman for vice president but he respectfully declined. "I am confident that we can begin 2022 on a united and productive front and accomplish many great things," Marchetti said to the new and old faces that he will work with over the next two years. Tyer told Marchetti that she is honored by their friendship of many years and his commitment to the city. She looks forward to collaborating with him in the term ahead. School Committee incumbents William Cameron, Mark Brazeau, Alison McGee, and Daniel Elias were sworn in to continue representing the Pittsfield Public Schools. Former Mayor Sarah Hathaway and newcomer Vicki Smith joined them. "The work that we do matters a great deal to the children and families of Pittsfield, as we gather today, our number one priority is to do all that we can to keep our schools open so that our students are engaged in learning, enjoying extracurricular activities, and strengthening their social-emotional well-being in the midst of ongoing uncertainty," Tyer said to the committee. "One thing is for sure, our children deserve the best education, our teachers and staff must have our support, it is our job to strengthen our school community by making smart and sound decisions." Tyer delivered her state of the city address at the ceremony. Last year, the speech was made virtual for the first time because of the pandemic. She highlighted the challenges and accomplishments of the past year while looking forward to what positive things are to come in 2022. Vaccinations were a beacon of hope for the community last year, she said, and BCC became one of the three public vaccination sites established by the Berkshire Vaccine Collaboration. "The extraordinary teamwork put forth by the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative, a countywide endeavor that created the first vaccine collaboration of its kind in the state, meant that thousands of men, women, and children have been vaccinated right here Paterson Field House on the BCC campus," Tyer touted. "When boosters became available, 1,000 people immediately signed up for the vaccine booster clinic that was held in mid-December, and it's not too late, another clinic is scheduled for January." In December, she learned that the city would receive more than 11,000 at-home rapid test kits from the Baker-Polito administration. This, Tyer said, is a result of the "strong product network" that her team has built with state officials. The mayor highlighted economic development efforts that were put in place to aid local businesses during the unprecedented time. "In round two at the city's COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grant program and in partnership with the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp., we assisted 35 small businesses with grant funding totaling $255,400," she said. "This critical funding helps our hard-working small businesses pay rent, utilities, payroll, and secure inventory, since the inception of this grant program that I established at the height of the pandemic 2020, the city of Pittsfield has awarded grant funding to 90 small businesses totaling $935,000." For infrastructure improvements, Tyer said she is pleased with the amount of funding and effort going into the Tyler Street corridor. In March, the city was awarded an $880,000 MassDevelopment Site Readiness Grant for the redevelopment of Site 9 in the William Stanley Business Park. The site previously housed a General Electric factory and is the largest and most prominent section of the business park. "This is a starting point and we will draw upon every possible avenue and resource to revitalize this unsightly and unproductive 16-acre parcel making it more appealing for future business development," Tyer said. "And this matters, too, because Site 9 is directly connected to the Morningside neighborhood with the ongoing private investments on the way all along Tyler street including housing, streetscape, and the city's first-ever roundabout, there is a critical mass of investments, improvements, and activity happening in this historic neighborhood." She added that the city has entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement for the former Hess station property on Tyler Street and that it will be transformed into green space. Her address wouldn't be complete without mentioning the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, in which Pittsfield is receiving nearly $41 million. "I have to be honest, I didn't believe it was real so we checked and double-checked and triple-checked and finally confirmed that it was indeed real money, that's when the excitement and the optimism set in and we got to work," Tyer said. "This once-in-a-lifetime infusion of funds has the potential to do so much good in our community for the present and future generations." In October, she outlined the proposed spending of Pittsfield's first ARPA allocation of $20 million and later this month will issue an invitation to apply for the second round of ARPA investments. With the help of state Reps. Tricia Farley Bouvier and Paul Mark and state Sen. Adam Hinds, the city has already received a first early commitment of $200,000 in state ARPA funds to undertake a public school master planning process. In addition, Pittsfield received nearly $100,000 from the state's Community Compact program to boost its efforts to expand public internet access downtown. Tyer also highlighted her At Home in Pittsfield program exterior renovation loan program approved in 2021 and the creation of an office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. "The trials and tribulations of COVID-19 have made us stronger than ever, Pittsfield has a renewed fighting spirit that is shaped by strong partnerships, willing collaborations, teamwork, and sheer determination," She concluded. "Over the past two years, there were no egos here, people from all walks of life and diverse organizations raised their hand, said things like 'I'll do it,' and 'I can help,' building upon these powerful networks, we welcome the New Year and the new term, 2022 is filled with promise and possibility." Also during the ceremony, the new City Council drew for its seating arrangement and adopted rules of order The event was kicked off by a performance from the Eagles Band and included an invocation from the Rev. Peter Gregory of St. Charles' Church and a benediction from the Rev. Sheila Sholes-Ross of First Baptist Church. The full text of the mayor's address: Good morning and Happy New Year. Thank you for joining us to celebrate Pittsfield's 2022 Inauguration and State of the City. A rousing performance by the Eagles Band is the perfect way to usher in today's ceremony and the New Year. Let's look back for just a minute to January 6, 2020, the date of our last Inaugural Ceremony. It seems like a hundred years ago. At that time, we had absolutely no idea of the utter devastation that was to come in the weeks and months and now years to follow. COVID-19 totally upended our way of life, and as we know, the pandemic rages on. I am especially grateful that Berkshire Community College opened its doors for today's ceremony, ensuring a safe and spacious environment for us to gather. I extend my thanks to President Kennedy and her team for their hospitality. Welcome to our distinguished guests. Father Gregory, thank you, as always, for gracing us with your rich blessing. Congratulations, Councilors. Your presence here today reflects the deep faith and trust that the people of Pittsfield have put in each of you to do the work of moving our city forward. It is a great and honorable responsibility, and one that requires active and thoughtful engagement, a willingness to keep an open mind and open lines of communication. It is my hope that the new members of the City Council will spend time getting to know me and the city's leadership team. We view ourselves as your partners, not your adversaries. Please join me in starting the new term with that mindset. Our future ultimately serves as the historic record depicting how and when we were able to dig deep, find common ground, and embark on solutions to enrich and better the lives of our citizens young and old. President Marchetti congratulations on being elected, once again, by your colleagues to serve as President of the Pittsfield City Council. You and I have spent many years together and I am honored by your friendship, I admire your commitment to our city, and I look forward to even more collaborative and productive work in the two years ahead. New York Citys soaring COVID numbers call for a stronger response, the new borough president of Manhattan said Sunday. The city needs to create a website to self-report positive test results and an expanded definition of what constitutes being vaccinated for going to work and eating out, Borough President Mark Levine told the Daily News. Advertisement We need to take action to slow this wave because 50,000 cases, even mild, are going to disrupt every sector of life in this city, he said, referring to Fridays record-breaking number of new COVID cases in the city. The biggest change we need is urgency in messaging to communicate to people, not by forced shutdowns or legal restrictions, Levine said, but just messaging that for the next two weeks people need to, if they can, avoid large gatherings, work from home and just generally try to limit in-person social activities. Advertisement He said he would like the city to change its policy that has required municipal employees to go into the office since the fall and proposed a hybrid option allowing them to work from home at least for the duration of the current surge in cases. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. (Gardiner Anderson/for New York Daily News) Levine said a website for New Yorkers to self-report positive COVID test results would let the city do a better job tracking the outbreak and connecting COVID patients with services. Such a step already has been taken in localities elsewhere, including Washington, D.C. In recent months, authorities around the country also have been weighing whether to expand the definition of fully vaccinated from the status quo two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or one of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to cover booster shots as well. Levine said the city should take that step, pointing to the relatively low rate at which New Yorkers have gotten boosters. About 2.1 million booster shots had been administered as of Saturday, compared with 6.8 million initial doses, according to the city Health Department. The city should start requiring workers in high-risk sectors like health care to get the booster shots, eventually expanding the mandate to cover activities like indoor dining and going to the gym, he said. Just to message that you dont get to call yourself fully vaccinated until youve had that third shot would be important for the public to hear, said Levine, who was chairman of the City Council Health Committee before he was sworn in as borough president Saturday. Hundreds of people line up on 42nd St. near Sixth Ave. to get tested for COVID-19. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News) (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News) Levine also called for weekly COVID testing of all students and staff at public schools, saying that should be the default policy. The city is planning more widespread testing at schools starting Monday, but parents must opt in for their kids to participate. Among the other items in his 16-point action plan, he said, the feds should take a greater role in New Yorks COVID response. He wants the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up multiservice centers with testing and vaccination at locations like the Javits Center on the far West Side. Advertisement Mayor Adams, who also took office Saturday, indicated over the weekend he would unveil his COVID response plan Monday. PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has teamed up with one of its biggest device chain partners, MemoXpress, for a holiday promo that aims to rebuild lives of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Surf and Save promo, each time a customer buys a PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi or a Smart Bro LTE device from MemoXpress from December 29, 2021 to January 9, 2022, P150 goes to the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Inc. (MPIF), the social outreach arm of PLDT sister company Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), for the benefit of its Gabay Kabuhayan COVID-19 livelihood program. Gabay Kabuhayan is one of the six GABAY Advocacies for a Sustainable Philippines that supports the MVP Group of Companies contribution toward the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #1 No Poverty, #2 Zero Hunger, and #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. We at MPIF believe that it is time to pivot from temporary relief support to sustainable self-sufficiency for those whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic, said MPIF President Melody M. Del Rosario. This partnership between Smart and MemoExpress for the benefit of our Puhunang Pangkabuhayan program helps us ensure that we reach our goal of uplifting more lives in the country. This advocacy is also aligned with our values, and we hope that through this simple initiative with our partners Smart and Gabay Kabuhayan, we are able to make the world a better place, said Edward Tan, Vice President at MemoXpress. This initiative does not only let our customers to enjoy Smarts fastest mobile network this Christmas season, it also allows them to contribute to this Christmas bayanihan and help our kababayans rebuild their lives bit by bit, said Melvin Consunji Nubla, FVP and Head of Go-To-Market and Subscriber Management at Smart. With the PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi or a Smart Bro LTE device, customers can connect their devices to the nationwide Smart LTE network and enjoy high-speed mobile broadband. This mobile network is supported by PLDT's fiber infrastructure, the country's most extensive at about 615,000 kilometers nationwide as of end-September. Mobile users can also enjoy Smart LTE or Smart 5G. With around 6,400 5G base stations nationwide, Smart operates the country's widest 5G network in the Philippines. It has also been named as the fastest and most reliable 5G Mobile Network by Ookla. To switch to Smart, users must first secure a Unique Subscriber Code from their originating provider to serve as clearance, and present this, along with a valid ID and any proof of mobile ownership, at the nearest Smart Store so that Smart can process their application for free. Interested subscribers can also make the Smart move via the GigaLife App or book a virtual store booking for MNP at smrt.ph/bookanapp. To know more, visit smart.com.ph/switch. I'm just going to come out and say it -- the co-located development model is a waste of resources and offers negligible benefits. Is this statement controversial? Sure, but it's getting less so by the day. More and more organizations recognize that remote and outsourced development can cut costs, is highly scalable, and offers access to a wider talent pool. And talent is the key, what really matters in modern software development. With COVID, distributed development makes even more sense, as 2020's economic disruption rocked the globe, and we still haven't fully recovered. Working hours and employment losses were four times higher than the crash of '09. Paradoxically, while there was record unemployment, companies couldn't find the right people to fill positions -- a different kind of record high. On top of that, average salaries in the IT sector are rising, partially in an attempt to retain talent. With the traditional co-located development model, we're seeing these key challenges: -Sourcing and retaining talent -Transitioning to remote work -Staying competitive among rising salaries And that's where distributed development and remote in-sourcing come in. Let's examine both models closely. How remote in-sourcing and distributed software development work At its core, a distributed team is a group of people that work together across geographic boundaries. They use various collaborative tools for real-time communication, but they can also work together asynchronously. You can hire quality IT staff from countries with lower salaries, thereby cutting costs without compromising on quality. IT workers from Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine and Belarus, have rightfully earned reputation of highly skilled goal-oriented specialists. While Eastern European team members' salaries will be more expensive than, say, developers from South Asia, the quality of their work is more aligned with that of their U.S. counterparts. In 2021, "cost of ownership" (salaries, bonuses, benefits, other expenses) for North American developers ranged from $80,000 to $300,000 per year; in Central and Eastern Europe, rates charged by service providers were significantly lower, from $40,000 to $140,000. And this is not only about savings but, more importantly, about time to market, success of your innovation and beating your competition. If distributed development is starting to sound pretty good, just wait until you hear about remote in-sourcing. When you form a distributed development team, you still have to deal with sourcing, training, and retaining employees -- they're just located in more affordable geographical locations. Traditionally, if organizations didn't want to deal with all of this, they would work with an outsourcing development team. But the outsourcing trade-off is that you have little to no control over the team's quality and training. Remote in-sourcing is the best of both worlds -- it gives you access to lower salaries and better scalability while also providing full control over productivity and quality. With this model, a remote, self-contained team of developers integrates with your own staff. Unlike an outsourced team, a remote in-sourced team operates under your direction, and you'd work with them just like with your own employees. Yet, you would also get necessary help and service to scale the team up and down whenever necessary. A remote in-sourcing case study: health portal To illustrate the benefits of remote in-sourcing, I'd like to share a case study with you: a U.S.-based healthcare company wanted to develop a health portal that could help hospitals, practices, and practice groups develop its businesses. The company had previously worked with outsourcing vendors but due to skill shortages and organizational reasons their attempts failed. After switching to the remote in-sourcing model, a team of five people integrated seamlessly with the organization's own staff. Because of the easy scalability of this model, the healthcare company could subsequently increase the in-sourced team to more than 50 people. Over 10 years of continuous cooperation, the remote in-sourcing team designed and implemented 100 percent of company's healthcare products, including a health portal -- which now serves five million people per year. By following the remote in-sourcing model, the company was able to work with highly-skilled developers at a lower cost and retain full control over the team. Are you ready to switch your model? I want to leave you with a brief checklist on whether distributed development or remote in-sourcing is right for you. Of course, this won't give you a definitive answer for your situation, but it should serve as a launching point for further research. After more than a dozen years in the Bay Area, Phil Libin, co-founder and CEO of All Turtles, a mission-driven product studio, and Mmhmm, a video app, packed up and relocated to Arkansas. What began as a temporary adjustment during the pandemic transformed into a new model for work. Now, he wants the rest of the industry to stop idealizing the office and embrace the remote work world. On this week's episode of CEO Eric Schurenberg's "The Human Factor," Libin--who's probably best known as the co-founder of the note-taking and organization app Evernote--explains why. "If you give yourself and your team the opportunity to improve their quality of life by figuring out where they want to live, when they want to work, where they want to work from, when they want to spend time with their kids or their friends or health... you demolish the office," he says. "For knowledge workers, for creative people, that improves their quality of work." Libin isn't stopping at overhauling his own operations. With Mmhmm, which has raised over $100 million in 2021, Libin is designing the tools necessary to make hybrid workforces easier for everyone. The goal of Mmhmm is making digital communication more engaging by allowing for seamless transitions between synchronous and asynchronous communication. Mmhmm uses a hierarchy of communication methods--a pyramid that ranks in-person meetings, live virtual conversations, and one-way communication like lectures. It provides a simple platform for recording, editing, and creating videos making it simple to host productive and engaging meetings with custom content, and allows users to create a personal style that is often lacking in remote video communication. "All the way at the very top is when you're actually in-person with someone, and this is really scarce. So whenever you're actually there, whenever you're in-person with someone, it's precious [time]--you can't waste it," Libin says. All of this comes together to help build trust between team members, avoid burnout, and maximize your most vital resource: time. As the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol approaches, the police force charged with protecting the seat of American democracy is severely understaffed, its chief warned on Sunday. The Capitol Police force was hit with a double whammy of attrition and no training classes when the pandemic forced the National Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy to shut down for 10 months, Chief Thomas Manger told Fox News Sunday. Advertisement Were now really about 400 officers short of where we need to be, and thats a pretty critical issue for us, Manger said. The force is turning to private contractors to bolster security, he said. Advertisement He also noted that President Biden signed a law aimed at expediting the process for Capitol Police to request backup from the National Guard in the event of an emergency. Thats crucial if you have a situation like we had on Jan. 6, where you have an emergency situation and you need to be able to request those resources and get them as quickly as possible, Manger said. Last year, former President Donald Trump incited throngs of crazed supporters to riot inside the Capitol where lawmakers were meeting to certify the 2020 presidential election results. More than 70 people have been sentenced for participating in the deadly mayhem, with hundreds of others charged. U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger speaks to reporters outside the Library of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on Aug. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (Jose Luis Magana/AP) Trump who was impeached for his role in the Jan. 6 travesty remains a menace to democracy, Rep. Liz Cheney said Sunday. He crossed lines no American president has ever crossed before, the Wyoming Republican told ABCs This Week. We entrust the survival of our republic into the hands of the chief executive, and when a president refuses to tell the mob to stop, when he refuses to defend any of the coordinate branches of government, he cannot be trusted, she said. Cheneys vote to impeach Trump cost her a leadership role in the House GOP. Advertisement Her party is still in thrall to the 45th president, with a significant number of Republicans and independents now saying violence against the government can at times be justified. About four in 10 Republicans and independents answered in the affirmative when asked if violent action against the state is sometimes justified, according to Washington Post-ABC News poll results released over the weekend. Meanwhile, the special House committee on the Jan. 6 siege is readying to share its results publicly. Members of the panel plan to reveal their findings based on interviews with more than 300 witnesses in the coming months. What we have been able to ascertain is that we came perilously close to losing our democracy, Rep. Bennie Thompson, the committees chairman, said on CNNs State of the Union. Had those insurrectionists been successful, we are not certain what we would have had, had it not been for the brave men and women who protected the Capitol in spite of being woefully outnumbered, said Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi. Advertisement With News Wire Services Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. 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The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. From Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness to James Cameron's magnum opus, Avatar 2, there are a lot of Hollywood movies awaiting us in 2022. Here are some of the most-anticipated Hollywood releases of this year. What an action-packed new year of Hollywood movies, right? Weddings are an elaborate affair nowadays. From extravagant bridal entries to couple dance performances, a wedding has it all. We have come across many interesting wedding videos and here's another to put a smile on your face. A video of the bride and groom, all decked up and dancing to the popular song 'Kaahe Chhed Mohe' from the 2002 film Devdas, has gone viral. The couple from Bangladesh, who are professional dancers, gave an impromptu performance at their haldi ceremony and it's fair to say they set the stage on fire. Matching the class of the song, their steps were in synchronisation and totally on-point. The guests could be heard clapping and cheering for them in the background. Youve heard of trust falls? Well, this was a trust dance- My Gaye Holud entrance was a 5 minute Devdas mix that we somehow pulled off without any actual practice whatsoever. This particular part was something Rohit and I literally said to each other You do something, then Ill follow and well just figure it out on stage. That is exactly what happened, Aaliya captioned the video. Screengrab/Instagram The video has been viewed nearly 2,00,000 times and has garnered more than 43,000 likes. A superb performance as such, it is no surprise people were all praises for the couple. "Wow! What a terrific performance," one user commented. Wasn't practiced? Woah, y'all are made for each other," another commented. "Both of you are superstars," a third user commented. Earlier in November, a video went viral showing a bride dancing with a mannequin after the groom missed the wedding due to food poisoning. The Victorian: Youngsville, the wedding venue the couple held their reception at in North Carolina, posted a video of the bride and grooms hysterical solution to TikTok. Bri Hines Photography 'When the groom suddenly becomes sick & goes to the hospital on the wedding day,' the venue captioned the footage, which has been viewed more than 887,000 times. Since the groom could not attend, someone found a pole on wheels and secured an iPad with a picture of his face onto it. They added a suit jacket as a final touch, and it almost seemed like the groom is present with the wife physically. Basically, they made a make-shift mannequin of the groom. For more trending stories, click here. We all have heard of Indian millionaires and billionaires like Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Falguni Nayar, right? All of them are amongst the Indians who have made not just their native village or state but the entire nation proud. But have you ever heard of a non-human source of inspiration? And that too in the form of a place? Yes, you read that right. There is in fact a small village in India that has not one or two but 60 millionaires! Let us deep dive and unfold this real-life inspirational story for you. twitter Welcome To Hiware Bazar Before 1989, Hiware Bazar, situated in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, was just like any other village of India. In 1972, it was even gripped with poverty and drought. But in the 1990s, the fate of the village suddenly began to change, and it transformed into a wealthy village, thanks to the village head named Popatrao Baguji Pawar. The village now has nearly 60 millionaires at present! And guess who they are. All farmers! Yes! you read it right. The success behind the rags-to-riches story of this village is due to the transformation of the socio-economic fabric of the village by its head. Roughly populated by around 1,250 people, this Hiware Bazar village is indeed a prime example of how people can change their fate through hard work and determination. Besides the bustling markets, immaculate roads, green fields and some well-built houses kitted out with mod-cons, this village is great also due to its forbiddance towards open defecation, tobacco, deforestation, grazing, alcohol consumption etc. And with each passing year, the village keeps on thriving to become better and better. Also Read: 10 Super Cool Villages Every Indian Will Be Proud Of The Beginning Of A Revolution It was in 1989 when Popatrao Pawar was unanimously elected as a village head (sarpanch). And since then, theres been no looking back for this village and its success. Primarily, Pawar prioritized ending the menace of smoking and inebriation by shutting down all the illicit liquor stores in the village. Then, he followed this by a ban on liquor and tobacco consumption. Next, as the village barely receives a scant amount of rainfall every year, it became necessary to sort its water requirements. Taking this into account, Pawar arranged for a loan and began a rainwater harvesting, watershed conservation and management program in the village. With the help from the villagers as well as the state governments funds, he collectively established several water bodies, including 52 earthen bunds, 32 stone bunds, check dams, and percolation tanks to store rainwater. He even ensured that thousands of trees were planted as well. The progress kickstarted as the technique of watershed helped the villagers with irrigation and for harvesting different crops too! From having 90 wells back in the 1990s, this tiny village now has around 294 water wells. Within a few years, farming was back in full swing in this village and became the primary source of income for the villagers. Moreover, the village also rejected the use of water-intensive crops and alternatively focused more on pulses, vegetables, fruit, and flowers that require less water for growth. Even former Indian Batsman and Legend VVS Laxman had tweeted about the village in 2020. Popatrao Pawar, Sarpanch of Hiware Bazar transformed his village into a model green village. The village now has no BPL families,no alcohol consumption ,is nearly mosquito-free & was amongst the first open-defecation free villages in 1992. He has been recognised with a Padma Shri pic.twitter.com/RYXQkkYH8W VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 3, 2020 The Present Day Scenario & Achievements The villagers are now heavily focused on cattle farming. Back in the 20th century, about 33 gallons of milk was produced per day, whereas in the 21st century the growth has exponentially multiplied, with around 880 gallons being produced per day! In 1995, out of 182 families living in the village, 168 were registered below the poverty line (BPL), whereas today the number is down to zero. Other accomplishments by the village include-every home has a toilet, each house uses biogas, schools and a healthcare system have been built, electricity and water runs all across the village,etc. And that's not all! 3 women are reportedly on the 70-member panchayat (self-government system), and every second daughters marriage and education expenses are borne by the village itself! The village even boasts the Highest Per Capita Income in the country. The villagers here reportedly earn an average of Rs 30,000 every month, and out of the 235 families at present, 60 are millionaires! The Ideal Village & Highest Accolades The village also obtained the title of Ideal Village by the Maharashtra Government. Even our Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi honoured the outstanding work done by the village head as well as the villagers. Popatrao Pawar has even been appointed chairman of the Model Village Programme of Maharashtra, whose motive is to create 100 similar villages. Surely, there seem to be brighter days ahead! Also Read: Meet Padma Shri Ali Manikfan: Marine Researcher, Ecologist, All Without Any Formal Education Mr.Popatrao even received the prestigious Padma Shri award in November 2021 for social work, from President Kovind. President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Pawar Popatrao Bhaguji for Social Work. He is a farmer and sarpanch of Hiware Bazar panchayat in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. He is credited to have transformed it from an impoverished village into a model of development. pic.twitter.com/zvLmKvDWLN President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 8, 2021 For more of such interesting financial content, click here. Click here to download CRED. Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) has made it official: hes quitting Congress to take over former President Donald Trumps social media company. The 10-term right-wing lawmaker followed through Monday on his pledge to give up his seat even though he was in line for a shot to become chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Advertisement It has been the honor of my life to represent the people of Californias San Joaquin Valley for the last 19 years, Nunes said in a letter read on the floor of the House of Representatives. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) (Al Drago/AP) Nunes didnt explicitly mention his plans to lead the media venture, Trump Media & Technology Group, which announced his expected role last month. TMTG enjoyed a lucrative launch despite offering scant details about its business plans. Advertisement Ive been presented with a new opportunity to fight for the most important issues I believe in, Nunes said in his letter. Nunes resignation is effective Monday. It temporarily reduces the number of sitting members of Congress to 435 as a special election is still being held to replace Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), who died last year. Democrats hold a razor-thin edge. But with Nunes sidelined, they will be able to lose the votes of up to four lawmakers and still pass legislation, compared with just three as things now stand. Nunes was one of Trumps most outspoken loyalists in Congress. The scion of a dairy farming family from the agriculture-rich Central Valley, he unsuccessfully sued in an effort to silence social media wags who sought to needle him by posing as his mom or even his cow. Unusual loss trends in 2021 called on the property & casualty insurance industry to play its role as the economys financial first responder. A look back at the most extreme loss patterns of 2021 sets the stage for the insurance-related issues we expect to dominate the 2022 public policy agenda. Loss experienced in 2021 boil down into two mega-trends: violently volatile weather events and shockingly large liability awards. The magnitude of insurance losses from catastrophic weather and from gargantuan civil litigation awards is a clarion call for legislators, regulators, individuals, businesses and insurers to act to protect lives and property from avoidable loss. The loss experience of 2021 is pressuring insurers to respond in several ways. First, insurers are challenged to be creative and relevant, providing protection to individuals and businesses against risks new or larger than heretofore experienced. Second, insurers must improve in protecting their capital base against risks large enough to imperil balance sheets. To be sure, in 2021, largely as a result of Hurricane Ida, two Louisiana insurers and one Florida insurer failed, and a dozen more Florida insurers are on the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation watch list. Third, insurers must push back against tort trends contributing to outsized awards bearing no relation to damages sustained. Wild Weather Fluctuations Each of 2021s extreme weather events provided an education in disasters, either containing a new wrinkle, or shattering a prior record for heat, drought, destruction or timing. For example, prior to September 2021, most would not have believed that a hurricane (Ida) striking Louisiana could cause more deaths in New Jersey (30) than in Louisiana (26). And who could have imagined a tornado touching the ground for four hours as it traversed four states and 250 miles? Many parts of the country experienced temperature extremes. In February, winter storm Uri was responsible for 210 fatalities in Texas, where 69 percent of Texas population lost power, and 49 percent lacked water. The storm caused around $100 billion in financial losses. In early December, the temperature in Bismarck, North Dakota approached a balmy 60 degrees. That same city hit minus 24 on New Years Eve. Similarly, temperatures in Seattle and Bellingham spanned an enormous range, from a scorching near 110 degrees in June to minus 9 in December. There were wide fluctuations in precipitation as well, with regions swinging from crop-destroying bone-dry drought to violent atmospheric river precipitation. The end of 2021 was punctuated by a Colorado wildfire in a popular suburb of Boulder County, where it destroyed close to 1,000 homes. One tragic lesson from wildfires both early and late in the year is that the traditional understanding of the wildfire season spanning late summer into the fall has been upended. Wildfires are happening at all points in the calendar. Off the Charts Courtroom Awards R Street has written extensively on the nuclear verdicts phenomenon, wherein juries deliver awards to plaintiffs in the tens or hundreds of million dollars. This trend has become so pronounced that three of the largest such verdicts were not even included in our study because they were so recent. In December 2021, Ramsey v Landstar Ranger Inc. et al saw a Texas jury return a verdict of $730 million to the family of a 73-year old who perished in a truck accident. In October, another Texas jury returned a verdict of $352 million in a truck accident (Cruz v. Allied Aviation Fueling). But the case that broke all records was Melissa Dzion v. AJD Business Services and Kahkashan Carrier, Inc., in which a Florida jury returned a verdict of $1 billion. In all three of these record-breaking awards, the lions share was for punitive damages, intended to send a message to corporate defendants. The loss of life in two of these cases and the paraplegia in one are tragic, and they underscore the need for improved commercial vehicle driving safety. But a ten-figure damage award strikes one as over the top. How much is a billion dollars worth? To illustrate, in a 40-year working career, one would need to be compensated $25 million per year to reach a billion in lifetime earnings. At $125,000 per year, one would need to have an 8,000-year career to accumulate a billion in pre-retirement earnings. Looked at another way, the billion dollar Dzion case was tried in Nassau County, Florida, where 90,000 inhabitants contribute to the countys $2.4 billion GDP. Any way you look at it, a billion dollars is a lot of money. The Path Forward The tally of unusual and unusually destructive natural catastrophes in 2021 featured extreme disasters that qualitatively and quantitatively diverged from past events. This means that insurers and reinsurers need to exploit data and analytics to recalibrate models based on past patterns, which no longer characterize todays and tomorrows altered risk landscape. Insurers and reinsurers must also work in coalitions with legislators and regulators in states, municipalities and at the federal level to support loss mitigation initiatives. Benjamin Franklin, founder of the oldest continuously operating insurance company in the United States, famously quipped that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Dollars spent on loss prevention lead to lower insurance premiums, which send a market signal encouraging such behavior. Property insurers and their customers both benefit when common sense measures such as tighter building codes, restrictions on coastal construction and forest management are pursued. Ever-higher damage awards in civil litigation unfortunately send the wrong price signal to the market, as they encourage plaintiff attorneys, who earn 30 to 40 percent of successful awards in contingency fee arrangements, to elevate demands that reach to the sky. To stem this red tide, which leads to price inflation taxing all, advocacy at the state level must push back against abuses of the civil litigation system; such abuses only lead to business failures and rising costs passed on to the entire population. A company that owns and operates offices and apartment complexes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire agreed to pay $35,000 to a tenant in Nashua, New Hampshire, who was denied permission to keep an emotional support dog, federal prosecutors say. The John J. Flatley company was accused of violating the Fair Housing Act by refusing to accommodate the tenants disabilities of anxiety and depression, acting U.S. Attorney John Farley said Tuesday. Without admitting liability, the company agreed to pay the tenant $35,000, enact reasonable accommodation policies for its New Hampshire residential properties, and complete training about the housing act. An attorney for the company was not available for comment Tuesday about the consent decree. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New Hampshire Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. fueled opioid addiction in New York state, a jury found last Thursday, a setback for a company still facing thousands of other opioid-related lawsuits around the United States. The verdict, which followed a nearly six-month New York state court trial in a case brought by the state and two of its counties, does not include damages, which will be determined later. The jury deliberated more than eight days before reaching a verdict. Teva shares, which had been trading higher, fell more than 7 percentage points in New York following the decision. In afternoon trading they were down 40 cents, or 4.7%, at $8.03. New York Attorney General Letitia James called the outcome a significant day for the state and for every family and community torn apart by opioids. Jayne Conroy and Hunter Shkolnik, who represent Suffolk and Nassau counties respectively, also hailed it as a massive victory. In a statement, the company said: Teva Pharmaceuticals strongly disagrees with todays outcome and will prepare for a swift appeal as well as continue to pursue a mistrial. It said the state and counties presented no evidence of medically unnecessary prescriptions, suspicious or diverted orders. New York and the counties had accused the Israel-based drugmaker of engaging in misleading marketing practices that fueled opioid addiction in the state, including by pushing drugs for off-label use. They focused on Actiq and Fentora, cancer pain drugs made by Cephalon Inc, a company Teva bought in 2011, as well as generic opioids sold by Teva. ONE OF 3,300 LAWSUITS The New York lawsuit is one of more than 3,300 filed by state, local and Native American tribal governments across the country accusing drugmakers of minimizing the addictiveness of opioid pain medications, and distributors and pharmacies of ignoring red flags that they were being diverted into illegal channels. The judge in the case is still considering a request Teva made for a mistrial after a lawyer for the state cited an inaccurate statistic about opioid prescriptions in his closing argument. If the verdict stands, it could put pressure on Teva to reach a nationwide settlement with other states and local governments over opioid claims. The evidence at trial included a parody video made for a Cephalon sales meeting in 2006 in which the villain, Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers films, talks about promoting the drugs for non-cancer pain, and another video, based on a courtroom scene in the film A Few Good Men, in which a Cephalon employee tells a lawyer played by Tom Cruise that he cant handle the truth about what sales representatives need to do to meet quotas. Teva at trial attributed a surge in opioid prescriptions to a change in medical standards of care emphasizing pain treatment beginning in the 1990s. It also said that its opioid sales complied with federal and New York state regulations. The jury found the state partly to blame, assigning it 10% responsibility. U.S. officials have said that by 2019, the health crisis had led to nearly 500,000 opioid overdose deaths over two decades. More than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses during the 12-month period ending April 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report in November, a record driven in large part by deaths from opioids like fentanyl. Other defendants in the case settled before or during trial major pharmacies, distributors McKesson Corp. ,Endo International Plc and AbbVie Inc. AbbVies settlement, for $200 million, came at the very end of the trial, on the day of closing arguments. The settlement with J&J and the distributors was part of a nationwide deal worth up to $26 billion. Teva did not take part in that deal. Teva previously prevailed in a similar case when a California judge on Nov. 2 ruled that it and other drugmakers were not liable in a lawsuit brought by several counties in the state. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and had hoped to resolve a flood of lawsuits over the painkiller through a deal in which the companys former owners, the Sackler family, would pay $4.5 billion in exchange for immunity from future lawsuits. However, a federal judge on Dec. 17 scrapped the deal, a decision the company was expected to appeal. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Howard Goller) Topics New York Tokio Marine announced the appointment of Masahito Hirai as chief executive officer of Tokio Marine Asia Pte. Ltd. (TMA), its Asia regional headquarters, based in Singapore. He succeeds Noboru Yamagata, who had been interim CEO and will continue in his broader capacity as the managing executive officer of Tokio Marine Holdings Inc., in charge of Asia operations and a director on TMAs board. Hirai was most recently the deputy chief executive officer of Tokio Marines Malaysia general insurance operations, where he was deeply involved in strategic business planning, HR talent development and corporate management. Prior to his stint in Malaysia, Hirai also held key leadership positions in Tokio Marines entities in North America, Mexico and Brazil. As we continue to pursue profitable growth in the Asian markets, I am confident that Mr. Hirais global experience in managing operations in emerging and developing markets in Asia, North and South America will definitely provide the leadership required for the Asia region, commented Akira Harashima, chairman of the board of directors of TMA. Expanding our businesses in emerging markets remains as one of the biggest challenges for Tokio Marine Group, said Hirai. While anticipating a strong recovery from the pandemic environment in Asian economies, this presents opportunities for us to provide insurance solutions and innovative service through Tokio Marine Groups best practices to our customers, business partners and society in this region as we strive to deliver the best outcomes. Based in Singapore, TMA is an established regional headquarters and intermediate holding company. TMA oversees eight P/C Insurance companies and five life insurance companies in eight countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Philippines, Vietnam and Mayanmar. TMA is wholly owned by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. Ltd., its parent company headquartered in Japan. Source: Tokio Marine SRIPERUMBUDUR, India For women who assembled iPhones at a Foxconn plant in southern India, crowded dorms without flush toilets and food sometimes crawling with worms were problems to be endured for the paycheck. But when tainted food sickened over 250 of the workers their anger boiled over, culminating in a rare protest that shut down a plant where 17,000 had been working. Apple Puts India iPhone Supplier, Foxconn, on Probation for Labor Violations A close look by Reuters at the events before and after the Dec. 17 protest casts a stark light on living and working conditions at Foxconn, a firm central to Apples supply chain. The tumult comes at a time when Apple is ramping up production of its iPhone 13 and shareholders are pushing the company to provide greater transparency about labor conditions at suppliers. Reuters spoke to six women who worked at the Foxconn plant near Chennai. All of them requested they not to be named because of fear of retaliation on the job or from police. Workers slept on the floor in rooms, which housed between six to 30 women, five of these workers said. Two workers said the hostel they lived in had toilets without running water. People living in the hostels always had some illness or the other skin allergies, chest pain, food poisoning, another worker, a 21-year-old woman who quit the plant after the protest, told Reuters. Earlier food poisoning cases had involved one or two workers, she said. We didnt make a big deal out of it because we thought it will be fixed. But now, it affected a lot of people, she said. Foxconn Plant on Probation Apple and Foxconn said on Wednesday [Dec. 29] they found that some dormitories and dining rooms used for employees at the factory did not meet required standards. The facility has been placed on probation and Apple will ensure its strict standards are met before the plant reopens, an Apple spokesperson said. We found that some of the remote dormitory accommodations and dining rooms being used for employees do not meet our requirements and we are working with the supplier to ensure a comprehensive set of corrective actions are rapidly implemented. The spokesperson did not elaborate on the improvements that would be made for workers at the plant or the standards that would be applied. Laws governing housing for women workers in Tamil Nadu mandate each person be allocated at least 120 square feet of living space and require housing to adhere to hygiene and fire safety standards as laid out by local authorities. Foxconn said it was restructuring its local management team and taking immediate steps to improve facilities. All employees would continue to be paid while it makes necessary improvements to restart operations, the company said. Venpa Staffing Services, a Foxconn contractor that runs the dorm where workers were sickened by food poisoning, declined to comment. The food poisoning and subsequent protests have also led to investigations, some of which are ongoing, by at least four Tamil Nadu state agencies. Officials have also privately told Foxconn to ensure better conditions, senior state government officials said. It is Foxconns responsibility, Thangam Thennarasu, the industries minister of Tamil Nadu state told Reuters. The Tamil Nadu state government said in a statement last week that the state had asked Foxconn to ensure that working and living conditions were improved, including the quality of housing and drinking water. Foxconn has agreed to ensure that worker living conditions follow government recommendations and meet legal requirements, the statement said. Apple and Foxconn did not indicate when the plant would reopen. Foxconn had told state officials that it had ramped up production too quickly, though production was curtailed during April and May when the Delta variant of COVID-19 was raging in India, a senior government official from the states industries department told Reuters. Taiwan-based Foxconn opened the plant in 2019 with the promise of creating up to 25,000 jobs, a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India campaign to create manufacturing jobs. Sriperumbudur, a town outside Chennai where the factory is situated, is a busy industrial area with factories that make Samsung and Daimler products nearby. The factory is central to Apples efforts to shift production away from China due to tensions between Beijing and Washington. Reuters reported last year that Foxconn planned to invest up to $1 billion in the plant over three years. Foxconn contracts out the staffing of the factory to labor brokers, who are also responsible for housing the workers mostly women employed there. Rats and Poor Drainage Following the protests, food safety inspectors visited the hostel where the bout of food poisoning occurred and closed the dorms kitchen after finding rats and poor drainage, Jegadish Chandra Bose, a senior food safety officer in the Thiruvallur district where the hostel is located, told Reuters. The samples analyzed did not meet the required safety standards, he said. The women who work at the Foxconn plant make the equivalent of about $140 (10,500 Indian rupees) in a month and pay Foxconns contractor for housing and food while they work at the plant. Most workers are between 18 and 22 and come from rural areas of Tamil Nadu, the head of a women workers union said. The monthly pay at the plant is more than a third higher than the minimum wage for such jobs, according to state government guidelines. The 21-year-old worker who quit following the protest, told Reuters that her parents are farmers growing rice and sugarcane. She said she looked for a city job like many others in her village and considered the Foxconn wages good. Several activists and academics said women recruited from farming villages to work in Sriperumbudurs factories are seen by employers as less likely to unionize or demonstrate, a factor that made the protests at the Foxconn factory which isnt unionized even more notable. V. Gajendran, assistant professor at Madras School of Social Work in Chennai, said women recruited to work in nearby factories typically come from larger, poor, rural families, which exposes them to exploitation and reduces their ability to unionize and fight for their rights. We Were Alarmed The food poisoning incident sent 159 women from one dorm to hospital on Dec 15, workers told Reuters. Some 100 more women needed medical attention but were not hospitalized, the Thiruvallur district administration said last week. A rumor later proved to be false circulated that some of the women who had fallen sick had died. When some sick workers failed to show up for work at the factory two days later, others staged a protest when shifts were changing. We were alarmed and we talked among each other in the hostel and decided to protest. There was no one leader, one of the workers told Reuters. On Dec. 17, about 2,000 women from the nearby Foxconn hostels took to the streets, blocking a key highway near the factory, the district administration said. Male workers, including some from a nearby auto factory, joined a renewed protest the next day, the Foxconn workers Reuters spoke to said. Police responded to the larger, second protest by striking the male workers and then chasing and striking some of the women involved, two workers and Sujata Mody, a local union leader who had interviewed workers told Reuters. Police detained 67 women workers and a local journalist, confiscated their phones, and called their parents with a warning to get their daughters in line, three of those detained, local union leaders, and a lawyer who was trying to help those detained told Reuters. Reuters could not independently confirm the descriptions of the police response. M Sudhakar, the top police official in Kancheepuram district, denied that protesters were beaten, phones were confiscated, or that workers were intimidated by police. We strictly adhered to guidelines and respected the rights of those who were detained. All rules were followed, he told Reuters. K. Mohan, a village-level administrator who went to the hostel where the food poisoning incident occurred to investigate living conditions on Dec 16, found no safeguards to prevent COVID-19 infections, he told police in testimony reviewed by Reuters. I went to that place to investigate since there is a chance that this place could become a COVID cluster, Mohan told police. The women were made to stay in the hostel where no coronavirus guidelines were being followed. The unrest at Foxconn was the second involving an Apple supplier in India in a year. In December 2020, thousands of contract workers at a factory owned by Wistron Corp destroyed equipment and vehicles over the alleged non-payment of wages, causing estimated damage of $60 million. Apple had then said it placed Wistron on probation and that it would not award the Taiwanese contract manufacturer new business until it addressed the way workers were treated at the plant. At the time, Wistron said it had worked to raise standards and fix issues at the factory, including the payroll systems. Wistron restarted operations at the plant earlier this year. Apple had no immediate comment on Wistrons status when asked by Reuters. ($1=74.53 rupees) (Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan, A. Ananthalakshmi, and Ahmed Farhatha in Sriperumbudur; additional reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco, Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles, Chandini Monnappa and Sethuraman N R in Bengaluru and Rupam Nair in New Delhi; editing by Sayantani Ghosh and Kevin Krolicki) Topics Civil Unrest The Biden administration wants to keep kids in school, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said on Sunday, adding theyve suffered enough in the pandemic. Cardona predicted some bumps in the road amid the omicron variant spike but defended the federal test-to-stay protocol in which students who test positive for coronavirus can stay in school if they are regularly tested afterwards. Advertisement Our expectation is for schools to be open full time for students,for in-person learning, Cardona told Fox News Sunday. We remember the impact of school closures on students last year. Schools should be considering strategies to test students with coronavirus symptoms in school, he said. Advertisement Keeping them in school is critical for them, for a community, for our communities, for our parents, he said. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) The White House has come under criticism for a nationwide shortage of COVID tests, but Cardona pointed to $10 billion in funding designated for tests from the American Rescue Plan of 2021. Staffing issues could pose a problem this week as students return to the classroom following their winter break, he said. Superintendents who are working really hard across the country are getting calls saying that some of their schools may have 5% to 10% of their staff not available, Cardona said. So any decisions on very short-term or emergency closures are most likely based off of staffing issues and, ultimately, those are safety issues when you dont have adequate staff, he said. But the goal is full-time in-person learning for our students. Theyve suffered enough, he added. Yemens Houthi fighters hijacked a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Yemen on Sunday night, according to a Saudi Arabia-led military coalition thats battling the rebel force. The vessel, Rawabi, was carrying supplies used to operate a Saudi hospital on the island of Socotra, and was sailing near the Red Sea port city of Hodeida when it was attacked, the coalition said in a statement on Monday. The coalition demanded that the fighters immediately release the ship and threatened to use force if they didnt. Houthi armed forces spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that their fighters had captured a military cargo ship carrying weapons after it entered Yemen territory without permission. The Houthis have been fighting Yemens United Nations-recognized government since 2014. A Saudi Arabian-led coalition intervened the following year with a bombing campaign, on the side of the government. The UN has called the conflict in which tens of thousands of people have died the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Trucking ASML Holding NV on Monday said there has been a fire at a factory it owns in Berlin, Germany, adding that no one was injured and that it is too early to assess the impact on its operations. ASML, a key equipment supplier to all major computer chip manufacturers, is currently operating at full capacity due to the global semiconductor shortage. Any shipment delays would impact customers who are trying to expand capacity. The factory, the former Berliner Glas, makes components for ASMLs lithography systems, large machines which are used to create the circuitry of computer chips. Berliner Glas makes equipment including wafer tables, reticle chucks and mirror blocks, ASML said in a statement. At this point it is too early to make any statement on the damage or whether the incident will have any impact on the output plan for this year, ASML said, adding that it would take several days to assess the damage and it would update markets as soon as it can. ASML acquired Berliner Glas, one of its former suppliers, in 2020 for an undisclosed sum. The company had sales of 230 million euros ($261 million). Shares, which had been trading about 1% higher until the news was announced, were down about 0.3% at 704.4 euros at 1349 GMT. ($1 = 0.8812 euros) (Reporting by Toby Sterling; editing by David Goodman, Kirsten Donovan) Topics Manufacturing A New Years Day explosion and fire leveled one Minneapolis garage, set another one ablaze and sent a man to the hospital with serious injuries. The Star Tribune reports that Just after 11 a.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to reports of an explosion at 1070 SE. 13th Avenue. They found one garage fully ablaze from an apparent explosion and the neighboring garage also on fire. A man, conscious but somewhat incoherent with burn injuries, was found in the back of his pickup parked near the debris of the garage that exploded, according to a statement from the Minneapolis Fire Department. Paramedics transported the victim to the hospital, where he was listed in serious condition, the fire department said. Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker said crews were able to extinguish the fires in both garages with only minimal damage to nearby homes. Maybe some siding melted a little from the heat, she said. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Minnesota Morgan Stanley has filed for court approval of a $60 million settlement of a class action stemming from two data breaches in July 2020 that the complaint alleges compromised the information of 15 million of the investment banks customers. The plaintiffs have alleged that the data breach happened because in 2016 and 2019, Morgan Stanley failed to properly dispose of retired information technology equipment containing the personal information of current and former clients. This unencrypted equipment was then re-sold, without being properly wiped of data to unauthorized third parties. In offering the settlement, Morgan Stanley has denied liability. The settlement proposal was filed in the U.S. district court in Manhattan on Dec. 31. It requires approval by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres. The parties had initially notified the court on Nov. 3, 2021 that a settlement had been reached in principle. Morgan Stanley first learned of the 2016 data security incident in October 2017, when it was contacted by a third party who said he had bought used IT equipment from an internet vendor and had access to Morgan Stanley data. Morgan Stanley began distributing notice letters to affected clients in July 2020. The company previously agreed to pay a $60 million fine the same amount as this class action proposal to settle a class action suit by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency that claimed the banks data security practices were not safe. Morgan Stanley said it will also separately bear the $7 million costs of notice and administration. The $60 million fund will be used to provide class members access to at least 24 months of fraud insurance services as an automatic benefit, without the need to file a claim. Additionally, every class member will have the opportunity to make a claim for up to $10,000 in reimbursement for out-of-pocket losses, as well as up to four hours in attested lost time at $25 per hour. Additional compensation for lost time, if documented, can also be claimed The case is Tillman et al v. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, 20-cv-5914, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). Topics Cyber Claims Two women have sued the operator of a Louisiana salt mine where a roof collapse killed their husbands a year ago. Genee Romero and Alexandra Patin said in nearly identical lawsuits that Cargill Inc. officials and supervisors ignored both the danger and at least one workers warning that a collapse was close, the Lafayette Daily Advertiser reported. Rene Romero Jr., 41, and Lance Begnaud, 27, died Dec. 14, 2020, in a failed attempt to hurriedly and unsafely preserve profitable salt mining operations at the mine, according to the suits filed in state court in Iberia Parish. They claim the men were in an area barricaded because of previous roof collapses and torrential water leakage, KLFY-TV reported. The two were among 18 workers in the mine on Avery Island, where Tabasco sauce is made. The company that makes the popular hot sauce leased the mine to Cargill. Hot sauce company spokeswoman Jennifer Mestayer said she could not comment because she had no information about the alleged incident. Cargill cannot comment on pending litigation but is cooperating with the Mine Safety and Health Administrations investigation, spokesman Daniel Sullivan said in an email to The Associated Press. We continue to be heartbroken by last years tragic accident that resulted in the death of two employees at our Avery mining facility, he wrote. Cargill closed the mine immediately for rescue work and closed it permanently six weeks after the collapse. The company said at the time that it was already planning to shut down the mine, which had 200 employees, when its lease ran out at the end of 2020. The lawsuits are on behalf of the women and their children _ three daughters of Patin and Begnaud, one daughter of the Romeros. They are asking damages for loss of companionship and support and suffered anxiety and grief. Patin and two of her daughters and Romero and her daughter also claim they are due bystander damages after waiting at the scene during rescue and recovery efforts. Louisiana law bars specifying a dollar amount in most lawsuits for damages. A preliminary report from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said Romero and Begnaud were drilling to stop a water leak when the roof collapsed near a fault in the rock. The agency had cited the mine 50 times in 2020 for safety violations, The Advocate reported shortly after the accident. Louisianas salt deposits are in salt domes _ columns that rise for miles (kilometers) from larger deposits deep underground, emerging like islands in surrounding wetlands. In 1980, a drilling rig punched into a mine under Lake Peigneur, about 7 miles (11 kilometers) northwest of Avery Island, flooding the mine. The 50 men in the mine and seven on the rig all escaped safely. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Louisiana Mining New Florida laws and regulations that govern insurance matters took effect Sunday. Some are minor changes to existing laws, but others could affect insurers and agents for years to come. Heres a look at some of the new requirements. Data Call Senate Bill 76 was the major piece of property insurance reform legislation that was passed by the Florida Legislature in 2021. Most of the bill, which seeks to limit claims litigation, took effect last summer. But one significant section kicked in Jan. 1. Starting this week, all residential property insurers must start collecting data for annual reports to be filed with the state Office of Insurance Regulation, about closed claims. The reports must provide two dozen data points, including claim number, policy type, location, names of repair vendors, public adjusters, claimants attorney, and amounts paid out, including attorney fees. The idea is to provide regulators with more data that can be used to track claims litigation and costs. But while insurers must start collecting the data this week, information about the forms, templates and electronic format insurers should use to file the data has yet to be produced. The OIR on Oct. 29 posted a notice of rule development regarding the reporting forms. It gave little information but said if deemed necessary, a workshop will be held. As of late last week, though, no workshop date had been published in the Florida Administrative Register. A delay in the forms and format could cause some headaches for insurance carriers, some industry analysts said. A spokeswoman for the insurance office said the information will be provided when updates become available. Notice to Policyholders SB 1598, another property insurance reform measure passed in 2021, includes a section that affects insurers, adjusters and agents in 2022. Starting Jan. 1, insurance agents can go directly to the surplus lines market to place some types of property policies, and they have to inform the policyholder in writing, according to the statute. Starting Saturday, agents need to provide the insured with this statement: You are agreeing to place coverage in the surplus lines market. Coverage may be available in the admitted market. Persons insured by surplus lines carriers are not protected under the Florida Insurance Guaranty Act with respect to any right of recovery for the obligation of an insolvent unlicensed insurer. Some have said that the change will result in more competition in Floridas distressed market from the lightly regulated surplus lines carriers. Also starting this week, the law requires insurers to notify consumers if their credit reports or credit scores are being requested for underwriting purposes. This notice must be included: The Department of Financial Services offers free financial literacy programs to assist you with insurance-related questions, including how credit works and how credit scores are calculated. To learn more, visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com. Insurance companies that make adverse decisions on coverage must provide a copy of the credit report at no charge to the consumer or provide contact information about the credit reporting service, the law reads. The statute also now gives insurers 14 days, instead of 10, after receiving a proof-of-loss statement, to begin investigating a claim. Insurance company adjusters must also provide the property owner with their state adjuster license numbers, and insurers must keep a record of adjusters who communicate with the insured. When providing partial payment on a claim, the insurer must now provide a written statement that the claim is still being evaluated. SB 1598 also makes it clear that interest payments are due when an insurance company fails to pay the full settlement of the claim or an undisputed portion of the claim within 90 days after the claim is filed. Continuing Education for Agents Starting Jan. 1, HB 1209 revises the number of continuing education hours for most insurance agents. The update course needed every two years, for example, will be four hours instead of five, the law reads. Insurance Requirements for Car-Sharing Senate Bill 566 now requires people who participate in peer-to-peer car-sharing programs, including owners and rental drivers, to carry at least the minimum amount of auto insurance. We are mirroring what is required by Enterprise or Alamo and the other ones, Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, said during debate on the bill last spring, according to news reports. The Tennessee General Assembly adopted a similar measure, which also takes effect Saturday. Workers Comp Rate Decrease Most Florida employers will see lower workers compensation premiums on new and renewing policies starting in January, after the state Office of Insurance Regulation approved a 4.9% average rate decrease. Its the sixth straight rate decrease for Florida. Topics Carriers Florida Claims Excess Surplus Data Driven An independent adjuster who helped Central Kentucky tobacco farmers file millions of dollars in fraudulent crop insurance claims is the latest member of a fraud ring to face prison time for the scheme. Timothy Douglas Snedegar, 65, of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, was sentenced last week to three years in prison. He must also pay almost $2.3 million in restitution, a federal judge decided, according to local news reports and court records. Snedegar is one of more than three dozen people, including farmers and insurance agents, who were charged in the scheme that claimed hail damage to tobacco crops in 2012 through 2015, prosecutors said. The adjuster admitted that he used photographs of damage from other fields and took kickbacks from agents, then filed dozens of claims with insurance carriers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. His plea agreement can be seen here. Michael NcNew, 51, a former adjuster and insurance agent, was sentenced in September to seven years in prison. The court also has required him to repay several millions of dollars to the Department of Agriculture and to ArmTech Insurance Services. Roger Wilson, 88, former owner of a tobacco warehouse, also was sentenced to 12 months in prison and must pay restitution, according to news reports. He reportedly purchased low-quality tobacco and let farmers use it when their tobacco was graded, in order to justify an insurance claim, and provided fake sales receipts and shipping reports, prosecutors said. A farmer, 62-year-old Earl Lee Planck Jr., of Carlisle, in mid-December was sentenced to four years in prison and restitution. Prosecutors called it a staggering amount of fraud. This is a crime of greed, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn M. Anderson and Erin Roth said in a sentencing memorandum. Crop insurance fraud in Central Kentucky has been a severe and pervasive scourge on a program designed to benefit the very people who are taking advantage of it, with Planck serving as its most prolific offender. Topics Fraud Agribusiness Kentucky Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked a massive fire in a suburban area near Denver that burned neighborhoods to the ground and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and other buildings. Three people are missing following the inferno that broke out Thursday. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said Saturday authorities were pursuing a number of tips and had executed a search warrant at one particular location. He declined to give details. A sheriffs official who declined to provide his name confirmed one property was under investigation in Boulder Countys Marshall Mesa area, a region of open grassland about 2 miles west of Superior. A National Guard Humvee blocked access to the property, which was only one of several under investigation, the official said. Utility officials found no downed power lines around where the fire broke out in the area located between Denver and Boulder. The wildfire came unusually late in the year, following an extremely dry fall and amid a winter nearly devoid of snow, conditions experts say certainly helped the fire spread. At least 991 homes and other buildings were destroyed, Pelle said: 553 in Louisville, 332 in Superior and 106 in unincorporated parts of the county. Hundreds more were damaged. Pelle cautioned that the tally from the wind-whipped wildfire is not final. The totals include destroyed barns, outbuildings and other structures, but the vast majority were homes, Boulder County spokesperson Jennifer Churchill said late Saturday. Authorities had said earlier no one was missing. But Churchill said that was due to confusion inherent when agencies are scrambling to manage an emergency. Pelle said officials were organizing cadaver teams to search for the missing in the Superior area and in unincorporated Boulder County. The task is complicated by debris from destroyed structures, covered by 8 inches of snow dumped by a storm overnight, he said. At least seven people were injured in the wildfire that erupted in and around Louisville and Superior, the neighboring towns about 20 miles northwest of Denver with a combined population of 34,000. The blaze, which burned at least 9.4 square miles, was no longer considered an immediate threat, especially with the overnight dumping of snow and frigid temperatures Saturday. The snow and temperatures in the single digits cast an eerie scene amid still-smoldering remains of homes. Despite the shocking change in weather, the smell of smoke still permeated empty streets blocked off by National Guard troops in Humvees. The conditions compounded the misery of residents who started off the new year trying to salvage what remained of their homes. Utility crews struggled to restore electricity and gas service to homes that survived, and dozens of people lined up to get donated space heaters, bottled water and blankets at Red Cross shelters. Xcel Energy urged other residents to use fireplaces and wood stoves to stay warm and keep their pipes at home from freezing. Families filled a long line of cars waiting to pick up space heaters and bottled water at a Salvation Army distribution center at the YMCA in Lafayette, just north of Superior. Monarch High School seniors Noah Sarasin and his twin brother Gavin had been volunteering at that location for two days, directing traffic and distributing donations. We have a house, no heat but we still have a house, Noah Sarasin said. I just want to make sure that everyone else has heat on this very cold day. Hilary and Patrick Wallace picked up two heaters, then ordered two hot chocolate mochas at a nearby cafe. The Superior couple couldnt find a hotel and were contemplating hiking 2 miles back to their home; their neighborhood was still blocked off to traffic. The family slept in one room on New Years Eve. Both teared up when a man entered the shop and joked aloud that hed lost his coffee mugs and everything else in the fire. The man was in good spirits, laughing at the irony of the situation. I have a space heater and a house to put it in. I dont even know what to say to them, Hilary said, wiping away a tear. Superior resident Jeff Markley arrived in his truck to pick up a heater. He said he felt lucky to be just displaced since his home is intact. Were making do, staying with friends, and upbeat for the new year. Gotta be better than this last one, Markley said. Not everyone felt as positive. Its bittersweet because we have our house, but our friends dont. And our neighbors dont, said Louisville resident Judy Givens as she picked up a heater with her husband. We thought 2022 might be better. And then we had omicron. And now we have this, and its not starting out very well. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Colorado Hundreds of unvaccinated employees who work at public colleges and universities in Nevada were fired Friday, a day after state Board of Regents voted to keep a staff vaccine mandate in effect, officials said. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents on Thursday deadlocked 6-6 on a measure to repeal the staff vaccine mandate and then rejected a measure to push the effective termination date back two weeks. Without majority support for a repeal, the mandate which Gov. Steve Sisolak and the Nevada Faculty Alliance support remained in effect. Employees who did not provide proof of vaccination by Friday faced termination. Higher education officials said Friday that 379 employees were being terminated, 188 attribution employees ended their contracts and 18 more voluntarily resigned. Employees who are fired can seek reinstatement if they show proof of vaccination in January, regents said. The pandemic has underscored the importance of delivering a safe and effective in-person educational experience for our students and the vaccine will help our institutions achieve that goal, Regent Amy Carvalho said in a statement. With the staff mandate remaining in effect, universities are set to begin the semester with a mandate on staff and without one on students. Last week, an emergency mandate imposed on students by the state Board of Health expired and a state legislative panel on a 6-6 vote decided against making it permanent. Regents in support of the mandate said it was the best way to maintain health on campuses, while those opposed said it was unfair to impose a mandate on staff but not on students. The decision to uphold the mandate arrives as the spread of COVID-19 accelerates in Nevada. In the Las Vegas area where preparations were underway to host thousands of tourists on New Years Eve officials on Friday said 3,363 new cases had been reported a day earlier. The spike broke the Southern Nevada Health Districts previous record for the most cases reported in a single day. Kyra Morgan, Nevadas state biostatistician, said Thursday that sequencing test samples suggested at least one-fourth of new cases were the omicron variant, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. The 14-day moving average for cases statewide stood at 1,072 as of Wednesday, the latest average available, down from 1,114 on Tuesday. The cases reported daily as measured by a 14-day moving average had remained below 1,000 since the end of September, after dropping to a low of 150 in early June and then rising to 1,184 in mid-August. Though Morgan warned about the contagious nature of the variant and the lack of restrictions that businesses were subject to at this time last year, DuAne Young, Sisolaks policy director, said that Nevada would remain focused on staying open while also prioritizing safety. Young highlighted vaccination prevention efforts and pre-empted criticism that may accompany images of raucous celebrations amid a variant-fueled surge. Its not business as usual in Nevada, Young told the Las Vegas Sun. Normally, with past New Years Eve celebrations, it would be a much bigger gathering than what were expecting. They expect the surge underway to increase the 14-day average in the coming weeks. Associated Press writer Scott Sonner contributed reporting from Reno. Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. (The Center Square) Twenty-two months into the COVID-19 pandemic, some schools and colleges say they will shift to virtual learning amid an increase in COVID-19 cases, which will affect more than 100,000 students. Detroit Free Press reporter Sally Tato tweeted a list of schools with delayed schedules or shifting to virtual learning briefly (estimated student population added): Ann Arbor Schools (18,000) Lansing schools (10,000) Detroit Public Schools (50,000) Pontiac schools (4,000) Southfield schools (1,400) Oak Park schools (4,400) Flint schools (3,750) Hamtramck schools (1,000) River Rouge schools (2,400) Some colleges are delaying schedules or switching to virtual learning as well, including Michigan State, Eastern Michigan, Wayne State, and Oakland University. Michigan State will start classes on Jan. 10 remotely for at least three weeks, MSU President Samuel L. Stanley wrote in an email to students. Given this intense surge in cases, we now feel the best decision for our campus is to start classes primarily remotely on Jan. 10 and for at least the first three weeks of the semester, Stanley wrote. For those who were planning to move back to our residence halls next week, they will still be open and available. The wave of closure reacts to an increased caseload of COVID-19, possibly driven by the omicron variant of COVID-19. The K-12 schools mostly say they plan to return to in-person learning within a week. Still, that prompts memories of Michigan leaders' broken promises since 2020 that they would shut down economic activity for 15 days to slow the spread, which subsequently stretched into year-long restrictions. Moreover, 2021 statewide assessments of virtual learning showed declines in the number of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards compared to 2019 after a year of virtual education and disruptions from COVID-19. The percentage of proficient students dropped in nearly every category. The school delays and switch to virtual learning are struggles for parents trying to return to the workforce, employers trying to fill jobs that otherwise leave restaurants closed, and flights delayed at Detroit Metro Airport. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is updating its general public quarantine guidance to reflect Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. The CDC recommendations reduced quarantine to five days plus five more days of masking around others for the asymptomatic or those with resolving symptoms. Still, MDHHS said it hasnt changed the current guidance recommendations for congregate settings, early childcare, or K-12 settings. We have safe and effective tools for preventing the spread of COVID-19, Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said in a statement. Getting vaccinated continues to be the best protection against severe illness and hospitalization, and we urge all Michiganders over age 5 to get vaccinated as soon as possible. These most recent updates to the quarantine and isolation guidelines are a reflection on our progress as we learn more about COVID but we are not in the clear as variants like omicron continue to create new challenges in the fight to end this pandemic. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) vowed to jump-start the push for new voting rights protections over the objections of Republicans by Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 17. Despite the objection of at least two Democratic moderates, Schumer said in a New Years Dear Colleague letter on Monday that he would push fellow lawmakers to tweak the filibuster rule to allow passage of voting rights with a simple majority vote. Advertisement We hope our Republican colleagues change course and work with us. But if they do not, the Senate will debate and consider changes to Senate rules ... to protect the foundation of our democracy: free and fair elections. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) All 50 Democratic senators and at least one Republican support new voting rights laws, which would make it much more difficult for GOP-run states to make it more difficult to vote, especially for Black and Latino voters. Advertisement But Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) oppose changing the filibuster rule that effectively requires a 60-vote supermajority to pass most legislation. Schumer noted that the Senate already changed its rules to allow simple majorities to pass budgets and to confirm federal court and cabinet appointments We must adapt. The Senate must evolve, like it has many times before, Schumer wrote. The Senate was designed to evolve and has evolved many times in our history. Activists rally for voting rights and DC statehood as they block traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue SE in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images) In a new twist on the argument, Schumer railed against GOP states that are passing voting restrictions with simple majorities in state legislatures, while the Senate is effectively barred from acting without a virtually unattainable 60-vote supermajority. Schumer pointed to the anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol as a justification for the need to push new voting protections through a divided Congress. He said former President Trumps Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him has only become more potent in the 12 months since his extremist supporters stormed the Capitol. The powerful Senate leader blamed GOP leaders for abusing their power to enact new restrictions on voting and to replace non-partisan election officials with Trump loyalists. The true aim couldnt be more clear, he wrote. They want to unwind the progress of our Union, restrict access to the ballot, silence the voices of millions of voters, and undermine free and fair elections. It was a homecoming of sorts for a woman best known to many present as Vicky Kelly. Having spent much of the end of the past year in America undergoing treatment for her cervical cancer, Vicky Phelan returned to her native Mooncoin on Sunday for a gathering in the local parish hall with her family and friends. It was long delayed due to the pandemic, but organisers decided to push ahead amid rising cases with limited capacity in the spacious hall, where a specially commissioned painting of Phelan's life was unveiled. A portrait of an activist thread... Back home in Limerick after a magical couple of days down home in Mooncoin with my family culminating with the unveiling (FINALLY!!!) of my portrait by the seriously talented artist, @vincent_devine & bought at auction by... 1/8 pic.twitter.com/xdGRhvpVOa Vicky Phelan (@PhelanVicky) January 2, 2022 "It's the nicest thing," she tells the hall, "Im just sorry about f*cking Covid." It's one thing being in the High Court and taking to the Late Late studio, but when going front and centre in front of her home parish, Phelan admits the initial feeling was one of nervousness. "But you know what, no, the people of the parish and Moocoin have been very good to me over the years. When I had my car accident in France I was only 19 and needed an operation, Mam and Dad wouldn't have had the money and there was an awful lot rehabilitation. "People in Mooncoin rallied together and raised funds to get me going and bring me back from France. It was always important to return that." She had been a regular before the pandemic, attending her old secondary school Mooncoin Vocational, and receiving a doctorate from her workplace, Waterford Institute of Technology. For some in Mooncoin, it was a chance to see again someone for whom they had been keeping candles flickering throughout her battles in recent years. "Everybody's conscious of the fact that she was a neighbour that wasn't well," says Mary O'Hara. "We'd be calling to the house to her mother." Ena Laffan, another neighbour who had been "keeping the candles going", found the gathering "very emotional". "I could have cried," she says. That's what lovely about coming from someplace small," Phelan says. "Every time I see my mother, it's so-and-so is asking for you, so-and-so is lighting a candle for you. It's lovely - how could you not take comfort from that?" Bernard Keane, who grew up around the corner from her in the village's Comeragh View housing estate, says friends had mainly kept track of her life "through the newspapers", ahead of the occasional catch-up when she'd visit her parents John and Gaby. "What you see is what you get with Vicky, it's the way she is. Seeing the portrait, there was a lot than you'd never think or ever expect." The day was also in tribute to another member of the "gang of us in school in the old tech up the road", says Phelan. Nicola Kinsella had four young children and died within a year of her cancer diagnosis, she says. "It was very hard for her family and for the parish." It was the first time many got to see the impressive painting in person. Artist Vincent Devine wanted to capture Phelan's life through symbolism spread across the 3m by 1.5m frame. It was purchased by lifelong friend David Brennan, who "partly grew up in the Kelly household", and is considered another brother by Phelan and her siblings. Phelan is a friend and an inspiration, he says. "It's a homecoming, getting to bring Vincent's painting to Mooncoin and allowing the parish to understand the story behind Vicky, and a way for everyone to catch up." The painting will now go to Waterford's Solas Centre for cancer support as part of Cervical Cancer Month. There are plans to bring it to Limerick then, before returning it to Mooncoin. For her father John Kelly, the day brought solace to the family and friends around the parish, who got to come together at last to celebrate Vicky and witness the portrait. "She's a tough cookie, she keeps coming back. The only aunt I've left, she's 98, Josie Power. I brought her down last week (to see Vicky) and she said: 'Your eyes are very bright' - and she's right. There's something special about her." Cork County Council is seeking support from a number of government departments and State agencies to ensure adequate services are provided in a town where rapid population growth is putting 'unbelievable pressure' on the voluntary sector. In 2002 the population of Carrigtwohill stood at just 1,411 but it is projected to rise to nearly 10,000 in 2028, by the end of the latest County Development Plan, and to around 12,000 in 2031. Carrigtwohill was a largely agricultural, monocultural community, but today it has grown to become a multicultural community of 6,000 people in part of the Cork rail commuter belt. It already boasts more than 50 different nationalities amongst its residents. The population projections for 2031 may not be achieved, but anything close to this will put unbelievable pressure on the voluntary sector in the local community, Carrigtwohill-based Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry said. The challenge to absorb this growth cannot be overstated and the quest to achieve environmental sustainability should not compromise community and societal sustainability. Mr Barry told council colleagues and officials it's completely ridiculous the level of high-density development planned for Carrigtwohill as there is nothing else like it outside of metropolitan Dublin. Even in the midst of this housing crisis, one apartment block lay unfinished for 12 years and is only now being completed, Mr Barry said. "The demand and cost of deliverability of this type of development is definitely questionable in Carrigtwohill as Irish people have a serious issue with apartment living outside of the major cities." Infrastructure 'under extreme pressure' The councillor pointed out that the existing amenity infrastructure is pretty much the same as it was 20 years ago, and is now under extreme pressure to deliver an acceptable level of service for the ever-growing community. This level of rapid population growth will put enormous pressure on the community spirit which Carrigtwohill is famous for and resulted in Carrigtwohill winning the Pride of Place competition in 2017, he said: Community volunteers are the lifeblood of a community and Carrigtwohill is very fortunate in this regard. However, without serious support for these wonderful people, burnout will result. Without their support and involvement, community life would inevitably collapse. Mr Barry said the delivery of basic and critical community infrastructure in tandem with population growth is essential in ensuring Carrigtwohill's sustainability going forward. However, past experiences, particularly with the Department of Education does not instil confidence that this support will be forthcoming as Carrigtwohill is still waiting on the delivery of a school campus that was promised several years ago, he said. "Health services will also be vitally important as even the simple process of accessing GP care for new residents is proving quite problematic." 'No plans' for basic services Mr Barry pointed out that there are no definite plans for a library, arts centre, increased garda numbers and a youth cafe with full-time staff, which are just some of the most basic services that should be available in a town of its size. Add to this the fact that sporting organisations are at full capacity and will need extra playing space to cater for the increased numbers coming down the track in the immediate future, Mr Barry said. "Due credit to Cork County Council for their input of late, but more needs to be delivered from the other statutory State bodies if this social experiment is to be a success." His council colleagues agreed that more needed to be done and are to contact government departments and State agencies as a result. Ambitious plans for massive housing development in Co Cork could be scuppered if Irish Water doesn't put in the necessary infrastructure to aid their construction, it's been warned. The County Development Plan (CDP) has projected the need for an additional 29,000 homes to be built within the next seven years to keep pace with a projected 61,000 population increase. However, many of these plans are dependent on Irish Water providing new and improved water and sewerage infrastructure. Discussions are ongoing between senior Irish Water and Cork County Council officials amid significant concerns that major water projects needed for expansion of some towns won't be delivered for several years, potentially hampering CDP targets. County engineer Kevin Morey said as part of the ongoing CDP review, the local authority has assessed water services capacity constraints for the key towns and villages. The results of this assessment have been shared with Irish Water. The councils Planning and Water Services teams continue to engage with Irish Waters Asset Strategy and Asset Delivery teams to ensure that Irish Waters priorities align with Cork County Councils objectives for sustainable growth, Mr Morey said. While there remain significant concerns in some larger towns, where upgrade projects may take a number of years to deliver, interim measures are being developed to provide headroom in the short term, he added. 'CPD will be a failure' Fine Gael councillor Kevin Murphy said people won't be able to build in villages due to lack of enhanced services. The CPD will be a failure if Irish Water doesn't provide the services needed to expand towns and villages." He added a lot of land had to be dezoned for housing on the periphery of villages as Irish Water hasn't the funding to serve these areas. The smaller villages and settlements are going to be seriously deprived of development if water and sewage services aren't available, Mr Murphy said. So this threatens their very survival as they need some development to be sustainable. Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle said the council has to get definitive project dates from Irish Water otherwise the CPD will be in jeopardy. Councillor Deirdre Kelly, also Fianna Fail, said 168 new homes were supposed to be built in Dunmanway and she wanted timelines on Irish Water upgrades to allow their development. There's a frightening lack of capacity in towns and villages to allow for further expansion, Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy added. The CDP will be a failure if Irish Water doesn't put services into towns and villages, Independent councillor Danny Collins said. We travel for work, move countries for jobs, change companies to get better benefits, and, in the right situation, a decent employer alongside adequate workers' rights can often be the difference between being happy or unhappy at work, regardless of the specific figure on your monthly paycheque. In Ireland, our current minimum wage is 10.20 an hour, and the average annual earnings for all employees is just under 40,000, but about 45,000 for full-time employees. And when it comes to annual leave here, most employees are entitled to four weeks but your leave depends on how much you have worked within a "leave year". So how does this compare to the lives of our citizens abroad? Czech Republic Siun Creedon Prochazka with daughter Marketa and son Alvy. For Dingle native Siun Creedon Prochazka, Prague in the Czech Republic is her home, where she lives with her husband and two children, Marketa, 3, and Alvy, 9. The Czech Republic is a lot like Ireland when it comes to annual leave. "By law, the minimum is four paid weeks a year, with a week of sick days on top," explains Siun. "This might be more for government workers and employees of private companies." This is the second of five parts in a week-long series. Click here or the Irish Lives Abroad tag at the foot of this page to continue reading the series as the articles go online. When it comes to maternity leave, it is almost exactly the same as Ireland's statutory cover of 26 weeks, however, expectant mothers must start their leave well before their baby is actually due. And while in Ireland women receive 245 from the State for the 26-week period, it's higher in the Czech Republic. "Maternity pay is 28 weeks and needs to start at the very latest, six weeks before the due date," says Siun. "It is calculated at 70% of the womans working wage. "Maternal leave is possible up to four years [after the child's birth], with most women choosing three years." This is necessary, as there is no public funding for childcare until a child is three in the Czech Republic, much like in Ireland, bar the nominal contributions towards private care as part of the National Childcare Scheme. However, in the Czech Republic, there is a chunk of money set aside for parents under parental leave. "For parental leave, after 28 weeks of maternity pay, there is a set amount of money that is available, 11,800, and this must be used by the child's fourth birthday," says Siun. Canada Gerald Flynn with wife Meggan and baby girl Clara. Gerald Flynn, originally from Limerick, has been living in Ontario, Canada, for eight years. He lives there with his wife Meggan, and their 10-month-old baby girl Clara. He works for an elevator company at the moment, where he receives extra benefits, but the benefits are very specific to the job. But first off, the Limerick native says the jobs market is buoyant in Ontario. "Jobs are plentiful, and typical time off is three weeks a year," says Gerald, who adds that there is a very large gender pay gap in Ontario of about 30%. Recent statistics from Canada show there is a 14% gender pay gap for average hourly wages, a 25% one for average annual earnings, both full-time and full-year workers, and a 29% gender pay gap when it comes to average annual earnings for all earners. "That is hard to break," says Gerald. He also says that your postal address is a good indicator of pay expectations in Ontario. "Depending on your zip code or distance from Toronto, that can give you an idea of what you could be paid," he says. And when it comes to competitiveness in the jobs market, and turnover, it's very like America in that regard. "Somewhat like the US, there isnt much incentive to stay at one company if theyre paying the same as all the others. It's the work culture that will drive turnover," he says. "Some industries are better than others, however, such as the elevator one which I am currently in boasts a lot of benefits, such as a free car." Canada and Canadian multinationals have been leaders when it comes to workers' rights, especially when it comes to family. Gerald, who became a first-time father in 2021 to baby Clara, is pleased with the parental leave on offer. "As regards parental leave, it's pretty good," he says. "You can both take parental and maternity leave, and theyre substantial. "As of March 2019, all Canadian parents have 40 weeks of parental leave, five of which are specifically meant for dads to take time off work to care for their newborn." In fact, there is even a special incentive for partners, especially fathers, to take time off. This is in contrast to Ireland, where paternity leave uptake is low. "There is a special incentive for new dads also, so long as you have logged enough hours at your work," says Gerald. Sweden Eileen Littorin and husband Magnus in 2004. For Cork woman Eileen Littorin, Stockholm in Sweden is her current home, where she lives with her husband Magnus and their two children, David, 7, and Sophia, 6. Once again, Sweden leads the way when it comes to social benefits, including employee rights. However, that said, there is no statutory minimum wage in Sweden, but the average monthly salary works out at about 4,400. Eileen tells the Irish Examiner, however, that leave is good where workers in Sweden get about 30 days' leave a year, and this excludes national holidays. "People generally get about 30 days a year of holidays, outside bank holidays and national days, etc," says Eileen. But it is parental leave that is something to really write home about. "Parental leave is phenomenal," explains Eileen. "Both parents get about 480 days between them, per child. You receive money from the government, based on your salary, to stay home." And these 480 days are there to be used well past the moment your child is potty trained and able to write their own name. "You can split or share the days between you as you like, and you can use them up until the child is nine. So, let's say the kids' school is closed, we can use a day to stay home with them. "This is different from the sick days you're entitled to for your kids, where you're also paid to stay home with them." Eileen, who works as a teacher, says how much you get to stay home depends on your salary. "How much you get is a percentage of your salary, so means-tested," she says. "I can only talk about pay in schools, where Swedish public schools actually pay a lot better than private or international schools." The Netherlands Caitriona Rush Caitriona Rush lives in The Hague in The Netherlands with her husband and two children, aged 10 and 7. While The Netherlands is often seen as the beacon of progressive policies when it comes to social benefits, workers' rights aren't exceptionally advanced. "Holidays here are pretty good, 25 days on average," says Caitriona. "Often people will have a contract for 36 or 38 hours a week, but work 40, thereby building up extra days throughout the year." However, maternity leave isn't the greatest in The Netherlands. "Maternity leave is pretty bad here," she says. "You get 16 weeks, and you have to take four to six weeks of that before the baby is born." When it comes to partners, that leave has improved a little, but not a lot. "Paternity leave has improved somewhat it was two days, and has gone up to one work week." Caitriona estimates that pay is probably more or less the same as here, but living costs are lower in The Netherlands, so your paycheque goes further. The average minimum wage is about 11 there at the moment, and the average annual salary comes in at about 36,000. United Arab Emirates Ailbhe Storan Ailbhe Storan, originally from Limerick City, lives in Dubai with her husband. The United Arab Emirates is somewhere people typically move to specifically for work, especially as you pay no income tax. But salaries vary across sectors, says Ailbhe. "In the main, I would say that salaries are competitive, but this varies depending on the industry and whether you work for a public or private or a local or multinational company," she says. "The main advantage is the zero income tax in that you take home your whole paycheque." As to whether pay packets are actually very competitive in Dubai, the Limerick native says people have recently been locating from there to Saudi Arabia for bigger packages. "Recently, weve seen a recruitment drive from Saudi Arabia, and lots of expats are relocating from the UAE to Saudi for lucrative packages," she explains. When it comes to holidays, they vary depending on the employer, the industry, and even the lunar cycle. "There are 14 official public holidays in the UAE throughout the year, and mark religious, historic and special occasions," she says. "These fall under two categories: fixed holidays that occur annually, such as the UAE National Day or the New Year holiday, and variable dates based on the Islamic [Hijri] calendar. "Islamic holidays are scheduled according to the sighting of the moon. Annual leave days are up to the employer, and can depend on the working sector." However, when it comes to maternity leave, workers get just over a month at full pay. "There are 45 days' maternity full-pay and 15 days half-pay, and five days parental," says Ailbhe, who adds that the private sector usually has its own policies in place. Portugal Sonya Coogan Sonya Coogan, originally from Co Monaghan, now lives in Lisbon, Portugal a city that has become increasingly popular as an emigration destination for Irish people with her husband and two stepchildren. But even though more and more Irish people are moving there for cheaper rents and a beach lifestyle, Sonya, who runs the Irish in Lisbon Facebook page, warns that you need to look for a job before you arrive. "I run an Irish in Lisbon Facebook page, and when people come on to the page about finding work, I always tell them to try and get a job before they come to Lisbon or Portugal," says Sonya. Salaries can be as low as 800 a month. "It's very difficult [to find work], and the salaries are dreadful, you're talking maybe 800 to 1,000 a month that's the minimum," says Sonya. "Outside of Lisbon, you're talking 800 a month maximum." But is the cost of living far cheaper, and so it balances itself out? While rent can be about 800 to 1,000 a month in the city, so that's your paycheque gone if you're living alone, Sonya says that the cost of living is the same as Ireland, if you think in terms of a grocery shop or running a car. "The cost of living, I find, is not very different fuel, running a car, buying a car is more expensive, insurance, all of that," she says. "I do my weekly shop, and it's my husband and my two step kids, and it's the same as Ireland. Alcohol is a lot cheaper, but the food itself is expensive." Charles Haughey bestrode public life in Ireland for four decades and was then hauled back into the spotlight in retirement when it was discovered that he had been in receipt of millions from wealthy individuals when he had been a senior politician. Professor Gary Murphy of DCU has written a compelling account of Haugheys life that examines the good, the bad and the ugly of probably the most talented and divisive politician of the second half of the last century. Rembrandt van Rijns iconic and huge painting The Night Watch is now also a supersized museum photo delivered right to your laptop in unsurpassed detail. The Amsterdam Rijksmuseum on Monday put on its digital portal what it called the most detailed photograph of any artwork ready for assessment by scientists and art lovers alike. It is expected to draw widespread interest especially since the museum is closed because of coronavirus measures. The 717-gigapixel photo allows viewers to zoom in on Captain Frans Banninck Cocq and see how the 17th-century master put the tiniest of white dots in his eyes to give life to the paintings main character. It also shows the minute cracks in his pupils, brought on by the passage of time. The real canvas measures 379.5cm x 453.5cm (Peter Dejong/AP) The real canvas measures 379.5cm x 453.5cm and each pixel represents five micrometres or 0.005 square millimetres. Apart from simply showing the dazzling detail, it will also help researchers restore the work and assess its ageing process over time. The Night Watch will be removed from its wooden stretcher in two weeks and placed on a new one to remove rippling that was caused when the world-famous painting was housed in a temporary gallery while the Rijksmuseum underwent major renovations from 2003-2013. The oil-on-canvas painting depicts a group of Amsterdam civil militia and shows off Rembrandts renowned use of light and composition to create a dynamic scene filled with characters. The painting has undergone many restorations over its existence. It was placed on its present wooden stretcher in 1975. Once the painting has been restretched, the museum will decide whether further restoration work is needed. Burma Myanmar People Greet New Year With Shouts of Our Revolution Must Prevail! People in Yangon stage a protest on Dec. 30 calling for the regimes fascist army to be uprooted from the land in the new year. / CJ When the clock struck midnight on the last day of 2021, unlike people across the globe who shouted Happy New Year!, the people of Myanmar yelled Our revolution must prevail! in defiance of the junta, and cursed coup leader and junta boss Min Aung Hlaing. Over the past 11 months Myanmar people have shown unwavering opposition to the regime that overthrew the elected civilian government and seized power in a February coup. They demanded a restoration of democracy and the return of the rights stolen from them by staging street protests, launching a peaceful civil disobedience movementa popular strike in which civil servants refuse to work under the regime and people boycott products and services from military-owned businesses to the state lottery, and refuse to pay taxesas well as armed resistance as the junta continued its brutality against unarmed civilians around the country. Though it has been 11 months since the military coup, our people continue to demonstrate their rejection of the military dictatorship in different ways, Ko Tayzar San, one of Myanmars most prominent anti-regime protest leaders, wrote on his Facebook account. He added that the new year will be a revolutionary one in which the people of Myanmar seek to uproot the fascist army from the land. Our New Years commitment is nothing short of reaching a turning point, a vital historic milestone in our public revolution, in 2022, he said. The majority of Myanmar nationals both inside and outside the country share Ko Tayzar Sans New Years resolution. Their chants of Our revolution must win! when the new year began, despite the presence of junta forces in their neighborhoods, demonstrated their commitment to the struggle for democracy. A Yangon resident said the slogan resounded around her neighborhood at midnight on New Years Eve. Nobody said Happy New Year! as in previous years, as we are not in the mood for that. Our only hope for this year is to see victory in our revolution against the regime, she said. A civilian resistance fighter who joined the Peoples Defense Force wrote that, In the new year, I wish the people of Myanmar a just revolutionary war victory. Last year around 1,400 heroes lost their lives at the hands of the murderous junta forces while engaging in anti-regime activities, more than 11,200 people were arrested, and tens of thousands were displaced from their homes due to the juntas terror campaign. Dr. Sa Sa, the parallel National Unity Governments minister of international cooperation, said that while the world celebrates the new year with the sights and sounds of fireworks accompanying their festivities, for the people of Myanmar Jan. 1 marked the 335th day of the coup, and the sight and sound of explosions signals only fear and danger. For almost a full year, we have witnessed the true horror of military brutality and dictatorship, he said in a New Years video message. However, the minister said that with the determination of the Myanmar people who havent given up no matter how fierce the juntas oppression, the losses of last year will become gains this year. You may also like these stories: Suu Kyis Female Bodyguard Sentenced to Jail by Myanmar Junta Junta Watch: New Submarines; Junta Massacres Civilians in Southeast Myanmar; Regime Uses Christians for Propaganda and More Myanmar Juntas Worst Massacres of 2021 Burma Myanmar Resistance Groups Claim New Year Victories Over Junta Forces Karenni resistance troops during an operation against regime forces in Demoso, Kayah State, in early January. / CJ Myanmar groups have continued to report intense firefights over new year as Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) attacked regime forces, including in Yangon. On Friday evening, a junta police captain was reportedly killed and a soldier wounded when an unknown group attacked the police station in North Okkalapa Township, Yangon. Some civilians were killed and two vehicles damaged when regime forces randomly opened fire. A combined force from Mayangone and Insein claimed to have killed four junta-appointed ward administrators and injured two soldiers when they bombed a ward administration office in Shwepyithar Township, Yangon. Some pedestrians and a resistance fighter were injured by junta gunfire, the group said. More than 150 regime troops were reportedly killed and others wounded over five days in PDFs attacks in Sagaing and Magwe regions and Kayah State. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify any of the reports. A resistance group said it used drones to bomb a junta convoy in Sagaing. On Friday, a firefight broke out at Demoso Township, Kayah State, when PDFs, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and Karenni Army (KA), the armed wing of the Karenni National Progressive Party, attacked the townships police station, where troops were deployed. After sustaining losses, the regime used two jet fighters to attack resistance forces to help its ground troops. Junta jet fighters used both machine guns and bombs, the Demoso PDF told The Irrawaddy. Around 30 regime troops, including a colonel, and two resistance fighters were reportedly killed. The remaining regime forces fled the scene. Five regime troops were reportedly killed in Demoso in clashes between junta reinforcements and resistance forces and the KA in the township on Saturday and Sunday. On Friday, three junta soldiers were killed when the KNDF and KA attacked regime forces in Hpruso Township, Kayah State, according to the KNDF. Another three regime troops were killed and five others wounded when combined resistance forces attacked the administration office in Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, on Saturday, according to the defense ministry of the parallel National Unity Government. Around 40 junta troops were reportedly killed by the Wetlet PDF in Wetlet Township, Sagaing Region, on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, 12 regime troops were reportedly killed when Wetlet PDF attacked 70 regime forces at a village in the township. The next morning, clashes continued as junta troops torched village houses. After suffering about 30 casualties, the junta forces fled the village, the Wetlet PDF claimed. Regime forces used two Russian Mi-35 helicopters to attack the resistance fighters chasing and attacking the fleeing soldiers. A resistance fighter was killed in junta airstrikes, said the Wetlet PDF. Another 53 junta soldiers were reportedly killed during ambushes, including bombing from the air, by PDFs in several Sagaing townships, Ye-U, Tabayin, Pale, Myohla and Salingyi, over five days. On Sunday, resistance forces attacked regime troops flying a white flag at an abandoned police station in Nyaungpingyi village in Salingyi. Ten junta soldiers, including a captain, and a resistance fighter were killed, said Salingyi Generation-Z, a PDF that collaborated in the attack. Aung San Force, a resistance group, said it attacked a convoy carrying around 150 troops from Gangaw in Magwe Region to Pale using drones to drop bombs on the convoy. The group said it conducted six airstrikes on the convoy and seven soldiers were killed and many others wounded. An aerial video shows the convoy being attacked with homemade bombs dropped by drones. Another 16 troops in the convoy were killed in two ambushes with landmines by two other resistance groups in Pale. On Monday, the Eagles Army, a PDF based in Tigyaing Township, attacked two military ships on the Ayeyarwady river using mines and explosives. Around 20 regime soldiers were killed and two PDFs fighters suffered minor injuries from artillery from the ships, the group claimed. One of the ships was damaged, the PDF said. Regime atrocities continue, including torture, arbitrary killings, burning alive, massacres, using civilians as human shields, using hostages, bombarding residential areas, looting and burning houses and sexual violence, especially in Magwe and Sagaing regions and Chin, Shan, Kayah and Karen states. You may also like these stories: Myanmar People Greet New Year With Shouts of Our Revolution Must Prevail! Suu Kyis Female Bodyguard Sentenced to Jail by Myanmar Junta Junta Watch: New Submarines; Junta Massacres Civilians in Southeast Myanmar; Regime Uses Christians for Propaganda and More Burma Suu Kyis Female Bodyguard Sentenced to Jail by Myanmar Junta Cherry Htet (front right) with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in August 2020 in Naypyitaw. / The Irrawaddy Myanmars military regime has sentenced the female former bodyguard of detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to three years in prison, her lawyer told The Irrawaddy. Cherry Htet, a 30-year-old Myanmar Police second lieutenant, was charged with breaching police rules over her social media posts supporting the ousted leader. She was sentenced on December 30. Her lawyer U Myint Thwin said: The police court sentenced her to three years and sent her to Yamethin Prison the same day. The lawyer said that he was unable to attend the sentencing in the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw. Suu Kyis former bodyguard had been held in Naypyitaw Prison since 23 September 2021, after first being put under surveillance following the juntas February 2021 coup and then detained under house arrest in a building behind the police special branch office in Naypyitaw. She was sent to Yamethin Prison in Mandalay Region as Naypyitaws jail doesnt hold prisoners serving sentences of three years or more. The officer is also facing a charge of incitement, which can carry a prison sentence of up to three years. On March 14 2021, Cherry Htet was accused of posting: We miss you Amay (mother), using the popular term in Myanmar for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. She also allegedly posted another message on March 6 saying: If you do not dare to be outspoken about justice, keep your mouth shut and do not say there is justice. The former bodyguard has also been accused of communicating with a National League for Democracy lawmaker and receiving information about the civilian National Unity Government. Last July, Ko Zaw Naing Win, an aide to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and deputy director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was sentenced to seven years in prison for breach of trust by a civil servant for joining the Civil Disobedience Movement against the junta. You may also like these stories: Junta Watch: New Submarines; Junta Massacres Civilians in Southeast Myanmar; Regime Uses Christians for Propaganda and More Myanmar Juntas Worst Massacres of 2021 Student Activist Dies in Myanmar Junta Custody Do you have a Florida bucket list? I do, and every new year is a chance to check my progress. I crossed another item off it the other day when I stopped in at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. I was there to see Lucifer. The 210-acre state park in Citrus County features a wildlife walk that allows visitors to see panthers, manatees, roseate spoonbills, and its star resident, Lucifer, aka Lu the Hippo. Lu is a holdover from the days when the park was a roadside attraction. For Lu to continue living at Homosassa Springs after the state took over, then-Gov. Lawton Chiles officially declared the popular hippo to be an honorary citizen of Florida. When people ask me whats so great about Florida, I always make sure to mention our state park system. From the soaring dunes of Topsail Hill in the Panhandle to the depths of John Pennekamp in the Keys, Floridas state parks provide a natural alternative to the artificial glitz of our theme parks. They have a major economic impact, too, serving more than 28 million visitors and generating $2.4 billion in direct economic benefits to local communities. And some of them show off our quirky side, such as Falling Waters State Park, named for a 73-foot waterfall that disappears into the ground, and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which employs its own school of mermaids. Until recently, the guy in charge of this vast domain 175 parks, trails, and historic sites spanning nearly 800,000 acres was Eric Draper, a tall, soft-spoken Florida native who had lobbied for Audubons Florida chapter until his appointment in 2017. Draper just retired, so we spent some time on the phone recently discussing his four years overseeing some of Floridas greatest assets, important both to our ecosystems and to our tourism industry. Draper assured me he didnt decide to hang up his khaki uniform because of some raging conflict with his bosses at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He just felt it was time, he said. Im 68, he told me. Ive got a couple of years left to take an active role in things, and I missed advocacy. He said he hopes to spend the next few years helping local governments find financing for projects to fix the states water quality woes. (Good luck to him on that.) Draper said he enjoyed his tenure overseeing the state park system, learning its great challenges (many driven by climate change more on that in a bit). He also got to see its strengths, including the 1,035 full-time rangers and 500 or so part-timers staffing the parks. Draper told me he was surprised by how many cultural and historical treasures are in the park system. The oldest parks date only to the 1930s, when the Civilian Conservation Corps built them as make-work projects during the Depression. But some of the properties they protect are far, far older than that, such as the Mound Key Archaeological State Park and Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. Over time, Draper grew to appreciate some of the lesser-known state parks, naming Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park as his favorite. I had the most amazing experiences at Fakahatchee Strand, he said, standing in knee-deep water and seeing all the orchids and the birds He was amused by some of the things that happened, too, such as the time when this former coat-and-tie lobbyist took a powerful legislator on a tour of the Homosassa Springs park. Turbulence in the park system Draper, one of five children of an Air Force sergeant, was born at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. He told me he developed a deep passion for the environment while camping and canoeing around Florida during high school and college. He moved to Washington to work with an organization called Clean Water Action. In 1990, he joined the Nature Conservancy, which sent him back to Florida to help pass the Preservation 2000 land-buying initiative. After a second tour of duty in D.C., this time as a senior vice president for the National Audubon Society, he returned to Florida in 1999 to work for the state Audubon chapter. This time, he stuck around. He became executive director in 2009, a position he held until he was appointed to the $115,000 a year parks director job. Stick em in the splatter zone! Its hard to argue with his results. In 1999, 2005, and 2013, Floridas state parks won the gold medal the top prize from the National Parks and Recreation Association. In 2019, Drapers second year in charge, Floridas parks won their fourth gold medal the only park system in the nation with that many wins. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Eric Draper, said Tammy Gustafson, president of the Florida State Parks Foundation, which raises money to support the parks. As for Drapers former employer, last month Audubon Florida gave him its 2021 Teddy Roosevelt Award for a career of leadership on behalf of Floridas environment. For his part, Draper feels he spent too much time responding to the urgent rather than focusing on the important. The former includes figuring out how to fix a roof or obtain more vehicles as opposed to coming up with a broad strategy for dealing with climate change, leaving those decisions to each park. Climate change is a huge issue for Floridas parks, he said. For instance, Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach is one of the coastal parks where rising seas are rapidly eroding public property. Honeymoon Island is another. As climate change warms the worlds oceans, the hotter water makes hurricanes stronger. One example: Hurricane Michael, which in 2018 wreaked havoc at a variety of Panhandle parks, even inland ones such as Torreya State Park and Florida Caverns State Park. Draper acknowledged that the changing climate heightens the risk to the parks of severe drought and rampaging wildfires, too. Portions of this report first appeared on the website of the Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to coverage of state government and politics from Tallahassee. For the complete article, click here. Young conservatives are coming out of hiding and are increasingly speaking their minds on topics ranging from welfare to national security. They meet regularly in defiance of a largely progressive mood to discuss all the ways they believe the country is going down the drain -- from what they see as exorbitant public spending compared to other countries to the sore lack of young political leaders. While they do not exactly come from every walk of life, they range from thrusting young white-collar workers to university students, with the odd candidate who ran for office during the recent local elections thrown in. Jung Hyun-ho (31) leads the group of young conservatives that aspires to become a force to reckon with. "Our goal is to become self-sufficient by the time the general election in 2020 comes around," he said. Kang Won-taek at Seoul National University said, "Young people who had been unable to find a political group they can support ideologically have started launching their own." Park Gyol (33) heads a committee that wants to launch a new conservative party. "I don't know if we can say that a party that allows a candidate to pitch free meals for students simply to win votes can call itself conservative," he said, alluding to one election pitch by the established Liberty Korea Party. "We need to put more stress on conservative values like small government and market economics." Park recently registered the party with the National Election Commission and has started a six-month drive to set up five regional chapters with at least 1,000 members each. Meanwhile the Seoul National University Truth Forum, a students' union launched in February of last year, has now grown into a bigger grouping called "Truth Alliance" of around 700 students at 60 universities across the country. Universities are traditionally bastions of progressive politics, but the forum is quite different. Its leader Kim Eun-koo is somewhat advanced in years for a young Turk at 40 and is pursuing a PhD in law. But he still believes he is ahead of his younger fellow students in their nostalgic attachment to leftwing student activism. "The political activism dating back to the 1980s constitutes the foundation of university culture these days, so we want to spread our views as well. Universities also need to give a home to differing political views." There is certainly evidence that young Koreans buck the global trend toward liberal and identity politics. A survey of 1,000 adults last month by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies showed that 58.4 percent of Koreans in their 20s are against ending joint U.S.-Korean military drills, the highest proportion in any age group. A survey gauging support for an inter-Korean team during the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang showed that 82 percent of respondents in their 20s and 30s were against it, which suggests a clearer eye than some of their parents' about what North Korea stands for. These young people are the children of the so-called "586 generation" who fought for democracy against South Korea's endlessly corrupt military regimes in their university days. In their own way they are rebelling against their parents, and many of them are alarmed at the leftward shift of public opinion after the mass protests that ousted President Park Geun-hye. Park Gyol said, "Many people who were born during Korea's economic heyday are opposed to leftwing politics, but the existing conservative parties have failed to attract their support." Ahn Byung-jin at Kyunghee University says there has been no culture in Korea of youngsters in suits and clean haircuts going into politics at college and climbing the political ladder, like former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron or U.S. House Representative Paul Ryan. "We need to nurture conservative young Koreans to come up with new political solutions," he said. Jair Bolsonaro, the president of Brazil, was rushed to a hospital early Monday morning with an apparent intestinal obstruction. According to a government release, Bolsonaro, 66, began experiencing abdominal discomfort Sunday afternoon and was rushed to a Sao Paolo hospital hours later. Doctors diagnosed the intestinal obstruction quickly and Bolsonaro is said to be in stable condition. Advertisement - Comecei a passar mal apos o almoco de domingo. - Cheguei ao hospital as 03h00 de hoje. - Me colocaram sonda nasogastrica. - Mais exames serao feitos para possivel cirurgia de obstrucao interna na regiao abdominal. pic.twitter.com/NPgv6HwoHj Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) January 3, 2022 Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter that doctors had inserted a nasogastric tube and he would undergo more tests to determine whether surgery is necessary. He also posted a photo of himself giving a thumbs up from a hospital bed without the tube. Bolsonaro has previously been hospitalized for a number of ailments, including over the summer when he had a chronic case of hiccups. He has also had multiple surgeries related to complications after he was stabbed while campaigning in 2018. He is also one of several world leaders to test positive for COVID, however, he reported experiencing mild symptoms. Advertisement Bolsonaro will be reevaluated in the morning but it is not clear when he will be discharged. With News Wire Services Marilyn Borroto, renown Realtor and beloved Key Biscayne resident, was an exiled girl who arrived alone in the US during the so-called Operation Pedro Pan. At that time, she only had the company of a group of other refugee girls from Cuba. They became known over time as the Girls of Villa Maria and they recently were honored by Miami by having a street designated in their name. Version en espanol Miami decided to honor Las Muchachitas de Villa Maria by jointly designating Southwest 25th Street from Southwest 24th Avenue to Southwest 27th Avenue, in Miami, as Las Muchachitas De Villa Maria Street. In the citys resolution, they said the Girls of Villa Maria have been friends for more than 50 years and have been a tremendous source of strength that raises the quality of life in each community in which they live due to their exemplary show of tenacity, courage and creativity. Islander News spoke with Marilyn Borroto about this event and her story: IN. How did the name Muchachitas de Villa Maria come about? MB. We are a group of Cubans who met in 1962 when we arrived alone and helpless in the United States during the stampede of more than 14,000 children whose parents did not want them to be indoctrinated by the communist regime that prevails in Cuba. We arrived directly in Miami, where we were temporarily greeted at a camp in Florida City before being transferred to San Antonio, TX. There we got 40 girls from 12 to 18 years old in the summer of '62. The lodging house was called Villa Maria and the nuns who administered it nicknamed us Las Muchachitas. IN. What has this recognition represented for you? MB. We are extremely grateful to the Catholic Welfare Bureau and the people of the United States, who so generously adopted us until we reunited with our parents when they were able to leave Cuba. Although it seemed like an eternity, mine arrived a year and a half after I left. But some were not that lucky because their parents died before they could leave the country. Almost 60 years later, the friendship between Las Muchachitas de Villa Maria remains unscathed based on the bonds we created together when we wrapped each other in a foreign land that is now so much ours. Many of us return to Miami to meet with our parents and form our families, where we all contribute to the progress of our community in different projects. We are proud of our contribution and very grateful that they jointly honor us by naming a street in the Silver Bluff area with our nickname: Las Muchachitas de Villa Maria. Although we met by chance and not by choice, the friendship we profess has defied time and space. We meet once a month and every day we communicate in a Chat where we tell each other our challenges and joys. IN. How do you see those events today and the way they came out? MB. It was unquestionably a great challenge and the turning point in my life. Leaving my parents and the rest of my family behind was devastating. Changing customs, language, idiosyncrasies and everything that up to that moment represented the essence of my life was traumatic and devastating. No one could comfort us except ourselves. No one understood us but ourselves. No one knew for sure what it meant to have inadvertently gone into exile. Only we could assess the tears that often surprised us without wanting to cry. It was this strong bond that united us forever. We are over 70 years old and we are still called Las Muchachitas. We highlight the yellow rose, the symbol of Texas, that we wear in our meetings. Although we have been left with some empty chairs, when an inconsolable grief occurs, we send him a bouquet with 40 yellow roses to show that we are all with the one who suffers. Ithaca, NY (14850) Today Rain. High 61F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 47F. Winds light and variable. 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. A long life is good, a life well-spent is better Huntington, L.I.: I find myself reflecting on how we all can leave a lasting legacy to the next generation. I found a poem we sent out on the passing of my father-in-law last year, The Dash by Linda Ellis, and felt its words and spirit would resonate to my fellow Voicers and Daily News readers. A happy and healthy New Year to all. Final curtain. (Jesse Grant) I read a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginningto the end / He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. / For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on Earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth. / For it matters most not, how much we own, the carsthe housethe cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. Advertisement So think about this long and hard; are there things youd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged. / To be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives liked weve never loved before. / If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile remembering that this special dash might only last a little while./ So, when your eulogy is being read, with your lifes actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash? Chris N. Karalekas Farewell to an icon Scranton, Pa.: Cloris Leachman, Gavin MacLeod and Ed Asner: Three great actors we lost this year from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. And though we believed we would always have her, the last of The Golden Girls, Betty White, sadly made it four. Thank you for being a friend to your many fans a friendship without end. Vin Morabito Advertisement Ode to Betty Manhattan: A fond farewell to Betty White / We lost her on Friday / She didnt make it to 100 / Very sad to say / We thought shed always be here / To entertain us all / Lets celebrate her life now / Betty, you stand tall / We will miss her talents / Her smile warmed our hearts / Sue Ann Nivens, Rose Nylund / No one else could play those parts / We raise a glass to Betty / And make a final toast / Betty White, you will be missed / You were loved the most. Phoebe Celentano Inclusive Bronx: I really liked Voicer Ann Solomons delightful letter. Christmas is a religious holiday. If you are of a different faith and celebrate Christmas, its your choice. Dont let the naysayers spoil your day. I hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Marsha Kolin Separate but equal? Bronx: Does new schools Chancellor David Banks have young women attending his Eagle Academy private schools? It seems that he only deals with young men. I wonder why that is. Our new mayor uses we a lot, which I like very much. Its inclusive of our human race. Can we expect that from Banks? I would like education to give all children a chance to rise. Maria Meli Glad to see him go Richmond Hill: Good riddance to the worst mayor in NYC history. Francheisko Perez Ambition aspersion Brooklyn: I dont usually comment on Bramhalls cartoons but Dec. 17 said it all a masterpiece, worthy of a frame! Christina C. Anderson Not buying it The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Jamaica: Voicer Susan Herman, director of the Mayors Office of Community Health, was misleading at best, disingenuous at worst. Previous media reports about ThriveNYC painted a picture of a failing organization headed by the mayors wife, who got the job because she was his wife. There was a shroud of secrecy for its entire existence and the money trail was hidden. Millions of taxpayer dollars, very few results and a continued refusal to show the public where the money was spent. The mayor liked it so much, he changed the name and embedded it into New York City government forevermore. Things wont change if there is no transparency. Abby Frank Too much for not enough Manhattan: To Voicer Susan Herman: The Daily News story was not inaccurate. It was a spot-on account of the plan that wasted $1.2 billion of taxpayer money. That money should have been spent first and foremost on building a mental hospital to treat and house the huge number of seriously mentally ill people on our streets and subways. Changing the programs name from ThriveNYC to the Mayors Office of Community Mental Health reveals that it was just a ploy to keep the bucks rolling in for the agencys management and civil servants. The bucks should stop now with Mayor Adams! Susie MacNamara Winter wondering Bronx: We sleep with no heat at the VA hospital in the Bronx and nothing is being done about it. Could you please look into what is the problem? John Powell Advertisement The clear choice Medford, L.I.: What alternate universe is Curtis Sliwa living in when he claims that the N.Y. GOP is trying to anoint Lee Zeldin as the Republican nominee for governor over his preferred candidate, Andrew Giuliani? First off, anointing Zeldin who has amassed an insurmountable lead in county endorsements, campaign funds and name recognition is exactly what they should be doing, but theyre inexplicably not! And I see this as a dereliction of duty by N.Y. GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy for squandering this advantage! Said the young Andrew Giuliani, Im very excited for Curtis being on board. It will be entertaining to campaign with him whether people like it or not. The fact that this buffoon views this gubernatorial race as some sort of show business act meant to entertain instead of recognizing it as the battle for the soul of New York should disqualify him as a serious candidate. Eugene R. Dunn Falling behind Long Branch, N.J.: While the white supremacists are on the march, with red states putting new laws in place to restrict voting and re-drawing district maps, what are our enemies doing? The Iranians continue to advance towards a nuclear capability; the North Koreans continue to develop a nuclear weapons delivery system; Russia and China are positioning themselves to shoot down U.S. satellites; Russia, China, North Korea and Iran are launching cyberattacks on U.S. entities; Russia and China are building new weapons systems (hypersonic); both are threatening their neighbors (Ukraine and Taiwan). While all of this is going on, half of America is supporting a former president who tried to overthrow the government. The other half is fighting to maintain our democracy. Our enemies wont take a break while we sort this out. Lenzy Kelley Open-ended opening Brooklyn: My grandson went to a store where one of the workers told him they were hiring. They told him that orientation would begin in two weeks and told him what he needed to wear. I went and bought him everything he needed. Weeks passed; now its months. There should be a law against false offers. Were still waiting, hoping my $100 will not go to waste. Barbara Hargrave The only just outcome Manhattan: The Ghislaine Maxwell guilty verdict was certainly correct in light of the overwhelming and incontrovertible mountain of evidence against her. As soon as the verdict was rendered, former prosecutors and other talking heads began stating the obvious, that victim-bashing in a case like this would inevitably land with a loud thud. Notably, these pundits didnt offer an alternative defense strategy and thats because there was none. The assistant U.S. attorney methodically presented the compelling evidence against Maxwell and the defense attorneys knew it was coming. There were no surprises here. The defense that the victims were lying for greed or that they otherwise concocted their stories was a cynical argument that was doomed to fail. Peter Janoff Jacksonville, TX (75766) Today Overcast with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly this morning. High near 85F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low near 70F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Donate Now As a public service during this pandemic, the Jewish News is providing free, unlimited access to all articles. Jewish News is a nonprofit publication that is owned by the community and relies on community support. Staff Writer Jonathan Roberts is a reporter and photographer for the Johnson City Press covering Jonesborough, healthcare and higher education. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and has been with the Press since 2019. President Biden said on Dec. 9 that our democracy can at times be fragile, but it also inherently resilient. Not everyone, however, is so optimistic as the president. The events of Jan. 6 and their aftermath have sparked concern that our fragile democracy is in grave danger. Former Bush White House staffer Peter Wehner writes in The Atlantic that right now, the GOP is a grave threat to American democracy. Advertisement The evidence is clear. In 2021, we saw further legislative steps to suppress the vote, and to delegitimize the vote, in key states dominated by Republicans. There are now 33 laws in 19 states calculated to make it harder for persons of color to vote. But even more disturbing from the point of view of democracy is that in some states, Republican lawmakers have taken control over the local administration of elections. They want not only to suppress the vote, but to delegitimize it. FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, violent protesters, loyal to then-President Donald Trump, storm the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (John Minchillo/AP) In Wisconsin, Republicans want to abolish the states bipartisan elections commission altogether, and substitute the legislature as certifier of election outcomes. And more than a dozen other Republican states have followed suit. Fiorello LaGuardia, legendary mayor of New York City from 1934 to 1945 famously said there is no Democratic or Republican way of cleaning the streets. There should be no Republican or Democratic way of counting ballots either. Advertisement And if you cant win an election with a thumb on the scale, try a coup detat. Three retired generals are chilled to our bones at the thought of a coup succeeding next time. The generals are increasingly concerned about the potential for lethal chaos inside our military, which would put all Americans at severe risk. The generals read the handwriting on the wall. A shocking number of veterans and active-duty members of the military joined in the Jan. 6 insurrection. More than 10% of those charged in the attacks had a service record. Recently, and most troubling, Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino, commanding general of the Oklahoma National Guard, refused an order from Biden requiring that all National Guard members be vaccinated. Mancino made the bizarre claim that while the Oklahoma Guard is not federally mobilized, his commander-in-chief is the Republican governor of the state, not the president. Mancino should be court-martialed, but it hasnt happened yet. Barbara Walter, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego, and a member of a key CIA advisory panel, the Political Instability Task Force, warns that the U.S. is closer to civil war than any of us would like to believe. We have, she says, entered into dangerous territory. Sidney Blumenthal, a long-time adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton, anticipates a virus of violence. He sees us as possibly moving into a period of low-intensity conflict. Blumenthal couches his opinion on the proliferation of guns, certain to increase if the Supreme Court holds in New York State Rifle & Piston Association v. Bruen, argued Nov. 3, overturns New Yorks Sullivan law requiring licensing for those who wish to carry a handgun in public places. And if you need any further proof that the apocalypse is coming, Newsweek ran a piece claiming that millions of angry, armed Americans stand ready to seize power if Trump loses in 2024. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Citizens used to say they bought guns for hunting or sport; 63% now say they bought guns for self-defense. Self-defense against whom? The answer most frequently given is either street crime or the government. Advertisement The government? Weve seen the flourishing of a different view of gun rights, one that focuses on the necessity of owning guns in order to fight a tyrannical government, says UCLA Law Prof. Adam Winkler. The resulting gun-rights-driven, anti-deep-state radicalism echoes throughout far-right social media bubbles. A reactionary Vietnam war veteran Mike Nieznany, thinks the 2024 election may be the trigger for millions of armed insurrectionists to visit the Capitol and, as Trump put it, take back our country. Nieznanys remarks on social media received 44,000 views in the first two weeks of November and more than 4 million overall. So, what is to be done? Recently, Robert Palmer, one of the principal players on the ground during the Jan. 6 insurrection, was sentenced to more than five years in jail. Another, Devlyn Thompson, just received a 46-month jail term for his part in the melee. Palmer threw a fire extinguisher at a police officer; Thompson struck a police officer with a baton. But where are the conspiracy charges against the major players among Trump and his crew who made the insurrection happen? Diffidence is misplaced in a prosecutor. Much evidence has already come to light as a result of the House Select Committee investigation, and probes by media organizations. We now look to Attorney General Merrick Garland to move against the big fish who made Jan. 6 happen. As the iconic Federal Judge Learned Hand observed, conspiracy is the darling of the prosecutors nursery. Zirin is a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. Apple announced plans Monday, April 26, 2021, to invest more than $1 billion in North Carolina to build the company's first East Coast campus, in a move that is expected to bring at least 3,000 new jobs to the state. Johnson City, TN (37604) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 79F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Joplin, MO (64801) Today Morning rain followed by strong thunderstorms in the afternoon. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch.. Tonight Strong thunderstorms likely. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low 49F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Alec Baldwin described the fatal tragedy on the Rust set as the worst situation hes ever been involved with during an introspective video he recorded on New Years Day. Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died in October after being struck by a bullet from a prop firearm that was being handled by Baldwin on the Western movies set in New Mexico. Advertisement Ive had more people who have been kind and thoughtful and generous of spirit than Ive had people who are malignant about the death of Halyna Hutchins, Baldwin said in the video. Im not afraid to say that, and to couch that in some euphemisms. Somebody died very tragically. Ive gotten so much I mean, so much goodwill from people, its just incredible. Advertisement Bonanza Creek Ranch, where "Rust" was being shot, in Santa Fe, N.M., on Oct. 23, 2021. (Jae C. Hong/AP) The actor also thanked his supporters, and said hes eager for the investigation into the shooting to be resolved. Baldwin, the star of Rust and a producer on the film, recently told ABC News that he never pulled the trigger on the day Hutchins was fatally wounded. If I felt I was responsible, I might have killed myself, Baldwin said at the time. And I dont say that lightly. Authorities believe there were additional live rounds on the movies set that day. The movies director, Joel Souza, who was also wounded in the incident, told investigators that Baldwin was rehearsing a scene in which his character drew a gun. In October, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said the gun was either handled or inspected by armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and assistant director Dave Halls on the films set. The moment of the shooting, we know that at least Mr. Baldwin had no idea that the gun was loaded, Carmack-Altwies, Santa Fe Countys district attorney, told ABC News in November. So its more, How did that gun get loaded, what levels of failure happened, and were those levels of failure criminal? Opinion Columnist Chris Powell has worked for the Journal Inquirer since 1967, first as a reporter, then as an editor, and now as a columnist. He was managing editor from 1974 until retiring from that position in 2018. Robert Bruce, a pop culture maven who appeared on dozens of episodes of Comic Book Men and also served as a producer on the reality series set in a memorabilia store, was found dead in New Jersey, police said. The 62-year-old Bruces body was discovered in Red Bank on Friday at the City Center Plaza Professional Records Storage Facility, NJ.com reported. Advertisement Comic Book Men, which ran for seven seasons between 2012 and 2018, was shot at the Jay and Silent Bobs Secret Stash comic book store in Red Bank. Filmmaker Kevin Smith, who owns the store and created the series, tweeted that Bruce was always a welcome addition to any episode of @ComicBookMenAMC, as well as a nice guy. Advertisement Ill miss Rob, Smith wrote. Rob Bruce of "Comic Book Men" in 2013. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) Bruces body was found after family members became worried that he might be living in a storage unit. Authorities are investigating his death, and dont believe it to be the result of foul play, according to NJ.com. Bruce was a consulting producer on 82 episodes and a cast member on 34 episodes of Comic Book Men, which aired on AMC. He was known on the series as the pop culturalist. The Red Bank-born Smith, who starred on Comic Book Men, directed films such as Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Possession and use of cannabis for people age 21 and over has been legal in the state since July 1. However, as part of the law, each municipality has the ability to either allow cannabis retailers or prohibit sales through an ordinance. Reporter Susan covers the towns of Somers and Enfield. She joined the JI in May 2021 and graduated from Skidmore College. She recently completed docent training for the Wadsworth Atheneum and hopes to start giving tours some time next year. The resignation of Sudans prime minister leaves the military in full command and threatens a return to the repressive policies of the ousted regime of strongman Omar al-Bashir, analysts say. After months of street protests and violent crackdowns that have claimed at least 57 lives, observers fear more bloodshed ahead after premier Abdalla Hamdok stepped down late on Sunday. In his farewell address on national TV, Hamdok said he had tried to prevent Sudan from sliding toward disaster but that it was now at a dangerous crossroads threatening its very survival. Hamdoks resignation has left the military in sole command of the country, said Magdi al-Gizouli of think-tank the Rift Valley Institute. Protesters will take to the streets again and will be left to face more violence. Since its independence from Britain and Egypt in 1956, Sudan, now one of the worlds poorest countries, has been mostly under military rule with only rare democratic interludes. It has been navigating a fragile transition toward full civilian rule since the April 2019 ouster of veteran president Bashir following an unprecedented wave of youth-led protests. Bashir, who is wanted for war crimes in the Darfur region by the International Criminal Court, was jailed as Sudan took steps to rejoin the international community and obtain debt relief, foreign aid and investment. But the already rocky transition was derailed on October 25 when Sudans new de facto ruler, top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, launched a coup, detaining Hamdok and his cabinet ministers. The power grab sparked international condemnation and a new wave of street protests, with 57 people killed, hundreds wounded and at least 13 women raped during renewed street unrest. Facade removed Burhan reversed Hamdoks ouster and reinstated him on November 21, also promising elections in mid-2023 but the protest movement had lost all faith in both leaders and kept up their demonstrations. They accused the civilian leader Hamdok, a former international economist, of betrayal and legitimising the coup regime. In the weeks since, Hamdok had failed to form a new government, and local media reported in recent days that he had not shown up at his office. Gizouli said the parties to Sudans November deal had hoped it would reduce the agitation on the streets and allow them to find a way to rework the constitutional arrangements. But all this did not happen, he said. Instead, Hamdok had found himself paralysed and not able to get anything done, neither politically nor administratively. Some observers now fear the Hamdoks resignation signals a reversion to the kind of rule Sudan saw under the Islamist-backed regime of Bashir. Sudanese analyst Kholood Khair wrote on Twitter that Hamdoks resignation removes any facade the #SudanCoup generals can enjoy and present this coup as anything other than a reversion to the Islamo-military politics of Bashir. Though Sudans future is uncertain, the clarity helps all to see this coup for what it is. Stakes are high Following Hamdoks resignation, Britains Minister for Africa Vicky Ford tweeted that she was deeply saddened by the departure of the man who was serving Sudan and its peoples desire for a better future. Millions have raised their voices since 25/10 coup to demand civilian rule: security forces and other political actors must now respect those demands. The United States urged Sudanese leaders to set aside differences, find consensus and ensure continued civilian rule. Sudans next PM and cabinet should be appointed in line with the constitutional declaration to meet the peoples goals of freedom, peace and justice, the US Bureau for African Affairs said. Activists have stepped up their calls for more anti-military protests from Tuesday and called on demonstrators to again head to the presidential palace in Khartoum until victory is achieved. Sudans military rulers have meanwhile granted themselves heightened powers to stop dissent. Burhan late last month issued a decree allowing security forces to arrest individuals over crimes related to the state of emergency which effectively bans street protests. It also allows security forces to enter and search any building or individual and impose surveillance of any property and facility. The stakes are now very high, said Gizouli, who argued Hamdok had been a possible mediator between all sides. Now its an open confrontation between security forces and the old system, excluding Omar al-Bashir, and a leaderless movement on the streets based on the activism of young people. John Prendergast, of The Sentry think tank, argued that foreign powers should not stand idly by. The longer the United States and European Union wait to create consequences for the actions of the military rulers, he wrote, the more the regime is consolidating its economic and political power, to the great detriment of Sudans population. How did the driver of a small hotel find himself before a French court being tried for genocide perpetrated in Rwanda in 1994? Claude Muhayimana, a 60-year-old Franco-Rwandan, was tried before the Assize Court of Paris from November 22 to December 16, 2021. The trial was held under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows certain countries to try international crimes committed outside their territory, including by non-nationals. Muhayimana was charged with complicity in genocide and complicity in crimes against humanity. He was not accused of being a main perpetrator of the crime, but French law considers perpetrator and accomplice on an equal footing, the prosecutor explained during her closing arguments on December 15. This is the third trial held in France related to the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda, but the previous two trials targeted military officials or civilian authorities. Muhayimana was at the time just a driver, according to the defence. His lawyer Philippe Meilhac says the accused found himself in the middle of chaos, () in the particular context of Kibuye, a town in western Rwanda which was the location of the small hotel for which Muhayimana worked as a driver. To be placed in the midst of chaos meant, according to the defence, being requisitioned on pain of death to drive gendarmes busy massacring Tutsis who had taken refuge in the hills of Gitwa, Karongi and Bisesero, in the heart of the mountainous chain that overlooks the Kibuye region. For the prosecution, it was precisely here that the role of a driver became important in the execution of the genocide. Mobility, a key element in the genocide The soldiers and militiamen needed to be mobile to go and kill their Tutsi compatriots taking refuge in the mountains, explains historian Helene Dumas, who was called as an expert witness in this trial. This mobility, she believes, was an important factor in Rwandas steep terrain. In what she calls the massification of the genocide, different categories of the Hutu population were mobilized to participate in the massacres. Some of the places of refuge for hunted Tutsis were hard to reach, because of rain-damaged dirt roads and the distance on foot. Vehicles were needed, and not just any vehicles. Buses and vans were requisitioned to move Interahamwe militiamen (youth wing of the party in power in 1994), police, gendarmes, soldiers and prison guards, all armed to go and attack the Tutsis. Eric Gillet, president of the Belgian NGO RCN Justice & Democracy, which was created in Rwanda after the genocide, told the court that in Rwanda in the 1990s, cars belonged mainly to big businessmen, religious people and public institutions. For him, driving a car was not something that went unnoticed in this country. Muhayimana was a driver at the Guest House in Kibuye, a hotel run by the Rwandan Office of Tourism and National Parks, a public institution. This position made him a well-known person in the small town of Kibuye, where he was born. Some witnesses reported seeing his vehicle in a particular location, without necessarily specifying whether it was driven by him, as the small number of vehicles meant they were associated with the name of the driver. Every link in the chain of crime counts When the court asked this simple driver if he knew whether the genocide of the Tutsis had been planned, the accused said he knew that Tutsis had been killed, but that he could not have known about the planning of this genocide. But the lawyers for the civil parties rejected the idea that he was just a driver, driving a vehicle full of armed people on their way to commit genocide. According to the lawyer for the civil parties, Richard Gisagara, this is a defence version of what happened that suggests this is a minor trial. But, he told Justice Info, any genocide trial is, in essence, an important case. He points out that the genocide was carried out at several levels, and that is what allowed it to take place. I consider that all the links in the chain that led to the genocide are important. I am approaching this case in the same way as the case of Pascal Simbikangwa and the former mayors of Kabarondo, and it is as important as the others, he added, referring to the two other Rwandan genocide trials that have been held in France. In a genocide, there are no big and small fish, said Alain Gauthier, president of the Collectif des parties civiles pour le Rwanda, a French association that tracks genocide suspects who fled abroad. There are those who organized [the genocide] at the level of the Rwandan state, but all those who participated, in one way or another, must be judged in the same way. The shadow of the French military Muhayimanas trial relates to acts committed in the Bisesero mountains, which has painful memories for relations between France and Rwanda. The massacres were still going on when the French military arrived in the region at the end of June 1994, as part of Operation Turquoise, and the French army was accused of not providing immediate assistance to the hunted Tutsis who were still alive, leaving some of them in the hands of the killers. The former commander of the Turquoise regiment in Bisesero, retired general Patrice Sartre, was called as a witness under the discretionary power of the trial courts presiding judge. In his testimony, Sartre told the court that the French mission was initially humanitarian and they had information that a civil war was going on in Rwanda. But when we got there, we found that the Hutus were massacring the Tutsis, he said. Survivors of the massacres testified at the trial that there was an encounter with the French military, who asked them to come out of their hiding places before leaving, allowing the killers to spot and attack them. After three days, the French military came back and we showed them the bodies of freshly massacred Tutsis and they were shocked, said Aaron Kabogora on November 29. In order to seek political asylum in France in 2004 and avoid extradition to Rwanda, Muhayimana (who arrived in France in 2001) claimed he had served as a guide to the French military. Heclaimed that the Rwandan government had tried to get him to sign a document accusing the French military of having raped Tutsi women refugees in Bisesero, which he refused to do. Muhayimana wrote twice to General Sartre asking for assistance. Andre-Martin Karongozi, another lawyer for the civil parties, believes the accused put forward this claim of pressure from the Rwandan authorities to help him get political asylum and then French nationality. Finally, on December 16, the Paris Court of Assizes ruled that Muhayimana was guilty of the charges against him. For his complicity in the crime, for having served as a driver to the militia, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, some school systems across the United States have extended Mondays vacation or switched back to online teaching, while others continue to face-to-face when it seems that more and more people believe that Americans must learn to cooperate The curriculum coexists with the virus. Sandwiched between teachers who are afraid of infection and parents who want their children to attend classes, school districts in cities such as Milwaukee, New York, and Detroit found themselves in trouble at the beginning of the second half of the school year because of the ultra-contagious omicron variant. New York City is home to the largest public school system in the United States. It has reopened classrooms to approximately 1 million students and has COVID-19 test kits to take home. It plans to double the number of random tests in schools. The newly sworn-in mayor Eric Adams said on MSNBC: We will stay safe, and we will be open to educating our children. Trisha White, a New Yorker, said she feels that her 9-year-old son has the same risks whether he goes to school or after school. For him, spending time with classmates is better than studying remotely. He might get the virus outside of school, she said when sending the boy. Then what can you do? You know, I dont blame the school system. They are doing their best. Although the teachers union has asked the mayor to postpone face-to-face learning for a week, city officials have long stated that mask requirements, testing, and other safety measures mean that children are safe in school. The city also vaccinated employees. The number of new COVID-19 cases in the city surged from an average of approximately 17,000 in the week before the holiday to nearly 37,000 last week. With many Americans eager to get tested, the number of new COVID-19 cases in the United States has tripled in the past two weeks to more than 400,000 cases per day, the highest level on record. The epidemic has brought a heavy burden to important economic sectors, including hospitals and the aviation industry, and a large number of employees in these sectors have been infected. Public health experts say that eradicating the virus is impossible. On the contrary, the world must find a way to control COVID-19 to an acceptable level, just like the flu. Policy makers and health authorities have been concerned about the impact on the economy and education system. Last week, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shortened the recommended COVID-19 quarantine period from 10 days to 5 days, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Varensky said: We want to ensure that there is a mechanism that allows us to safely Continue to keep society functioning while following science. Another development on Monday may have an impact on the schools ability to remain open. The Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer to inject booster injections for 12-year-old children. It has been recommended that everyone who is 16 years of age and older get a booster shot. Elsewhere in the country, Syracuse, New York, cancelled schools on Monday because of the increasing number of infections and the lack of substitute teachers to make up for absenteeism. In Wisconsin, due to an increase in faculty and staff cases, the Milwaukee school system will resume virtual teaching on Tuesday, which has 75,000 students. The school district stated that its goal is to resume face-to-face classes on January 10. The Madison District of Wisconsin also announced that it will switch to virtual learning from Thursday. The head of the Detroit school, Nikolai Vitti, told parents that face-to-face or online learning will not be possible until Wednesday because of the high rate of employee infections, which may lead to the widespread spread of COVID-19 and an excessive shortage of personnel . The Peoria area of ??Illinois extended its winter vacation by one week. The school in Davenport, Iowa announced the cancellation of all classes for the day earlier on Monday, which surprised parents because the shortage of school bus drivers was at least partly attributable to COVID-19. With classrooms reopening as planned, educators in Minnesota prepared for the surge in coronavirus cases. Bob Indihar, executive director of the Minnesota Rural Education Association, said: What I hear from managers is that they are nervous about omicron. Change is about to happen seems to be the new normal, isolation and people going out. Its just part of the current process. All regions are responding calmly. The chairman of the National Parent Alliance, a parent organization network, called the sudden switch to virtual learning disgusting. Not a modern healthcare subscriber? Register today. Once again, parents are scrambling at the last minute, and to make matters worse, too many children are deprived of the face-to-face learning experience, which is vital to their academic and social emotional development, Keri Rodrigues said in a statement. . Due to the surge, many companies have also shelved or postponed plans to resume work. Thousands of flights have been cancelled in recent days, partly due to staff shortages. Dawn Crawley, chief executive of House Cleaning Heroes, a cleaning service company in Herndon, Virginia, said she had to cancel 4 of the 20 cleaning jobs on Tuesday because four employees were sick three of them were infected COVID-19. The worry is that it will run through the entire team and customers, she said. Now that "The Silent Sea" episode 8 has reached the finale, the storyline features a surprising twist between the survivors' Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Kim Sun Young, Lee Moo Saeng and villain Lee Joon. With the finale episode focusing on the survival and emotional attachment towards Luna, it also ended with a cliffhanger about the future of the Earth and the girl, who was dubbed as "the salvation." 'The Silent Sea' Episode 8 Recap: Covering Up the Mission The eighth and last episode featured a glimpse of what happened in the first expedition and showed that the military, whom they thought were rescuers, killed everyone, including Song Jian's sister. At present, the astrobiologist raised suspicion that the government tried to cover up the incident knowing that human experiments and cloning were both illegal. "So that means the reason the government shut this station five years ago was because they cared more about hiding the experiments than the results," Doc Hong mentioned. However, Chief Gong Soo Hyuk expressed a different opinion and noted that revealing the information discovered inside the station was an act of treason that made the doctor furious. On the other hand, Song Jian explained that she now understands why Director Choi wanted her to join the expedition and that it is to discover what her sister has committed as a head researcher. Is this the End for Song Jian? To recall, episode 7 showed that the station is slowly being submerged in the lunar water. The finale featured how the remaining astronauts managed to escape the area with the help of Luna. Unfortunately, Song Jian felt odd and saw the symptoms of the infection. She locked herself in the room and vomited a massive amount of water. Thankfully, the astrobiologist remained alive because of Luna's bite, which acted as an antidote. Lieutenant Ryu Tae Suk Devastating Fate As the team escaped from the tunnel, they came face to face with Lieutenant Ryu Tae Suk, who now experienced the effects of the infection. He is hallucinating and recalling what he did during the first expedition. He asked Song Jian for forgiveness as "The Silent Sea" finale illustrates what went wrong during the first mission. Instead of rescuing the team, Ryu Tae Suk and his men were tasked by the government to kill all aboard the Balhae Station, including Song Jian's sister. Meanwhile, Chief Gong Soo Hyuk sensed a great danger ahead of them; he fired at the lieutenant but was also shot by Ryu Tae Suk, causing a fatal injury. The survivors ready their spacesuits at the airlock room, including Luna; unfortunately, Gong Soo Hyuk failed to make it. With only a last step before they get out alive at the station, Captain Han sacrificed himself to activate the decompression chamber from outside the airlock room. He also tells Song Jian a parting message saying "Where Luna goes, you go." Although this seems hard on the astrobiologist and Doc Hong, both escape the station but are almost carried away by the massive pressure from the inside. Fortunately, they survived but noticed that Luna was missing. Interestingly, the two survivors were surprised to see the girl without any spacesuit and goes near the dying Captain Han. As "The Silent Sea" episode 8 nears its ending, a spaceship arrives and the trio were rescued along with the samples. KDramastars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Rents in metro Orlando reached unheard-of heights in 2021, but the new year is likely to bring a slower rate of increases, an expert says. The pace of growth in rent is likely to decelerate but it will continue to grow, said Lisa McNatt, director of market analytics for real estate analysts CoStar Group. Advertisement Kristen and Jeff Howard are in the process of packing their belonging and moving out of their Orlando apartment, while frantically searching for new place to live, on Thursday, December 29, 2021. Rents in metro Orlando have skyrocketed, rising on average more than 30% over last year. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) (Rich Pope/Staff photographer) According to CoStar, the average rent in the metro area is $1,650. Thats a nearly 25% increase over the previous year, a pace more than twice the national average increase of 11.5%. With people from all over the country making the move to Central Florida, McNatt says renters should expect another 6-8% in increases in 2022. As long as that multifamily demand exists, rates are going to continue to accelerate, she said. Advertisement That is welcome news to developers. A study this year from software company Stessa called Orlando the second-best metro in the city to invest in rental property, behind only the Tampa region. But for renters such as Kristin and Jeff Howard, it makes their prospects for finding a new place bleak. They are already paying $1,450 for an extension on their lease in their south Orlando townhome. The place is being advertised to new renters for $1,700. The landlord said he likes us so hes only charging us this much, Kristin Howard said. The Howards own online vintage shop Kick Bright and will be opening a physical location in the Milk District in January. But both of them were laid off from their day jobs in November and need a cheaper place to live. They say their search has been demoralizing. Some places are asking for $150 nonrefundable application fees. If youre looking at three places, its $400-$500 just to apply, Jeff Howard said. Youre not guaranteed youre going to even be approved. And thats if they can even find open places. Vacancy rates for higher-end apartments, with an average rent of $1,870 per month like those in downtown Orlando, are at about 6.7%. Low cost apartments in the area, with an average rent of $1,100 a month, are less than 3% vacant. There is a complete lack of workforce and affordable housing, McNatt said. Advertisement Developers are preparing for growth in the area. Though Orlando counts for less than 1% of the U.S. population, it accounts for 2% of all multifamily development projects underway, with 14,000 new units currently in the works. But even if they all come online in the next year, they will likely command premium rents. To find anything affordable, McNatt says renters need to look outside the city at places such as Kissimmee. Big things are going to happen in Osceola County, she said. McNatt points to developments such as Margaritaville and WaterStar on U.S. Highway 192 as likely to spur some growth in Osceola. She said that could prompt the conversion of some older hotels in Kissimmee into affordable apartments. You do have a lot of under-utilized hotels around here that you could do just a little adaptive reuse and turn them into workforce housing, she said. Advertisement Housing advocates have pushed for such conversions, but an ordinance Osceola passed in November has made the process more costly for developers. It calls for such measures as keeping 20% of developable land as open space, which would limit the number of available units. Looking at news such as Disneys announced plans for a campus in Lake Nona, McNatt says renters should expect everything to continue upward. A lot of executives have decided they want to live here, she said. So theyre going to move their operations here and their people are going to follow. Want to reach out? Email tfraser@orlandosentinel.com. Follow TIFraserOS on Twitter. After Young Ro (BLACKPINK Jisoo) comes clean about her identity, Su Ho (Jung Hae In) becomes more conflicted and frazzled. The South and North's battle intensifies. Keep on reading to know the full story! 'Snowdrop' Episode 7: Su Ho Determined to Take Down the South Previously, Young Ro revealed her true identity as the daughter of the National Security Agency, sacrificing herself for the other students' freedom. Nam Tae Il, who had intercepted the dormitory through doctor Cheong Ya (Yoo In Na), heard that Young Ro hid Su Ho in the past. Meanwhile, Cheong Ya secretly tipped Su Ho that she was sent along with a killing squad to intercept the entire dormitory, but he was smart to install bombs and explosive in the building before, blowing up the dormitory if he gets deceived by the opposing party one more time. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Snowdrop' Episode 6: Jisoo Reveals Her True Identity to Jung Hae In The media talked about the professor who died on the ship, releasing evidence that it was an atrocity of the North Koreans,who oppose his presidential campaigns. To change the public opinion, Eun Chang Soo (Heo Jun Ho), Young Ro's brother, announced the hostage-taking to the public in hopes to negotiate with the North. Who's Who? Foes Become Friends Gyeok Chan (Kim Min Gyu) was furious after finding a gun in Cheong Ya's bag. Unaware of her identity, the two fought with the intention to kill. When one of them got disarmed, Young Ro quickly picked up the gun and threatened to shoot. The situation worsened when Gyeok Chan fired at the sniper squad outside the dormitory. Young Ro then saw the letter she had written and her paper plane origami fell from Su Ho's arms, wondering why he had it. Panicking, Su Ho snatched the paper from Young Ro's hands. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THIS: Jung Hae In and BLACKPINK Jisoo's 'Snowdrop' Bounces Back From All-Time Low Ratings and Criticisms Taking advantage of Young Ro's weakness, using her true identity to disarm the killing squad. Knowing about the dormitory being intercepted, Su Ho negotiated with Chang Soo by threatening to kill Young Ro. After removing all the wiretapping devices in the dormitory, Su Ho approached Cheong Ya, who is a secret North Korean agent. North and South's Battle Intensifies News broke throughout South Korea, especially the Eun family, as Young Ro's older brother, Chang Soo, died after a battle with a spy ship. The fact that Su Ho is the leader of the spies that killed Chang Soo, he was revealed as the mastermind of the hostage-taking at Hosoo Women's University dormitory, raising the sense of urgency throughout South Korea. YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: 8 Things You Need to Know About 'Snowdrop' Star BLACKPINK Jisoo Follow KDramaStars for more KMovie, KDrama, and celebrity updates! KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. The year 2021 has been filled with many top notch K-Dramas ranging from different genres-like romance, mystery, thriller, action, comedy and more. But what made these series mesmerizing and engrossing? It's mostly because of the brilliant actors who lent their talents and skills to the production. Here are the breakout actors who shone brightly in 2021! Keep on reading to see what they have in store for us! 1. Song Kang Started off with smaller roles, Song Kang climbed his way to the top and claimed his well-deserved breakthrough role. He appeared in many popular Netflix series like "Love Alarm," "Sweet Home" and "Nevertheless," which kick started his career. He also earned the nickname "the Son of Netflix" as a rookie actor. With his promising acting career, he diversified his roles from a high school student, to a suicidal boy trying to survive an apocalypse and even a handsome playboy. Not only did he steal Netflix's trust and attention, he also stole many girls' hearts. At the moment, Song Kang is gearing up to return to the small screen with JTBC's romance workplace comedy drama "Korean Meteorological Romance" with Park Min Young. With this, his popularity is expected to skyrocket as soon as the drama is released. 2. Wi Ha Joon Actor Wi Ha Joon broke the internet and made every woman's heart flutter as he portrayed the role of the courageous and tactical police officer in the hit thriller series "Squid Game." With his charisma and bravado, Wi Ha Joon simply generated a lot of buzz in the year 2021. His return in the worldwide acclaimed Netflix show's second season is highly anticipated, curious about what happened to his character. Meanwhile, Wi Ha Joon is starring in the mystery comedy series "Bad and Crazy" with Lee Dong Wook. It airs every Friday and Saturday on tvN at 10:40 p.m. KST. He is also set to appear in the 2022 forthcoming dramas "K Project" with Han So Hee and tvN's drama "Little Women" with Kim Go Eun, Nam Ji Hyun and Park Ji Hoo. 3. Lee Do Hyun After two hit dramas "18 Again" and "Sweet Home," where he showed off his acting prowess, Lee Do Hyun jumped from being the "Prince of Supporting Roles" to a lead actor. Lee Do Hyun claimed the year 2021 and decorated it diversely with two fantastic dramas, medical romance series "Youth of May" and coming-of-age melodrama "Melancholia." IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: ChaCenzo, IkSong, SikHye and More: 7 KDrama Ships That Sailed This 2021 In the same year, he brought home the rookie award at the Asia Artist Awards. Now, he is one of the most sought-after names in the industry. The actor is set to return to the small screen this 2022 with the highly anticipated Netflix series "The Glory" with Song Hye Kyo, which follows the revenge-seeking story of a high school student who dreamed of being an architect, but dropped out of school due to being unceasingly ostracized. 4. Jung Ho Yeon Without a doubt, Jung Ho Yeon is 2021's brightest star, receiving worldwide acclaim overnight with her blockbuster television debut series "Squid Game." Prior to acting, Jung Ho Yeon walked the runway for luxurious brands like Chanel, Fendi and Louis Vuitton. Her portrayal of the badass Squid Game player, No. 67 Kang Sae Byeok, a North Korean defector who dreamed to reunite her family, gained attention for the rookie star's acting skills. Because of this, she became Instagram's most followed star with approximately 24 million followers, superseding Song Hye Kyo. Brands like Adidas and Calvin Klein are trying to win her heart. In 2021, the model and actress became Louis Vuitton's Global House Ambassador. She also signed with an American agency, hinting at her possible Hollywood debut. 5. Han So Hee Another model-turned-actress, Han So Hee started her career as the sly mistress in the hit television series "The World of Married" in 2020. Because of her brilliant performance, her career skyrocketed and landed her major acting roles in upcoming heavyweight series. In 2021, she delivered a remarkable acting with Netflix's "Nevertheless" and "My Name," showing off her diversity from being the naive and clueless Yoo Na Bi to the enraged avenger Yoon Ji Woo. READ MORE: 6 Best Actresses Who Shone Brightly This 2021 According to Experts Because of her beauty and talent, brands like L'Oreal Paris, Lanvin, Gucci, Celine and Charlotte Tilbury lined up for her grace. 2022 will be hotter as Han So Hee partners up with another breakout actor Wi Ha Joon for the upcoming thriller drama "K Project," which is scheduled to be released in the first half of 2022. 6. Jeon Yeo Bin While she made her acting debut rather late, Jeon Yeo Bin received her much-deserved attention in the 2021 blockbuster series "Vincenzo" with Song Joong Ki, where she portrayed the haughty lawyer, Hong Cha Young. She didn't realize her immense popularity not until she went out and was recognized as Hong Cha Young, her character in the hit series. Along with her fame, she also bagged the title of "Face of the 2021 Spring/Summer Collection of Discovery Expedition" and Giorgio Armani Beauty. The actress is now gearing up to decorate 2022 with another Netflix series "Glitch," which depicts the story of a woman who longs for her missing boyfriend, after UFO watchers witness his abduction. "Glitch" is written by "Extracurricular" writer Jin Han Sae, and also stars After School Nana, Lee Dong Hwi and Ryu Kyung Soo. Follow KDramaStars for more KMovie, KDrama, and celebrity updates! KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. Nunavut's chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson speaks to reporters during a press conference in Iqaluit on Monday, May 31, 2021.The latest wave of COVID-19 is bringing some remote communities in Canada to the breaking point, as case numbers explode. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Emma Tranter Ontario Premier makes his way to a news conference in Toronto, as further restrictions are announced to combat the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, on Monday January 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Students throughout Kenosha County returned to school Monday following holiday break with no change in COVID-19 protocols. However, changes may be coming. At least two Kenosha County School Districts Kenosha Unified (KUSD) and Riverview School in Silver Lake were scheduled to hold special meetings Monday night, after the Kenosha News print deadline, to discuss the issue. COVID protocol was the sole item on the KUSD agenda, which noted that the special meeting was for discussion/possible action on the districts Better Together 2021/22 Plan, which includes responses to the coronavirus. The news comes as districts throughout the state announced changes for attendance and instruction due to the uptick in COVID cases. The Racine Unified School District delayed returning to classes until Wednesday. The Madison School District announced that students at all grade levels will start the new semester with online learning beginning Thursday, amid record levels of COVID-19 cases in Dane County. A similar scenario was unfolding in Wisconsins largest school district, Milwaukee Public Schools, where transition to virtual instruction was set to begin Tuesday because of an increase in staff testing positive for COVID-19. District administrators throughout Kenosha County said they are taking guidance from state and local health officials into consideration. Ultimately, it is a local decision to be made by each district. Ive met with the local school districts and private schools to discuss their post-holiday return plans, but our recommendations are just that, as the individual districts and schools are instituting policies as they see fit, Kenosha County Public Health Director Jen Freiheit said Monday. Parents apprised John Gendron, district administrator at Westosha Central High School in Paddock Lake, said his district is aware of the increase in positive cases across the state, of the new CDC quarantine guidelines released this week and will closely monitor the number of active cases at the school. We will maintain our current protocols for the remainder of the semester, Gendron said Monday. At that time, we will review current numbers and protocols. A letter informed families Sunday the district will work with the Kenosha County Health Department this week to determine the specific applications and impact to schools. Until then, the district will maintain the required 10-day quarantine for all positive cases and require all students and staff to quarantine if they are deemed to be a close contact and are experiencing symptoms. Likewise, families Wilmot Union High School in far southwest Salem Lakes, were informed via correspondence Sunday night that while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decreased the recommended time that a person needs to remain isolated following COVID-19 illness and quarantine due to exposure, the district will maintain its current illness and quarantine protocol until full guidance has been received from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Kenosha County Public Health. Randall School Administrator Bob Antholine said the district does not plan to move to a hybrid model of online and virtual instruction and also returned under established protocols. At this time we have not made any adjustments to our protocols, but will be consulting with our administrative office team and Randalls District nurse to consider what if any adjustments will be made by the end of this week, Antholine said. Our greatest partnership has been with our school community. Our district nurse has done an excellent job partnering with our families and vice versa. Similarly, Wheatland Center School Administrator Marty McGinley said the district will continue to monitor and evaluate the impact of COVID on our staff and student population each day. Our current isolation and quarantine protocols remain unchanged since the beginning of the year, McGinley said. The Associated Press and Lee Newspapers contributed to this report. The Associated Press and Lee Newspapers contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Maori journalist has made history in New Zealand by becoming the first person with traditional facial markings to host a primetime news program on national television. Oriini Kaipara made headlines worldwide after hosting her first 6 p.m. bulletin for Newshub on the TV channel Three, with many lauding the milestone as a win for Maori representation. "I was really elated. I was over the moon," Kaiipara told CNN of the moment she found out she would cover the primetime slot. "It's a huge honor. I don't know how to deal with the emotions." Kaipara's Christmas Day presenting role was the first of six consecutive days covering for the primetime news show's permanent anchors, although her stint will continue into early January and she said she may be called again in the future The 38-year-old is already the permanent anchor of the 4:30 p.m. "Newshub Live" bulletin, and made history when she was appointed to the role in 2019, as the first person with Maori facial markings to present a mainstream TV news program. In the tradition of the Maori people, who are the indigenous people of what is now New Zealand, facial markings are tattooed on the chin for women and known as moko kauae, while for men they cover most of the face and are known as mataora. Kaipara got her tattoo in January 2019, which she says was a personal decision she made for grounding reasons, to remind her of her power and identity as a Maori woman. "When I doubt myself, and I see my reflection in the mirror, I'm not just looking at myself," Kaipara told CNN. "I'm looking at my grandmother and my mother, and my daughters, and hers to come after me, as well as all the other women, Maori girls out there and it empowers me." Having begun her career in 2005, Kaipara said hosting the primetime news slot was the "pinnacle" of her journalistic dreams, although it was a "bittersweet moment" because her mother, who recently passed away, couldn't share the moment with her. Despite all the positive comments, there have also been negative reactions to Kaipara's presenting, especially as she often uses Maori phrases such as "E haere ake nei" (still to come), "U tonu mai" (stay with us) and "Taihoa e haere" (don't go just yet). The Maori language is hugely important to Kaipara. Her ultimate goal, she said, is encouraging people to speak the language that was "beaten out of my grandmother's generation" and reclaim it for Maori people. "We still haven't addressed a lot of intergenerational traumas and colonization and for Maori, that's very, very pertinent and poignant as well," Kaipara said. "Not much in terms of race relations here has changed in a very long time." However, the "enormity" of the occasion was not lost on her and in many ways it was a full circle moment for Kaipara, who was inspired by Maori TV news presenter Tini Molyneux when she was a young girl. "She was my idol," Kaipara told CNN. "She had the same skin color as me... she sounded like me, she looked like me. And she comes from where I come from originally, my family, whakapapa (ancestors), where are ancestral ties are to our land." Kaipara hopes young Maori girls will take inspiration from her story as a sign that times are changing. "For a long time our people, our ancestors, our tipuna, and us now, have done so much work to get to where we are," Kaipara told CNN. "As a young woman, as a young Maori, what you do today influences and affects what happens tomorrow. So all I ask is that they see the beauty in being Maori and they embrace it and acknowledge that and do what they can with it for positive change." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and federal regulators on Monday decided theyre also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds once enough time has passed since their last dose. Advertisement But the move, coming as classes restart after the holidays, isnt the final step. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must decide whether to recommend boosters for the younger teens. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDCs director, is expected to rule later this week. The FDA also said everyone 12 and older whos eligible for a Pfizer booster can get one as early as five months after their last dose rather than six months. Advertisement FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said in a statement the agency made its decision because a booster may help provide better protection against both the delta and omicron variants, especially as omicron is slightly more resistant to the vaccine-induced antibodies that help fend off infection. Real-world data from Israel racked more than 6,300 12- to 15-year-olds who got a booster there at least five months after their second Pfizer dose and found no serious safety concerns, the FDA said. Likewise, the FDA said even more data from Israel showed no problems with giving anyone eligible for a Pfizer booster that extra dose a month sooner than the six months that until now has been U.S. policy. The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. > Vaccines still offer strong protection against serious illness from any type of COVID-19. But health authorities are urging everyone whos eligible to get a booster dose for their best chance at avoiding milder breakthrough infections from the highly contagious omicron mutant. Children tend to suffer less serious illness from COVID-19 than adults. But child hospitalizations are rising during the omicron wave -- most of them unvaccinated. The vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech is the only U.S. option for children of any age. About 13.5 million 12- to 17-year-olds just over half that age group have received two Pfizer shots, according to the CDC. For families hoping to keep their children as protected as possible, the booster age limit raised questions. The older teens, 16- and 17-year-olds, became eligible for boosters in early December. But original vaccinations opened for the younger teens, those 12 to 15, back in May. That means those first in line in the spring, potentially millions, are about as many months past their last dose as the slightly older teens. Advertisement As for even younger children, kid-size doses for 5- to 11-year-olds rolled out more recently, in November -- and experts say healthy youngsters should be protected after their second dose for a while. But the FDA also said Monday that if children that young have severely weakened immune systems, they will be allowed a third dose 28 days after their second. Thats the same third-dose timing already recommended for immune-compromised teens and adults. Pfizer is studying its vaccine, in even smaller doses, for children younger than 5. 135 Shares Share In September 2021, Hasan Minhaj appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and touted a purported a war between MDs and DOs. In it, he compared osteopathic physicians, DOs, to RC Cola as opposed to the Coca-Cola of MDs, claiming that DOs are off-brand doctor[s] (and notably placing MDs above DOs with a slight, almost imperceptible motion of his hand). The bit occurred while Minhaj recounted to Fallon an anecdote of how a childhood-friend-become-DO, who apparently failed out of medical school in the Caribbean multiple times before later becoming a DO because he [couldnt] even afford all the good letters, performed a varicocele repair surgery on him after he and his wife had struggled for years with infertility issues. This surgery eventually led to the birth of their second child, the picture of whom Minhaj proudly showed the audience. When I first heard the joke (Im a DO), Ill admit I was conflicted, but not necessarily for the most obvious reasons. Let me first say, I am a fan of Hasan Minhaj. I first came to appreciate his comedy when he spoke at the 2017 White House Correspondents Dinner. His impeccable delivery, gutsy takedowns of high-profile individuals including then-President Donald Trump, and overall edginess piqued my interest. Thereafter, I continued to follow Minhajs success throughout his many achievements over the years, including his first stand-up special, Homecoming King, filmed at his alma mater, University of California, Davis, and six seasons of his Netflix show Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj. So, you can imagine my unease when he delivered a joke seemingly at my professions expense. I could appreciate the crux of the punchline; DOs have historically been representatives of the much-lesser-known medical profession in the U.S., and there is a common misconception that DOs are inferior to MDs due to their, on average, lower scores on standardized tests compared to their MD counterparts. But we all know that timing is everything in comedy, and this joke just didnt hit at the right moment. Yes, though medical school admissions overall are becoming more and more competitive each year, mean admission GPA and MCAT scores of DO schools continue to lag behind those of MD schools. However, there are so many other more notable things happening right now in the osteopathic medical profession to recognize. Earlier this year (2021), nearly 7,500 osteopathic physicians graduated, totaling the number of DOs in the U.S. to almost 135,000. In addition, more than 26 percent of current U.S. medical students are actually DO students. And even today, over half of osteopathic physicians practice in primary care, an area sorely in need of help across our nation. As far as standardized tests, in 2019, 4,837 DO students (60 percent of the class of 2021) sat for the USMLE Step 1, and 96 percent of them passed (the same percentage as U.S./Canadian MD test-takers, by the way). In 2020, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) officially concluded a long-awaited transition to a single graduate medical education accreditation system, something that has been in the works since I graduated from medical school in 2014. What this means is that formerly osteopathic (historically only open to DO applicants) and allopathic (or ACGME, which were always open to all applicants) residency programs fall within the umbrella of the ACGME. Hence, all MDs and DOs in residency in the U.S. are now under one, unified residency accreditation system governing standards across the board for their postgraduate training. So instead of creating division where there shouldnt be, lets focus on the good that the DO profession brings to our community. And perhaps even more importantly, lets recognize the great work that all those in health care are doing. In this global pandemic, our health care delivery system is at the brink of collapse. Health care workers including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, among others, are exhausted. We need all the support we can get. Minhaj should understand this; after all, his wife is a doctor of public health (DrPH). Since his original appearance on The Tonight Show, but not before receiving some pretty heated pushback from the osteopathic medical community, Hasan Minhaj has walked back some of his comments, He likened them to throw-away jokes about peoples grad school test scores. Minhaj also acknowledged that we are living through a pandemic and conceded that he meant to bring people together through his comedy, not to divide them. He ended his response by giving a shout out to the DOs. So why is this important? A comedian makes an off-color joke about DOs a few months ago one that is probably based on some truth and apologizes. Cant we just laugh and move on? As someone who has previously championed DO distinctiveness and continue to apply osteopathic principles and manipulative medicine in my daily practice, one in which I precept MD and DO residents and serve as teaching faculty for students from multiple MD and DO schools, I will continue to advocate for the DO profession in any way that I can. And if that means calling out a favorite comedian, then so be it. Thus, the reason for this post. All in all, I honestly dont consider Hasan Minhajs joke to be unfunny, but instead of reopening old wounds and creating unnecessary division (or a war for that matter) where there is none, lets celebrate all fully licensed, residency-trained physicians for what they are: just that. Patrick Wu is an infectious disease physician. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Kilgore, TX (75662) Today Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially this morning. High 86F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. To subscribe, click here. Already a subscriber? Click here. Fort Lauderdale Expectant mothers hoping to deliver their babies at Holy Cross Health in the coming days will have to find another hospital thanks to the pandemic. The Fort Lauderdale hospital was forced to temporarily close its Labor and Delivery Unit due to a surge in coronavirus cases among staff, hospital spokeswoman Christine Walker confirmed on Sunday. Advertisement People are out sick due to the surge in COVID cases, she said. Its just temporary for the labor and delivery unit. The NICU [Neonatal Intensive Care Unit] and Post-Partum are still open. The news comes as hospitals across the country are battling the surge in cases in the face of widespread staffing shortages. Advertisement Due to the COVID-19 surge, Holy Cross Health has reached critical staffing levels in Labor and Delivery, Walker said. In the best interest of patient safety, the Labor and Delivery unit is on diversion until further notice. Walker said the hospital doesnt have an opening date yet for the Labor and Delivery Unit. Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale, seen here on Sunday, closed its Labor and Delivery Unit temporarily due to a surge in COVID-19 cases among staff. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) One tipster sent an email to the South Florida Sun Sentinel saying hed heard of the pandemic-related shutdown. It has placed at least one expecting mother in jeopardy of finding a hospital to deliver her baby, said Ken Kohl, a Lighthouse Point resident whose daughters friend is now scrambling to figure out where to go to deliver her baby. She was expecting to go in tomorrow and have an induced delivery, Kohl said. Im sure there are many expecting moms in a bad place because of this. Its an awful situation. Kohl said two doctors who deliver babies at Holy Cross have nowhere else to take their patients who are expecting. The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. > Theyre telling her to go to Northwest [Medical Center] or Broward General, Kohl said. But they wont take [pregnant moms who want to induce labor]. Theyd just have to show up while they are in labor. [ RELATED: Nursing shortage hits a crisis point in Florida, and it is taking a toll, leaders say ] A doctor with knowledge of the situation said the Labor and Delivery Unit was hit pretty hard. Advertisement They have so many people out, its not safe to operate, he said. The risk is to the patients. And you cant just pull a nurse from NICU and put them in Labor and Delivery. Its a different skill set. It was unclear Sunday whether Holy Cross sent any patients to other hospitals when it closed the Labor and Delivery Unit. Walker did not respond to an email asking whether patients who were expecting to deliver their babies at Holy Cross in the coming days were being directed to any specific hospital. Holy Cross is a nonprofit, 557-bed Catholic hospital and member of Trinity Health that operates in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy, according to its website. The hospital is located at 4725 N. Federal Hwy. in Fort Lauderdale. Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan The launch of the Vicky Phelan portrait was held in Mooncoin Parish Hall yesterday (Sunday). Present for the launch in her native Mooncoin, Vicky spoke about the painting and her journey. The painting will now go on display and on a tour around Ireland. The Triptych portrait was painted by Irish artist Vincent Devine, who was inspired by Vickys incredible courage. His aim was to convey the tragedies and the joys in Vickys life, through symbolism in the anatomy of her body and different objects. Mr Devine explained all about each section of the painting, and also about the illness and injuries that Vicky has had down the years. David Brennan, a family friend of Vicky and the Kelly family, is the owner of the portrait painting. He has promised to bring the painting home to display in Mooncoin, and has given permission for the painting to tour around Ireland, so as it will be seen by as many people as possible. GOAL has thanked the people of Kilkenny who turned out over Christmas to do a GOAL Mile in support of vulnerable communities all over the world. Now in its fifth decade, it has been a Christmas tradition for family, friends and neighbours to take time out to walk, run or jog a mile for GOAL to support the agencys work in 14 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. The annual event sees people across the country gather over the Christmas holidays to run, jog or walk a mile in support of vulnerable communities across 14 countries where GOAL works in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. First held in 1977, this years GOAL Mile is supported by AIB as part of an exciting new three-year partnership. This year also marks the first time that both in-person and virtual GOAL Miles are taking place following the move online in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic GOAL CEO, Siobhan Walsh, said: I want to extend a world of thanks to each and every person for uniting as one global family this Christmas to make a difference. Thank you for your humanity. I was delighted to get the opportunity to run a GOAL Mile on Christmas Day in my parish of Fedamore, County Limerick. She added: The impact of Covid-19 has continued to be profound in the 14 countries in which GOAL works, exacerbated by the unresolved humanitarian issues that plague progress including climate change, global hunger, access to clean water, basic medical care, and sustainable livelihoods. In the past year, our teams have implemented a wide range of activities to reach over 14 million people with food, health, livelihood and emergency response support. This would not have been possible without the generous support of the people of Ireland. "Whilst this Christmas was once again impacted by the pandemic, I am so happy that so many stood together to do a mile in solidarity for GOAL. It has been tremendous. The GOAL Mile is more important than ever as we work to rebuild communities shattered by disease, conflict and climate change. AIB Chief Executive Colin Hunt said AIB is proud to support GOAL in reaching vulnerable communities that are already suffering deeply from the impact of crises, poverty and climate change. The GOAL Mile helps transform the lives of the worlds most vulnerable people. This year we saw an extraordinary effort as people across the island of Ireland stepped up together for The GOAL Mile. On behalf of AIB, Id like to extend a big thank you, and well done to all who took part. Irelands abortion laws are still failing women who struggle to access services due to a lack of provision and time restrictions on terminations, a family planning group has said. Niall Behan, chief executive of the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA), called for full decriminalisation of abortion services in Ireland. Despite abortion being legalised in 2018, many Irish women and girls are still having to travel to the UK for terminations. More than 190 went to the UK in 2020 for abortion services. Of the 19 maternity hospitals across Ireland, only 10 provide full abortion services, which Mr Behan has described as absolutely outrageous. He said that while current legislation is a good law and is meeting the needs of most women who request abortion services, it is excluding some. Abortion care is funded by the state and it really has transformed things in the last three years, he added. However, it does exclude some women from access and it is a flawed piece of legislation that does need to be reviewed and reformed. Theres a number of areas that need to be changed. The most urgent and the most important for us right at the moment is the 12-week limit, which is excluding women from abortion care. Current legislation says early medical abortions should be accessed through GP clinics if the pregnancy is under 10 weeks, while pregnancies at 10 to 12 weeks, and those with some medical conditions, require acute care at hospitals or maternity units. Mr Behan said women who need abortion services beyond 12 weeks are the most in need and vulnerable. Theres absolutely no doubt that the legislation has failed them, he added. These women are excluded and theyre even more stigmatised now than they were before the referendum and thats just frankly appalling. He said women who have to travel abroad face further difficulties due to Brexit and Covid restrictions. Theres certainly evidence that some women are not able to travel at all and thats just unacceptable, he added. These women tend to be the most in need of care, the women with the foetal abnormality or those who are particularly vulnerable, like a concealed pregnancy. Its just getting more and more difficult for those women and theyre carrying the hurt and the burden themselves, that kind of emotional and financial burden is so difficult. He also criticised the legislation that means women must wait three days between being certified by a doctor and the abortion procedure. Theres no health rationale for a three-day waiting waiting period. We know that it just causes delays and distress and it does no good, he added. It just prevents women from accessing care and its fairly stigmatising as well. He also said that women in some rural areas do not have access to local abortion services. Theres not enough GPs providing care in some counties. The idea that some women still have to travel for abortion care is very, very poor, really, he added. Under the Termination of Pregnancy Act, the minister for health is required to review the legislation within three years. Mr Behan said the review needs to look at the legislation rather than just the operation of services. We need this legislative review to really bring all the evidence together around those flaws and gaps in the legislation. Its an opportunity to address those, he added. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: The review clause was included in the Act to enable the operation and effectiveness of the legislation to be monitored, when delivery of services in the area had been put in place. It is the operation of the legislation that is being reviewed, rather than the policy contained in the legislation itself. This means that the emphasis of the review in the first instance will be on how the Act has operated in practice, rather than on revisiting clauses contained in the legislation. The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 permits termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life or of serious harm to the health of the pregnant woman; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 20 Brownies Instead of baking your brownies in a traditional pan, pour that batter into a greased cast-iron skillet. In order to keep the edges from burning, youll want to lower the cooking temperature by about 25 degrees and increase the cooking time by 10 to 15 minutes. (istockphoto.com/MSPhotographic/iStock/Getty Images Plus) Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain for the afternoon. High 53F. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 42F. Winds NNE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. I'm currently a senior majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in political science. I'm a fan of all St. Louis sports, Oasis and pretty much any Kurt Russell film. Feel free to reach out to me at mgp89g@umsystem.edu or on Twitter @MattPasz2000. Follow Matt Paszkiewicz 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 Florida is set to commit hundreds of millions to adapt to the impacts of climate change with the promise of much more money on the way. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Always Ready Florida strategy at an afternoon press conference in Oldsmar, near Tampa, recently. He said the 3-year plan includes $270 million in state money for more than 76 projects around the state. Advertisement That money would help build stormwater pumps and living shorelines to resist storm surge, as well as lay utility cables underground and storm-proof important facilities like fire stations, wastewater treatment centers and libraries around the state. It also could go toward buying out flood-prone homes and vacant land that borders sensitive environmental spaces. All the projects included in this plan will enhance efforts to protect our coastlines, communities and shores, and thats very, very important, DeSantis said. This $270 million plan still has to be approved by the Legislature in the 2022 session, which means it could always be subject to change, although Republican leadership in the house has signaled support. Advertisement For now, its made up of a list of projects that were initially submitted to the Resilient Florida grant program, the first-ever pot of state money specifically designed to help cities and counties adapt to climate change. The states first climate change plan, a 2008 strategy developed under then-Gov. Charlie Crist, did not go anywhere. Resilient Florida has an additional $500 million in proposed funding to give out to the more than 500 grant applications still remaining, and these projects dont need to be approved by the legislature. Jared Williams, DeSantis spokesman, said the winners will be announced soon. This is just one part, theres going to be a whole host of other projects announced in the near future with a lot more money, DeSantis said during the press conference. Youre going to end up seeing well over a billion dollars in this over the next few years. At the same press conference, DeSantis introduced his new state Chief Resilience Officer, Wesley Brooks. Floridas first resilience officer, Julai Nesheiwat, left the role after six months for a job in the Trump administration. South Florida, which requested more money from Resilient Florida than any other region in the state, made up the lions share of the newly announced project list. Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > Miami-Dade County alone accounted for 16 of the projects, including money to protect the main library from flooding and hurricanes, install generators at multiple fire stations and fix up Ingram Terrace, the flood-prone affordable housing run by the county. Miami-Dades first road raising project SW 157th Avenue from SW 42nd to SW 8th Street also made the list. Miami Dades Chief Resilience Officer James Murley said he hoped that the county would rake in even more grant funding when the Resilient Florida awards are announced. Were excited to see what we understand to be the first round of resilience grants, he said. Its encouraging and were hopeful that the legislature will fund this program again in the next fiscal year. Miami Beach could score $20 million in funding toward its $67 million road raising and drainage project in the tony First Street neighborhood in South Beach, as well as upgrades for its oldest and most flood-prone fire station. Miamis projects include installing 79 new devices across the city that stop the rising tide from creeping backward up drainage pipes, as well as replacing seawalls in North Grapeland Heights and Edgewater. Advertisement The Keys also scored two projects: permitting and design for the road raising project in Monroe Countys Stillwright Point, the neighborhood that infamously flooded for more than 90 days during a particularly rough king tide season, and funding for the first residential road raising project in the Keys, in the Twin Lakes neighborhood. Pinellas Countys projects include storm hardening for a water treatment facility in Oldsmar, where the Governor gave his press conference, plus a living shoreline in St. Petersburgs Maximo Park and flood improvements to Bartlett Lake. This story was produced in partnership with the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a multi-newsroom initiative founded by the Miami Herald, the South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Palm Beach Post, the Orlando Sentinel, WLRN Public Media and the Tampa Bay Times. Overall cases from COVID-19 increased in December 2021, closing out the year on a concerning note. The month was also the third-deadliest on record since the start of the pandemic. Eighteen-year-olds can vote for the first time in Korean history in the general election next week as the country falls in line with international practice. The vote for those born on or before April 16, 2002 is expected to boost the younger generation's political clout in their communities. To prevent the politicization of classrooms and better guide young voters, the National Election Commission initially planned to visit high schools to educate voters ahead of the election. But the plan had to be shelved due to the coronavirus epidemic. Instead, they made videos on the voting process to provide students with needed information. The Education Ministry also shares election guidelines on the NEC's website. PARKLAND Real estate agent Sara Trost sat in her Jeep in front of a home in Coral Springs, waiting to meet with a potential buyer. Hours later, she was dead, shot by a man, an arrest warrant says, who had been evicted and who thought he was shooting the landlord who evicted him. Advertisement It was just a mistaken identity. She never even got out of the car, said Rabbi Shuey Biston of Chabad of Parkland, where Trost was an active, involved member. Coral Springs Police arrested Raymond Reese, 51, of Boca Raton, that day on one count of first-degree murder after Reese called 911 on himself. Advertisement Can you send an officer to pick me up, I shot somebody, an arrest warrant says Reese told the dispatcher, giving his name, birthday and address. Real estate agent Sara Trost was shot and killed in her car on Dec. 23. She had been waiting outside a home she was going to show to potential buyers. Reese told the dispatcher he shot his former landlord and believed she was dead. The gun he used could be found inside of a Ford Fusion in the parking lot outside of his home in Boca Raton, Reese said, according to the warrant. There, police found the Ford Fusion with damage to the front passenger-side headlight and drops of blood on the passenger side of the car. At the police station, Reese confessed to shooting someone at the home in Coral Springs where he used to live, saying he was upset at his former landlord over an email she sent him the previous day, which he had read that morning, the warrant says. When officers went to the Coral Springs home, they found Trost dead in the drivers seat of the Jeep. She had been shot in the left arm and chest, police said. [ RELATED: Coral Springs real estate agent shot dead in her car ] The warrant says that a dark blue sedan with a man behind the wheel approached the home at 5730 NW 48th Court on Dec. 23. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., the man drove his sedan up to Trosts car, hitting the front right tire. Witnesses in a nearby driveway watched Trost open her car door when the driver of the sedan pointed a gun out of the window, shot at Trost multiple times and fled, according to the warrant. The woman who had recently evicted Reese told police she believed it was her who Reese was after, because of the eviction, the warrant says. Raymond Reese, 51, of Boca Raton, is accused of shooting and killing Sara Trost, 40, of Parkland, on the afternoon of Dec. 23. Reese is facing one count of first-degree murder. Karen Johnson, 2021 president of Broward, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Realtors, where Trost was a member, said the news of Trosts death hits close to home for the Realtor community. Advertisement People think its easy, and its not easy. Theres a risk that comes along with it, Johnson said. From starting a dog-walking business to becoming a home designer to flipping homes and then to becoming a broker, Trost excelled at it all, said Rabbi Biston, who knew Trost and her family since she moved to Parkland several years ago. Biston is the organizer of the Sara Trost Memorial Fund, along with Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors, which had raised over $13,000 by Friday. To all of us who knew Sara, she was larger-than-life. There was always a smile on her face and a good word to share. Sara was the most giving and caring person to both those she personally knew and those whose paths happened to cross hers, Biston wrote on the fundraising website. Those who knew Trost remember her as a selfless person always willing to give, someone with a captivating energy and a doting mother to her 3-year-old daughter, Avery. It was a common occurrence for Trost to pay for someones groceries in line at the store or offer her time and money to the synagogue without any desire to be recognized for it, Biston told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. [ RELATED: It was a wild real estate ride in 2021. Here are the five biggest trends that shaped the past year ] Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > Everyone is searching for answers when tragedy hits home like this. Everyone wants to understand or they want me as a rabbi to explain the unexplainable, and there are no words. There are no answers, Biston said. We dont understand gods ways. I explained at the funeral we dont have an answer to this, but Sara in the way she lived her life gave us many answers to many questions. Advertisement Johnson said she hopes Trosts memorial fund will raise awareness of the safety concerns and keep the legacy of a woman dedicated to her community and family alive. In her situation she was totally helpless ... Johnson said. You never think about things like this. Realtors across the state have been reminded of the safety concerns their job brings, posts circulating on social media from Realtor groups and real estate agents show. #RealtorSafety is a serious issue, said one Florida realtor on Facebook recently of Trosts death. Stay safe Realtor family, please please please let this be a reminder for us to be just a tiny bit more cautious. Another Realtors post urged fellow realtors to take precautions pre-screen clients before meeting, avoid going to meetings alone, and stay aware during showings. Alongside the immensely rewarding career we have chosen, we have unfortunately also made ourselves targets. We make a living meeting strangers in homes where were typically the only people present. While some of our requests may seem unnecessary to you, were just trying to make sure we get back home to our families every night, the post read. Staff inside one of the COVID units at North Oaks Hospital check a patient's IV, Wednesday, August 4, 2021, in Hammond, La. (Photo by Hilary Scheinuk, The Advocate) MISSOULA, Mont. - Speaking with student loan experts, concerns from borrowers remain high as they're still anticipating when the time comes for payments to eventually start up again. This time President Biden announced the hold will now go on through May 1. Allowing the balances of borrowers to be frozen, with no payments required in most federal student loans, but this doesn't mean the challenge to pay those back has gone away. "Student loan borrowers are absolutely frustrated, they feel like they paid for this degree and they borrowed money for this degree and it hasn't necessarily went to the annual income they expected. Fortunately, federal student loans do come with a lot of repayment protections regardless of these pandemic era protections, said one student loan expert. Many students are wondering what can you do if you simply can't afford the pre-COVID installment payments come the spring? Speak with a certified student loan counselors working around the country, including Montana Keep in mind, every policy will vary from the loan company from which you borrowed from. Counselors do recommend planning ahead and making any necessary adjustments sooner rather than later. Work directly with your federal loan companies and find a plan that works for you before those repayments resume. "Once you do have that answer you can go back to your federal loan servicer with perhaps a little more confidence and say yes this is what I would like either a deferment of forbearance or income-driven repayment plan and that makes you feel really good about the choice you're making to manage your debt," said student loan expert. MISSOULA, Mont. - After crowded celebrations and airports with holiday travel, COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in Missoula County. As people return back to school and work, the Missoula City-County Health Department is providing guidance on how to help stop the spread amid the highly transmissible omicron variant. D'Shane Barnett, MCCHD's health director, encourages people to self-quarantine as much as possible for a couple of days after returning home. He advises them to pay close attention to how they're feeling and be aware of any developing symptoms. If they develop any, even if a person thinks it's just a cold or flu, get tested immediately, he emphasized. "I grew up with the idea that, even if you're sick, you get up and go to work because that's work ethic, that's gumption," Barnett said. "It feels strange to now move into the opposite situation where if you don't feel well, stay home, stay home and get tested, that will help us contain the virus." Barnett said testing appointments are booking up and the health department is seeing more positive cases, but people should be able to get tested within a day. For people who do test positive, Barnett encourages them to quarantine even within their home to avoid getting others in the household sick. Missoula City-County Health Department follows guidance from the CDC, so isolation lasts for five days or until fever resolves. As for the omicron variant, Barnett reported preliminary data shows the strain's not creating as severe of a reaction, but it's a lot more transmissible. He said they're seeing a rise in pediatric cases as that age group is the least vaccinated. Have a news tip or would like to report a typo? Email Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@kvoa.com. TAMPA Tree advocates and builders reached what was called a historic compromise on protecting the citys award-winning tree canopy in spring 2019. A week later, a new state law gutted much of Tampas and other local governments power to set rules about tree removals. At the time, exasperated city officials and advocates raised concerns about the laws provisions allowing grand trees to be cut down as long as a certified arborist or landscape architect signed off, cutting city inspectors out of the process. Advertisement Some large-scale removals that summer ratcheted up their fears. Nearly three years later the city hopes to figure out if those fears were justified. Advertisement Brian Knox, the citys senior forester examiner, says an upcoming analysis of the citys canopy is planned for release in 2022. A similar analysis in 2016 found 32% of the city covered by tree canopy. And while the data isnt in yet, Knox has a pretty good idea of what it will say. I expect we will see a decline in the canopy, Knox said. Its not just the state law, he said. Tampas hot development streak has also taken a toll as new houses or commercial developments often require the removal of mature shade trees. Although theyre often replaced with younger trees (developers can also pay into a city tree-planting fund as an alternative), it can often take at least a decade for the canopy to be replenished. Still, the states preemption of the citys tree code, in place since the early 1970s, has likely had an effect, Knox said. How much of one is hard to know since the law has no provision for a property owner to inform the city if trees are removed because theyre deemed dangerous to persons or property. We really dont have a way to monitor the information. We cant really factor the trees that are removed in our decision-making, Knox said. Thats the part that makes it difficult. Taking her dog on daily walks through Davis Islands about six years ago first made Lorraine Parrino aware of the disappearing canopy in her neighborhood as mid-century homes were being replaced with much larger ones. Shes since become active in the Tampa Tree Advocacy Group or T-TAG. Parrino says she has seen ample evidence of healthy trees being taken down. And she thinks not only the state law, but a city government that has streamlined permits and other development-related tasks are responsible. Advertisement Between one thing and another were losing a lot of trees, she said. Were really flying blind. Thats not Steve Michelinis impression. The longtime local consultant was heavily involved as a developers representative in the 2019 compromise. He says he actively monitors the citys canopy on Google Earth and doesnt see any diminishment. I dont think the floodgates have been opened, Michelini said. What is often missing from the debate, he said, is that developers are still required to plant or pay for new trees when they cut down existing ones. And while that wont immediately replenish the canopy, it will over time. Parrino points to developers replacing oaks with palms, which dont provide much in the way of shade or pollution reduction. Michelini disagrees, saying that the citys tree code penalizes that behavior by requiring several palms to be planted to replace a deciduous hardwood. Advertisement What is certain to City Council member Guido Maniscalco is that trees are a passion point among many residents in Floridas third-largest city. Since being elected in 2015, Maniscalco has listened to hours of testimony and arguments from both sides. He still laments the state preemption of that historic compromise, which allowed builders more flexibility to build in return for more commitments to replenish and maintain the canopy. We had come together in some kind of agreement without adversaries, Maniscalco said. We thought we created a matrix where it worked for everybody and the tree canopy was protected. Since then, the issue has kind of faded away, he said, but he remembers the stakes and the emotion. One power that the council retains is requiring developers to make trees a priority when they submit their site plans. Council members have delayed projects that havent made that consideration, Maniscalco said, which is never an outcome desired by builders burdened by rising construction costs and other expenses. We have to make sure were not blanket approving everything, Maniscalco said. Just having the conversation on council during these zoning meetings. We need to show were not reckless, show were paying attention. We just have to take it on a case-by-case basis. Advertisement Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > Knox said that Tampa has another stick, if needed. If the city finds a tree that has been removed improperly on the orders of an arborist, it can report that arborist to the International Society of Aboriculture, the main accrediting organization for arborists. And, although it cant systematically track how many trees are being removed under the provisions of the state law, a recent reorganization of city departments makes employees better able to respond to resident reports of suspicious activity, allowing examiners to get to the scene more quickly, Knox said. The citizens are our eyes and ears. When they alert us to something, we respond, he said. If the tree cutters dont have the proper paperwork from an arborist or landscape architect, code enforcement will be alerted to pursue a violation, he said. Parrino remains skeptical thats happening often enough. And she worries that the citys trees are falling victim to developers desire for profits by building bigger homes right up to the property lines. Eventually, she said, one of Tampas calling cards, its shady, tree-lined streets, will be gone. So will the citys ability to offset rising temperatures and soak up pollution. This affects everyone. Its not just a matter of aesthetics, she said. Advertisement Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are at their highest in years. Russian soldiers are seen patroling the area surrounding the Ukrainian military unit in Perevalnoye, Crimea, in March 2014. NICA, the Florida program that underwrites care for the states severely disabled children, needs to get its priorities straight, once and for all. What shouldnt be on the list? Hiring a PR firm to do crisis control. Advertisement We already knew, from a series of stories published this year by the Miami Herald and ProPublica, that Floridas Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association, or NICA, needed serious changes. It had frequently denied or delayed payment to parents for medical care and services for their children even though the state-sponsored program had amassed about $1.5 billion in assets, a gargantuan sum. After those stories were published, lawmakers rightly became outraged and demanded an overhaul of the program. The entire NICA governing board resigned, along with its executive director. The Legislature passed reforms this year that increased financial benefits to families, set up an appeals process for denied claims and added a NICA parent to the governing board, among other vitally important changes. The Legislature did the right thing in tackling the issue. Advertisement Court of public opinion But now we learn, from yet another story the Herald published, that NICA spent $200,000 in 2019 to hire a public relations firm in a two-year effort to change public perception of the program after the Herald began investigating it. Thats $200,000 on PR even as NICA was rejecting parents requests for wheelchairs, therapies and in-home nursing for their seriously disabled kids. Wow. We bet the families of the disabled children in the program can think of some better uses for that chunk of change. NICA is a program created by the Legislature in 1988 to protect doctors from medical-malpractice lawsuits by limiting compensation for children born with catastrophic brain damage. When families enter the program, they give up the right to sue doctors or hospitals over their childs injuries. In exchange, they are promised medically necessary and reasonable healthcare for their children. The program is sustained by fees paid by doctors and hospitals that benefit from the ban on lawsuits. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > But administrators often spent more money fighting families than providing care, as the Herald/ProPublica investigation found. So the decision to hire a PR firm, Sachs Media, strikes us as particularly self-serving. An email from a Sachs executive vice president to the program makes it pretty clear what the impetus was, noting that the Herald had been conducting an investigation into NICA for several months, submitting numerous requests for public records and interviews and discussing a path forward to win in the court of public opinion and to protect your mission and the future of the organization. NICA lost focus The PR company says it accomplished a lot of good, improving NICAs website, helping leaders communicate better and championing a key reform in the Legislature to increase the initial payment to parents from $100,000 to $250,000. We dont doubt that those were helpful measures. But what we do question and thats the polite way of saying it is a program that spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on PR when its job is to pay for healthcare for some of the states most vulnerable children. This is an organization that had lost sight of its core mission. Advertisement NICA has been overhauled, and the PR contract is ending as the year comes to a close. Good. We hope the people now running the program will take this moment to reset priorities. If the program is serious about repairing its damaged image, it has to do one thing: Help the families of disabled kids. Do that well, and the PR will take care of itself. This editorial reflects the opinion of the Miami Herald Editorial Board. Life in the Ozarksand across Missourimeans living in community with unique creatures on the land and under the water. From truly invasive deer to mischievous black bears to nearly unbelievable fishing stories (were it not for the photos), here are nine of the wildest, zaniest, most intriguing stories of Missouri critters in 2021. *Deer* #1. Doe In Disguise During deer season, if you wear antlers, you're liable to get shot. This doe learned that lesson the hard way. #2. Home Invader! "Deputies entered the basement to try and detain the suspect." She resisted arrest. #3. Everyone Loves This Deer The neighbors have watched this albino deer grow up in their Lake of the Ozarks neighborhood. And she has many names... +3 Albino Deer Appears In Lake Area Neighborhood A neighborhood on the Gravois Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks has been seeing an unusual visit *Bears* #4. Close Call This black bear got a serious talking-to from his mom after darting back and forth into Highway 54 traffic. 0:10 VIDEO: Black Bear In Camdenton Nearly Hit By Truck CAMDENTON, Mo. A black bear has become something of a local celebrity in Camdenton, making #5. Bear On The Square No word on whether he was headed to Ozarkland for some taffy, or to the courthouse to pay a traffic ticket, but this bear was spotted meandering around in the busiest area of Camdenton, putting a smile on plenty of faces. +4 Bear On The Square! Sighting Surprises Camdenton Business Center CAMDENTON, Mo. -- It's not everyday bears are sighted at Lake of the Ozarks, but it's been m #6. Trash Raider When the munchies set in, you'll settle for anything. But when you're a bear and you find a trash can, who's settling?! Black Bear Raids Trash Cans At Lake Of The Ozarks Home LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. A local couple says they caught a black bear red-handed as he was *Fish* #7. Bizarre Catfish Incredibly rare... but still possible for another angler to catch a piebald catfish like this one, since this gracious guy snagged a once-in-a-lifetime photo, and then let this fish go. #8. Fighting Eel It put up a heck of a fight, but this angler reeled in a big'un on the Current River. A lady eel. How'd we know it was a lady? There's a way. Read the story to find out... #9. Paddlefish Poachers Couple of fellas allegedly trying to traffic caviar, busted by the MDC. +3 Paddlefish Poachers Busted At Lake Of The Ozarks MORGAN COUNTY, Mo. The Missouri Department of Conservation works hard to fight poaching. T #10. Giant Throat-Toothed Invader Is Caught When people say there are monsters in the river... they're not wrong. Lake Geneva officials are looking to obtain proposals from city planning firms. Members of the council council unanimously approved, Dec. 13, to obtain request for proposals for city planning services. City planners assist communities with comprehensive plans, land use plans, park and open space plans, feasibility studies, parking studies and transportation plans, as well as help plan for future growth and development. Planning firms also help write grants for the communities they work with and review community development ordinances. The City of Lake Geneva currently works with Vandewalle & Associates, Inc. of Madison for city planning services and has had a contract with the company for about 10 years. However, city aldermen feel it may be a good idea to obtain proposals from other companies to determine the types of services they could offer Lake Geneva. I dont think weve actually looked at their (Vandewalles) contract or gone out for RFPs related to it since 2012, Alderwoman Cindy Flower said. Thats almost 10 years of continuous renewal without it ever needing to be discussed or never having them reviewed at all as to performance. Alderwoman Shari Straube said she also is in favor of receiving proposals from different companies for city planning services. It sounds like a good idea, Straube said. Its being proactive. Theres no harm in seeing what we can find. I definitely agree that a review, if nothing else, should be done. Alderwoman Mary Jo Fesenmaier said Vandewalle & Associates submitted a bid to help the city develop its park and open space plan, but the city hired another company instead. We felt that was a healthy choice to get another perspective on our parks, Fesenmaier said. Flower said, as part of the contract with Vandewalle & Associates, the company is suppose to assist the city with obtaining grants. However, when the federal Neighborhood Investment Fund grant was available to assist communities that were negatively affected by the coronavirus, representatives from MSA Professional Services, Inc. informed the city about the grant and not Vandewalle & Associates. So if theyre really representing us and thinking about us, they would have come to us too at the same time when that came out, Flower said. They didnt come to us and offer that solution like MSA did. Alderman Ken Howell asked if the city would be violating its contract with Vandewalle & Associations if it obtained proposals from other companies. City Attorney Dan Draper said the city would not be violating the contract, and the contract with Vandewalle & Associates can be terminated with a seven-day notice from either party. Members of the city council also unanimously approved, Dec. 13, to obtain request for proposals for information technology consultant services. The city currently does not have a contract with an information technology consultant services company but works with Jeff Miskie for technology-related services. Flower said she is in favor of obtaining proposals from information technology consultant firms. I think its healthy for us to know whats out there, Flower said. We currently do not have an IT services contract. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Four endangered whooping cranes were shot and killed in Oklahoma last month during the sandhill crane hunting season a hunting season that could be created in Wisconsin if a GOP-authored bill is successful. The International Crane Foundation, based in Baraboo, has warned that allowing a sandhill crane hunting season in Wisconsin could threaten whooping cranes, an endangered species the foundation has worked to reintroduce to Wisconsin. That threat appears to have just become a reality in Oklahoma. On Dec. 15, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reported that a whooping crane was found near Tom Steed Lake with a shotgun wound. The crane died while being taken to a veterinary clinic. Later, three more whooping cranes were found dead in the same area where the first was found, the department said. Oklahoma and Texas officials are searching for the perpetrators. This is sickening to see such a wanton waste of wildlife, and our Game Wardens are very eager to visit with the individual or individuals who committed this crime, Wade Farrar, assistant chief of law enforcement with the wildlife department, said in a statement. There are only about 500 whooping cranes in North America. Killing one can lead to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine under the Endangered Species Act and another $15,000 with up to six months in jail under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the department said. The endangered bird is the tallest in North America. The killings of the whooping cranes happened during Oklahomas sandhill crane hunting season, which began Oct. 23 and runs through Jan. 23, according to the Oklahoma wildlife department. In past years, the sandhill crane hunting season has been temporarily shut down in Oklahoma if a whooping crane has been sighted. Its unclear whether the sandhill hunting was suspended when the four whooping cranes were killed. In Wisconsin, a proposed Republican bill would require the state Department of Natural Resources to authorize the hunting of sandhill cranes. The department would be able to limit the number of hunting permits issued for the sandhill cranes, and hunters would need to participate in a hunter education course before obtaining a permit. If the bill passes the state Legislature and is signed into law by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers who could use his veto power the hunt could harm the states sandhill crane population unless the hunting season is carefully managed, the International Crane Foundation said. Sandhill cranes, currently a protected species, have recovered over the past 70 years after dwindling to just a couple dozen breeding pairs. Supporters of the hunt say sandhill cranes are becoming overpopulated and causing damage to crops. But Anne Lacy, senior manager in the North America programs at the International Crane Foundation, said theres no measure for when the cranes would be overpopulated, and the crop problem is solvable. Lacy said a hunt would do nothing to help address crop damage caused by sandhill cranes because most of the damage happens during the spring when cranes feed on seeds, but waterfowl hunting is limited to late summer or fall. The foundation helped develop a seed treatment that prevents cranes from damaging corn in the spring. Crop damage is something that can be solved right now, Lacy said, adding that the seed treatment not a hunting season would fix the problem. A hunt could also cause hunters to shoot whooping cranes accidentally, Lacy said. Adult whooping cranes are white with black wing tips and a red patch on the forehead. But young whooping cranes are brown in color and can easily be mistaken for sandhill cranes, even with hunter education, Lacy said. We cant advocate for a hunting season if we believe that it might do indirect harm to the population or direct harm to something like the whooping crane, Lacy said. The Madison Audubon Society has also raised concerns about the potential sandhill crane hunt. The society notes that whooping cranes and sandhill cranes can be difficult to distinguish during flight. Roughly 80 whooping cranes nest in Wisconsin each summer then migrate to the southeastern United States for the winter, according to the International Crane Foundation. Another group of cranes summers in northwestern Canada and travels to the gulf coast of Texas in the winter, including through Oklahoma. These are majestic birds, Lacy said. Theyre a conservation success story. In a statement, foundation president and CEO Rich Beilfuss called the killing of the four whooping cranes in Oklahoma an outrageous illegal shooting event. We are angry and heartsick, Beilfuss said. The International Crane Foundation, along with many partners, has invested millions of dollars and decades of time and expertise to bring whooping cranes back from the brink of extinction. And in an instant four birds are gone forever. New Delhi [India], January 3 (ANI/NewsVoir): Organisations have become increasingly thoughtful about the ESG framework and have realized how sustainable business strategies impact the triple bottom line (People, Planet and Prosperity), stated SV Sastry, DMD, Global Market, SBI. PRMIA - a leading global association of Risk Professionals, organized a webinar on 'ESG Risk Management: Myths and Realities' by bringing together the thought leaders and industry experts who discussed the emerging ESG Risks and how to mitigate these risks. SV Sastry graced the event as the Chief Guest. He set the tone by highlighting the various ESG initiatives and regulatory changes undertaken by various organizations globally. He talked about India's 'Panchamrit' commitment laid down at COP26 to fight against the climate change challenges, which contains a five-fold strategy for India to play its part to support the world to get closer to the 1.5 degrees Celsius target. Also Read | Faridabad Shocker: 24-Year-Old Law Student Thrashed, Stabbed to Death by Friends Over Old Enmity. SV Sastry said, "Globally and within India, the corporates are moving their focus to ESG and also looking into new opportunities that are coming with it. This change will help us towards environmentally friendly and long-term sustainable economic growth. We all believe in the Sanskrit phrase 'Vasudheiba Kutumbakam' means 'the World is one Family.' We have inherited a better planet from our ancestors. We must ensure that the planet survives, sustains, nurtures, and allows the generations to grow in the coming years." Anand Viswanathan - SVP and Head, Corporate Credit Risk & Enterprise Risk, Axis Bank, underlined various facets of risks and opportunities thrown by sustainable infrastructure financing. He explained Axis Bank's ESG initiatives undertaken in the space of infrastructure financing. According to him, "Looking from a lender's perspective, robust due diligence of infrastructure projects needs an ESG lens and enlightened selfishness to get back the money." Also Read | OnePlus 9RT & Buds Z2 Teased Online, India Launch Soon. Chandru Badrinarayanan - Managing Partner, ECube Investment Advisors, ESG & Climate Change Business Strategist, said, "Climate change and migration are very closely integrated. Most people worldwide migrate from the tropics to developed countries due to the severe heat. This is a matter of concern as it disturbs the social equation in those countries." He further explained how ESG had been the driving force behind social movements across the globe, and leaders today understand its significance. Shri Pankaj - Regional Director, PRMIA New Delhi Chapter, welcomed participants in the Webinar and introduced the ESG Topic, citing his personal experiences. Dr Nirakar Pradhan, PRMIA India's CEO, explained the transformative role PRMIA India plays in capacity building. He briefed about various global certifications, including PRM, its membership benefits, and how the certification can shape one's career. Paritosh Garga, PPP Projects Expert, IIFCL, moderated the panel discussion and the Q&A session. The experts suitably addressed all the queries of participants. Shri Rajiv Keshri, AGM from SBI, extended the vote of thanks. This story is 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) Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], January 3 (ANI): Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Monday claimed that "absconding" Bikram Singh Majithia is not in the state "but is in the country". Addressing media here Randhawa said, "As per my information, Bikram Singh Majithia is not in Punjab. These videos and photos (showing him at Golden temple) are fake. If he is spotted anywhere in Punjab, he will land in jail within a matter of minutes." Also Read | COVID-19 in Delhi: More Than Rs 1 Crore Collected as Fine For Flouting Coronavirus Norms on January 2, Say Govt Officials. "However, he is in the country. Since he has no government security, it is wrong to say that police have knowledge about his whereabouts. The charges slapped against him are very grave, you can ask any legal expert," he added. Randhawa also added that the police teams are searching for him (SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia who was booked under NDPS Act), and as per the law, Majithia has been declared absconding. Also Read | Tamil Nadu: Man Stabs Friend Over Missing Mobile Phone in Coimbatore. Referring to the recently lodged case against Majithia under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on the basis of a 2018 report submitted by the anti-drug Special Task Force (STF), Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had said that there could be a link between the case and the blast at Ludhiana court. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kolkata, January 3: Amid protests and blockades at several railway stations on Monday over the curbs imposed on local train services in West Bengal, the state government modified the order its issued a day ago, extending operations till 10 pm from the earlier 7 pm. According to the modified order, the last train will leave its station of origin at 10 pm, an official said. Also Read | COVID-19 Outbreak On Mumbai-Goa Cruise: 66 Out of 2,000 Passengers On-Board Cordelia Cruise Test Positive For Coronavirus. "In modification of the earlier order, local train services will now be extended up to 10 pm in place of 7 pm. The last train will leave at 10 pm," the official at the state secretariat added. Also Read | Tamil Nadu Shocker: 25-Year-Old Youth Hacked To Death By Six Men In Krishnagiri District; Accused Detained. On Sunday, Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi, while announcing fresh COVID-19 curbs in the state, had said that suburban trains would be allowed to operate at 50 per cent seating capacity till 7 pm. (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 3: The country's exports in December surged 37 per cent on an annual basis to USD 37.29 billion, the highest-ever monthly figure, government data showed on Monday. Outbound shipments during April-December 2021 crossed USD 300 billion, exceeding the exports of 2020-21, as per data by the commerce ministry. Also Read | COVID-19 Outbreak On Mumbai-Goa Cruise: 66 Out of 2,000 Passengers On-Board Cordelia Cruise Test Positive For Coronavirus. Addressing a press conference, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India's exports of goods will cross USD 400 billion this fiscal. (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 3 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday neutralized dreaded terrorist of proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Salim Parrey along with one foreign terrorist. In a tweet, Kashmir Zone police informed, "Srinagar police neutralised dreaded #terrorist of proscribed terror outfit LeT Salim Parray along with one FT: IGP Kashmir." Also Read | OBC Reservation: Supreme Court to Hear Matters Related to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh on January 17. Further details are awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Parts of Alabama and Tennessee are looking like a winter wonderland with recent heavy snowfall but with the winter storm so close to Florida, is there a chance snow or colder temperatures could fall over the peninsula? Its not likely, said Maureen McCann, a Spectrum News 13 meteorologist. Advertisement No, thats all staying well to our north, McCann said. :We are getting one day of slightly cooler air, but we warm up as soon as (Tuesday.) Snow over Alabama accumulated as much as 5 to 6 inches according to the National Weather Service, which issued warnings to drive safely to Alabama residents. Advertisement Central Florida residents should be ready for their first cold front of the new year later today. Perhaps we have already hit (Mondays) highs because of the cooler air sliding in, causing temperatures to fall, McCann said. Itll be a short-lived cool down as we get back into the 70s tomorrow. Upper 70s by the end of the week, some showers here and there with a couple of systems pushing across the peninsula. Orlandos temperature high is forecast to hit 65 in the afternoon and then later descend to a low of 50 in the evening. Tuesday is forecast to have slightly warmer temperatures with a high of 72 and a low of 56. Tuesday should also have a return of shower chances with odds at 20%. As the week progresses, temperatures are expected to heat up, with Sunday anticipated to be the warmest day within the seven-day forecast with a high of 80 and a low of 62. 8AM Radar Update The thin line of showers associated with this mornings cold front passage will continue southward, clearing the Treasure Coast by around mid/late morning. Brief downpours and gusty winds will be possible. pic.twitter.com/0VJevitjLD NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) January 3, 2022 Jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com Ramanagara (Karnataka) [India], January 3 (ANI): In a dramatic turn of events at a public function in Karnataka's Ramanagara, Congress Bangalore Rural MP DK Suresh and State Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan got into an altercation on stage over some development work, in presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday. At the event organized by the government, Bommai had unveiled the statues of Dr B R Ambedkar and Bengaluru founder Kempegowda. It was his first visit to Ramanagara after becoming chief minister. Also Read | Omicron In India: Heavily Mutated COVID-19 Variant Spreading Fast But Sparing Lungs, Know More Here. The fight broke out when Suresh objected to Narayan's speech. As Congress MP charged towards Narayan, security and police personnel intervened. Suresh was joined by Congress' Bangalore Rural MLC S Ravi and he went on to snatch the mike to stop the minister from speaking. Amid the commotion following the incident, Suresh sat down on the stage in protest. Also Read | Mumbai COVID-19 Restrictions: Schools To Remain Shut Till January 31 for Classes 1 to 9 and 11. Speaking soon after, Bommai said that he had come to contribute to the development and urged the people not to mix politics with development. (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 3 (PTI) The Union health ministry on Monday dismissed media reports alleging that expired vaccines are being administered in the country under its COVID-19 vaccination programme as "false and misleading". "There have been some media reports alleging that expired vaccines are being administered in India under its national COVID-19 vaccination programme. This is false and misleading and based on incomplete information," the ministry said in a statement. Also Read | Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: SIT Files Chargesheet Against 14 Accused Including Union Minister Ajay Mishras Son Ashish Mishra . On October 25, 2021, in response to Bharat Biotech International Limited's letter, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved the extension of the shelf life of Covaxin (Whole Virion, Inactivated Coronavirus Vaccine) from nine months to 12 months, the ministry said. Similarly, the shelf life of Covishield was extended by the drug regulator from six months to 9 months on February 22, 2021. Also Read | Ministry of Finance is Granting a Loan Under the PM Mudra Yojana? PIB Fact Check Debunks Fake Viral Message. The shelf life of vaccines is extended by the CDSCO on the basis of a comprehensive analysis and examination of the stability study data furnished by the vaccine manufacturers, the ministry said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, January 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ferozepur, Punjab on 5th January 2022 and at around 1 pm will lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 42,750 crore, informed the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Monday. According to the PMO, these projects include the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway; four laning of Amritsar - Una section; Mukerian - Talwara New Broad Gauge railway line; PGI Satellite Centre at Ferozepur and two new medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur. Also Read | Faridabad Shocker: 24-Year-Old Law Student Thrashed, Stabbed to Death by Friends Over Old Enmity. The consistent endeavour of the Prime Minister to improve connectivity all across the country has led to multiple national highway development initiatives being taken up in the state of Punjab. It has resulted in more than doubling the total length of National Highways in the state from about 1700 kilometres in 2014 to more than 4100 kilometres in 2021, said the PMO. In continuation of such efforts, the foundation stone of two major road corridors will be laid in Punjab. This will also be a step towards fulfilling the Prime Minister's vision to enhance accessibility to major religious centres, it added. Also Read | OnePlus 9RT & Buds Z2 Teased Online, India Launch Soon. As per the PMO, the 669-kilometre long Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway will be developed at a total cost of about Rs 39,500 crore. It will halve travel time from Delhi to Amritsar and Delhi to Katra. The Greenfield Expressway will connect key Sikh religious sites at Sultanpur Lodhi, Goindwal Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, Tarn Taran and the holy Hindu shrine of Vaishno Devi in Katra. The expressway will also connect key economic centres like Ambala Chandigarh, Mohali, Sangrur, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Kathua and Samba in the three states/UTs of Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The four-laning of the Amritsar - Una section will be done at the cost of around 1700 crore. The 77-kilometre long section is part of the larger Amritsar to Bhota corridor spanning across the longitudinal expanse of Northern Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, connecting four major national highways, namely Amritsar-Bhatinda-Jamnagar Economic Corridor, Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, North-South Corridor and Kangra-Hamirpur-Bilaspur-Shimla Corridor, stated the PMO. It will help in improving the connectivity of religious sites at Ghoman, Shri Hargobindpur and Pulpukta Town (home to the famous Gurudwara Pulpukta Sahib). The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of a new Broad Gauge railway line between Mukerian and Talwara of around 27 Km in length, to be built at a cost of over Rs 410 crore. The railway line will be an extension of the Nangal Dam-Daulatpur Chowk railway section. It will provide an all-weathered means of transportation in the area. This project also holds strategic importance as it will serve as an alternative route to Jammu and Kashmir, joining the existing Jalandhar-Jammu Railway line at Mukerian. The project will prove especially beneficial for the people of Hoshiarpur in Punjab and Una in Himachal Pradesh. It will give a boost to tourism in the region, and provide ease of connectivity to hill stations as well as to places of religious importance. In line with the Prime Minister's endeavour to provide world-class medical facilities in all parts of the country, the foundation stone of new medical infrastructure in three towns of Punjab will be laid. The 100 Bedded PGI Satellite Centre at Ferozepur, will be built at a cost of more than Rs 490 crore. It will provide services in 10 specialities including Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT and Psychiatry-Drug De-addiction. The satellite centre will provide world-class medical facilities at Ferozepur and the nearby areas. Two Medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur will be developed at a cost of around Rs 325 crore each and with a capacity of about 100 seats. These colleges have been approved in Phase-III of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with district/ referral hospitals. A total of three Medical Colleges have been approved for Punjab under this Scheme. The college approved at SAS Nagar in Phase-I is already functional. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], January 3 (ANI): Months away from elections, Punjab's Congress MLA Balwinder Singh Laddi, who recently joined BJP, has returned to the ruling party on Monday. Laddi has joined the BJP on December 28, and today, not even a week later, he decided to return to the former party. He was previously the MLA from Hargobindpur. Also Read | Tamil Nadu: Man Stabs Friend Over Missing Mobile Phone in Coimbatore. Notably, BJP has formed an alliance with former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress. In the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, Congress won an absolute majority in the state by winning 77 seats and ousted the SAD-BJP government after 10 years. Aam Aadmi Party emerged as the second-largest party winning 20 seats in 117-member Punjab Legislative Assembly. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) could only manage to win 15 seats while the BJP secured 3 seats. (ANI) Also Read | Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Can Boost Effectiveness Against Omicron to 88%, UK Studies Show. (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 3: The tenure of controversial NCB Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede with the federal anti-narcotics agency has ended and his services have been put at the disposal of his parent organisation DRI, officials said on Monday. The charge of the NCB Mumbai zonal unit will be handled in an additional capacity by its Indore zonal director Brijendra Chowdhary. Also Read | Moto G71 Tipped To Debut in India Next Week: Report. Wankhede, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the 2008 batch, was sent to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai zone in August, 2020 "on loan" from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in the wake of the drugs probe being conducted by the agency into the death of 34-year-old actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Also Read | Pune Shocker: Pedestrian Bludgeoned to Death by Two Minors After He Confronts Them Over Rash Driving. He had been serving as the head or the zonal director of the NCB Mumbai unit since August 31, 2020 and was given some extensions. Wankhede's extended tenure with the NCB ended on December 31, 2021 and as there has been no order for his extension, he has been sent back to his parent organisation DRI, that functions as an investigation agency under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), they said. Wankhede has been in the limelight following the high-profile October, 2021 raids by the NCB on a Mumbai cruise after which the agency arrested Aryan Khan, the son of actor Shah Rukh Khan, and several others and claimed to have siezed some narcotics too. Soon after this action, Maharashtra minister and NCP leader levelled multiple charges of alleged misconduct and corruption against the officer. Wankhede has denied the allegations. The NCB, under Wankhede, had earlier arrested Malik's son-in-law Sameer Khan in a narcotics case and the agency has recently moved the Bombay High Court to cancel the bail given to the latter in this case. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar, Jan 3 (PTI) Two terrorists including a wanted Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) ultra Salim Parray were killed in two encounters with security forces in Harwan area on the outskirts of the city on Monday, police said. "Srinagar police neutralised dreaded terrorist of proscribed terror outfit LeT Salim Parray ," IGP Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar said. Also Read | Moto G71 Tipped To Debut in India Next Week: Report. He said details of the operation will be shared later. Another encounter broke out between the ultras and security forces at nearby Gasu village, police officials said. Also Read | Pune Shocker: Pedestrian Bludgeoned to Death by Two Minors After He Confronts Them Over Rash Driving. "An unidentified militant has been killed in the operation which was going on till reports last came in," the officials said adding the identity and group affiliation of the slain militant was being ascertained. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ghaziabad (UP), Jan 3 (PTI) Union Minister for Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey was admitted at a hospital here on Monday after he tested positive for COVID-19. Pandey, 65, who is a BJP MP from Chandauli constituency, had earlier also tested positive for the coronavirus. Also Read | COVID-19 Vaccination for Children: Over 1.5 Lakh Teenagers Aged 15-18 Years Administered Vaccine Doses in Uttar Pradesh. "'I was unwell for the last two days due to which I underwent the COVID test and the report came positive. All those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are requested to take care of themselves and get the necessary investigations done," he tweeted. The minister was admitted at the Yashoda hospital in Kaushambi. Also Read | Hyderabad: 33-Year-Old Man Killed During Drunken Brawl, 4 Others Injured. "His treatment under Corona protocol has started. A report about his health has been sent to the district chief medical officer," Anuj Agarwal, who is the medical superintendent of the hospital, said in a statement. A team of doctors has been deputed for the minister, he said. Pandey tweeted that he has been admitted as a "precautionary measure". "Now my health is stable," he wrote on Twitter. (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 3 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Harnath Singh Yadav has urged the party national president, JP Nadda to field Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from "land of Lord Shri Krishna" Mathura assembly seat in the upcoming polls this year. In a letter written to Nadda, Yadav said, "The UP Chief Minister himself declared that I will contest elections from wherever the party tells me. The desire of the voters in each assembly constituency in UP is that the Chief Minister should contest from their legislative assembly. But I humbly request you that the people of Braj region have a special desire that CM Yogi should contest from Mathura, the city of Lord Shri Krishna." Also Read | Mumbai: Fraudsters Dupe Woman of Rs 72,000 on Pretext of Booking Villa; Two Arrested. "It is a humble request to you to respect the sentiments of the people of the Braj region and consider declaring him a candidate from the holy city of Lord Shri Krishna," BJP MP wrote to Nadda. Yadav further said that decision to field Yogi from Mathura will not only please the people of the Braj region but also the people of the entire state and country. Also Read | Andhra Pradesh Shocker: 'Fake' Policeman Rapes Two Minor Girls Who Were Celebrating New Year With Male Friends; Arrested. Uttar Pradesh is slated to go to the Assembly polls this year. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington [USA], January 3 (ANI): White House on Sunday said that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver remarks on the one-year anniversary of the attack on US capitol on January 6, reported CNN. This follows House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announcement of a slate of events to commemorate the insurrection of the US capitol. "These events are intended as an observance of reflection, remembrance and recommitment, in a spirit of unity, patriotism and prayerfulness," Pelosi said in a letter to her Democratic colleagues. Also Read | Imran Khan's Ex-Wife Reham Khan Narrowly Escapes Gun Attack in Islamabad. On January 6, a group of supporters of former President Donald Trump entered the US Capitol in a bid to protest the lawmakers certifying the 2020 election results from several states that Trump said were fraudulent. One protester was shot dead during the incident and the law enforcement authorities charged 500 people for participating in the event. At noon there will be a prayer and a moment of silence on the one-year anniversary of the Capitol siege. This will be followed by a "Historic Perspective" conversation between historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham "to establish and preserve the narrative of January 6th." Also Read | Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Can Boost Effectiveness Against Omicron to 88%, UK Studies Show. Lawmakers will then share their accounts of the attack in a session presided over by Colorado Democratic Rep. Jason Crow. It will then be followed by a prayer vigil with members of the House and Senate on the steps of the Capitol, reported CNN. Last month, US President Joe Biden signed legislation that will allow the US Capitol Police to request assistance without prior approval during emergencies, the White House said. "On Wednesday, December 22, 2021, the President signed into law: S. 3377, the - the 'Capitol Police Emergency Assistance Act of 2021,' which authorizes the Chief of the Capitol Police to request the assistance of Federal agencies in emergencies," the White House said in a press release. The bill passed the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously last month. The legislation was crafted in response to what legislators claimed was the Trump administration's delay to approve a request from Capitol Police to deploy the National Guard during the January 6 Capitol riot. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Madrid, Jan 3 (AP) Spanish rescue services searched off the country's southeast coast Monday for 10 migrants missing at sea, after a passing vessel heard cries during the night from people in the water. Emergency crews pulled 16 survivors and three bodies from the Mediterranean Sea after one small migrant boat sank and another took on water, Spanish authorities told state news agency EFE. Also Read | Imran Khan's Ex-Wife Reham Khan Narrowly Escapes Gun Attack in Islamabad. The search with helicopters and rescue boats began after a vessel in the area reported cries for help some 25 kilometers (15 miles) off the coast. Survivors said there were 29 people, mostly men, on the two boats, according to EFE. Also Read | Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Can Boost Effectiveness Against Omicron to 88%, UK Studies Show. In another rescue, authorities rescued 51 men from an inflatable boat near Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands off northwest Africa. Spain's National Police announced that last year it arrested 202 people suspected of operating the boats taking migrants on the long and dangerous crossing from West Africa to the Spanish archipelago. The Spanish Interior Ministry says more than 36,300 migrants reached Spain by sea last year up to Nov. 30. That was an increase of 1.4% on the same period in 2020. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Brenda Kennedy and Pam Kennedy play in the snow in Orlando. It snowed in Central Florida on January 19, 1977. (Ric Feld, Orlando Sentinel) As a cold front arrived in Florida on Monday, a nighttime scene in the far north of the state was at least briefly a winter wonderland. An Okaloosa County deputy captured video of snowflakes falling onto his patrol car and uniform overnight in a parking lot. Advertisement The flakes, illuminated by an electric light on a pole, cascaded from the black sky about 3 a.m. to frost the surface of the vehicle. Well hows this for a temperature change? From 75 degrees at 3 in the afternoon to snow at 3 am captured during patrol in the Lowes parking lot on Beal by B-Shift Central! Bundle up out there! Posted by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office on Monday, January 3, 2022 Some of them landed on the officers dark clothing as he pointed his phones video camera at them, saying, See? Snow! Advertisement Temperatures plummeted from Sunday to Monday in Okaloosa County, as they did across the state. After a Sunday with highs approaching 80 degrees, the temperature in Crestview, the county seat, dipped to 36 degrees at about 2 a.m., National Weather Service data shows. It stayed that cold through about 8 a.m. The dewpoint, which measures atmospheric moisture, went down to 30 degrees overnight in the area. A few parts of the Florida Panhandle got a dusting of snow early Monday. Don Shepherd, a senior forecaster for the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, said it amounted to just a few little flurries. The last time the Florida Panhandle had any significant winter weather was in January 2018 when a storm dumped snow in Tallahassee for the first time in three decades and forced the closure of schools, offices and a stretch of Interstate 10. In Central Florida, on January 19, 1977, Orlando residents woke up to find enough snow had fallen to coat their cars, lawns, and houses. Flurries were reported even in South Florida during that cold front. Advertisement Elsewhere in the U.S. on Monday, a quick-hitting and fast-moving winter storm was expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic on Monday with heavy, wet snow, the National Weather Service said. The snowfall will lead to significant travel disruptions, dangerous driving conditions and scattered power outages, according to the NWS warning. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Berlin [Germany], January 3 (ANI/Xinhua): Germany's seven-day COVID-19 incidence rose for the fifth consecutive day, up from 222.7 on the previous day to 232.4, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases said on Monday. Daily COVID-19 infections in the country increased to 18,518 cases, around 4,600 more than last week, according to the RKI. It warned that the figures still showed an "incomplete picture of the epidemiological situation" due to less testing and delayed reports over the holiday season. Also Read | Imran Khan's Ex-Wife Reham Khan Narrowly Escapes Gun Attack in Islamabad. Infections with the Omicron variant in Germany increased by 3,524 within one day to a total of 30,325, according to the RKI. More than a third of all laboratory-confirmed Omicron cases in the country were recorded in the 15-34 age group. Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach told newspaper Bild am Sonntag that he was "very, very concerned about the unvaccinated who are now walking into the Omicron wave." Also Read | Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Can Boost Effectiveness Against Omicron to 88%, UK Studies Show. Lauterbach stressed that the first vaccination would "drastically reduce the risk of death after just 14 days," adding that by increasing first-time vaccinations, "we can effectively reduce COVID-19 deaths in the Omicron wave." With a vaccination rate of 71.2 percent, around 21.5 million people in Germany are still not vaccinated, according to official figures. The federal and state governments are to discuss later this week how to further proceed in the fight against the Omicron variant, after restrictions were tightened for the vaccinated and recovered over the turn of the year. (ANI/Xinhua) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Seoul [South Korea], January 3 (ANI/Global Economic): Hyundai Motor Group will speed up its electrification strategy in 2022, following the successful launch of the first electric vehicle (EVs) for each brand, including Hyundai Motor's Ionic 5, Kia's EV6 and Genesis' GV60, in 2021. According to the industry on the 31st, Hyundai Motor Group will focus its business mainly on EVs, rather than internal combustion engine vehicles. It also raised its EV sales target from 1 million units in 2025 to 1.7 million units in 2026 and is also accelerating reorganization and investment. Also Read | COVID-19 in US: Hospitalisation Figures May Better Reflect Omicron Severity, Says Disease Expert Dr Anthony Fauci. On the 17th, Hyundai Motor removed its engine development centre in the R&D headquarters and decided to focus on electrification. It changed the name of the powertrain division to the electrification division, and newly established the battery development centre. Instead of eliminating the engine development centre, it will put it under the electrification division. Also Read | Israel Approves 4th COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for People Over 60 and Medical Staff Amid Omicron Scare. Hyundai Motor also transferred teams under the engine development centre to various organizations at the R&D centre to continue developments on engines. An official from Hyundai Motor Group said, "This is a reorganization to focus on electrification." Hyundai Motor Group is also speeding up the recruitment of IT personnel. Hyundai Motor Group recently promoted a large number of IT personnel such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, big data, and connected cars to executives. Chairman Chung Eui-sun previously announced that he will hire more than 46,000 over the next three years and stressed the importance of IT employees. The industry expects that Hyundai Motor Group will minimize the recruitment of production workers and actively hire R&D workers as internal combustion engine models will be gradually discontinued. (ANI/Global Economic) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) By Lee Kah Whye Singapore, January 3 (ANI): Last year witnessed China receiving a smaller share of foreign investments compared to previous years, a trend that started with former US President Trump's trade war with China. Also Read | Amsterdam Protest: Dutch Police Arrest 30 People at Anti-Lockdown Demonstration. Although his successor, Joe Biden campaigned on a promise to end the trade war saying the steep tariffs on Chinese imports are hurting US consumers, farmers and manufacturers, his administration is now continuing to enforce the so-called "phase one agreement" made by China with the Trump administration in early 2020. Phase One among other things commits China to purchase an additional USD200 billion of not only US agriculture, but also manufacturing, energy, and services exports, by the end of 2021. As of now, China is estimated to have purchased only slightly more than 60 per cent of the goods it promised. Also Read | US CDC Mulling COVID-19 Test Requirement for Asymptomatic, Says Disease Expert Dr Anthony Fauci. The phase one agreement also commits China to make progress on enforcing intellectual property rights, removing non-tariff barriers to farm imports, and liberalising its financial services sector. It is possible that the Biden administration is using the trade tariffs as leverage in its negotiations with China. However, some former and current administration officials have commented to the media that there is no better alternative to achieve its trade objectives with China at the moment. They also say that it is not expedient to remove the tariffs all at once. This despite more than 30 business associations in the US appealing to the government and complaining that tariffs are "costly and burdensome." There is also a political dimension to this in that US public opinion has turned negative towards China and rolling back tariffs will be seen as being weak on China. The trade war has resulted in a diversion of foreign investments away from China for the benefit of China's competitors. Vietnam and India are two countries that have benefited the most, and it makes sense for both to foster closer political and economic ties as a counterbalance to China. Vietnam like China is a communist state with a centrally planned economy and has pivoted to a similar version of free-market state capitalism. There is where the parallels end. The two have enjoyed a cordial but uneasy relationship. There has been some measure of distrust and bitterness between the two since fighting a bloody 28-days border war between February and March of 1979. Current diplomatic relations are complicated by maritime territorial disputes, security concerns and geopolitical competition. It does not help that China has in recent times grown more assertive in its dealings with its various partners. Last December, Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue visited New Delhi to mark the 5th anniversary of the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership. He also attended the "Vietnam India Business Forum organised by the Embassy of Vietnam and the Confederation of Indian Industry. To cement the relationship, a total of 12 Memorandums of Understanding worth billions of dollars were signed, encompassing such fields as pharmaceuticals, information technology, oil and gas, and the environment. In his address at the event, Chairman Vuong revealed that bilateral trade turnover between India and Vietnam saw an average growth of 20 per cent per annum, and despite the complicated evolution of the pandemic, trade between the two countries totalled USD 11 billion for the first 10 months of 2021, on track for a year-on-year increase of around 40 per cent. The US-China trade war is not the only factor having an impact on investments in China. Perceived human rights violations in Xinjiang, the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy, China's zero COVID strategy, supply chain challenges, and rising costs are resulting in many global companies leaving China's shores. Research firm Gartner revealed that in 2020 that a third of supply chain leaders had plans to move at least some of their manufacturing out of China before 2023. Another study by UBS Evidence Lab found that in 2020, 76 per cent of US companies with factories in China were in the process of or considering moving operations to other countries. Some of the companies that have moved or considering a move include sportswear giants Nike, Adidas, Puma, and South Korean conglomerates Samsung and LG. India has been a beneficiary of firms looking for alternative locations to site their manufacturing operations. Apple contractors Foxconn, Wistron and Pegatron have factories in India. So has Apple's rival Samsung. Samsung has established large handset manufacturing plants in Noida and Sriperumbudur. The former which has a capacity of 120 million, is said to be the world's largest mobile phone factory. Reports also say that it is set to pump another USD90 million into its Noida plant by end of this year. In addition, China is also not doing itself any favours by its crackdown on its big tech firms which started with the blocking of Alibaba's fintech arm, Ant Group's IPO in 2020. Then, last year, it pressured app-based transportations services company Didi Chuxing into delisting from NYSE citing privacy issues. It also introduced curbs on private education companies. Presumably, these moves are properly considered and calculated. However, this has scared away investors who sold down Chinese stocks. This coupled with the crisis in its property sector precipitated by troubled developer Evergrande, a slowing economy and continued strict COVID lockdowns has led to dwindling investor confidence in the Chinese market. Analysts are saying that these problems are expected to continue into 2022. Chinese company stocks especially those traded in the US market have performed poorly in 2021. The Shanghai Stock Exchange SSE Composite Index managed to eke out a four per cent gain for the entire year which is good for a Chinese company linked index. The FTSE ST China Index which tracks companies that do business in China on the Singapore Exchange was flat, the Hang Seng index declined almost 15 per cent while the Invesco Golden Dragon ETF which tracks 98 of the largest Chinese companies listed in the US declined a whopping 42.4 per cent. During the same period, the SENSEX climbed 20.9 per cent and the S&P 500 rose 28.8 per cent. This market uncertainty has led to a diversion of tech money - venture capital and private equity funds - to other countries. Once again, India, which has previously been a second choice for investors, has been a beneficiary. "Because China is off the boil, it has accelerated investor attention at alternatives such as India," said Timothy Moe, chief Asia-Pacific equity strategist at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to The Financial Times. Daulet Singh, the managing partner of Touchstone Partners which advises foreign investors, concurs. He added, "The regulatory crackdown that China has undertaken over the last 12 months has pushed investors to look at India more favourably. But it's not just push, there's pull as well. The pull is the rapid digitalisation that's taking place (in India)." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, January 3: Amid an outrage over Muslim women being targeted through a dodgy app, senior BJP leader and Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi slammed those behind the incident and said any "cyber criminal communal conspiracy" against the country's composite culture will not succeed. Speaking to reporters, Naqvi, who is the Union minister for Minority Affairs, noted that the government has been acting in the matter and said such targeting of women are unacceptable. Stern action is being taken against such criminals and their "communal conspiracy" will be exposed soon, he said. Photographs of at least 100 influential Muslim women were uploaded for "auction" on an app, sparking widespread outrage, with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informing on Saturday that GitHub, the hosting platform, has confirmed blocking the app (Bulli Bai) and that CERT and police authorities are coordinating further action into the matter. Sulli Deals 2.0: Delhi Police Ask Twitter For Information on 1st Account That Tweeted About Bulli Bai App. Naqvi said some people with nefarious designs are involved in a conspiracy to "defame" India but the country will never allow such elements to succeed in their evil acts. More than 2,000 passengers on a Mumbai to Goa cruise liner began getting tested for Covid-19 on Sunday night after the state government didn't let them leave the ship in Goa after a crew member tested positive for coronavirus. All the passengers and crew members are now being tested and the infected crew member is under isolation on the ship. Bengaluru: Five Youths, Including 2 Women, Booked for Joyride During COVID-19 Night Curfew According to a report in Livehindustan, the people on board have been instructed not to leave the ship before the result of their RT-PCR tests is declared. A medical team in PPE kits went on board to conduct RT-PCR tests of 2016 passengers and crew members. The ship, a Cordelia Cruises' Empress, had come from Mumbai and is currently near Mormugao Port cruise terminal. The Mumbai Port Trust did not allow the cruise to dock in Goa. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, "After testing passengers for Covid-19, some tested positive. We have not allowed them to dock the ship. They have a tie-up with a private hospital for Covid testing, and we've told them to test all passengers for Covid-19 before they leave the ship." COVID-19 Vaccination Drive For 1518 Age Group Starts Today, Heres All You Need To Know However as per a report Mormugao Port Trust and health officials said that only one crew member (and no passengers) tested positive via an antigen test while the ship was still on its way to Goa, with over 2000 passengers aboard. The antigen result is yet to be confirmed via an RT-PCR test. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2022 12:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Panaji, Jan 3: Schools and colleges in Goa will remain closed till January 26 in view of a surge in Covid cases in the coastal state, Dr. Shekhar Salkar, a member of the Goa government's task force for Covid management said on Monday. A night curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. will also be imposed in Goa soon, he said. "Schools and colleges will be closed in Goa till January 26 in view of the rising Covid cases. Classes will be conducted online during the period," Salkar told reporters here, after a meeting of the state government's taskforce on Covid management. The task force is chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Salkar also said that while offline classes will not be conducted in schools and colleges, students who are eligible for vaccination will be inoculated in school premises over the next few days, after which they are not required to visit their respective schools until January 26. Goa CM Pramod Sawant Says Weddings, Foreign Returnees Caused COVID-19 Surge in the State. "The task force will meet again to review the situation a couple of days before January 26, to take a decision on the future course of action. The official also said that a night curfew would be imposed in Goa soon from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. "The government is also imposing a night curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. A formal order will follow tonight or tomorrow. Restrictions will also be imposed on indoor functions," he said. Salkar also said that the infection rate in the coastal state had crossed an average of 5 per cent, which was the reason why the task force had decided to shut down schools and impose a night curfew. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2022 03:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, January 3: The Supreme Court on Monday said it would hear on January 17 the matters in which it had directed the state election commissions of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to re-notify the seats reserved for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the local bodies in these states under the general category. The court said the application filed by the Centre, which has sought a recall of its December 17 last year order directing the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission to stay the poll process on the seats reserved for the OBCs in the local bodies there and re-notify those under the general category, would be heard on January 17. "This will come up on January 17," a bench of justices A M Khanwilkar and C T Ravikumar said. One of the advocates appearing for the petitioner in the matter concerning Madhya Pradesh told the bench that his matter has become infructuous as the ordinance against which he had moved the court has been withdrawn. NEET-PG Admissions: Centre Urges Supreme Court to Schedule Hearing of EWS Quota Case. "All these matters will be heard together," the bench said. Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the Union government has issued directions regarding the compliance of the verdicts delivered by a constitution bench as well as a three-judge bench of the top court earlier. "We have done that," Mehta told the bench, adding, "We have also moved an application seeking some relief in the matter." The bench said the application would be listed on January 17. In its December 17 order, the apex court had referred to the constitution bench verdict of 2010 that had mentioned three conditions, including the setting up of a dedicated commission to conduct a contemporaneous rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness qua the local bodies in the states, which are required to be followed before provisioning such reservation for the OBC category. It had also said that subsequently, a three-judge bench of the court had reiterated the same. The apex court had observed on December 17 that it had passed an order on December 15, directing the State Election Commission of Maharashtra to notify the seats in the local bodies that were reserved for the OBCs as general category seats. In its application seeking a recall of the December 17 order, the Centre has said the uplift of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and OBCs has been its utmost priority and an inadequate representation of OBCs in the local bodies defeats the "very object, intent and purpose of the idea" of de-centralisation of power and taking governance to the grassroots level. It also urged the court to direct the local body elections to be deferred for four months with a mandate to the state government to come out with the report of the commission and directing the SEC to hold the elections accordingly. The Centre has requested the top court to suspend the election process as an interim measure. It has also sought impleadment in the matter in which the court had passed the order on December 17. It said while the mandate of law in the judgments delivered by the constitution bench and the three-judge bench has to be complied with, the apex court may consider striking a balance between the adherence to these verdicts and protecting the interest of those belonging to the OBC category, which is the government's utmost priority. The Centre said in accordance with the assurance given before the top court, it has already issued a detailed advisory to all the states, requiring their strict compliance with the binding judicial pronouncements in the two verdicts. The court had passed the December 17 order after the matter related to local body elections in Madhya Pradesh on the seats reserved for OBCs was brought before it. NEET-PG Admissions: Centre Urges Supreme Court to Schedule Hearing of EWS Quota Case. It had said the matter related to Madhya Pradesh would be listed along with the petitions pertaining to Maharashtra on January 17. In March last year, a three-judge bench of the apex court had said the reservation in favour of the OBCs in the local bodies concerned in Maharashtra cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total seats reserved for the SCs, STs and OBCs taken together. It had referred to the three conditions noted in the constitution bench verdict of 2010. The conditions included specifying the proportion of reservation required to be provisioned local body-wise in light of the recommendations of the commission so as not to fall foul of overbreadth and in any case, such reservation shall not exceed an aggregate of 50 per cent of the total seats reserved in favour of the SCs, STs and OBCs taken together. In a horrific case of crime reported from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, two brothers of a minor girl allegedly abducted and killed a 15-year-old boy with whom she had apparently had an affair. Later, the accused, one of them 17 years old, buried the victims body in a sugarcane field After launching in China, OnePlus is now all set to launch the 9RT and Buds Z2 in India soon. Last month, the OnePlus 9Rt and Buds Z2 were reportedly spotted on the OnePlus India website. Now, the company has teased the arrival of both the devices via two mysterious tweets, which contain Morse codes. The Morse code in the first tweet translates to OnePlus 9RT, whereas the second tweet reveals OnePlus Buds Z2. Apart from this, both tweets do not reveal much information. OnePlus 9RT & OnePlus Buds Z2 Spotted on India Website, Launch Expected Soon. OnePlus 9RT and Buds Z2 will arrive in India with similar specifications as that of the Chinese model. The 9RT will get a 6.62-inch FHD+ Fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400x1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The handset will come powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC coupled with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Get ready to play with silence. Coming soon! #NeverSettle pic.twitter.com/matgaQJQGs OnePlus India (@OnePlus_IN) January 2, 2022 For optics, it will get a triple rear camera setup comprising a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2MP macro shooter. At the front, there will be a 16MP snapper for selfies and video calls. The device will run on Android 11 or Android 12 OS and will pack a 4,500mAh battery with 65W rapid charging. On the other hand, OnePlus Buds Z2 will get 11mm bass-tuned dynamic drivers, Bluetooth v5.2 support and active noise cancellation. The earbuds will come with up to 38 hours of battery life, touch controls and a transparency mode. The charging case will pack a 520mAh battery that will be charged with the help of a USB Type-C port. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2022 04:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, Jan 3: As many as 215 Hindu pilgrims, including 159 from India, performed religious rituals in the Samadhi of Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj at Teri village in Pakistan, Dawn news reported. The convoy of pilgrims arrived in Pakistan through Wagah border and then reached Peshawar by air. They were later transported to Teri Samadhi (shrine) in Karak district in tight security. Karak police had made foolproof security arrangements on the occasion. The security was supervised by Karak district police officer Shafiullah Jan, while SP Investigation Zahir Shah was monitoring the security situation at the Samadhi. Three DSPs along with a heavy contingent of police were deployed at the Samadhi. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MNA and patron-in-chief of Pakistan Hindu Council, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani while appreciating the arrangements said the Karak police had performed their duties with full responsibility. The pilgrims were mostly overwhelmed with emotions and they were praising the security as well as other arrangements made for them. "We felt as if we have entered the paradise when we reached here," Dawn news quoted Varona Malohtra, a pilgrim from New Delhi, as saying. She said that she was fortunate enough to visit this Samadhi and she felt so much spiritual peace at such a holy place. The visibly emotional pilgrim hoped that in future pilgrims from both India and Pakistan would be visiting holy sites situated in both the countries. "Because of the hospitality extended to us in Pakistan and specially in this province, we felt ourselves at home," she said. Another pilgrim, Aishwar Das, said around 200 of the pilgrims had come from India of which 15 were from Delhi. He said they arrived at the Samadhi on Saturday and had spent the night there. He hoped that such visits between the two countries would continue in future. The Samadhi of Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj is considered sacred by the Hindu community in different parts of the country as well as abroad, the Dawn news report said. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2022 01:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). 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 Republican Rep. Liz Cheney slammed former President Donald Trump on Sunday, saying he was unfit for "future office" and "clearly can never be anywhere near the Oval Office ever again." In an interview on ABC's "This Week," Cheney noted that the former president had the power to put an end to the Capitol attack on January 6 but did not do so, according to Business Insider. There were calls from Trump's allies and family members to stop the Capitol attack. A series of text messages disclosed during the House select committee's proceedings against Mark Meadows revealed that Fox News hosts and his son Donald Trump Jr. pleaded with Meadows to have Trump make a speech to urge rioters to leave the area on January 6. Cheney said it is important for Americans to understand how dangerous Trump was. The Republican representative is part of the House select committee investigating the Capitol attack. The committee has been issuing subpoenas to gather documentation and testimony for its Capitol attack probe. READ NEXT: Capitol Riot House Committee Subpoenas 4 Allies of Donald Trump, Including Mark Meadows, Steve Bannon Liz Cheney on Donald Trump Liz Cheney told CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday that the Republican party has to choose to either be loyal to Donald Trump or loyal to the constitution. She noted that they could not do both, The Guardian reported. Cheney, along with Rep. Bennie Thompson, the select committee's chairman, discussed the possibility of a criminal referral to Trump for his failure to attempt to stop the riot or for his obstruction of the investigation. Cheney said there is absolutely no question that it was a dereliction of duty. She noted that the select committee needs to look at whether they need to ramp up penalties for that kind of dereliction of duty. Donald Trump Hinting at 2024 Run Donald Trump has been hinting that he would seek the White House office again in 2024, which Liz Cheney commented on. The Wyoming Republican said she agreed with Hilary Clinton, Trump's former Democratic rival, who recently said that a Trump victory in the presidential election in 2024 "could be the end of our democracy," according to ABC News. Cheney noted that the select committee has firsthand testimony that Trump was sitting in the dining room next to the Oval Office watching the Capitol attack on television. In addition, the co-chair of the select committee said they have firsthand testimony of Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, of going in at least twice asking him to stop the violence. "Any man who would not do so, any man who would provoke a violent assault on the Capitol to stop the county of electoral votes, any man who would watch television as police officers were being beaten, as his supporters were invading the Capitol of the United States, is clearly unfit for future office, clearly can never be anywhere near the Oval Office ever again," Cheney told ABC's "This Week." The Capitol attack anniversary looms nearby. A CBS survey found that 68 percent of Americans saw the Capitol attack as a sign of increasing political violence, while 66 percent thought democracy itself was threatened. Meanwhile, ABC News and Ipsos surveys found that 52 percent of Republicans said the Capitol rioters were trying to protect democracy. The select committee has filed a charge of criminal contempt of Congress against Donald Trump's former strategist, Steve Bannon, and former chief of staff, Mark Meadows. READ MORE: Donald Trump Campaign Paid Over $4.3 Million to Capitol Riot Organizers Before the January 6 Event: Report This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Trump Silence on January 6 Riot 'a Dereliction of Duty': Cheney - From ABC News A Mexican fish called tequila splitfin was reintroduced to its native Mexico after being bred in an aquarium at Chester Zoo in the U.K. The tequila splitfin, which grows to not bigger than 70 millimeters long, disappeared from the wild in 2003 due to the introduction of invasive, exotic fish species, as well as water pollution, according to The Guardian. The Mexican fish was named after the Tequila volcano and was discovered in 1990 in the Teuchitlan River in Jalisco, south-west Mexico. Tequila Splitfin Returns to a River in Mexico The Chester zoo and the Michoacana University of Mexico have joined forces to return more than 1,500 fish to the river in Mexico. The project was cited as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) case study for successful reintroductions. Michoacana University of Mexico Professor Omar Dominguez said it was the first time an extinct species of fish has ever been successfully reintroduced in Mexico. Dominguez noted that the feat sets an example for conservation while being a significant precedent in the future for many fish species that are threatened or extinct in the wild. Experts said the successful reintroductions of the tequila splitfin could open reintroductions of other endangered species. Another rescue mission of the golden skiffia is now underway. READ NEXT: Mexico's Top 5 YouTube Influencers: How Much Money Do They Make? Reintroduction of Mexican Fish Tequila Splitfin At the start of the project in 1998, the university's aquatic biology unit received five pairs of fish from Chester Zoo. The fish started reproducing in aquariums, and within several years, Dominguez and his colleagues gambled on reintroducing them to the Teuchitlan River. Dominguez noted that many told them it was impossible, adding that they thought the species would die if they returned it to the river, Independent reported. The team responsible for the reintroduction of the Mexican fish received a deaf ear from the start of the project. But after the population increased to 10,000 fish, it guaranteed funding, not only from the Chester Zoo but also a dozen organizations from Europe, the U.S., and the United Arab Emirates. Some residents gave the fish a nickname "Zoogy" and made caricatures and formed the "River Guardians," a group composed mostly of children. The group collects garbage, cleans the river, and removes invasive plants. Dominguez noted that there was no previous data to determine if the water quality had improved. However, he said the entire ecosystem has improved, with the river cleaner and fewer non-native species. Cattle are no longer permitted to drink in some areas, as well. According to ABC News, some successful examples of the reintroduction into the nature of species were Przewalski's horse and the Arabian oryx. Gerardo Garcia, the zoo's curator of lower vertebrates and invertebrates, said it is an important example of species conservation. The tequila splitfin is a small freshwater with slightly larger females than males. According to Blue Planet Aquarium fact sheet, a series of unsuccessful searches caused them to be reported as "extinct in the wild" in 1998. READ MORE: U.S. Agents Can't Just Step on Mexico's Soil to Arrest El Chapo's Sons of Sinaloa Cartel, Pres. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Says This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Tequila Fish Reintroduced Successfully (Mexico/(UK)) - BBC News - 29th December 2021 - From Mark 1333 Friends and family members identified the victim of the Morro Bay shark attack on Christmas Eve as a resident of Sacramento who loved the ocean. According to San Luis Obispo Tribune, Tomas Butterfield will be remembered by his relatives as an individual who died in a place he loved. 'We've Lost Tom': Morro Bay Shark Attack Devastates Family, Friends of Victim Family and friends of the 42-year-old Sacramento man shared that he loved to do fishing and boogie-boarding. According to Los Angeles Times, friends and family confirmed Tomas Butterfield was the victim of the shark attack in Morro Bay. Officials said Butterfield was riding a bodyboard in the water near The Pit area of Morro Strand State Beach, north of Morro Rock, at around 10:40 a.m. Friday, when a great white shark suddenly attacked him. Officials considered the latest shark attack as the first fatal shark attack in San Luis Obispo County in 18 years. READ NEXT: California Man Driving to White House to Kill Pres. Joe Biden, Other 'Persons in Power' on 'Hit List' Arrested in Iowa Morro Bay Shark Attack Alerts Officials, Alarms Surfers The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff-Coroner is conducting an autopsy on the victim's body. But it has yet to publicly release the victim's name and initially released a few details about the incident. After The Tribune published the story, the California State Parks then confirmed the identity of the shark attack victim. Public information officer Jorge Moreno said the victim was Butterfield from Sacramento. Grant Butterfield, Tomas' uncle, told The Tribune that he learned the news through the victim's father, his brother Scott, about what happened on the day of the incident. Grant said his nephew was living in the city's downtown area and had been working for his father there. Tomas was just visiting his mother, Maria, who lived in Morro Bay around Christmas when he went out boogie-boarding alone on the morning of Christmas Eve. Grant added that he was expecting a Christmas greeting when he saw his brother's name on his phone screen, but it was the opposite. Grant said that it was not specifically confirmed what happened to Tomas in his final moments in the water. He said that Tomas' brother, Ben, with their mother, Maria, went to the beach looking for Tomas. However, they ended up going to The Pit and saw all of the emergency people who were checking the shark attack victim. Morro Bay Harbor director Eric Endersby said a woman surfing saw Butterfield's empty boogie board and found him face down in the water. The woman brought him to the beach, and Morro Bay Harbor Patrol responded to the incident alongside the city's police and fire departments. Despite the quick response from the city officials, Endersby noted that Butterfield was already dead by the time medical personnel reached him. The director added that the woman who found Butterfield did not see the shark attack, and no one has yet to come forward to say they witnessed the encounter. Endersby said the Harbor Patrol closed the waters within their jurisdiction for 24 hours and placed a sign warning beachgoers of entering the water at their own risk. He noted that it would remain in place through the New Year's holiday. READ MORE: Winter Storm Warnings Issued for Los Angeles, New Mexico, Wisconsin as Heavy Snow and Gusty Winds to Blast on New Year's Day This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Family Identifies Man Killed In Morro Bay Shark Attack As Sacramento Resident - From CBS Sacramento Dog the Bounty Hunter is reportedly traveling to Utah to help solve a case of a murdered woman that has been linked to Brian Laundrie. Dog the Bounty Hunter's help was sought by Sean-Paul Schulte, the father of Kylen Schulte. Schulte earlier said that he wanted the 68-year-old reality star to help find his daughter's killer. Kylen Schulte and her wife, Crystal Turner, were both found dead with gunshot wounds at a campsite in the La Sal mountain range in Utah in August. According to The Sun, Schulte wrote on Facebook that Dog the Bounty Hunter, whose real name is Duane Chapman, is coming to Moab, Utah to help them find answers in the mysterious deaths of his daughter. "I've spoken with Dog three times now. He's coming back to Moab again to help us!!! JJ n Dog. Plus the essentials. Praise the Lord," Schulte said. Kylen Schulte's Father Linked Daughter's Murder to Brian Laundrie It has been speculated that Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner might have played pool with Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie in Moab before they were found dead. Schulte earlier said that his daughter and her wife were playing pool with a couple at a local bar called Woody's Tavern on August 12, the same day that Laundrie and Petito were stopped by cops. Sharing details on Understanding Crime's Facebook page, Schulte noted that her daughter had been playing with a "creepy man" peacefully. Schulte wrote that he was hoping the tavern's staff would look to see if they knew who it was. When someone asked Schulte if "Crystal was shooting pool with the creeper at Woody's? So he may have been following them?" he replied, "we don't know if it was him. It was a couple. A young couple. I want to know if it was Brian and Gabby!" After their infamous stop with the bodycam footage, Laundrie and Petito were interviewed and separated by cops. The police officers then concluded that the incident was a mental-health crisis and not a crime. The cops ordered Laundrie and Petito to cool down for the night separately. Laundrie was put in a hotel room while Petito stayed in their van. Laundrie's room was reportedly just a seven-minute walk to Woody's. Prior to their murder, Kylen and Crystal had told their friends that they were transferring to another site since there was a "weirdo camping near them that was freaking them out." The couple reportedly stopped communicating with their family and friends shortly after. Investigators speculated whether the deaths of Kylen and Crystal could be linked to the Laundrie-Petito case, given the closeness of time and location of the two incidents. However, officials later determined that there was no connection between the two cases. Police have yet to name a suspect in Kylen or Crystal's deaths. Private investigator Jason Jensen believes that the "creepy" man the newlywed couple mentioned must be connected to their deaths. Jensen told NewsNation Now that she "don't think there is a coincidence that somebody else is the murderer, I think it's really this creepy guy." Jensen added that Brian Laundrie could not be ruled out until it was proven that he was not in the area before the couple was murdered. READ NEXT: Gabby Petito Family to Celebrate First Christmas Without Her, Takes Action to Ensure No One Else Suffer the Same Dog The Bounty Hunter Joins Search for Brian Laundrie The Fort De Soto Park in Florida was one of the areas that Dog The Bounty Hunter previously looked for Brian Laundrie. Duane Chapman started searching the Fort De Soto campground area after receiving tips that Gabby Petito's fiance could be there. However, he was not lucky enough to find Laundrie in the park. Brian Laundrie has also visited Fort De Soto with Gabby Petito. One of Petito's Instagram posts showed that they went to Fort De Soto Historical Fort in February. Dog the Bounty Hunter has called off his search after officials confirmed that the remains found at a swampy area in Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on October 20 belonged to Laundrie. Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito Case Gabby Petito disappeared on a cross-country road trip with Brian Laundrie. The couple was traveling to Oregon when the YouTuber stopped communicating with her family in Wyoming in late August. Laundrie was named a person of interest by the North Port police after returning home alone on September 1 or 10 days before Petito was reported missing by her family. A Teton County, Wyoming coroner said Petito was strangled to death by a "human being," and the manner of death was homicide. Crime Online reported that law enforcement is still investigating the death of Petito. However, it did not detail why or what exactly they are focusing on at this stage of the case. Meanwhile, the partial skeletal remains found at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on October 20 were confirmed to belong to Laundrie after a review of dental records. According to the autopsy report, Laundrie died of a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was suicide. Brian Laundrie was never charged in connection with Gabby Petito's murder. But an arrest warrant was issued for him for allegedly using Petito's debit card after her death. READ MORE: Brian Laundrie Case: Probe Into Utah Cops Who Responded to Gabby Petito and Fiance's Domestic Dispute 'Close' to Wrapping Up This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Father Seeking Clues From Community After Daughter Murdered Outside of Moab - From FOX 13 Utah News The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seized a record-high amount of fentanyl for the Fiscal Year 2021, The Daily Wire reported. In the fiscal year 2021, which ran from October 2020 to September 2021, at least 11,200 pounds of fentanyl was seized by the agency, The Washington Examiner mentioned. The said drug was seized by the CBP agents from international mail inspection facilities, sea, land, and air ports of entry. Fentanyl was also intercepted by CBP from smugglers trying to sneak them across ports. That same fiscal year, the agency noted that only 5,400 pounds of heroin were intercepted by their agents. CBP also seized 319,447 pounds of marijuana, 97,638 pounds of cocaine, 190,861 pounds of methamphetamine, and 10,848 pounds of ketamine, for the fiscal year 2021. READ NEXT: Jalisco Cartel Associate Convicted of Dealing Methamphetamine out of His Car Dealership in Texas Fentanyl Production Centers on Wuhan, China According to an investigation from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), there is a direct link between fentanyl and the Mexican drug cartels. Reports noted that Mexican cartels avail the ingredients of fentanyl from laboratories located in Wuhan, China. Cartels will then produce fentanyl from the ingredients they bought from China and offer them to U.S. "The drug threat today is different than it ever was before. Now, today, this [fentanyl] is all synthetic or man-made. There's an unlimited amount of those drugs that can be made," DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in an interview with ABC's "This Week." In a statement, Milgram also revealed that Mexican drug cartels market fentanyl on social media platforms. "Mexican criminal drug networks are harnessing the perfect drug trafficking tool: social media applications that are available on every smartphone," Milgram said, adding that the cartels are using apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok to flood the U.S. with fentanyl. CDC Says Fentanyl Drives Increase of Death Due to Overdose The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also said that fentanyl contributed to the deaths of thousands of people due to drug overdose. In the 12 months leading up to April, CDC recorded more than 100 thousand people who died of a drug overdose. The said number was higher than the previous 78,000 who died due to the same reason. "Fentanyl is the drug that is most driving the big increase in overdose deaths (though other drugs are contributing as well)," CDC National Center for Health Statistics Spokesman Jeff Lancashire said. The number of deaths on drug overdose where fentanyl contributed the most came as the Texas Department of Public Safety seized 160 pounds of fentanyl, as part of Operation Lone Star. The said number of fentanyl seized by the Texas officials was reportedly enough to kill 200 million individuals. If the activities inside and outside Operation Lone Star's area of interest were combined, the agency seized a total of 886 pounds of fentanyl which is approximately 200,790,522 lethal doses. READ NEXT: Guatemalan Man Gets 11 Years in Prison for Role in Smuggling Cocaine From Colombia to U.S. This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Your Brain On Fentanyl (FIXED) - From AsapSCIENCE Dr. Anthony Fauci noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is eyeing to add a COVID negative test in its isolation guidelines after it was faced with criticisms from the public and experts. U.S. President Joe Biden's medical adviser said that there were concerns that the CDC told people to isolate for five days but did not recommend a negative COVID test before leaving isolation, according to an NPR report. Fauci said in an interview on ABC's This Week that it is something now under consideration. Some critics noted that a negative COVID test should be included in the recommendations when CDC updated their isolation guidelines. Fauci added that he thinks the public will be hearing more about testing in the next or so from the CDC. Fauci noted that the CDC is very well aware that there has been some pushback regarding the matter, according to a CNBC News report. Fauci later added that he personally thinks that is a reasonable thing to do, adding COVID negative tests on the isolation guidelines. READ NEXT: Pfizer's COVID Pill Could Have Risky Effects When Used With Other Drugs; FDA Restricts Merck's COVID Pill Use to Adults and Scenarios Where Other Treatments Are Not Available CDC Isolation Guidelines The agency recommended in December that health care workers who are asymptomatic can return to work after seven days and that isolation time can be further decreased if there are staffing shortages, according to The New York Times report. In addition, the agency noted that workers who had received all vaccine doses, including boosters, do not need to quarantine at home after high-risk exposures. Many major hospitals had already been forced to move ahead on their own in recent days in anticipation of a winter surge. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said that the agency had refrained from recommending testing out of isolation due to the science being unclear whether rapid antigen tests are a good indication of transmissibility. The new and shorter isolation guidance was a result of concern that the high transmission rate of the omicron variant of the virus could have a negative impact on the structure of society, according to an NBC News report. Scientists said that they were surprised and alarmed that there was no recommendation that people produce a negative test before reentering public life. The CDC and the White House had previously defended the lack of a testing requirement, with Walensky saying that they know that after five days, people are much less likely to spread the virus. The CDC director added that masking further reduces the risk, according to a Buzzfeed News report. Fauci said last week that if one has symptoms, they obviously should not be out. However, he added that if one is asymptomatic and infected, they want to "get people back to the jobs," especially those with essential jobs to keep "our society running smoothly." The administration's medical adviser said that there was accumulating evidence that the Omicron variant leads to less serious infection and illness, especially if people are vaccinated. However, officials are still concerned that health care facilities may be overwhelmed. READ MORE: CDC Recommends Shorter COVID Isolation Period for Health Care Workers Amid Omicron Variant This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by Mary Webber WATCH: CDC guidance 'under consideration' on testing for asymptomatic people: Fauci - from ABC News Royal expert Russel Myers noted that Prince Andrew is seen to be "banished from" Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebration with the Duke of York. Virginia Roberts Giuffre is accusing the Duke of York of having sexual relations with her when she was a minor. Giuffre is suing Andrew for sexual assault in a civil lawsuit in the U.S., according to The Express-News report. Myers noted that there will be a lot of "nervousness" within the Palace in light of the Queen's celebration. Myers added that he believes Andrew will not be allowed to stay "anywhere near" the public during the Platinum Jubilee, according to International The News report. Myers said that there are worries that Andrew's current situation could potentially overshadow the celebration. READ NEXT: Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein Pictured at Queen Elizabeth's Balmoral Residence; Photo Shown During Trial Royal Family on Prince Andrew's Sexual Assault Case Meanwhile, the British royal family has been accused of shielding the Queen's second son against his case. A senior journalist noted that the monarchy did more to protect the Duke of York from scrutiny as compared to Meghan Markle, according to another International The News report. The journalist, Eric Michael Garcia, said that the fact the Royal Family did more to protect Andrew than Markle "says everything you need to know about both." Meanwhile, reports noted that the conviction of British socialite and Jeffrey Epstein's former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, is a further blow for Andrew. Andrew has categorically denied allegations against him, while his lawyers claimed that Giuffre accepted a settlement with Epstein, wherein it stated that she could not pursue a case against any of Epstein's associates. Prince Andrew's lawyers have told the court that Giuffre is pursuing a "baseless lawsuit against Andrew to achieve another payday" at his own expense, according to The Guardian report. They claim his "sullied reputation" is collateral damage to the Epstein scandal. Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace on Sunday has denied reports that courtiers may have to ask Andrew to stop using title if he loses the lawsuit against Giuffre. The palace said that it would not comment on ongoing legal matters. They had also played down reports that the Duke of York would have to step back from his role as colonel-in-chief of nine military regiments, units, and corps. Giuffre alleged that Maxwell told her 17-year-old self that he had to do "for Andrew what I do for Jeffrey," according to a BBC News report. She said that the duke knew her age and that she was a sex-trafficking victim. In 2019, Andrew said in an interview with BBC Newsnight that he had no recollection of her meeting Giuffre. Andrew said that Giuffre's account of their London meeting did not happen. He added that he could not explain a photo of him with his arm around Giuffre, with Maxwell in the background. In August 2021, the Metropolitan Police has reviewed a document as part of the civil action in the U.S. The police also reviewed information passed to them by the media in June 2021. READ MORE: Jeffrey Epstein's Ex-Employee Says Late Sex Offender Had Young Girls at Palm Beach Estate While Ghislaine Maxwell Was the 'Lady of the House' This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Epstein settlement with Giuffre to be made public, affects Prince Andrew case - from Reuters On New Year's Day, Rapper Kodak Black, a Florida native, was arrested in Broward County after he was slapped with trespassing charges, according to local reports. Kodak Black Arrested by Authorities in South Florida for Trespassing Black, who was born Octave Dieuson, is now legally known as Bill Kapri after he changed his name. Based on the report of The Guardian, the 24-year-old rapper Bill Kapri known as Kodak Black was taken into custody in the early hours of New Year's Day, and his representatives confirmed the arrest. Broward County sheriff's deputies said they "made contact with Bill Kapri" at around 1:30 a.m. ET in the Pompano Beach area, a place where Black is originally from. After he was placed in custody Black bonded out at about 4 a.m. The sheriff's department is yet to respond to a request for additional information regarding the charges against Kodak Black and the circumstances of his arrest. In addition, the trespassing accusations were not immediately cleared by the officials. READ ALSO: Celebrities We've Lost in 2021: Remembering Some of the Biggest Stars Who Died This Year Kodak Black Hits Headlines for Crimes, Charity Works According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel Black also paid for the college education of the children of two FBI agents who were slain. Aside from the payments for the loved ones of the FBI agents, the Sun-Sentinel reported that he also paid the funeral costs for a police officer in South Carolina and honored the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victim Meadow Pollack by donating $100,000 to the Nova Southeastern University law school in her memory. However, based on The Guardian, the Florida native rapper also made the headlines when former United States President Donald Trump commuted his sentence for falsifying records related to a gun purchase in Miami. In April 2019, Kapri was arrested on separate drug and gun charges near Niagara Falls, New York, as he was trying to cross the U.S. border from Canada. He also faced several allegations of unlawful possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a weapon second degree. Also, before their arrest, Kapri and three others were detained by U.S. Border and Customs Protection. Kodak Black was arraigned in the town of Lewiston and was detained in Niagara County Jail held with a $20,000/$40,000 cash bond. At the time, Black had served about half of his 3-year sentence. Moreover, last April, the rapper was also sent to probation after assaulting a teenage girl in a South Carolina hotel room. Black was charged with rape but he accepted a deal and pleaded guilty to first-degree assault. On the other hand, Black has sold more than 30 million singles, several multi-platinum, and platinum-certified. Among his hits were Zeze, No Flockin', and Roll in Peace. READ MORE: Johnny Knoxville to Enter WWE Royal Rumble Ahead of 'Jackass Forever' Release This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Kodak Black Arrested On Trespassing Charge In South Florida - CBS Miami The brother of a victim who died in the 2019 crash in Colorado's I-70 in 2019 slammed Governor Jared Polis on Sunday after the official commuted the 110-year sentence originally given to Cuban driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos. Duane Bailey lost his brother, William Bailey, in the crash that killed four in April 2019, Fox News reported. "As far as I'm concerned, [Polis] undermined the integrity of the courts," Duane Bailey said in an interview. The other victims of the crash were identified as Miguel Lamas Arellano, Stanley Politano, and Doyle Harrison. READ NEXT: Kim Kardashian Joins Calls to Reduce 110-Year Sentence of Cuban Driver Behind Deadly Crash in Colorado That Killed 4 Brother of Colorado Crash Victim Says 'Political and Social Media' Pressure More Important for Polis The brother of the Colorado victim also said that Governor Polis decided to give more importance to political and social media pressure rather "than the victims" of the crash. It can be recalled that more than five million people signed on a petition to reduce the sentence awarded to the Cuban driver. The movement gathered attention as it reached Kim Kardashian, who also joined the calls on reducing Aguilera-Mederos' 110-year sentence. Bailey went on to retaliate on Polis' decision to not let the court proceeding set on January 13 take place before the announcement of Aguilera-Mederos' clemency. "The governor put himself above the law by not letting the court proceedings finish out," Bailey's brother said, adding that the governor should have let the January 13 hearing take place before announcing clemency. Duane Bailey said that he also does not support the 110-year sentence initially slammed to the Cuban driver. However, he noted that 10 years imprisonment is not enough as a consequence of what Aguilera-Mederos did. "The prosecutor was going to suggest 20-30 years. A number I would have supported," Bailey underscored. The brother of the Colorado crash victim also ripped on the timing when Jared Polis announced the clemency, claiming that tragic fires occurred in the state when it was made known to the public. "[Polis] made the announcement [clemency] when he knew people would be focused on the tragic fires. So in a way, he also took advantage of them to provide coverage so he could announce this without much coverage," Bailey highlighted. Colorado Governor Awards Clemency on the Cuban Driver Last week, Governor Jared Polis reduced the 110-year sentence of Rogel Aguilera-Mederos to 10 years. Despite diminishing the sentence of the Cuban driver, Polis said that Aguilera-Mederos' is "disproportionate" to other crimes such as "intentional, premeditated, or violent crimes," in the criminal justice system. In the letter issued by Polis, the Colorado governor pointed out that the Cuban driver will be eligible for parole on December 30, 2026. Rogel Aguilera-Mederos's semi-truck slammed into a stopped traffic light in Colorado's I-70. The crash caused a chain reaction on I-70 such as ruptured gas tanks that caused flames. The Cuban driver was then charged with four counts of vehicular manslaughter, six counts of first-degree assault, 10 counts of attempt to commit assault in the first degree extreme indifference, two counts of vehicular assault reckless, and one count of reckless driving. READ NEXT: Higher Fentanyl Seizures in U.S. Borders Recorded by CBP as Overdose for the Drug Surges This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Colorado Governor Reduces Sentence for Houston Truck Driver in Deadly Crash - From KHOU 11 Welcome Guest! You Are Here: A company led by a Laois man has made a new acquisition. Nostra, one of Irelands leading Managed I.T Service Providers which has its head office at Parkwest Business Park in Dublin, and an office in Laois, recently acquired Enclave, a specialist Managed Service Provider. The acquisition is Nostras fourth in the last five years and will see the company taking over all of Enclaves current managed service clients and staff. Enclave employs 20 people who will now join the existing Nostra team while 10 new positions will be created, bringing the total Nostra head count to 200. The 10 new positions will be available across business development, sales and marketing and IT engineering. Recruitment for these new roles has now commenced and applicants are invited to apply via the Nostra.ie website. The deal was supported by Bank of Ireland who have worked with Nostra as a key partner since it was established 16 years ago. Kevin OLoughlin, CEO of Nostra MSP said, We were impressed with Enclaves technical prowess, attention to detail and client retention which is testament to the companys professionalism and premier service levels. Enclave was established in 2004 and over that time has built a solid reputation as one of Irelands foremost computer engineering companies. It has been leading the charge for digital transformation and is a Cyber Security market leader, both key attributes which are a great fit for our growth strategy and prompted us to acquire the company. He went on to say, Our business is performing extremely well, and we have experienced exponential growth across all services and sectors. This is due to our technical expertise, and innovative approach to Managed I.T Services. Our customers are predominantly, CEOs and business owners who are focused on ensuring their day-to-day operations perform as they should. I.T networks, systems and cybersecurity are generally not something they have time to consider and that is where we step in. We strive to achieve the highest possible standards in customer service, its not just about fixing problems but also adding value and streamlining processes. Enclave is a great addition to the Nostra group and will see Nostra widen its services offering and team to enable continued growth. An Enterprise Ireland client, Nostra is forecasting double digit growth in the next few years and is on course to reach a turnover of 30 million by the end of 2022 and 100 million over the next five years via organic growth and further acquisitions. The company has recently undergone a complete rebrand and digital makeover and has invested over 500,000 in both a new premises and rebranding project. The brand-new state of the art office in Parkwest was designed to allow for virtual working and or in office collaborations. Nostra specialises in outsourced IT for over 280 companies with 600 offices supported in 18 countries around the world. Peter Hennessy, CEO of Enclave will continue to work with the business and will focus on further developing and growing Nostra. Portwest, Oasis Group and Amryt Pharma are among some of Nostras clients. The Irish Red Cross are appealing for new volunteers in Laois to bolster its family and community support efforts which have seen a huge 7,500% increase in demand as a result of the pandemic. There are 40 volunteers in Laois. Since March 2020, demand for at-home visits in support of the elderly as well as isolated and vulnerable households - especially in rural areas - has increased from just a few hundred visits per year to over 15,000 visits during this period. Furthermore, with the increase of testing with the Delta and Omicron COVID variants, the charity has seen a major upswing in demands on its National Ambulance Service with units - having made nearly 1,000 patient transfers since March 2020 for non-emergency treatments like chemotherapy or dialysis appointments as well as GP or dental appointments for older people. As a result of the 2020 lockdowns, large areas of the country were left in shock and uncertainty. In response, Irish Red Cross volunteer units from across the island joined together with local communities and rallied to protect the most vulnerable. As we head into 2022, the Irish Red Cross expect an excess of 268,000 volunteer hours to have been spent on essential community support work since the start of the pandemic. This is the equivalent of over 11,000 days or 30 years of dedicated volunteer time. The call for more people to consider becoming volunteers for the good of others was made this week by the Irish Red Cross with the support of their corporate partner Lottoland. The type of services that need further volunteer support includes checking in on the elderly in remote areas over the phone or through video calls, delivering essential supplies of food, medication or heating fuel as well as providing daily shopping runs, collecting medications and assisting Meals on Wheels services to meet their increased demand. Pat Carey, Chair of the Irish Red Cross, said Volunteers are the life blood of the Irish Red Cross, connecting communities all across Ireland. We couldnt continue our work without their vital contribution. By giving their time and skills to helping provide essential services in times of crisis, they impact the lives of so many vulnerable people every year. "We are calling on the public now, to join us in our efforts, and ask you to please contact the Irish Red Cross today about becoming a volunteer. Graham Ross, Ireland Country Manager for Lottoland said Since the start of our partnership with the Irish Red Cross in 2018, one of the many hugely impressive aspects of the organisation has been the spirit of volunteerism that is the backbone of the Irish Red Cross nationally. To see people of all ages and backgrounds give of themselves so selflessly in delivering the array of services provided is humbling and heart-warming. "Clearly the pandemic has created a whole new set of logistical challenges that the charity has risen magnificently to meet but additional donations and especially volunteers are critical to continuing to meet these challenges into 2022. "Were proud to directly support the charity with up to 20% of the sales from our various charity products including the Win-Win Charity Lotto & Scratch Card, plus the standalone Irish Red Cross Scratch Card, but we know much more is needed to keep helping those who need it most at this uniquely challenging time for Irish society. Public views are being sought in Laois and other counties on a long promised plan that could deliver nearly 85 million in development funding to the midlands that have been hit by the ending of peat production. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication, Eamon Ryan, has launched a public consultation on a draft of Irelands Territorial Just Transition Plan, in partnership with the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly. A statement says the plan will set out how Ireland proposes to invest funding from the EU Just Transition Fund to support a just transition in the wider Midlands region. Just days after Laois Offaly TD Carol Nolan said the plan's publication was like Waiting for Godot, Minister Ryan's Department has published the draft plan which has seen 84.5 million has been allocated to Ireland under the EU Just Transition Fund over the period to 2027. The Fund must be complemented with national resources and in Ireland the national co-funding rate will be between 30% to 50%. There are also specific rules in relation to the timing of expenditure and on eligible costs that may be supported by the Fund. This public consultation is asking for stakeholders views on the transition process and the draft plan which, when finalised, will be submitted to the European Commission for approval. The consultation invites stakeholders to complete an online survey and to attend online workshops. There will be two online workshops on January 18 and 25 for in-depth discussions on priorities for the EU Just Transition Fund. A third online workshop, for young people in the region, is being organised with national youth representative organisations to ensure that people impacted have the opportunity to shape the plan. There will also be specific information sessions for Oireachtas members, as well as relevant local authorities and their members. The Department says views are views of individuals, communities, businesses, and representative bodies are particularly sought in the wider Midlands region of east Galway, north Tipperary, Longford, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, west Kildare and Roscommon. A statement announcing the consultation says the EU Just Transition Fund will support the goals of Irelands Climate Action Plan and its objectives, in relation to providing a just transition in the wider Midlands region. This is in response to the ending of peat extraction for electricity generation. Minister Ryan's Department says analysis for the draft Territorial Just Transition Plan builds on extensive analysis and public engagement already undertaken. This considered the development needs of the region, including for the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region. It identified the following proposed key development needs for the wider Midlands region, based on the scope of support from the EU Just Transition Fund: Modernising the business environment and creating employment opportunities; Enhancing the skills profile;Promoting environmental sustainability and industrial heritage; Enhancing the potential of region as a place to live and work. Failure to introduce carbon markets, which effectively allow countries to buy and sell emissions reductions, would set back the post-pandemic recovery, the Taoiseach was warned before Cop26. Ian Talbot, the chief executive of Chambers Ireland, wrote to Micheal Martin saying the measure could reduce the cost of Irelands climate commitments by half, letters released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal. He said that if a common rulebook on such markets was not agreed, it risked triggering damaging climate-related trade frictions which could place a significant drag on any post-pandemic recovery. The provision, under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, had been a sticking point in negotiations for six years until it was signed off on at the climate conference in Glasgow in November. Mr Talbot said failure to introduce the measure would have driven up costs, particularly for small businesses, though others argue that the availability of cheap offsets could disincentivise emissions reductions. In a letter on October 14, Mr Talbot wrote: We note with great concern that current domestic climate policies are insufficient to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050. In this context, we believe that cooperative approaches in particular, international carbon markets are urgently needed to rapidly accelerate the pace of decarbonization of the global economy. We also see a cast-iron economic case for ensuring that the Paris Agreement can enable the creation of effective international carbon markets. As you may be aware, recent independent research has shown that implementation of Article 6 has the potential to reduce the total cost of implementing national climate commitments by more than half a total of 216 billion euro per year in 2030. Given the fiscal toll of the coronavirus pandemic, we believe that this is too significant a dividend for any government to leave on the table in Glasgow next month. By contrast, a further failure to agree on a robust set of rules to implement Article 6 risks driving up the costs of climate action in the years to come. He added: Many businesses in our network already report that the fragmented nature of existing domestic carbon pricing regimes poses increasing operational challenges and risks particularly smaller businesses with limited administrative or technical capacities. While we recognise that Article 6 itself is not designed to lead to a global carbon price, we believe with the right operating rules that it has the potential to create the necessary transparency to forge a more cohesive multilateral approach to carbon pricing. From a real economy perspective, this is clearly vital to avoid the unintended consequences of unilateral climate policy measures which increasingly risk triggering damaging climate-related trade frictions which could place a significant drag on any post pandemic recovery. Mr Talbot, chief executive of both Chambers Ireland and the International Chamber of Commerce Ireland, said was writing on behalf of the global business community. Carbon markets have been a contentious issue in the fight against climate change. Celia Nyssens, policy officer for agriculture at the European Environment Bureau, argues that they rely on polluters purchasing carbon offsets. The availability of cheap offsets would however disincentivise prior emissions reductions she adds. Even if these issues are properly addressed by the commissions framework for the certification of carbon removals, it remains questionable whether polluters should be allowed to buy the right to claim climate neutrality. This could send confusing signals to consumers, slowing the shift to more sustainable lifestyles. The Bellona Foundation, an international not-for-profit organisation that seeks to identify climate solutions, says the success of such markets depends on the rules governing them. If done well, it may serve to optimise the mitigation of climate change by channelling much-needed financial resources to projects and countries where it can be applied most efficiently they state. If done badly, it would amount to little more than climate negligence. The ongoing June Fest local history project in conjunction with the Newbridge Down Memory Lane online forum and the Leinster Leader has thrown up images and memories of where locals used to get their weekly groceries. Long before Aldi and Lidl, the place to go was Eddie OConnors grocery shop on the Main Street or Malones butcher shop on Charlotte Street. OConnor's shop Eddie OConnors shop is roughly where Ladbrokes, Steves Daybreak and Kings Park Takeaway is today. Bernadette Nolan recalled: The Chinese restaurant was Morans shop first followed by OBriens where they fixed TVs and bicycles (Ray OBriens father). The Daybreak shop was Eddies a treasure trove of a general store with toys, sweets, newspapers, foodstuffs. Great shop. Beside that was Kearns shop sweets and more sweets and an ice-cream. We bought our Halloween masks there too! Lynn Holden said: My mother Phil Holden was born in the shop which is now Daybreak. My grandfather Mex Murphy and grandmother had a shop there and sold it to Eddie O Connor around 1952 and they then moved to Eyre Street where they opened the Lilywhite Laundry. Tom Malone's butcher shop on Charlotte Street, Newbridge Tom Malones Tom Malones butcher shop is where Best for Men barbers and Delicious cafe is now on Charlotte Street. Pa Kearney recalled: At the rear they had their own slaughterhouse, where we would go after school and watch Bud Kelly slaughter and salt the animals. Strange pastime when I think of it now! Lisa OMalley said: Trailers were reversed into the side gate on Eyre Street and let the sheep in. A while later blood would be washed out. Im pretty sure sheep escaped out the front door one day too and went for a rundown Charlotte Street! The current Old Chartbusters building on Main Street was the former Sean Keegan Central Hardware Store. An old photo from 1910 by Paul Cooke shows that buildings at this location belonged to the Farrell, Kavanagh and Kelly families. Newbridge Main Street in 1910. Picture: Paul Cooke Keegans Hardware Aine Carey recalled: Sean Keegans was like a treasure trove so much in it. You could buy some wood and a gift in the same place. I used to love going there and all staff were so nice to both adults and children alike. Sadly missed. Another special place in our local history gone. Frankie Boland said: Before Keegans Hardware, I remember two shops there. Kitty Guineys Drapery on the left and Herterich Pork Butchers on the right. Hazel Watson recalled: I remember this as Keegans, winding entrance with display windows and then early 80s with an arcade like front. I have memories of so many staff Barry, Harry, Declan, Pattie, Mary, Teresa, Pat and the Keegan family to name a few. A great shop. As a vaccinator who at first answered Irelands call during the pandemic and later joined a vaccination programme, its been some journey. Covid-19 is probably the greatest global health challenge we have had to deal with for a number of decades. As a nurse who went back as a vaccinator last January, I never thought I would still be vaccinating nearly a year on with no end in sight. The vaccinator role has been a role reversal from caring for the sick to preventing illness. My work colleagues are amazing and I have developed new friends from all types of health care backgrounds. We have fun and found who can bake and who cant. I am one of the latter! To share a space with a physiotherapist, dentist, paramedics and other professionals, each one of us doing the same job, has made the experience a privilege and, of course, the most important people within this whole programme, the general population. The unvaccinated The question arises as to why are people choosing not to come forward for vaccinations? There is probably no one reason. Some feel thats its just a mild illness; others feel they are been forced into a vaccination programme they are not sure of. Natural immunity will have been achieved through getting Covid- 19 and they feel they are protected. Of course, we have the anti-vax movement which gives inaccurate information and accuses pharmaceutical companies of producing vaccine just to make money. The Covid-19 vaccine has come through rigorous trials and has been licensed for use worldwide. Recent CSO figures show that the rate of vaccinations among adults from Central and Eastern Europe counties is less than half that of Irish nationals. Research has shown that only 44% of emigrants from the EU newer states are fully vaccinated. In comparison to over 91% of adults eligible vaccinated and 93% over the 18 plus population vaccinated in Ireland. This disparity of uptake has resulted in the HSE developing a number of actions which are constantly under review. Campaign There are also a number of groups that still need to be vaccinated, not just from the EU and migrant communities, that will be targeted under the current campaign. Damian McCallion, National Director of the HSE Vaccination programme, on a recent radio interview, highlighted that many EU citizens do not listen to mainstream media and English may not be their first language. Material has been translated into 27 languages with over 36 multilingual video educational tools developed to provide accurate information on the risks and benefits of the vaccination programme. Other targeted methods went through local community radio, local language papers and the Department of Justice interactions. Workplace initiatives include the use of interpreters and the provision of transport to vaccination hubs. Healthcare staff are also present to promote vaccination uptake as some communities need additional information and it is an ongoing process. We know we have a large multi-cultural work force working in various industries. We need to protect these workers as they are vital for the local economy and are part of our society. Medically vulnerable groups need to get vaccinated to prevent serious illness and possible death. As we continue to fight this very difficult virus, walk -in clinics, vaccination centres, pharmacies and primary care centres will continue to encourage people to come forward for vaccination. While we battle on, we must all continue with the same information that we have been maintaining for nearly two years. This public health advice is so important: hand hygiene, cough etiquette, mask wearing and social distancing. The vaccinated are in the words of Dr Paddy Mallon, an infectious disease consultant the innocent bystanders, with risk of severe illness from unvaccinated individuals. We must keep going with the vaccinations for as long as it takes to get it control so that our economy, health care system, education system gets back on track. We owe it to each other and out of respect to all who have died as a result of Covid-19 we will always remember them. Interview by Senan Hogan The history of life in Nurney has been charted in a book which has been re-issued for Christmas 2021. Retired school teacher Paud OConnor compiled Much About Nurney: A Kildare Pastoral during the first lockdown after he sifted through a big black bag of photographs and archive material. The 252-page publication tells the story of the growing village through text, photographs and maps and explores the background of local families, rural electrification, schools and the GAA. Paud said: Its probably the first real history book on Nurney. Accessible People have told me its very accessible and readable. I started thinking about it around 1995 and I had collected a lot of material. Paud insisted that his book is not a complete history of Nurney as he wanted to focus on the way people lived their lives and how that is different from today. Comparing Nurney in times past to the Nurney of today, Paud said: There was real poverty long ago, they were hard times, but it was considered normal. At least now, most people have running water, electricity and cars. But theres still a shortage of housing! Much About Nurney - A Kildare Pastoral Paud has has a varied history himself which has taken him from Wicklow to Kildare to the Pacific Ocean, then to Africa and back to Portlaoise. He was born in Lacken in Co Wicklow where his dad, Kerryman Sean OConnor had settled with wife, Moone native Jenny Kane. Paud came came to Nurney aged four years old in 1951 where his father took up as principal of the local national school. He said: In 1951, there were 53 pupils on the roll and two teachers. Today there are 250 pupils and 12 teachers. Paud later attended Nurney NS himself and St Josephs Academy in Kildare town and UCC where he studied Maths, Maths-Physics and Latin; and NUI Maynooth. He returned as a secondary school teacher to the Academy in 1969 at the age of 20, teaching honours maths to Leaving Certificate students. As a radical career break, Paud travelled about 15,000km from Ireland to Papua New Guinea in 1975 with his wife, local Nurney woman Lily Sexton whose father George Sexton ran a butchers shop in Kildare town. Pauds role was to give assistance to the secondary school education system in the country in the Pacific Ocean which is about five times the size of Ireland. Paud was based in Sogeri town, where his eldest Tadhg was later born. Paud said: There were 600 languages in Papua New Guinea. Some of the pupils in my school came from a distance of five hours away. He later moved to Zambia in 1977 before he returned to Ireland to teach in the Presentation Convent, Portlaoise in 1983. So what of the future of Nurney? Paud says the village is a perfect commuter area as its close to rail and bus links to Dublin as well as the M7 motorway. He says half a dozen houses need to be built every year for the population to grow. If you have free travel, you can get a train to the middle of Dublin every half an hour in Kildare town or a bus to the airport every hour. Even if you watch TV all day every day, its a good place to be! Much About Nurney: A Kildare Pastoral; Tradition and Transformation in Irish Rural Life With Much More Besides is available in local shops such as Kinsellas in Nurney and Malones in Kildare town. Copies are also available from Pauds home in Nurney (Eircode: R51 KN67) or you can contact him at 087 6812442. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Over 70,275 patients went without a bed in Irish hospitals in 2021, according to figures published today by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. The hospitals with the highest overall figures included: University Hospital Limerick: 12,108 Cork University Hospital: 7,411 Letterkenny University Hospital: 5,778 University Hospital Galway: 5,027 Sligo University Hospital: 4,284 The union has branded this years figures as an unacceptable rise in overcrowding while we know this adds to the spread of COVID-19 in our hospitals. This comes as the INMOs figures show an increase of 31% patients on trolleys compared to the first year of the pandemic. INMO General Secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: The fact that we have seen the numbers of patients on trolleys rise by 31% during the second year of a pandemic is completely unacceptable. Hospital overcrowding should never be acceptable, especially when we have a highly transmissible virus. Radical action is now needed to curb the unacceptable levels of overcrowding in our hospitals. This is not a new phenomenon; the health service cannot continue to make the same decisions year in year out and expect different outcomes. There are immediate short-term requirements that can be taken: Increasing care of sick non-emergency patients to the private sector, immediate review of pre- hospital and post discharge care to assist the pressures on acute public hospitals right now and for the next three weeks as predicted The full implementation and funding of the of nursing and midwifery staffing review Increase supports to provide nursing and midwifery led care in the community We have a nursing and midwifery workforce that are running on empty. They are looking for some kind of indication from their employer that things will be different this year. The commitment nurses and midwives have shown especially in the last month with the arrival of Omicron has been exemplary. While many staff are on COVID-related sick leave, others are cancelling leave and staying longer than they are rostered to ensure patients are looked after. The INMO has raised red flag, after red flag with the HSE and Government. We need to see urgent action by curtailing all non-emergency activity in our public hospitals. A young man killed in a single vehicle road crash outside Granard has been named locally. Ciaran McDonnell, who was aged in his early 20s, from Longford town, died when the car in which he was the sole occupant of, left the road between Granard and Balinalee (R194) at Clonfin. Gardai are trying to determine both the cause and exact time of the tragedy after the car involved in the incident was some distance from the road and partially submerged in water shortly before 11am yesterday. In a bid to further those enquiries, investigating gardai have launched a public appeal and are seeking anyone with dash cam footage from the area at the time of the incident to come forward. Meanwhile, tributes to the late Mr McDonnell, led by the Longford man's family, have poured in online. His heartbroken brother Shane told of how he had been left "broken" by the loss of his younger sibling. "I love you with all of my heart," he wrote in an emotional tribute. "You were my best friend. Ill never forget you. We used to have a few drinks and nearly kill each other but that was us. "I'm broken without you brother." Those sentiments were shared on Mr McDonnell's own Facebook page as friends of the young Longford man paid their own respects. "One of the nicest boys you could meet," said one friend. "What's the world coming to?" Another friend spoke of how she had been left in "shock" at news of the tragedy. "RIP beautiful, until we meet again," she wrote. Local Cllr PJ Reilly said the tragic events had stunned the local community. "It's deeply saddening to see a young man of his age lose his life. I want to pass on my condolences to his family and it just goes to show you how dangerous the roads are," he said. Four people also lost their lives in separate road incidents since New Year's Eve. Saoirse Corrigan and Shane Gilchrist, both in their 20s, of Castlepollard, County Westmeath and young mother Julieanne Kehoe (27) were killed in a two car collision in Co Meath on New Years Eve. That was followed on New Year's Day when a male motorcyclist, aged 19, was killed when his bike struck a lamppost at Sillogue Road in Ballymun. A person who crossed the border into North Korea on New Years Day was likely a defector who had slipped through the same heavily fortified frontier in the other direction to settle in South Korea in late 2020, South Koreas military said on Monday. South Korean surveillance equipment earlier detected an unidentified person entering North Korean territory across the eastern portion of the border on Saturday. The military said its security camera showed the person crawling over a barbed-wire fence established along the southern edge of the border. On Monday, the Defence Ministry said in a statement it suspects a North Korean defector was the latest border-crosser and that it is trying to confirm related information. A ministry official said the statement refers to a former North Korean citizen who was captured at the southern part of the border, also on the eastern section, in November 2020. The man identified himself as a former gymnast and told investigators that he had crawled over barbed-wire fences to defect before being found by South Korean troops, the official said requesting anonymity citing department rules. Ministry spokesman Boo Seung-Chan said earlier on Monday that North Korea has not responded to a South Korean message sent the previous day to ensure the persons safety. The South Korean ministry did not provide further details such as why it believes the defector went back to the North. About 34,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea for economic and political reasons since the late 1990s, and only about 30 of them have returned home in the past 10 years, according to South Korean government records. Defecting via the border is rare. Unlike its official name, the Demilitarised Zone, the 155-mile-long, 2.5-mile-wide border is guarded by land mines, tank traps and combat troops on both sides as well as barbed-wire fences. A vast majority of the North Korean defectors in South Korea have come here via China and Southeast Asian countries. Covid still dominated the headlines in May, this time we were looking at the cost of the pandemic to the county. Over 6million was paid out in supports and grants to Leitrim businesses during the pandemic. In May we had hope as the roadmap to recovery was set out with dates for businesses to open in May, June and July. The pedestrianisation saga of Carrick-on-Shannon's Main Street started with the Council releasing a survey to get people's opinions on the idea. However this survey later became a sticking point as it did not allow people to express the opinion that they wanted no pedestrianisation. Staying in the county town there was also upset about a possible bypass route around the town. Residents in the Attirory area of Carrick-on-Shannon voiced their strong opposition to proposed route corridors for the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon bypass which cut a swathe through, or close to, a number of housing estates in the area. Residents in the highly and densely populated area of the town are adamant that such routes are not warranted and are far too close in proximity to residential areas. The proposed route corridors would swing left off the N4 to the south of the town, through Ballynacleigh and Attirory, cross the River Shannon, the train line and the Elphin Road before reconnecting with the N4 near Drumharlow. These newer routes caused shock and concern among local residents who felt any such routes would impact greatly on numerous family homes and people's lives. Manorhamilton joined towns, villages and communities across Ireland who held vigils, demonstrations and events to show their solidarity with the attacks on Palestinians in May An action group was formed called the Attirory N4 Action Group. Three closed Leitrim Garda Stations were announced this month as going for auction. The station houses and property in Dromahair, Drumkeerin and Keshcarrigan were announced as part of a list of properties heading for auction in September 2021, according to Government TD Patrick O'Donovan. However communities in Dromahair and Keshcarrigan later fought against this idea, with both communities wishing to keep the buildings as public/ community facilities. This month we discovered the HSE had been hit by a cyber attack. Many clinics and medical appointments were cancelled as the HSE and its staff grappled with the news. The Great Famine (18459) and its ongoing impact was catastrophic for rural Ireland. Not only did the Famine itself have direct and devastating consequences for the population, reducing it dramatically through death and forced emigration, but such were the inequities that it laid bare far too many very small farms and, at the same time, far too many very big farms that the population of rural Ireland did not begin to recover for well over a century. The western seaboard counties were effected most and none more than Leitrim. In 1841 its population was 155,297; by 1971 it was 28,360. Between the Famine and the 1970s, rural Leitrim had remained in crisis and it needed help, specifically in the context of rural development. Fortunately, that help did become available. At the turn of the twentieth century, Horace Plunkett, founder of the co-operative movement, made it his next mission to address the necessity for development in rural Ireland more generally. He campaigned for a separate department of agriculture for Ireland within the UK and, on foot of this, for greatly enhanced support for Irish farmers. In 1900 the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction opened in Dublin and, together with Irelands new county councils, created in 1898, started employing teams of scientific instructors who would work with farmers in every county to help them earn better livelihoods from farming. Leitrim immediately struggled to recruit all three types of instructor: the general agricultural instructor, the horticultural instructor and the poultry-keeping and butter-making instructor. Taking the general agricultural instructor, Plunkett had envisaged that each county would have at least two but the new course that trained them, initially at the Royal College of Science (today Government Buildings) and then at UCD would not produce graduates for several years. That notwithstanding, it was 1945 before Leitrim had its basic complement of two and for a county with amongst the smallest farms in Ireland that was not auspicious. Nonetheless, while the continuing population decline might not have reflected it, the foundations for more efficient, more profitable, farming were being put down by the embryonic advisory service. By the 1970s, the advisory service in Leitrim was more fully formed, with 10 agricultural instructors assigned to work with farmers in each parish unlike in other counties where they were assigned entire districts and a game of inches was pursued to eke as much as possible from every acre. Success was generally modest but during 197073 the 54 Leitrim farmers working with instructors as part of the Small Farm (Incentive Bonus) Scheme saw their average income rise by 107%. Delayed as it was in Leitrim, the legacy of the Famine was finally being challenged by farmers and advisors in partnership and a broadly upward trajectory for rural development in Leitrim was established for the rest of the twentieth century. The full extent of this story is detailed in my recent book, Developing Rural Ireland: A History of the Irish Agricultural Advisory Services. Dr Micheal O Fathartaigh is the author of Developing Rural Ireland: A History of the Irish Agricultural Advisory Services (Wordwell Books, 2021). A CHARLEVILLE driver who was stopped at a checkpoint and tested for drug-driving had his case dismissed by Judge Carol Ann Coolican at Newcastle West court. The court heard that on July 16 last year, the man was stopped at a garda checkpoint at Fanningstown and consented to take a roadside saliva test which tested positive for drugs. He was arrested and brought to Henry Street where a blood test was carried out. Subsequent analysis of the blood sample showed a level of cannabis above the permitted level. The man, however, contested the charge of driving while exceeding the limit permitted for drugs. Barrister Suzanne Lewis, in cross-examination of the arresting garda, asked if the basis for his opinion relied solely on the result of the roadside saliva test, and he said yes. She also produced a set of instructions for the test-kit in which it recommended that a 10-minute period of observation be undertaken before the test is administered because elements such as food, chewing gum or tobacco could affect the test. The garda said he did not carry out any 10-minute observation period or ask the driver to waive it. Ms Lewis argued that the roadside test was not validly carried out and therefore there was no basis for the subsequent blood sample test. Inspector Padraig Sutton said in rebuttal that the instructions had no basis in legislation. The device is used specifically to measure for controlled drugs, he said, and was used internationally. The instructions were not built into legislation, he said, and he could not see how the defendant was prejudiced. Judge Coolican said she was satisfied to dismiss. MEMBERS of Limerick's legal community have made a donation to support their colleagues in Afghanistan facing persecution from the Taliban. With the country under the control of Islamist groups since the autumn, a coalition of legal bodies across Ireland has been formed to support members of the Afghan judiciary and their families who have been targetted by the Taliban and are being offered protection in Ireland. To support this, the Limerick Solicitors Bar Association has made a donation of 2,500 to the appeal. Its president Derek Walsh said: The legal community is very conscious of the plight of the Afghan people and the position of female legal professionals is precarious under the Taliban regime. There has been a reversal of rights and female judges have had to go into hiding for fear of reprisals. It behoves us as a profession to show solidarity with our colleagues in Afghanistan and respond with generosity to this appeal. The national initiative is being overseen by a small group comprised of representatives of the judiciary, led by the Irish Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges, Association of Judges in Ireland, The Bar of Ireland and the Law Society of Ireland, alongside the wider Justice sector across the country. They are being supported by the Irish refugee programme of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Justice. In November, the Limerick Leader highlighted how the local bar society is also supporting Limerick Suicide Watch, joining them on a nights patrol around the bridges of the city. It is inevitable that Stormont will collapse if issues around the Protocol are not resolved, Northern Ireland First Minister Paul Givan has said. Mr Givan said that while he is committed to devolution and wants the Assembly to work, the current situation is not a tenable position. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has repeatedly threatened to bring down Stormont unless the so-called Irish Sea border is removed. Mr Givan said he understood that some people objected to those tactics, but insisted they are aimed at delivering sustainable institutions in Northern Ireland. I do want the institutions to be able to keep running, to focus on those issues that matter to everybody. But I also accept that for any institution to operate effectively, its foundations need to be right, and at the moment, theyre not he told BBC Talkback. That does create real challenges for the sustainability of what were trying to do at Stormont, because it requires collective buy-in from everyone in the community. And at the moment, it doesnt have that. People can argue, well, the Protocol is a result of Brexit and Brexit was wrong. The reality that we need to face is, how do we make it work now? How do we get unionists and nationalists to be bought into Stormont and delivering for people? That has been the success of the past, where everybody has felt they can be part of this process. At the moment broad swathes of unionism dont feel that and thats not a tenable position. I do want it to work, but it does need to be on a solid foundation. Mr Givan insisted the DUPs aim is to secure an outcome that works for everybody. Jeffrey will say regularly, he wants devolution to work he said. Were trying to make progress. Were trying to our focus is on getting an outcome, which works for everybody. Our tactics that we use to achieve that, I understand some people will disagree with. But were focused on getting an end objective where unionists and nationalists can buy in to Stormont and those institutions delivering for people. The Protocol has prevented a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit, but introduced new trade barriers in the Irish sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. While the EU has given concessions on its operation, notably to ease the flow of medicines from Britain into the UK, these have not satisfied many who oppose it. Mr Givan said the arrangement is not sustainable because it does not have the support of the unionist community. He said: Ive always been committed to devolution, because I think we are better at identifying the issues and the needs of our communities. I can do that with all the political representatives from the other parties, work collectively in the executive to do that, and on a huge number of issues, we get common ground. Then we can step out together with a united purpose, trying to address those issues together. I think Stormont is the best place to do that. I think London is too remote and therefore were better making our politics work. But the protocol has upset that balance, in terms of a constitutional change without having got the consent of the public to do it. Therefore we need to address that. Mr Givan said he was conscious of the difficulty of restoring the institutions once they are collapsed. The last time powersharing collapsed, in 2017, it was not restored for three years, in 2020. I know that in collapsing institutions, theyre a lot harder to put back together again. Weve been there before. These are conversations we have had, that whenever things go down, theyre very difficult to get back up again. But theyre not sustainable in their current form either. I think there is an inevitability about these institutions not being able to work if we dont address the Protocol issues. Because it doesnt have the support of the Unionist community to do that. So the timing of when action needs to be taken, that will be something that the party will continue to look at. The Delhi high court will rule on Tuesday on the Future Groups petition seeking to quash the arbitration proceedings initiated by Amazon in Singapore. In its petition filed on Monday, Future Coupons asked the high court to quash the proceedings on the grounds that the Indian competition watchdog has already suspended the Amazon-Future deal. If the Delhi high court rules in favour of Future group, Amazon could be left with no locus standi, and the deal between Reliance Industries Ltd and Future Retail Ltd could go ahead. If the order goes against it, Amazon can file a review petition or approach the Supreme Court. Ramesh Vaidyanathan, managing partner, Advaya Legal, said it is unlikely that the Delhi high court would take any major decision pending the Competition Commission of India proceedings. We do not expect the high court to give a complete reverse decision on the Future-Amazon deal or on the arbitration proceedings. The high court in all probability may hold its hands in passing a final order and let the concerned adjudicating authority (CCI) deal with these issues first," said Vaidyanathan. Mukul Rohatgi, senior counsel representing Future Coupons, told the Delhi high court that as per law, an arbitrator must terminate the proceeding if it has become unnecessary, adding that the company had approached the tribunal for termination of proceedings after the anti-trust watchdogs December order. Rohatgi argued that the international arbitral tribunal was acting in a perverse" manner and that it has yet not passed any order in the matter. Senior counsel Harish Salve, on behalf of Future Retail, said the company had been unnecessarily dragged in the matter even as it faces the pressure of bankruptcy. He asked the court to direct the tribunal to take up the termination application. Gopal Subramanium, senior advocate for Amazon, while responding to the arguments, said if there is any tangible ground to terminate, then the arbitration tribunal will terminate the proceedings. Currently, a dispute between Future Group and Amazon is underway at the Singapore arbitration panel, but both sides have been fighting parallel cases in various courts to enforce or overrule certain decisions taken by the arbitrator. On 18 December, CCI suspended its approval of Amazons stake purchase in Future Coupons, imposed a penalty of 200 crore for allegedly making false and incorrect statements" while seeking approval for the deal, and asked the multinational retailer to furnish additional documents. CCI said Amazon had concealed its strategic interest over Future Retail Ltd and thereby prevented the commission from examining the deal in its entirety. Amazon has to submit fresh additional documents by 17 February to enable CCI to examine the deal afresh. The deal is crucial for the Kishore Biyani-led company The rapid spread of Covid-19s Omicron variant is weighing on U.S. businesses, keeping more workers home sick or quarantined and leading some companies to cut services and reduce hours. The rise of U.S. Covid-19 infections to record levels in recent days has driven thousands of canceled flights, prompted retailers to train available employees on new jobs, and closed some stores altogether, companies said. The rapidly spreading Omicron variant is hitting businesses at a time when consumers demand for products and services has surged, and many companies already are struggling with staffing and supply-chain challenges. Airlines over the weekend canceled thousands of flights, capping a week in which carriers scrubbed more than 1,000 flights each day, according to data compiled by FlightAware. In addition to snowstorms that snarled airports in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest, airlines including Delta Air Lines Inc., JetBlue Airways Corp. and United Airlines Holdings Inc. said rising Covid-19 infections among crew members hampered their abilities to staff flights at the same time holiday travel was rebounding from 2020 levels. New York-based JetBlue trimmed its flight schedule through mid-January as more crew members contract the virus, a problem that Chief Executive Robin Hayes said has become harder to navigate than when the pandemic first emerged in early 2020. This is really the first time we have avery transmissive phase, variant of Covid at the same time that were in a peak travel period," Mr. Hayes said. He predicted other airlines will increasingly face similar staffing challenges. Itll move around, not just the U.S., but move around the world," he said. Supermarket operators said they anticipate the Omicron variants spread will drive increased absences among cashiers, stockers and other employees in the days ahead, deepening staffing problems the grocery sector has faced for months. The industry generally mirrors the overall population, so I think this is somewhat inevitable that it will hit everywhere," said Neil Stern, CEO of Good Food Holdings LLC. The company operates more than 50 West Coast stores, including the Bristol Farms and Metropolitan Market chains. In Williamsville, N.Y., Tops Markets LLC said it is relying on overtime and asking available workers to cover additional shifts across the companys 162 grocery stores. The company said it is training employees across multiple departments as it monitors what the chains officials called a significant increase in the number of Covid-19 cases among its workers. Increasing infections have led some retailers to temporarily close stores, such as Apple Inc., which limited access to New York City-area locations, including its iconic Fifth Avenue flagship. Some business leaders, including executives of Delta and JetBlue, this month called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce its recommended isolation time for vaccinated people, a move they said would help get healthcare workers, airline crew members and others back on the job more quickly. The CDC last week cut its recommended isolation time to five days from 10, citing new research and the stress on businesses due to worker absences. Toyota Motor Corp., which employs about 48,000 people across more than 20 facilities in the U.S., said it has generally been carrying extra staff in anticipation that a certain number of workers might be quarantined. The company can test workers on site and has been tracking cases, including exposure and infections, among its employees. That said, we do not yet know what will happen in January," a Toyota spokesman said. The Japanese auto maker is aligning its policies with the new CDC guidelines, which the spokesman said will reduce isolation times. Delta is also implementing the shorter isolation times, the company has said. A Southwest Airlines Co. spokeswoman said the Dallas-based carrier was reviewing the CDCs revised isolation guidance. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, a labor union, has pushed back on the new CDC recommendations, warning that it could mean infectious workers crewing flights or boarding planes as passengers. The union has called for the prior 10-day isolation period to be maintained, along with additional testing and masking practices. JetBlues Mr. Hayes said the revised CDC guidance protected public health while allowing society to continue to function. He said the new recommendations enabled the airline to begin bringing employees back to work and to maintain operations. Were still losing more people every day than were getting come back," Mr. Hayes said. Many of our crew members are really stepping up and taking additional shifts." The deepening challenges that Omicrons spread poses for businesses have led some economists to cut their growth forecasts for early 2022, anticipating continuing worker shortages for companies and reduced consumer spending on travel and entertainment. So far, economists have said, the new variant hasnt driven jobless claims noticeably higher. Some businesses said they are managing, including meatpacking companies, whose workers were among the hardest hit when the coronavirus began spreading in the U.S. in early 2020. Smithfield Foods Inc., the biggest U.S. pork processor by sales, said cases among its employees remain below the general population. Other meat companies, including Tyson Foods Inc., JBS USA Holdings Inc. and Cargill Inc., said they have had no operational disruptions because of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases. Bar Louie, a chain based in Addison, Texas, has recently scaled back hours at some of its roughly 70 restaurants because of staffing shortages, Chief Operating Officer Damian Mazza said. The company has maintained mask requirements for workers throughout the pandemic, but as Omicron spreads, cases among workers have jumped in some markets, Mr. Mazza said. Bar Louie is coping, he said, thanks partly to a simpler menu the chain developed during the pandemic that has helped its kitchens operate with reduced staff and other Covid-19 related disruptions. The company has beefed up to-go and delivery options to keep selling food during case surges, Mr. Mazza said. Still, he said, Bar Louie locations have recently reduced their hours at times, to ensure our team members are not overworked." The seeds in a sunflower exhibit a golden spiral, which is tied to the Fibonacci sequence. The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two that precede it. Starting at 0 and 1, the sequence looks like this: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and so on forever. The Fibonacci sequence can be described using a mathematical equation: Xn+2= Xn+1 + Xn People claim there are many special properties about the numerical sequence, such as the fact that it is natures secret code for building perfect structures, like the Great Pyramid at Giza or the iconic seashell that likely graced the cover of your school mathematics textbook. But much of that is incorrect and the true history of the series is a bit more down-to-earth. Story behind Fibonacci sequence The first thing to know is that the sequence is not originally Fibonacci's, who in fact never went by that name. The Italian mathematician who we call Leonardo Fibonacci was born around 1170, and originally known as Leonardo of Pisa, said Keith Devlin, a mathematician at Stanford University. Only in the 19th century did historians come up with the nickname Fibonacci (roughly meaning, "son of the Bonacci clan"), to distinguish the mathematician from another famous Leonardo of Pisa , Devlin said. Read more: Large Numbers that Define the Universe Leonardo of Pisa did not actually discover the sequence, said Devlin, who is also the author of "Finding Fibonacci: The Quest to Rediscover the Forgotten Mathematical Genius Who Changed the World," (Princeton University Press, 2017). Ancient Sanskrit texts that used the Hindu-Arabic numeral system first mention it in 200 B.C. predating Leonardo of Pisa by centuries. "It's been around forever," Devlin told Live Science. Portrait of Leonardo Fibonacci, who was thought to have discovered the famous Fibonacci sequence. However, in 1202 in a massive tome, he introduces the sequence with a problem involving rabbits. (Image credit: Stefano Bianchetti/Corbis via Getty Images) However, in 1202 Leonardo of Pisa published the massive tome "Liber Abaci," a mathematics "cookbook for how to do calculations," Devlin said. Written for tradesmen, "Liber Abaci" laid out Hindu-Arabic arithmetic useful for tracking profits, losses, remaining loan balances and so on, he added. In one place in the book, Leonardo of Pisa introduces the sequence with a problem involving rabbits . The problem goes as follows: Start with a male and a female rabbit. After a month, they mature and produce a litter with another male and female rabbit. A month later, those rabbits reproduce and out comes you guessed it another male and female, who also can mate after a month. (Ignore the wildly improbable biology here.) After a year, how many rabbits would you have? The answer, it turns out, is 144 and the formula used to get to that answer is what's now known as the Fibonacci sequence. Read more: 9 equations that changed the world "Liber Abaci" first introduced the sequence to the Western world. But after a few scant paragraphs on breeding rabbits, Leonardo of Pisa never mentioned the sequence again. In fact, it was mostly forgotten until the 19th century, when mathematicians worked out more about the sequence's mathematical properties. In 1877, French mathematician Edouard Lucas officially named the rabbit problem "the Fibonacci sequence," Devlin said. The Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio are eloquent equations, but they aren't as magical as they may seem. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Why is the Fibonacci sequence significant? Other than being a neat teaching tool, the Fibonacci sequence shows up in a few places in nature. However, it's not some secret code that governs the architecture of the universe, Devlin said. It's true that the Fibonacci sequence is tightly connected to what's now known as the golden ratio, phi , an irrational number that has a great deal of its own dubious lore. The ratio of successive numbers in the Fibonacci sequence gets ever closer to the golden ratio, which is 1.6180339887498948482... Read more: The 9 most massive numbers in existence The golden ratio manages to capture some types of plant growth, Devlin said. For instance, the spiral arrangement of leaves or petals on some plants follows the golden ratio. Pinecones exhibit a golden spiral, as do the seeds in a sunflower, according to " Phyllotaxis: A Systemic Study in Plant Morphogenesis " (Cambridge University Press, 1994). But there are just as many plants that do not follow this rule. "It's not 'God's only rule' for growing things, let's put it that way," Devlin said. The seashell and 'Vitruvian Man' Perhaps the most famous example of all, the seashell known as the nautilus, does not in fact grow new cells according to the Fibonacci sequence, he added. When people start to draw connections to the human body , art and architecture, links to the Fibonacci sequence go from tenuous to downright fictional. "It would take a large book to document all the misinformation about the golden ratio, much of which is simply the repetition of the same errors by different authors," George Markowsky, a mathematician who was then at the University of Maine, wrote in a 1992 paper in the College Mathematics Journal. Much of this misinformation can be attributed to an 1855 book by the German psychologist Adolf Zeising called "Aesthetic Research." Zeising claimed the proportions of the human body were based on the golden ratio. In subsequent years, the golden ratio sprouted "golden rectangles," "golden triangles" and all sorts of theories about where these iconic dimensions crop up. Since then, people have said the golden ratio can be found in the dimensions of the Pyramid at Giza, the Parthenon, Leonardo da Vinci 's "Vitruvian Man" and a bevy of Renaissance buildings. Overarching claims about the ratio being "uniquely pleasing" to the human eye have been stated uncritically, Devlin said. All these claims, when they're tested, are measurably false, he added. "We're good pattern recognizers. We can see a pattern regardless of whether it's there or not," Devlin said. "It's all just wishful thinking." Editor's note: Adam Mann contributed to this article. Originally published on Live Science. Lena Ann "Lee Ann" Enzinna, age 77 of the City of Tonawanda, April 28, 2022. Lee Ann was a 1962 graduate of Tonawanda High School and a graduate of Buffalo State Teachers College. She had been employed by Roswell Park Cancer Inst. for many years. Daughter of the late Samuel F. Sr. and Lena E Posted by Liam on at 08:52 AM CST Greetings,fans! This week on the site were taking a look at the inciting incident of the Clone Wars at the Battle of Geonosis. Well be exploring the famous battle that concludesthroughout the week, so make sure to stay tuned for more articles, insights, videos, and info about the best merchandising opportunities.Despite George Lucass initial comments that the secondprequel would be a simple love story,featured more special effects shots than any of the films in the entire saga. It also promised fans something that they had speculated about since the days of the original trilogy- the prospect of seeing Jedi fight in mass. Whileteased more Jedi characters on the Council, fans could only speculate what it would look like to see them all working together.introduced romantic and mystery elements to the franchise, but Lucas knew he had to end the film with a climactic action sequence. It was a critical moment in setting up the intergalactic conflict that Obi-Wan had told Luke about in 1977. The sequence had to do multiple things; it had to strengthen Anakin and Padmes relationship, introduce an extended cast of Jedi characters that would be killed en masse, provide the backstory of Boba Fett, and of course send in the clones.Among Lucass influences on the classic trilogy was Greek and Roman mythology, so it made sense to include some of the hallmark pieces of historical architecture. The Geonosians combined the hive like bug nature ofstyle creatures with a literal Coliseum inspired by the Roman Empire. Seeing Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Padme work together to upend the crowds expectations gave the first example of the trio working together after being in conflict earlier in the film.The death of Jango Fett also provided a key backstory to the most famous bounty hunter in the galaxy. While introducing a young Boba Fett may have sparked concerns that Lucas was taking the Mandalorian warrior in a more cutesy direction, he certainly didnt get a happy childhood. Stealing Fetts innocence at a young age helped establish him as a loner, and it's interesting that Fett rarely speaks about his father in subsequent material. It will be fascinating to see how Fett reckons with this tragedy ascontinues to play out.Perhaps the most important beat within the sequence was the eventual introduction of the clones and the beginning of the Clone Wars themselves. Theres a tragic element of seeing the Jedi forced to abandon their peaceful ideals in order to become military generals; Mace Windu and Yoda had once railed against the Senates intent to form an army and were forced to begin commanding their new subordinates. It was also a turning point in Anakin and Obi-Wans relationship; while they fight side-by-side and show a brotherly bond that had previously been absent, theyre once again in argument when they must decide whether or not to rescue Padme.What do you think,fans? Do you have a favorite moment in the Battle of Geonosis? Who is the coolest Jedi in the battle? Let us know in the forums , and as always, may the Force be with you! IFA President Tim Cullinan said that the proposed CAP strategic plan signed off by the Cabinet today does not strike the right balance between environmental, economic and social sustainability. The plan will hit a cohort of our most productive farmers who will see a devastating cut in their Basic Payment. Many beef, sheep and tillage farmers who do not have off-farm income will find it very difficult to achieve viability, he said. The CAP results in money being redistributed amongst farmers through convergence, Complimentary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) and Eco Schemes. It is very complex and many farmers will be in for a big shock when they see the cut in their Basic Payment in 2023, he said. The Minister could have put more funding into programmes to support beef, sheep and tillage farmers, but he decided not to. These sectors will need further national supports if they are to survive as we know them, he said. The Minister also decided to take 25% from each farmers Basic Payment to put towards new Eco Schemes. While we would acknowledge his efforts to make these schemes more accessible, they will cost farmers money to participate in and are untested, he said. The Minister himself negotiated flexibility at EU level to reduce this percentage below 25% for countries with a higher environmental spend under Pillar II of the programme. Ireland easily qualifies for this, but the Minister chose not to reduce the percentage despite the fact that many other countries will do so. "We would have preferred more of this funding to be left within the Basic Payment where farmers still have to comply with good agricultural and environmental practices, he said. Overall, the plan will put more costs on farmers at a time when huge cost increases for energy, feed and fertiliser are already hitting them, he said. This latest CAP shifts the emphasis away from supporting food production. This is very short-term thinking, given that the global population is due to increase from 7.5bn to an estimated 10bn by 2050, he said. The Coalition leaders are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing Covid-19 situation. Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan will meet after the county witnessed a number of record-high daily case tallies over the last week, driven by the Omicron variant. It is understood the leaders will discuss a potential shortening of isolation periods, amid fears over a shortage of health care workers, with thousands of enforced absences due to Covid-19. Meanwhile, the HSE has announced parents can now register children aged five to 11 for Covid-19 vaccines, with the rollout set to begin imminently. Registration can be done online, and parents will receive a text message confirming their appointment. The HSE has urged the public to consider bringing their children forward for vaccination. Clinical trials showed that this vaccine was highly effective at preventing Covid-19 in children, a statement said. #COVIDVaccine registration is now open for all children aged 5-11. To register your child for a vaccine, youll need:your mobile phone numberyour email addressyour childs PPS numberyour childs EircodeRegister: https://t.co/O9azIrrlua pic.twitter.com/pfH85shBHg HSE Ireland (@HSELive) January 3, 2022 Though serious illness from Covid-19 is rare in this age group, they are even less likely to become seriously ill with Covid-19 if they are vaccinated. All vaccines are tested before they are approved for use in Ireland by the European Medicines Agency. We know from listening to parents that they have questions and concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine. Parents should get their information from a trusted source, such as hse.ie or a medical professional when making the decision to vaccinate their child. Parents are advised they will need a PPS number, Eircode, mobile phone number and email address to register online. Alternatively, they can call HSELive on 1800 700 700 to register their child over the phone. Children who do not have a PPS number can still be vaccinated, but their parents must register them on the phone with the HSE. Once a parent registers their child, they will receive a text message with details of their appointment. The vaccines will be given in vaccination centres. In line with guidance from the National Immunisation Advisory Council (NIAC), children will be offered the Pfizer vaccine, but in a smaller dose than that given to adults. They will need two doses about three weeks apart. The protection they get has been shown to be similar to the protection the Pfizer vaccine provides for adults, the HSE said. Parental consent will be required for children to be vaccinated. Where possible, the childs parent or legal guardian should attend the vaccination appointment with their child, the HSE said. If the parent or legal guardian has given consent online in advance, it is possible for them to ask another adult to bring their child to the appointment. If consent has not been given yet, the childs parent or legal guardian has to be there. Over the weekend, the vaccine booster programme opened up to those aged 16 to 29. Turnout was steady on Monday morning at the Co Monaghan vaccination centre at the Glencarn Hotel in Castleblaney. Among those turning out to get jabbed was 12-year-old Leo McGeough, who was accompanied by his mother Amy Rooney as he went to receive his second dose. Ms Rooney told the PA news agency: It was very nice, they made him feel very comfortable. We booked it in. It was very quick. This time last year we would have had Covid. I suppose, like a lot of families now, we were quite affected by it. Were determined not to have it this year. But we got through it. Its very hard to see it affecting so many people, especially young people. Leo added: It was quick. It did sting, but it was OK. Honestly, Im excited for school just to see my friends. I just miss with playing with them. The @hpscireland has today been notified of 16,986* confirmed cases of #COVID19. As of 8am today, 804 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised of which 93 are in ICU. Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 3, 2022 Ms Rooney added: That (school closures) was the hardest part of last year. Were hoping not to go back to that again. Monday saw a further 16,986 confirmed cases of Covid-19, the Department of Health said. As of 8am on Monday, there were 804 patients in hospital with the disease, an increase of 87 on the previous day, with 93 in intensive care, up six. A number of third-level institutions have committed to introducing a domestic violence leave policy for staff in 2022. NUI Galway announced in May last year that all staff members experiencing domestic violence or abuse would be granted 10 working days of paid leave. Trinity College, University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), and Dublin City University (DCU) have all committed to introducing similar policies in 2022, following a request by Further Education Minister Simon Harris. Minister Harris said: Support for victims who are working, in the form of paid leave, could be crucial in ensuring that they retain their employment and have the economic capacity to escape an abusive relationship. The introduction of the domestic violence leave policy marks a critical step forward in ensuring that higher education institutions are safe and supportive workplaces. I really want to commend NUI Galway for starting this important conversation across third level and I am pleased to see others following. There has not been universal acceptance across the sector, which is disappointing but we will continue to work on this and build on the progress. At NUI Galway, staff can avail of up to 10 working days of paid domestic violence leave which will be granted on a rolling basis, and can be taken as a block or on separate days. Minister Harris wrote to every college in the country in June, urging them to follow suit. In the letter, he wrote: The purpose of the policy is to provide for a period of paid time away from work for staff members who have suffered or are suffering from domestic violence or abuse. This leave will enable the staff member to take the time they need to seek assistance in a structured and supported environment. Our institutions have a duty of care to their staff and this policy builds on, and complements, the work that is ongoing across our higher education system to tackle sexual violence and harassment, and to foster institutional campus cultures that are safe, respectful and supportive. He added: Domestic violence does not just have a major impact on the person and their family. It can also have a significant impact on the persons working life, and their wellbeing. I would like to encourage other higher education institutions to consider implementing such a policy to cover all staff, and I know I can count on your support in this regard. Mr Harris warned that domestic violence remains a pervasive problem in our society, noting that cases had increased significantly during the pandemic. Figures for 2020, show that the Gardai received some 43,000 calls to respond to domestic abuse incidents, a 16% increase on 2019, he wrote. Nearly 15% of women between the ages of 18-74 have experienced physical and sexual violence in their lifetime, and nearly 31% have experienced psychological violence, he added. While the risk to women is higher, domestic abuse also affects a significant number of men. Signing off from his first breakfast show on GB news, Eamonn Holmes admitted he didnt sleep a wink before his debut. The TV presenter and journalist, 62, joined co-host Isabel Webster for the first episode of the channels new Breakfast With Eamonn And Isabel programme on Monday. The show, which began at 6am, featured interviews with guests including Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, who congratulated the pair on their inaugural programme. Its not ideal, I want them to wear it for as short a period as possible Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi discusses plans for children to wear masks in schools. Watch GB News: Freeview 236, Sky 515, Virgin 626, YouView 236 or Freesat HD 216 pic.twitter.com/MkMDpBp7DI GB News (@GBNEWS) January 3, 2022 Holmes led segments about his native Northern Ireland, post-Brexit trade and the use of fireworks during the festive period. Addressing his return to early starts, he told viewers: We are coming to the end of our first day and hopefully not our last day of the GB News breakfast show. A new look. Closing the programme, he quipped: I need to make a long-term plan about how to get up in the morning. I didnt sleep a wink last night. My kids brought me a fancy alarm clock that went off and then I couldnt turn it off. Holmes, from Belfast, is the latest signing to the fledgling channel. He joins on-air talent including former Sky anchor Colin Brazier, ex-ITV News stalwart Alastair Stewart, former BBC journalist Simon McCoy and one-time Labour MP Gloria De Piero. Eamonn Holmes and wife Ruth Langsford Speaking to the audience at the start of the show, he said: Im having some lovely messages from people all around the country who are looking forward to whatever were going to do differently. Hopefully we are going to do lots of things differently. Were going to do news, but were going to do news with views. Were going to do your news, because if it is important to you, it is important to us. It was announced in November that Holmes was leaving ITV after 15 years hosting This Morning alongside his wife Ruth Langsford. He said at the time: Ive spent my career on broadcasting firsts and start-ups and GB News is one of the most exciting yet. Its just the kind of shake-up the industry needs. Ive admired GB News from the beginning for its clever mix of punchy debate but delivered with warmth and even some fun. To me the greatest honour in journalism is to give a voice and respect to the unheard, and thats exactly what GB News is all about. Before This Morning, Holmes presented GMTV and has also worked across radio, with slots on stations including Radio 5 Live, Magic, BBC Radio 2 and talkRadio. His wife and on-screen presenting partner will continue to work with ITV as an anchor on Loose Women and a member of the This Morning team. Breakfast With Eamonn And Isabel airs on weekdays from 6am to 9.30am. The Coalition leaders are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing Covid-19 situation. Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan will meet after the county witnessed a number of record-high daily case tallies over the last week, driven by the Omicron variant. It is understood the leaders will discuss a potential shortening of isolation periods, amid fears over a shortage of health care workers, with thousands of enforced absences due to Covid-19. Meanwhile, the HSE has announced parents can now register children aged five to 11 for Covid-19 vaccines, with the rollout set to begin imminently. Registration can be done online, and parents will receive a text message confirming their appointment. The HSE has urged the public to consider bringing their children forward for vaccination. Clinical trials showed that this vaccine was highly effective at preventing Covid-19 in children, a statement said. #COVIDVaccine registration is now open for all children aged 5-11. To register your child for a vaccine, youll need:your mobile phone numberyour email addressyour childs PPS numberyour childs EircodeRegister: https://t.co/O9azIrrlua pic.twitter.com/pfH85shBHg HSE Ireland (@HSELive) January 3, 2022 Though serious illness from Covid-19 is rare in this age group, they are even less likely to become seriously ill with Covid-19 if they are vaccinated. All vaccines are tested before they are approved for use in Ireland by the European Medicines Agency. We know from listening to parents that they have questions and concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine. Parents should get their information from a trusted source, such as hse.ie or a medical professional when making the decision to vaccinate their child. Parents are advised they will need a PPS number, Eircode, mobile phone number and email address to register online. Alternatively, they can call HSELive on 1800 700 700 to register their child over the phone. Children who do not have a PPS number can still be vaccinated, but their parents must register them on the phone with the HSE. Once a parent registers their child, they will receive a text message with details of their appointment. The vaccines will be given in vaccination centres. In line with guidance from the National Immunisation Advisory Council (NIAC), children will be offered the Pfizer vaccine, but in a smaller dose than that given to adults. They will need two doses about three weeks apart. The protection they get has been shown to be similar to the protection the Pfizer vaccine provides for adults, the HSE said. Parental consent will be required for children to be vaccinated. Where possible, the childs parent or legal guardian should attend the vaccination appointment with their child, the HSE said. If the parent or legal guardian has given consent online in advance, it is possible for them to ask another adult to bring their child to the appointment. If consent has not been given yet, the childs parent or legal guardian has to be there. Over the weekend, the vaccine booster programme opened up to those aged 16 to 29. Turnout was steady on Monday morning at the Co Monaghan vaccination centre at the Glencarn Hotel in Castleblaney. The @hpscireland has today been notified of 16,986* confirmed cases of #COVID19. As of 8am today, 804 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised of which 93 are in ICU. Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 3, 2022 Monday saw a further 16,986 confirmed cases of Covid-19, the Department of Health said. As of 8am on Monday, there were 804 patients in hospital with the disease, an increase of 87 on the previous day, with 93 in intensive care, up six. Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 86F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Tonight A few clouds. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Tomorrow Partly cloudy skies. High 89F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Manchester, VT (05254) Today Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 52F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. A regional food coalition has partnered with Meijer on a campaign to help families in northern Michigan with food insecurity. The Northwest Food Coalition announced the partnership with Meijer in a news release on Monday and stated that it aims to provide much needed relief to local families facing food insecurity through the retailers customer driven hunger relief program, Simply Give. The release also noted that food pantries are seeing increased demand in their communities. Kris Thomas, a volunteer with the coalition, said in the news release that the events of the last nearly two years have taught us all the importance of community members supporting each other. We encourage community members to help us feed their neighbors facing food insecurity in Northwest Michigan this winter season by purchasing a Meijer Simply Give food donation card during their next shopping trip, Thomas said. The coalition comprises about 70 food pantries, baby pantries and meal sites. According to its website, the coalition has helped to serve 487,642 people in 2019 and 494,470 people in 2018. Each Meijer Simply Give campaign replenishes the shelves of more than 250 food pantries in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin. The program encourages customers to purchase $10 Simply Give donation cards, which are then converted into Meijer gift cards that can only be used toward food and are given to a local food pantry in the stores community. The Northwest Food Coalition benefits from donation cards purchased at the Meijer store in Traverse City through April 2. Meijer also plans to double-match any cards purchased on March 5 and March 26. Meijer customers shopping online using Meijer pickup or home delivery can also purchase Simply Give donation cards as an add-on to orders. Cathy Cooper, Meijers senior director of community partnerships and giving, said in the release that the cold winter months are a difficult time for people facing food insecurity and food pantries continue to struggle to keep up with the flood of requests they receive daily, especially given the difficult circumstances many families now face amidst the global pandemic. The Simply Give program is a way for Meijer customers to partner with us and support the food banks and pantries that feed families in need in their own communities, Cooper said. We certainly couldnt do it without the support and commitment of our generous customers and team members, who stand beside us in this effort. JERUSALEM, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Tel Aviv University (TAU) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday announced the launch of a joint air and space power center, first of its kind in the country. The center, located at TAU, will support the development of academic knowledge in the Israel Air Force, said a joint statement issued by TAU and the IDF. The academic research carried out at the center will thus help the development and adaptation of the air force's operational concepts, combat doctrines, and power building processes, it added. The center will harness civilian multidisciplinary research and knowledge to advance various areas related to policymaking and strategic thinking on issues of air and space, according to the statement. In the near future, the center will also serve as a hub for international research collaboration with academic institutions, research institutes and air forces around the world, the statement concluded. Enditem A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. The 2021 Formula 1 season has been one of the best in recent memory, with Max Verstappen snatching the title from Lewis Hamilton after a thrilling 22-race season. After a break, the new season will come with a new breed of cars and a possible reshuffling of the order. It will be the longest in F1 history, with 23 rounds and six sprint qualifying races. The new 2022 cars will run in anger for the first time runs for three days, from Wednesday February 23 until Friday February 25 at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya. Then, there will be a two-week break before the second three-day test, which will be held from Friday, March 11 to Sunday, March 13 at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain. When is the first race? The 2022 F1 season kicks off in Bahrain on Sunday, March 20, though the first practice session will be on Friday, March 18, and qualifying runs on Saturday, March 19. Brand new cars This season sees a new era of Formula 1 ushered in with all-new car designs due to new regulations aimed at improving the racing spectacle. The features include a focus on ground effect 18-inch tyres, plus a redesigned front wing and nose, mean that the cars should be able to race closer to each other - with the potential for more passing on-track too. The cars are also safer, use a higher ratio of sustainable fuel and should look dramatically different to previous years. That epic title fight will take place over 23 races - the longest F1 campaign yet - in 2022. Favourite venues such as Suzuka, Montreal, Melbourne and Singapore are earmarked to return while we have the debut Miami Grand Prix (more below) in May. Sprint qualifying races The six sprint races are planned at the following rounds: Round 1, Bahrain Round 4, Imola Round 9, Canada Round 11, Austria Round 15, Holland Round 22, Brazil Points will be awarded again, possibly more than the 3-2-1 set up for first, second and third that we had last year but who is declared the pole winner is to be decided. The driver line-ups The only rookie is Alfa Romeo's Guanyu Zhou, who becomes the first driver from China to race in F1. Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton (44) and George Russell (63) Red Bull: Max Verstappen (33) and Sergio Perez (11) Ferrari: Carlos Sainz (55) and Charles Leclerc (55) McLaren: Lando Norris (4) and Daniel Ricciardo (3) Alpine: Fernando Alonso (14) and Esteban Ocon (31) AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly (10) and Yuki Tsunoda (22) Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel (5) and Lance Stroll (18) Williams: Nicholas Latifi (6) and Alexander Albon (23) Alfa Romeo: Valtteri Bottas (77) and Guanyu Zhou (24) Haas: Mick Schumacher (47) and Nikita Mazepin (9) McAlester, OK (74501) Today Thunderstorms likely. Rainfall will be locally heavy at times. A few storms may be severe. High 78F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall may reach one inch.. Tonight Strong thunderstorms likely. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. Low 51F. SSW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Machine learning systems are widely deployed to facilitate decision-making. Theyre used for many tasks ranging from image and speech recognition, to medical diagnostics and electronic health record data mining, to securities trading and financial fraud detection making it vital for the systems to be reliable and secure against adversarial corruptions. "It is well-known that machine learning algorithms and systems can be quite vulnerable to various kinds of errors, contamination and potentially adversarial corruptions, said Aravindan Vijayaraghavan, associate professor of computer science in Northwestern Engineering. Robustness describes how much a system or algorithm can withstand and tolerate data errors, contamination, and misspecification during training, modeling, and testing phases. Vijayaraghavan and Jason Hartline, professor of computer science in the McCormick School of Engineering, are co-directors of the Institute for Data, Econometrics, Algorithms, and Learning (IDEAL). Launched in 2019 by a team of interdisciplinary investigators at Northwestern, Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago, and the University of Chicago, IDEAL studies the theoretical foundations related to high dimensional data analysis, data science in strategic environments, and machine learning and optimization. On November 16, IDEAL hosted a workshop focused on new directions on robustness in machine learning as part of the fall 2021 special quarter organized by Vijayaraghavan; Chao Gao, assistant professor of statistics at the University of Chicago; and Yu Cheng, assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. During the fall special quarter, we studied some of the foundational questions about when and how we can design methods for machine learning and high-dimensional estimation that are robust and reliable, said Vijayaraghavan. Workshop speakers explored novel notions of robustness and the different challenges that arise in designing reliable and secure machine learning algorithms. Discussion topics included test-time robustness, adversarial perturbations, and distribution shifts. Kamalika Chaudhuri, associate professor of computer science and engineering at the University of California San Diego, discussed the robustness of training algorithms to small, imperceptible perturbations to legitimate test inputs, or adversarial examples, that cause machine learning classifiers to misclassify. Pranjal Awasthi, research scientist at Google, studies theoretical machine learning with a particular focus on designing robust algorithms for unsupervised learning. Sebastien Bubeck, senior principal research manager for machine learning foundations at Microsoft Research, discussed joint research he conducted with Mark Sellke, a fourth-year graduate student in mathematics at Stanford University, that illustrates why robustness necessitates large neural networks Aleksander Madry, Cadence Design Systems Professor of Computing at MIT, presented a direct training data-to-output model that is a versatile framework for analyzing machine learning predictions. Gautam Kamath, assistant professor of computer science at the University of Waterloo, specializes in robust statistics and data privacy. He surveyed different problems and results on differential privacy arising in the context of various statistical estimation settings. Jinshuo Dong, IDEAL postdoctoral fellow, also helped organize the November event. IDEALs next special quarter, High Dimensional Data Analysis, starts in spring 2022 and will include graduate courses, workshops, and reading groups. The spring quarter is being organized by Konstantin Makarychev, professor of computer science at Northwestern Engineering, and Yury Makarychev, professor of computer science at the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago. IDEAL is led by co-principal investigators from the three participating institutions. The Northwestern team also includes: Randall Berry, John A. Dever Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dongning Guo, professor of electrical and computer engineering and (by courtesy) computer science Samir Khuller, Peter and Adrienne Barris Chair of Computer Science Zhaoran Wang, assistant professor of industrial engineering and management sciences and (by courtesy) computer science Eric Auerbach, assistant professor of economics at the Kellogg School of Management Ivan Canay, HSBC Research Professor of Economics at Kellogg Joel Horowitz, Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Economics at Kellogg IDEAL is a Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR) Transdisciplinary Research in Principles of Data Science (TRIPODS) institute supported by the National Science Foundation under award CCF 1934931. Mary C. (Hoff) Lee, 84, of Atlantic passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022, in her residence. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 366-368 S. Main St., Greenville. Celebrity run-ins with law is not new and just recently, Vicky Kaushal landed in a legal trouble as a police complaint was filed against the actor for allegedly using a number plate belonging to the vehicle of a resident of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Yes, you heard it right. Kaushal was seen driving a vehicle for a sequence in his upcoming film co-starring Sara Ali Khan. As per the complainant, Kaushal's vehicle had a number plate similar to the complainant's vehicle. Here are the photos and videos: The complainant, Jai Singh Yadav, claimed that the vehicle number used in the movie sequence is his, adding that the actor cant use that number plate without his permission. The vehicle number used in the movie sequence is mine. I don't know if the film unit is aware of it but this is illegal. They can't use my number plate without permission. I have given a memorandum at the station. Action should be taken in the matter," news agency ANI quoted Yadav as saying. Responding to the complaint, Rajendra Soni, Sub-inspector in Indore's Banganga area, said, "We received a complaint. We will see whether the number plate was used illegally. Action will be taken as per provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. If the film unit is in Indore, we will try probing them." But, it was all a confusion. Indore police said that the two-wheeler that Vicky was seen riding for an upcoming film belonged to the production house and the confusion created because of a bolt that made the number 1 look like 4. During the investigation of the number plate, we found out that all misunderstanding was caused by the bolt fixed on the number plate. Due to that bolt, the number one is looking like number four. The number used in the movie sequence belongs to the movie production. Hence nothing illegal had been found out in our investigation," Rajendra Soni, sub-inspector, Bangangam, said. On the personal front, Vicky has been in news for his wedding with Katrina Kaif. Meridian, MS (39302) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. The Shiv Sena will try to replicate Maharashtra's "successful" Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance formula for the upcoming Goa polls, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said on Monday. Raut, who arrived in Goa for a four-day visit to the poll-bound state, also said that he would be speaking to the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party leaders in the state on Tuesday to discuss the formation of the alliance. "Definitely Shiv Sena will fight some seats in Goa and we are trying to make an alliance. Tomorrow we will be speaking to Congress leaders, NCP leaders and we will try to make a new alliance," Raut told reporters after his arrival at Goa's Dabolim international airport. "It is a successful formula in Maharashtra, we will use it in Goa," Raut also said, adding that the seat sharing modules would be discussed in his meetings with state Congress and NCP leaders beginning on Tuesday. Owensboro native Emily Janoski-Haehlen will serve as the next dean of The University of Akron School of Law following a national search conducted by the university. A graduate of Owensboro High School, Janoski-Haehlen has been employed at the University of Akron since 2017 and serves as associate dean of academic affairs and law technology programs. I love Akron Law, I love the students, I love the faculty and the overwhelming support that I received from the Akron legal community, telling me that I should apply for the job, Janoski-Haehlen said Monday. The University of Akron School of Law, in Akron, Ohio, is celebrating its centennial year, and Janoski-Haehlen said she would like to make a positive impact for the next 100 years. I pitched a vision of rebuilding Akron Law based on our strengths, which are trial advocacy, intellectual property and producing practice-ready attorneys, she said. I think we need to take the university back to that, the ground roots development giving back to the community of Akron, to Northeast Ohio and really trying to rebuild the strengths of the community, which is something that the university is also doing. Prior to joining Akron Law, Janoski-Haehlen served as associate dean of the Law Library at Valparaiso University Law School and as a faculty member and librarian at Northern Kentucky University, Chase College of Law. She earned a Bachelor of Science in History from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Science in Library Science from the University of Kentucky and a Juris Doctorate from Northern Kentucky University. She is the right leader at the right time, said John Wiencek, Akron Law executive vice president and provost. Her many years in leadership and in the classroom are an asset for us, especially as we put renewed focus on student success and community. Nathan Havenner, Messenger-Inquirer, nhavenner@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-228-2837 We're sorry, but we're unable to locate the page you requested. The page may have been removed, renamed, or deleted. You can try searching for the topic using the search button in the right hand corner above. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 21, 2021 Contact: Press@michigan.gov Governor Whitmer Statement on Emergency Response Team Heading to Michigan Amid Omicron Surge 500 million at-home rapid tests, resources, personnel will help Michiganders get through tough four to six weeks ahead LANSING, Mich.-Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after President Biden announced plans to send an emergency response team to Michigan and deliver 500 million free, at-home rapid tests nationwide. "As the Omicron variant quickly becomes the dominant strain of COVID-19 across the United States, I am grateful to our federal partners for surging critical resources and personnel that we need to save lives. Our hospitals and health care workers have been working tirelessly for nearly two years and they are at a breaking point. Michigan welcomes the federal emergency response team that will help keep people safe and ensure our health care system remains operational. In January, the federal government will also set up a website where you can request free, at-home rapid tests to be mailed to you. "We are in for a tough four to six weeks, but I know we can get through it if we all do our part and effectively utilize the resources being sent to us by the federal government. There are steps every Michigander can take to protect themselves and alleviate the burden on our hospitals and health care workers. First, get vaccinated and if you are eligible, get your booster. Early data indicates that the booster offers greater protection against the Omicron variant and will help keep you out of the hospital. If you plan on traveling for the holidays or attending an indoor gathering, please get tested beforehand and stay home if you're sick. "More help is on the horizon. There is a pill manufactured by Pfizer awaiting approval from the FDA that would reduce the risk of hospitalization dramatically. I hope the FDA can get it approved as soon as possible so we can start distributing it to save lives and help alleviate the pressure on our health care workers and hospitals. We all know how to protect ourselves against COVID-19 as we enter our third calendar year of dealing with this virus. Take action to keep yourself safe." ### The Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) doesn't have a crystal ball, but the delegated authority for Midland and Gladwin counties has already peeked into the future to develop its long-term goals and projects. FLTF is working to restore the four lakes community, which will take years to complete. However, group leaders say a significant amount of work has already been accomplished this year. Looking ahead at 2022 with Vice President Dave Rothman, he said residents should continue their support in contacting legislators, as information in regard to potential state funding could be provided next year. "We don't know yet how much money we're going to get from state of Michigan to help with rebuilding," Rothman said. "But, we certainly know that the state's working to help us and that's good. We've had tremendous success with people writing in from all around the lakes to their legislators in support of what we're doing. That's a nice thing to see." He said FLTF has various possible plans to enact based on the various situations that could be presented throughout the project. "We just have to wait now to see which one of those plans we put into action," Rothman said. Daily News: What's one effort that could be completed next year? Rothman: "We're working on a separate (operations) assessment for the ongoing maintenance of the (four) dams, which is going to be necessary, no matter how much money we get from the state. That's actually a project that we've told people is coming, and we're going to start the serious work on that in 2022. (Residents can) expect to have that assessment on people's property taxes bill that shows up in December." President Dave Kepler said the four lakes community is at a critical point in the process, what does this mean for 2022? "First of all, we have to know how much money we have to deal with. And that's still an open question, it has been for some time. But, we keep getting encouraging signals so we're hoping that we'll be given enough money that we can follow our plan to start construction on Smallwood and Secord for final repairs by the end of 2022, or the first part of 2023, that would be the starting point with a plan to fill up the lakes and have them ready to use in the second quarter of 2024." Whats a message that youd like to share with four lakes residents and other community stakeholders? "Private volunteers can make a real difference, if they get together get organized and work. We've had as many as 60 people out on the Wixom lake bottom for some of these organized debris removal projects. I like the organized projects because they're being led by some people who have experience with work in public utilities and I appreciate the requirements for doing this work and doing it safely. If people want to volunteer to work with an organized group on projects like this, that's great." Projects local residents can look out for in 2022 Start stabilizing Sanford dam in the beginning of January Finish stabilization work on the Edenville dam around February Obtain permits for Smallwood and Secord dams Establish, and enact special assessments around late March Completion of the design engineering Shoreline erosion repair work from Dec. 2020 should be completed by end of the new year Removal of flood debris on the four lakebottoms Establish program to manage bottomland trees, larger-scale effort to begin in 2022 Ramping up environmental restoration work to protect lake ecosystems Task Force board member election around the end of next year Rothman's role in the task force includes oversight of erosion remediation, debris removal and dam stabilization in the lakes affected by the May 19, 2020 dam failures. He is a board member of Water District #1 of Midland County (a drinking water utility serving Sanford and five Midland County townships) and Wixom Lake Association. Over the new year, Rothman said the four lakes community can turn to FLTF to ask questions, receive information and/or propose grassroot initiatives. "The public can count on the people who are on the task force to continue to work hard on this," Rothman said. "We are all property owners just like the public and we want the lakes back as much as they do." The Huron County Board of Commissioners may propose a new millage to help pay for the cost of running 911 services and other public safety needs. Commissioner Mary Babcock, the county's finance chairperson, said during a recent meeting that a millage would not just help continue to support 911 emergency dispatch services, but also support ambulance services and training for firefighters and police officers. Currently there is not enough money coming in to cover the salaries to supplement the system. Commissioner Todd Talaski noted that the gap in operating costs for the county's 911 dispatchers, which is filled by county budget allocations, is going to get bigger in years to come. "This year it was around $120,000," Talaski said. "Next year's projection is about $270,000 short, which we're taking out of the general fund." Babcock said the county has to supplement about $230,000 out of this year's budget for covering service costs. She attributed the funding gap to people switching from landline phones and regular cell phones, which charge 25 cents monthly for 911 services, to pre-paid phones, which have a one-time 5-cent charge. A one-mill levy, which is $1 per $1,000 of a property's taxable value, would raise $2.6 million in funds according to Babcock, with other commissioners saying the rate levied should be less than that. In mid-December, the Michigan state government passed legislation extending the 911 Emergency Services Enabling Act through 2027, which ensures funding is available for counties in the state to transition to modern equipment. It also raises the 911 service fees on prepaid cell phones to 6 cents. Babcock feels that while the increase in service fees will help, it still would not be enough to cover the emergency service's needs because they are still one-time charges. Commissioner Steve Vaughan feels that having a millage for essential services is important and something the county cannot survive without, especially as fire departments and ambulance services are struggling to retain keep members. "No one wants to claim ownership of a millage, Vaughan said. "You ever call for an ambulance and they don't show up? We all have friends and family who could benefit from this." Such millage funds could also improve security in the Huron County Building, with Vaughan bringing up a YouTube video from early December by the Michigan Constitutional Crusader channel. In the 20-minute video, cameramen in black ski masks go around the building's grounds hallways recording employees working, which made them uncomfortable as they asked the cameramen to turn their cameras off. "I saw a lot of scared people, but I didn't see any law enforcement," Vaughan said. "If there had been at least one standing in the hall, monitoring the situation, I feel the people in the courthouse would have gone back to work." Other commissioners added that unless they were committing a crime, security officers could not stop them and that the people taking the videos were actively looking for a confrontation. Babcock said that county Treasurer Debra McCollum is working on figuring out how the county would need to cover for these services, with no timeline for introducing such a millage for the public to vote on discussed. Talaski said he would look into whether any other counties have such millages in place. Commissioner John Bodis said that he campaigned on not introducing any new taxes and he plans on keeping that promise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Punjab on January 5 and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 42,750 crore. In a statement on Monday, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said: "Prime Minister Modi will visit Ferozepur, Punjab on January 5 and will lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 42,750 crore." The projects include Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, four-laning of Amritsar-Una section, Mukerian-Talwara New Broad Gauge railway line, PGI Satellite Centre at Ferozepur and two new medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur. "The consistent endeavour of the Prime Minister to improve connectivity all across the country has led to multiple national highway development initiatives being taken up in the state of Punjab. It has resulted in more than doubling the total length of National highways in the state from about 1,700 kilometres in 2014 to more than 4,100 kilometres in 2021," it said. The PMO further stated that in continuation of such efforts, the foundation stone of two major road corridors will be laid in Punjab and this will also be a step towards fulfilling the Prime Minister's vision to enhance accessibility to major religious centres. The 669 kilometre long Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway will be developed at a total cost of about Rs 39,500 crore. It will halve travel time from Delhi to Amritsar and Delhi to Katra. The Greenfield Expressway will connect key Sikh religious sites at Sultanpur Lodhi, Goindwal Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, Tarn Taran and the holy Hindu shrine of Vaishno Devi in Katra. The four-laning of Amritsar - Una section will be done at the cost of around Rs 1,700 crore. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of a new Broad Gauge railway line between Mukerian and Talwara of around 27 Km in length, to be built at a cost of over Rs 410 crore. It will provide an all-weathered means of transportation in the area and this project also holds strategic importance as it will serve as an alternative route to Jammu and Kashmir, joining the existing Jalandhar-Jammu Railway line at Mukerian. Foundation stone of new medical infrastructure in three towns of Punjab will be laid. The 100-bedded PGI Satellite Centre at Ferozepur, will be built at a cost of more than Rs 490 crore. It will provide services in 10 specialities-- Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT and Psychiatry-Drug De-addiction. It will provide world class medical facilities at Ferozepur and the nearby areas. Two Medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur will be developed at a cost of around Rs 325 crore each and with a capacity of about 100 seats. Editors note: If you have an event you would like to have included, please email the information to Reporter Victoria Ritter, vritter@mdn.net. Wednesday, Jan. 5 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Jan. 6 Story Hour is set for 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Comedy Night is set for 8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts' Little Theater. Join us for an evening of laughs from nationally touring comics with our monthly comedy nights! The night will bring Dave Dyer, featuring Kara Coraci. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of event. General admission seating. Saturday, Jan. 8 The Dad Joke Show is set for 7-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. David King will be joined on stage by Stephen Fort, Andrew Fort, Todd Little, John McPeak, Paul Lutenske, Matt Schramm and more hilarious dads. Ever wonder about the origin story of the dad joke? The dads will fill you in on that as they share the best worst and best best jokes of the genre. Rated PG. Admission is $12 prepay, $15 at the door. Guests can bring their own beverage. KeyboardFest is set for 7 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts' Auditorium. KeyboardFest is an annual piano festival sponsored by the Mid-Michigan Teachers Association. This concert is designed to develop ensemble skills for the more than 150 participating pianists. As many as 24 students will be on stage performing duets at the same time, under the direction of Conductor Jim Hohmeyer. Tickets are $6.50 for adults, $4 for students. Sunday, Jan. 9 Buds, Bark and Branches: Winter Tree ID is set for 10-11:30 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Identifying woody vegetation can be hard any time of the year, and its even harder without leaves. Join an Interpretive Naturalist to learn how to identify local trees and shrubs in winter. We will discuss how they survive the cold months and their roles in the ecosystem. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Wednesday, Jan. 10 Nature Journaling is set for 6:30-8 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center, hosted by the Wild Ones Mid-Mitten Chapter. A journal is a wonderful way to interact with your world. But you don't have to love to write to journal! Alternative journaling is taking the essence of journaling and fitting it into your environment. This event will explore ways to capture experiences in nature in unique and fun ways. Creative 360 will provide the books and the tools - participants provide the experience and imagination! Presented by Laura Vosejpka scientist, artist, and executive director of Creative 360 in Midland. Tuesday, Jan. 11 Family Snowshoe Hike is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of exploration on snowshoes - no experience needed! The group will search high and low for signs of animals as they explore on and off trails. Please bring a sled to pull younger children. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Jan. 13 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Saturday, Jan. 15 A History Hike is set for 1-2:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Start the new year with a casual trail hike and explore the natural resources that brought people to the region. Join CNC staff as we look for evidence of how nature has influenced our history and guided the settlement of our area. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org The Grove Music Festival is presenting an evening of jazz by the John Hill Quintet at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 at Meridian High School Auditorium, 3303 N. Meridian Road, Sanford. Tickets are available at the door for $10. Sunday, Jan. 16 Snowshoe Sampler is set for 2-4 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. It's time to play outside! Drop by any time to give CNCs snowshoes a try, do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. Meet at the Homestead Cabin and come enjoy a winter afternoon in the snow. If snow conditions are unfavorable, the event will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC). This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Monday, Jan. 17 A Full Moon Stroll is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this months full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special. Please wear dark colors and bring a flashlight. We may use snowshoes if conditions permit. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Jan. 20 Story Hour is set for 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Stories by the Fire is set for 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Drop by the Homestead and enjoy an early winter evening relaxing by the campfire, listen to tales of how settlers and animals adapt to survive a cold winter. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Friday, Jan. 21 Survival of the Fittest is set for 2-3:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Winter is tough for wildlife. From freezing temperatures to low food availability, see how wildlife adapts to survive the harsh conditions. Dress with weather in mind for this outdoor hike and activities. This is a free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Saturday, Jan. 22 The city of Midland will host a series of Cardboard Sled Races from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the City Forest. Tuesday, Jan. 25 Adventures for Women: Snowshoe Hike is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Enjoy an afternoon hike on snowshoes as we notice birds, animal tracks and other points of interest in the woods and fields. Beginner and experienced snowshoers are welcome. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Thursday, Jan. 27 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Saturday, Jan. 29 Kids Day at the Midland Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. hosted by Midland Recyclers. More than 60 companies participate in this annual event that provides kids and their families with hands-on activities, information and performances. Sunday, Jan. 30 Nature Book Club: Winter World is set for 1-3 p.m. Come for a book club chat and naturalist led hike! Januarys book is National Bestseller Winter World: the Ingenuity of Animal Survival by Bernd Heinrich. Register by Jan. 28 for this free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org Monday, Jan. 31 An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org The following announcements and events are taking place in the New Milford area: The Greater Coalition will host Robert Watson, Distinguished Professor of American History at Lynn University in a Zoom program Jan. 9 at 10 a.m., titled The Best and Worst Presidents, which considers how the U.S. presidency has survived controversy, scandal, resignation, civil war and assassination. In the 200 years since its inception, every individual who has assumed the title of president has left a mark, a release said. Professor Watson will discuss the many ways in which presidents have been evaluated. The Coalition invites anyone interested in attending to call 860-868-2434 or email jewishlifect@gmail.com for additional information and to obtain the Zoom link. Sherman Players return for their first theatrical season The Sherman Players return for their first full theatrical season in nearly two years. The 2022 mainstage season will begin with Whodunnit by Anthony Shaffer, running April 29 to May 21. Fresh off his run in Shermans production of Wreck The Halls, Whodunnit will be directed by Alexis M. Vournazos. First seen on Broadway in 1982, Whodunnit takes audiences to Agatha Christie's England. Six strangers and a butler have gathered for a black tie dinner in a wealthy lawyer's mansion during a thunderstorm. Whodunnit will be followed by the comedy Stepping Out by Richard Harris, running July 1 to July 23. Stepping Out is about the attempts of some working class amateurs to overcome their inhibitions and left feet in a low-rent dance studio in North London. Mavis, a former professional chorus girl, tries her hardest to teach the bumbling amateurs some terpsichorean skills for an upcoming recital. But before the dancing begins, Mavis must mediate the minor dramas that erupt among this motley but loveable crew on their way to triumph at their recital, the release said. Carrie: The Musical, directed by Bradford Blake with Music Direction by Charles Smith, running Sept. 30 to Oct. 22. Based on the Stephen King novel, Carrie tells the story of a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, shes bullied by the popular crowd and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she's dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother, the release said. What none of them know is that Carrie has just discovered shes got a special power, and if pushed too far, shes not afraid to use it, the release said. Pride And Prejudice, written by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen and directed by Michael Wright, runs from Dec. 2 to Dec. 17. This explores the absurdities and thrills of finding ones perfect (or imperfect) match in life, the release said. The Sherman Playhouse will be following local and national theater protocols regarding COVID-19. Audience members will be required to provide proof of vaccination and wear masks during the performances. For more information, shermanplayers.org, leave a message at 860-354-3622 or e-mail information@shermanplayers.org. They are at 5 Rte. 39 N. Sherman Playhouse holds auditions for Whodunnit The Sherman Playhouse is seeking to fill four roles to complete the cast for its first show of the 2022 season, Whodunnit by Anthony Shaffer, directed by Alexis M. Vournazos of Danbury. The production is looking for two men and two women to complete the cast, ages 20 to 70. Note that some parts require two accents - Standard British English and regional/international. In this comedy-thriller, a group of six strangers - and a butler have gathered for a black-tie dinner in the English country mansion of a wealthy lawyer during a thunderstorm. One of the guests, identified only as an "oily Levantine," tells his fellow dinner guests that he has information with which to blackmail each and every one of them. This, of course, makes him ripe for murder, a release said. Auditions are Jan. 10 and 11 from 7-9 p.m. Auditions will be held at The Sherman Playhouse, 5 Route 39 North (next to the fire station), in Sherman. Sign-ups are in the rear green room. A monologue and sides will be provided at auditions. No appointments are necessary. Rehearsals begin on February 28. The production runs from April 29 to May 21. For a character breakdown and more information, visit shermanplayers.org The Sherman Playhouse is at 5 Route 39 North (next to the fire station). Washington: Gunn Junior Library hosts activities Jan. 8, 1 p.m. Virtual Winter Crafts - Join Miss Linda on Zoom to try making a snowflake. Shake up a flurry of fun by building a snow globe. Kids are welcome to make snow-themed crafts to celebrate the chilly, white season. All materials are provided. Kits will be available to pick up on their curbside table. Please register on our website to receive the zoom link. Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Library Love- February is Love Your Library Month. Join Miss Linda to celebrate love for libraries with Valentines crafts. There will be lots of pink and red, as well as glitter and lace to make creations extra special and uniquely personal. All supplies are provided. Please register on the website. To March 31: Winter Reading Challenge. Pick up a special Winter Challenge kit curbside at the library or print off your card off of our website. Complete a challenge to earn a chance to win one of two winter-themed gift baskets throughout the months of January, February, and March. Complete the entire bingo card to earn a free book. These programs are free and open to all. "Home Sweet Home" by Marisabel Artieda at Gunn Memorial Library, Washington A new collection of still life and landscape, focusing on atelier style of oil painting by artist Marisabel Artieda, will be on display at Gunn Memorial Library's Stairwell Gallery in Washington from Jan. 29 through March 12. There will be a socially-distanced reception to meet the artist Jan. 29 from noon to 2 p.m. Born in Lima, Peru, Artieda started drawing and painting at a very young age, and studied art and graphic design at The Institute of the Andes where she earned her BA degree. In 2001 she moved to Washington, where she joined the Washington Art Association and found the support network that she was looking for, a release said. Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the juncture of Route 47 opposite the Green in Washington. For further information, call 860-868-2310 or gunnjr@biblio.org www.gunnlibrary.org Bridgewater: Conversation at CT Council for Interreligious Understanding Join The Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding (CCIU) for a lively, educational and insightful conversation of beliefs and practices featuring leaders from Christianity, Judaism, and Sikhism, a release said. CCIU's core education mission is a collaborative effort with host communities to address the widespread illiteracy about our world religions, the release said. This program is a collaboration between the Burnham Library and the Bridgewater Congregational Church and will be held Jan. 29 from 5-6 p.m. at the Bridgewater Congregational Church, 10 Clapboard Road. Register by Jan. 25 with cfisher@burnhamlibrary.org. For more information on the CCIU, visit https://ccfiu.org. Washington museum offers history program The Gunn Historical Museums Washington History Club at Night will host a hybrid program in person and online on Zoom, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. There will be a lively group conversation moderated by longtime Washington resident Dimitri Rimsky about Washingtons notable citizens from the past; those remembered fondly in our hearts and minds, who contributed so much to our community and forever shaped our towns history. Bring your favorite stories and memories to share, a release said. The Washington History Club at Night, a program of the Gunn Historical Museum, meets in the Wykeham Room of the Gunn Library to discuss the history of Washington, Washington Depot, Marbledale, New Preston and Woodville. Share stories with the group or just come and listen to the conversation about the town's past. Bring related photos and objects for show and tell. Everyone is invited to attend this free program. Everyone attending this indoor in-person program is required to wear a face mask due to the ongoing pandemic. In-person seating is limited and registration is required to attend in person or online. To receive the Zoom link for the program, register at gunnlibrary.org. JCC in Sherman hosts music night There will be a music night Jan. 8 at 7 p.m with Some of My Songs starring Mike Latini with special guest Susanna Marker. Also, "The City Without Jews" a silent film and live music night featuring musicians Alicia Svigals and Donald Sosin on Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Reservations are required. Tickets for each event are $20 for members and $25 for others, and can be purchased at jccinsherman.org. New Milford Commission on the Arts seeks artists Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio is hosting a juried open show for painters, mixed media and sculptors Jan. 15-29. Delivery is Jan. 9 from 3-5 p.m. The opening reception is Jan. 15 from 2-4 p.m. and awards will be announced at 3 p.m. For more information and a prospectus, visit gallery25ct.com. The judge for the show is Joel Levitt, New Milford resident and former chairman of the art department for the Danbury school system. Awards will be at the discretion of the judge. Accepted mediums include watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, mixed media, and sculpture. No photographs or prints will be accepted. Entry fee per artist is $25 for one or two pieces of original two-dimensional art or sculpture, no larger than 1,000 square inches (roughly 26 inches by 36 inches including frame), original work only. Delivery for all works is Jan. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. No works will be accepted after the deadline. There is a 30 percent commission on all sales and all works must be for sale. For a complete prospectus, visit Gallery25.com. Guest lecturers to present on the history of Pilobolus in Washington The Gunn Historical Museum and Pilobolus in Washington will present the guest lecture Pilobolus Origins with Renee Jaworski and Matt Kent, Pilobolus Artistic Directors, on Zoom on Jan.17 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link for this free virtual Gunn Museum program. In Origins, get a glimpse of the nascent and yet unnamed company performing their first piece called Pilobolus, and learn how the company evolved to secure its place in the history books through vintage and rarely seen footage, personal insights, and more, a release said. This virtual experience, co-sponsored by the Gunn Historical Museum and Pilobolus, includes an interactive Q&A session with the artistic directors. For more information, visit gunnmuseum.org, call 860-868-7756 or send an email to info@gunnhistoricalmuseum.org. Bridgewater library opens art exhibit by Anita Gregorski The Burnham Librarys art exhibit will be on display to Feb. 26. The show, entitled Observing Surroundings, is a collection of art by Middlebury artist Anita Gregorski. Her work in acrylic, oils and watercolors draws from the natural world and she finds inspiration in the simplicity of light on snow, afternoon sunsets, dew on a blossom and the coastal shoreline, a release said. For more information, visit Anitagregorski.com. The Burnham Library is at 62 Main St. South, Bridgewater. For additional information, call 860-354-6937 or visit burnhamlibrary.org. New Milford author, fitness coach, launching memoir Local author, fitness professional, and mental health advocate Valerie J. Walsh will have a launch of her memoir, Shattered to the Core. This free event will be held Jan. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 19 Main in New Milford. A portion of the proceeds from the book sales will go NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). There is no need for RSVP for this community event. Light refreshments will be served and a cash bar will be available. For more information, visit valeriejwalshauthor.com. Roxbury library to exhibit Conversations With Nature Conversations with Nature, an exhibit and sale of works by seven area artists at the Minor Memorial Library, 23 South Street, Roxbury will continue during regular library hours through Jan. 29, except when the Community Room is in use for a special library program. For hours, visit minormemoriallibrary.org. The library is following CDC guidance on masks and distancing. The exhibit displays the creativity of artists Ruth Jaffe, Elizabeth MacDonald, Didier Malaquin, Rebecca Rosow, Jim Stanton, Phil Stone, and Joan Stracks. The artists explore nature in its many forms and dialects, offering the viewer a wide selection of perspectives. Minor Memorial Library is handicapped-accessible. Call the library at 860- 350-2181 for information and directions. Author talk & Greek mythology poetry reading at Washington library The event will be Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. with poet Susan A. Katz, author of The Limits of Light, at The Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Road, Washington. The program will be offered in-person or potentially via Zoom, weather and COVID-dependent. There is free admission. Katz, a resident of Washington, will read from her recently-published book The Limits of Light, a collection of narrative poems which explore how the tales of Greek mythology compare to the challenges, and failures, of contemporary life. Face masks and preregistration are requested by calling 860-868-7586 or visiting gunnlibrary.org/programs. For information on Katz visit https://poetladykatz.com. Washington: Byrde + the b featuring contemporary abstract artist Steven Miller New York City based contemporary abstract artist Steven Miller will have his work on exhibit through March 26. Miller works in oils on canvas in combination with images inspired by nature. He works in a series of paintings, usually working on from two to three at a time. For more information, visit byrdeandtheb.com. Byrde + the b at 10 Titus Road, Washington. JCC in Sherman hosts The City Without Jews Silent Film and Live Music accompanying film The event will be Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Join The City Without Jews, Silent Film and Live Music featuring musicians Alicia Svigals and Donald Sosin. Jews are hounded by mobs and driven from Vienna in this 1924 expressionist film based on the satirical novel by Hugo Bettauer. The sensational film that anticipated the Holocaust and cost Bettauer his life was rediscovered in 2015. With commentary by film scholar Noah Isenberg (UT Austin) and a live score. Recently restored and featuring a new soundtrack, The City Without Jews is one of few surviving Austrian Expressionist films and the magnum opus of director H.K. Breslauer, a release said. Filmed in 1924, it can be seen as a chilling premonition of the Holocaustthe premise is the political rise of the Christian Social Party, which orders all Jews to evacuate Austria. In the ensuing months, the sober reality of a society without Jews sets in, as cultural institutions close and cafes are replaced with beer halls. Eventually, the economy declines and unemployment runs rampant. Based on the dystopian book by Hugo Bettauer and intended originally as political satire, it became the subject of controversy and censorship, especially in conjunction with the rise of Nazism, the release said. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for others. This performance will be held indoors, masks will be required to be worn by all individuals regardless of vaccination status. Programs at Gunn Memorial Library in Washington The following are programs at Gunn Memorial Library: Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. is Family Game Day. Children and parents of all ages are welcome to spend the afternoon playing a variety of board games, puzzles, and card games. Have a cup of hot chocolate and a snack while playing games. There will be Clue, Candy Land, a deck of cards and other games. Join Dr. Wendy Hurwitz Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. virtually or in person (limited seating) as she gives tips and techniques to improve sleep and restorative rest. This program will give useful, concrete information, tools, and techniques to take with one on the way to a better nights sleep, a release said. Out of respect for those with allergies, refrain from wearing perfume or cologne if possible. Local author and poet Susan A. Katz will discuss The Limits of Light, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. It is a collection of narrative poems that explores the tales of Greek mythology and their contemporary messages, a release said. From Apollo, who was thwarted in love, to Scylla who betrays her father for lust, to Icarus who strives to fly to the sun only to fall to his death, the tales of the gods unfold in Katzs poetry, the release said. This program will be offered both in person with limited seating and on Zoom. Winter Reading Challenge: Pick up a challenge bingo card at the library and complete a set of challenges across, down, or diagonally for a chance to win one of three curated gift baskets throughout the months of January, February, and March. The book club meeting The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner will take place Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. and will be offered both in person and online. It is a dark and gripping tale that convincingly weaves three heroines across two timelines into a story about poison, revenge, and a network of women helping each other through a world often stacked against them, the release said. January movie matinees: These showings are free and open to the public. Seating is limited and registration is required. Jan. 10 at 1 p.m., Flag Day, Sean Penn directs and stars alongside his daughter Dylan Penn in this intimate family portrait of a young woman who struggles to reconcile her memories of her loving father with the fact that he was the most notorious counterfeiter in U.S. history. It is rated R, 1 hour, 49 minutes. Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. On the Rocks The story of a young mother who reconnects with her larger-than-life playboy father on an adventure through New York. In this comedy about aging, marriage, and the tenuous bond between parents and grown children, New York author and married mother-of-two Laura has become suspicious that her career-driven husband may be having an affair with a coworker, a speculation encouraged by her caddish, bon vivant father. Rated R, it is 1 hour, 36 minutes. Jan. 31 at 1 p.m., Stillwater, An American oil-rig roughneck travels to Marseille, France, to visit his estranged daughter, in prison for a murder she claims she didnt commit. Confronted with language barriers, cultural differences and a complicated legal system, he soon builds a new life for himself as he makes it his personal mission to exonerate her. It is rated R, 2 hours, 19 minutes. Gunn Memorial Library and Museum is at 5 Wykeham Road. For more information, call 860-868-7586, e-mail:gunnprograms@biblio.org or visit gunnlibrary.org. Gurdwara Elections Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam on Monday introduced the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill 2022 in the Legislative Assembly to seek the addition of one more member to the list of nominated members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). As per a Delhi government statement, Head Priest of Akal Takht -- Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Bhatinda, Punjab has been added to the list of existing four head priests of Takhts, who act as nominated members to the DSGMC. With the addition of one more member, there will be 10 members in total. The amendment in Section 4 (b) (ii) would take the number of nominated members under this subsection to five, i.e. Head Priests of (1) Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Amritsar (2) Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Anandpur (3) Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Patna (4) Sri Akal Takhat Huzur Sahib, Nanded and (5) Sri Akal Takht, Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Bhatinda, Punjab. None of the head priests have voting rights for the purpose of election of officer-bearer and other members of the Executive Board under relevant sections and sub-sections. The total members at the DSGMC, after the proposed amendment, would be 46 elected members and 10 nominated members, taking the total tally of the DSGMC members to 56 members. MIDDLETOWN The city has received 3,500 at-home COVID test kits from the state health department, but none of them will be distributed to the general public. The state and the city are aggressively pursuing other means to procure sufficient testing supplies to provide to residents. We hope these will be arriving soon, Mayor Ben Florsheim said Monday. Connecticuts positivity rate hit 21.5 percent Monday, when COVID hospitalizations reached 1,452 patients the most since May 2020. Middletown officials had hoped to have enough supplies, which include N95 masks, to serve every resident, however, the mayor said, it is simply neither efficient nor equitable to distribute 3,500 test kits to 48,000 residents at a mass distribution site on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution to high-priority groups and individuals will be overseen by the Medical Reserve Corps and Community Emergency Response Team. They will be given to congregate living facilities providing specialized care, senior living facilities, first responders, school staff, and essential workforce staff. The kits are being distributed to maximize their effectiveness and to prevent residents from having to wait for hours in line, only to leave empty-handed, the mayor said. Public distribution will be scheduled when enough supply is available, he said. This follows the cancellation of Fridays planned distribution of some 6,030 kits at the high school, as the state was unable to fulfill the promised amount of tests to municipalities after facing distribution issues. Staff and families should be given the tools they need to maximize protection against COVID, Acting Health Director Kevin Elak said over the weekend. Public schools operation The school system had been planning to receive a shipment of at-home kits this week following the city-wide distribution, but that is now being rescheduled. As of Saturday, there were 78 students and 33 staff across the citys public school system who had tested positive, with an additional 135 students and two staff members quarantined after a close contact. The small percentage of faculty or staff who are not inoculated are required to submit to weekly testing. Unlike other districts across the state, Middletown schools are still operating under quarantine procedures and the Screen and Stay Initiative. The state Department of Public Health on Friday released new school COVID guidelines that cut the required quarantine period in half to five days and gave school districts the option to no longer conduct contact tracing. However, in a letter issued to parents Sunday, Acting Superintendent Alberto Vazquez Matos said the district will continue to follow the same 10-day quarantine for those who test positive as well the policy of isolating those who were in contact with a person with COVID. The district also accepts the results of at-home antigen tests as evidence of a negative test so students can return to school. It will also continue contact tracing. Elak said once the supplies arrive, it will be up to school administrators how they are distributed to families. They will be used in addition to the already practiced precautionary measures, including wearing masks every day, checking temperature upon arrival, and quarantining away from school if a child tests positive for COVID-19. For information, visit middletownct.gov or call 860-638-4960. MIDDLETOWN The new year 2022 is off and running, and the chamber team is off to a real fast start. The first week of the year is a busy one, with a number of important meetings and events scheduled. Upcoming meetings The first chamber division meetings of the year take place this week, with the Portland and East Hampton Division meeting on Wednesday morning, the Central Business Bureau (Middletown) on Thursday morning, and the Chester, Deep River and Essex Division on Friday morning. On the council and committee front, this week also features meetings of the chambers Business and Education Advisory Council on Tuesday, and Real Estate Committee on Thursday. In addition to these important meetings that are specific to our chamber, we also look forward to partnering with the Connecticut Small Business Development Center on a webinar focused on new Connecticut Paid Leave program which went into effect on Jan. 1. This webinar will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. The CTSBDC team, along with experts from The Human Resources Consulting Group, will present an informational webinar on how to continue running your business as this new law gets implemented. The updated law includes all employers with one or more employees. For many small businesses, this law can have a significant impact on operations, so it is important to have a plan and processes in place. These experts will provide actionable advice that small businesses can incorporate into their planning for 2022 and beyond. We look forward to this important webinar, and thank our partners at the Small Business Development Center for providing this important content. Closing out the week, Friday morning features a virtual meeting of the Workforce Alliance Racial Equity & Accountability Initiative. This important effort, led by Workforce Alliance Chairwoman Robin Golden and President Bill Villano, brings together a variety of stakeholders from throughout the alliances 30-town service area. I look forward to working with all of them in the new year as we continue our efforts to strengthen what is an inclusive, resilient and vibrant state of Connecticut. Looking ahead to next week, the chambers Executive Committee will hold its first meeting of the year Jan. 10. Our Executive Committee features a variety of business and community leaders from a number of industry sectors. Next Mondays meeting will be led by Chairwoman Maureen Westbrook, and, along with important updates on chamber activities, will feature updates from the public health and banking sectors in Middlesex County. On Jan. 11, the chamber will continue the very successful KeyBank Workshop Series with a critically important session on Sexual Harassment Prevention Training. This session will be held virtually on Zoom at 8:30 a.m. The definition of sexual harassment, liability, and the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace will be discussed, and the session meets state of Connecticut requirements for employers. Please visit middlesexchamber.com for registration information. As you can see, the chamber team is on the move in the new year. New business in Portland On the business development front, I look forward to joining First Selectman Ryan Curley and other local dignitaries on Wednesday morning for a grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration in honor of Absolute Air Services on Portland Cobalt Road in Portland. Absolute Air provides heating and cooling services, furnace and air conditioning installation, and repair and maintenance support throughout Portland and beyond. We are happy to have this important local company as part of our regional business community, and wish Bonnie and Steve Graff all the best as they move their business forward. We will have their back along the way. Public policy agenda I would like to close this weeks column by noting that the chambers Legislative Committee is hard at work preparing for the 2022 regular session of the Connecticut General Assembly that begins on Feb. 9. Our Executive Committee will formally adopt the chambers 2022 public policy agenda at its meeting next Monday. This year, the chamber will once again urge the General Assembly to focus their efforts on providing meaningful support to the businesses in the state. We will also stress the importance of partnering on measures to assist in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and push them to avoid imposing unnecessary tax or regulatory burdens on businesses and residents of Connecticut. We will also continue to promote just how important economic development, infrastructure, workforce development, manufacturing, and tourism are to our regional and statewide economy. The chambers 2022 Legislative Event Series kicks off Feb. 4, when we welcome Speaker of the House Matt Ritter to a special meeting at the Inn at Middletown. This event is sponsored by Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. We thank Speaker Ritter for joining us once again, and look forward to a productive discussion. Legislative breakfast I also ask that members and other interested parties save Feb. 25 for our annual breakfast with the Middlesex County legislative delegation. I will have much more to share on these important fronts as we approach the legislative session, but it is safe to say that we look forward to working with our partners in state government to continue moving Connecticut forward. The sun always shines in Middlesex County. Happy New Year! Larry McHugh is president of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce in Middletown. WASHINGTON (AP) The first time Celeste Norris laid eyes on Ashli Babbitt, the future insurrectionist had just rammed her vehicle three times with an SUV and was pounding on the window, challenging her to a fight. Norris says the bad blood between them began in 2015, when Babbitt engaged in a monthslong extramarital affair with Norris longtime live-in boyfriend. When she learned of the relationship, Norris called Babbitts husband and told him she was cheating. She pulls up yelling and screaming, Norris said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, recounting the July 29, 2016, road-rage incident in Prince Frederick, Maryland. It took me a good 30 seconds to figure out who she was. Just all sorts of expletives, telling me to get out of the car, that she was going to beat my ass. Terrified and confused, Norris dialed 911 and waited for law enforcement. Babbitt was later charged with numerous misdemeanors. The attack on Norris is an example of erratic and sometimes threatening behavior by Babbitt, who was shot by a police officer while at the vanguard of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Former President Donald Trump and his supporters have sought to portray her as a righteous martyr who was unjustly killed. Trump has called her an incredible person and he even taped a posthumous birthday greeting to her in October. Trump has also demanded the Justice Department reinvestigate Babbitts death, though the officer who shot her was cleared of any wrongdoing by two prior federal investigations. But the life of the Air Force veteran from California, who died while wearing a Trump campaign flag wrapped around her shoulders like a cape, is far more complicated than the heroic portrait presented by Trump and his allies. In the months before her death, Babbitt had become consumed by pro-Trump conspiracy theories and posted angry screeds on social media. She also had a history of making violent threats. Babbitt, 35, was fatally shot while attempting to climb through the broken window of a barricaded door leading to the Speakers Lobby inside the Capitol, where police officers were evacuating members of Congress from the mob supporting Trumps false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. She was one of five people who died during or immediately after the riot, including a Capitol Police officer. On social media, Babbitt identified as a Libertarian and ardent supporter of the Second Amendment. Her posts included videos of profane rants against Democrats, COVID-19 mask mandates and illegal immigration. Her Twitter account, which was taken down after her death, was rife with references to the QAnon conspiracy theory, which centers on the baseless belief that Trump has secretly battled deep-state enemies and a cabal of Satan-worshiping cannibals that includes prominent Democrats who operate a child sex trafficking ring. Nothing will stop us, Babbitt tweeted Jan. 5. They can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours....dark to light! Among Q followers, The Storm refers to the predicted day Trump would finally unmask the pedophile cabal, arrest and execute those deemed traitors and restore America to greatness. Trump has repeatedly insisted Babbitt was murdered, and she has achieved martyr status among Trump supporters. Her name and likeness now appear on T-shirts and flags at pro-Trump rallies. A Maryland personal injury lawyer representing Babbitts husband, Aaron Babbitt, has raised $375,000 through a Christian crowdfunding site and has threatened to file a lawsuit against the Capitol Police. Key to that wrongful death claim is the contention that Babbitt, a former military police officer who was 5-foot-2 and weighed 115 pounds, would have peacefully surrendered had Capitol officers attempted to arrest her. Aaron Babbitt declined to comment in October when a reporter knocked on the door of the San Diego apartment he shared with Ashli and another woman. In a June interview with Tucker Carson of Fox News, Babbitt said he has been sickened by some of what he has seen written about his deceased wife. Theres never been a person who Ashli ran across in her daily life that didnt love her, said Babbitt, 40. That is not how Norris felt about her. Court records involving the violent 2016 confrontation between Babbitt and Norris have previously been reported by media outlets, including the AP. But Norris, now 39, agreed to speak about it publicly for the first time in an interview with the AP and shared previously unreported details. She also provided documents and photos from the crash scene to support her account. Norris was in a six-year relationship with Aaron Babbitt when she said she learned he was cheating on her with a married co-worker from his job as a security guard at a nuclear power plant near the Chesapeake Bay. She eventually found out the other woman was Ashli McEntee, who at the time went by the last name of her then-husband. He was telling me about this foulmouthed chick thats on his shift, blah, blah, blah, Norris recounted. Come to find out a few months later ... they were basically having this relationship while they were at work. When she learned of the affair, she reached out to Babbitts husband, Timothy McEntee. You know, I was trying to keep my home life together, she said. Norris said she tried for a few months to salvage her relationship with Aaron Babbitt before finally deciding to move out of their house. Within days, Norris said, Ashli moved in. A few weeks later, Norris was waiting at a stop sign in Prince Frederick, about an hour southeast of Washington, D.C., when she says a white Ford Explorer passed her going the other direction. Norris saw the SUV pulling a U-turn before speeding up behind her. She recounts that the SUVs driver began swerving erratically, laying on the horn and attempting to pass a Chevrolet Suburban that was in between them on the narrow two-lane road. When the driver of the Chevy pulled over, Norris said the white Ford SUV accelerated and rammed into her rear bumper. She said the SUV rammed her a second time and then a third, all while the vehicles continued to roll down the road. After Norris dialed 911, an emergency dispatcher advised her to pull over to the shoulder and stop. As she waited for help, Babbitt got out of her vehicle and came up to Norris drivers-side window, banging on the glass. Norris said the force of the impact caused her seatbelt to lock tight, preventing her from getting out of her car. Within minutes, deputies arrived. A case report from the Calvert County Sheriffs Office obtained by the AP shows Ashli Babbitt was issued a criminal summons on charges of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor defined under Maryland law as engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another and punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. She was also charged with malicious destruction of property for the damage to Norris vehicle. Court records show those charges were later updated to include traffic offenses reckless driving, negligent driving and failure to control a vehicles speed to avoid a collision. Photos from the scene provided to the AP by Norris show Babbitts white Ford Explorer with its front bumper smashed in. The SUVs grill is also pushed in and the hood dented. The rear bumper of Norris Escape is pushed in on the passenger side, with the detached Maryland license plate from the front bumper of Babbitts SUV wedged into it. Following the altercation, Norris and a friend went to the courthouse in neighboring St. Marys County, where she lived at the time, and petitioned for a peace order, a type of restraining order, against Ashli Babbitt. The resulting judicial order barred Ashli Babbitt from attempting to contact Norris, committing further acts of violence against her and going to her home or workplace. A copy of the order, dated the same day as the altercation, contains Norris contemporaneous account of what occurred, as written down by her friend. Norris hands were still shaking so badly she couldnt write down what happened for herself, according to a note on the document. In the weeks after the incident, Norris said, Babbitt falsely claimed to authorities that the collisions had occurred when Norris repeatedly backed her vehicle into Babbitts SUV. But when the case went to trial, Norris said, Babbitt changed her story, admitting under oath that she had collided with Norris vehicle but portraying it as an accident. No transcript from the hearing was available, but Norris said the lawyer defending Babbitt made repeated references to her employment at the local nuclear power plant and years of military service, which included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Babbitt served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, and then in the reserves and the Air National Guard until 2016. A judge acquitted Babbitt on the criminal charges. In February 2017, records show Norris asked for and received a second peace order against Ashli Babbitt, citing ongoing harassment and stalking. In a handwritten petition, Norris says that Babbitt had recently followed her home from work and that she had also received repeated calls in the middle of the night from an unlisted number. I lived in fear because I didnt know what she was capable of, Norris told the AP. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. In 2019, Norris filed a personal injury lawsuit against Ashli Babbitt, seeking $74,500 in damages, and she said she settled out of court with Babbitts insurance carrier for an undisclosed sum. By then, Aaron and Ashli had moved to California, where she grew up and still had family. Timothy McEntee was granted a divorce in Maryland in May 2019. McEntee did not respond to voicemails and messages left at his home. Ashli posted on Facebook that she married Aaron Babbitt the following month. Records show the couple owned a pool cleaning service with Ashlis brother. When a reporter visited the business the day after her death, a large sign on the locked door declared the building to be Mask Free Autonomous Zone Better Known as America. In the year since Babbitts death, Trump and many Republicans in Congress have sought to recast the Jan. 6 insurrection as nonviolent a contention directly contradicted by hours of video footage and the public testimony of Capitol Police officers, 140 of whom were injured in the melee. In his video on Babbitt's birthday, Trump also said: Together we grieve her terrible loss. There was no reason Ashli should have lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family, so on this solemn occasion as we celebrate her life, we renew our call for a fair and nonpartisan investigation into the death of Ashli Babbitt. Aaron Babbitts lawyer, Terrell Roberts III, did not respond to numerous phone messages and emails seeking comment. But in written statements to the media, he has said her shooting was tantamount to an execution without trial. Given her background as a 14-year veteran of the Air Force, it is likely that Ashli would have complied with simple verbal commands, thereby making the use of any force unnecessary, Roberts said. The Capitol Police officer who shot Babbitt, Lt. Michael Byrd, said in a televised interview in August that he fired as a last resort. When he pulled the trigger, he said, he had no idea whether the person jumping through the window was armed. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia cleared Byrd of wrongdoing in April, concluding that he acted in self-defense and in the defense of members of Congress. The U.S. Capitol Police announced in August that they had also cleared Byrd. I tried to wait as long as I could, Byrd said. I hoped and prayed no one tried to enter through those doors. But their failure to comply required me to take the appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers. 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. 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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 As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. US-based Nigerian music executive, Akeju Abass has reacted to the recent rift between Nigerian and Ghanaian stars. Shatta Wale, during a live concert in Ghana accused Nigerian artistes of not loving and supporting them. The rave rapper who filled Ghanas biggest stadium at a concert recently told his fans that he did not need any Nigerian artiste to fill stadiums in his home country. The statement has stirred lots of controversy and reactions from Nigerians including some stars like Burna Boy, Olamide and many others. Akeju, who recently launched Faces of Afrobeats, a campaign to celebrate African artists urged stars from both countries to look at the positive side of building peace and a united Africa. "The recent rift between Ghanaian and Nigerian stars is really disappointing. Music is one of Africa's biggest exports. We have international spotlight on us. This is time to preach peace and shouldn't allow any form of disunity set in", he said. The faces of Afrobeats campaign has featured some notable African stars like, Grammy-award winner Angelique Kidjo, Burna Boy, Davido, Shatta Wale, Flavour, Psquare, Diamond Platnumz, Wizkid, Sarkodie, R2Beez, Simi, Yemi Alade and many others. Akeju, while highlighting the impact of African music on global stage, added that Afrobeats has gained lots of positive reviews amongst music lovers. "We launched the campaign to celebrate stars from Africa. Almost everywhere around the world people play our songs. "Our artists are gaining international recognition and we feel its right time to put out a campaign to celebrate them", he stated. The playlist for the campaign has been published on Spotify, amazon, and also featured on notable Bilboards across the world. The sudden spike in the number of Covid cases in India is driven by an increased spread of Omicron variant in the country, which may have already started the third wave, experts said on Monday. Most states and large cities in India have observed a sharp increase in Covid cases, which was not noticed even during festival seasons. On December 31, India recorded 16,764 new Covid cases, up 27 per cent from the previous day. The average number of cases increased in the last week of December after dropping steadily since mid-May. On December 29, 13,187 cases were reported, representing a 76.6 per cent rise over the previous week's infections. "As per the emerging scientific evidence, experts believe that the Omicron variant, first detected in Botswana, is the main reason for the recent rise in infections in India," Dr Dipu T.S., Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, told IANS. "According to statistics from Global Initiative on sharing all Influenza Data (GISAID) - an open-access resource for viral genomic data - Omicron has surpassed all other variants as the most common in India. The Omicron variant was discovered in almost 60 per cent of the samples sequenced in India during the last few days of December," he added. India on Monday logged 33,750 new Covid-19 cases in a span of 24 hours, with an additional 123 fatalities, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The rise in cases took the active caseload to 1,45,582, and pushed the nationwide death toll to 4,81,893. Meanwhile, the nationwide Omicron infection tally reported from 23 states increased to 1,700, the Ministry said. Experts stated that a third wave of Covid-19 pandemic may have already started in India and is yet to be declared officially. "In my opinion, the third wave has started in India. It's pretty evident with the doubling rate of Covid-19 cases in less than 72 hours. Also, clinicians believe the number of patients tested and reported may be just the tip of the iceberg," Dr Prashant Borade, senior consultant, Head of Critical Care at Global Hospital in Parel, Mumbai, told IANS. He added that there are several asymptomatic cases in the community and subjects with very mild symptoms who don't get tested and take medicines prescribed by the family physician or OTC. According to Dr. Dipu, most of the states in India have a high basic reproduction number (R0), which epidemiologists refer to as an indicator to understand the extent of transmission occurs within the community. It measures the likelihood of transmission of infection per contact between a susceptible person and an infectious individual, and the contact rate. "If we look at the numbers in our country, Delhi which used to report 100 to 150 cases per day for many months, last week reported more than 1,000 cases. This translates the R0 to 8. With this trajectory we may be seeing a drastic rise in the number of cases in the coming weeks. As we know with more than 3/4th of the sequenced cases being identified as Omicron indicates that the current spike of cases and potential third wave is due to Omicron," he said. Epidemiologists and health specialists believe that if the spike continues for another two weeks, it indicates the onset of the third wave. "Although the government has not officially notified, there are some early signs that the country has already entered the phase of third wave," Dipu said. The virus has shown the potential for mutating itself and spreading more. Early accounts from other countries have shown the Omicron wave is more contagious than the Delta wave, infecting more people in a shorter period of time. The recent relaxations in travel, opening of schools and other workplaces, complacency among public -- overcrowding and avoidance of vaccination, are other key reasons for the steep rise in cases in the country. However, the data on Omicron from various show that it causes only mild illness, and patients are not sick and so hospitalisation is still very low. "This is good in a way that we would eventually develop herd immunity but still ones who are sick like those with diseases like diabetes, malignancy etc are still at risk," Dr Shivanshu Raj Goyal, Consultant, Respiratory/Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Artemis Hospital, told IANS. Goyal advised people to continue following norms of social distancing, and masking, while ruing that still a lot of people have not gone for vaccination. Francis Turay is a young and vibrant gentleman who hails from Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he did his primary and secondary schooling, as he attended the Akibo Betts Municipal Primary School and Prince of Wales Secondary School, respectively. He is an African who believes in the opinions and views of others and has always upheld a very strong Pan-African view. He has a very fierce personality who loves to tell stories through photography. He is currently studying law at the University of Makeni, where he has been one of the impactful students amongst his peers. In a maiden award organized to celebrate students excellence, he is a recipient of the 50 Most Influential Student Awards. One of his favorite quotes is from Barrack Obama "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek". This colorful and energetic gentleman is a youth activist who has played great roles in some youth development. In 2018, upon the celebration of the International Youth Day, he was awarded as a New Generation Leadership Initiate Africa Ambassador, by the Ministry of Youth Affairs through the Youth and Children's Advocacy Panel (YACAP). Since 2018, he has been very active and has been invited and featured in a lot of youth-led activities in Sierra Leone. As his activism progressed, he got in touch with one of Africa's renowned orators, PLO Lumumba, a man who is of an impeccable character in the African continent, for his Pan-African values and a campaign to fight graft. He was made the country representative for the PLO Lumumba Foundation, whose headquarters is in Nairobi. As he has remarkable leadership skills, the foundation signed a partnership with the Anti Corruption Commission, Sierra Leone. A partnership which earned the foundation a mandate to be handling integrity school clubs, in various schools where the Commission has launched them. This gentlemans leadership skills and humility have added more laurels to his personality and has been very studious and steadfast amongst his peers. This gentleman has appeared on many youth platforms, and in 2018 he delivered a speech during the observation of the International Anti Corruption Day. This was a gathering that was held at the country's university (Fourah Bay College), which stands to be the first in West Africa. The Chief Minister, the Chief Justice, Leader of Government Business in Parliament, ministers, members of parliament, ambassadors, students, and the fourth estate. Francis got to receive a certificate from PLO Lumumba, in recognition of his zealous representation of the PLO Lumumba Foundation in Sierra Leone. He was awarded for his outstanding participation during the 2019 PLO African Mentorship Conference, held in Nairobi, Kenya. He holds a certificate of English Common Law from the University of London, and a certificate in English for Journalism from the University of Pennsylvania, under a workforce initiative program by Coursera. Francis Turay is a beacon of hope for our youthful generation, as his paths throughout these years send a strong signal about his possibilities to impact a greater change in society in a not too distant future. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) says efforts to pass the Tax Exemption Bill, 2021 is a good step towards sanitizing the tax exemptions regime from wanton abuse. The Authority has, therefore, welcomed the Bill and looking forward to its passage to curtail exploitations and improve revenue mobilization for national development. Mr Michael Acheampong, Office Manager of Asokwa Taxpayer Service Centre who made the observation, said the Bill when passed into law would enhance their work as implementers of tax laws in the country. He was speaking at a Regional Tax Dialogue on Ghana's Exemptions Bill, 2021 in Kumasi attended by participants drawn from the Northern, Upper East, North East, Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, and Ashanti Regions. The participants were made up of representatives from the private sector, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), entrepreneurs, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media. The dialogue was put together by the Tax Justice Coalition, Ghana (TJCG) in collaboration with Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) with funding from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Ghana Revenue Programme. It sought to build a civil society alliance for consultations and inputs on the Exemption Bill and other domestic revenue mobilization strategies in Ghana. Mr Acheampong said the perspective of the GRA about the exemptions regime was aptly captured in the Bill which sought to coordinate various laws in that environment for efficient administration. We understand that the Government is always looking for avenues to optimize revenue but we also understand the critical role of exemptions in every aspect of our lives, he pointed out. He said much as the government needed adequate revenue to prosecute its development agenda, certain vulnerable groups needed to be protected through threshold relieves and concessions due to their low level income. Some businesses in certain parts of the country also require tax incentives to stimulate their growth, he noted. I must also admit that these incentives and exemptions are also needed to support the economic agenda of the government. So there are a lot of socio-economic and political reasons for giving tax exemptions, Mr Acheampong indicated. The other adverse effect of the exemptions, he said, was that it eroded the tax base of the economy as a result of low level of taxes. He said exemptions also distorted fair competition among businesses in the same industry where private projects were granted exemptions which were not available to other players of the same industry. Mr Louis Acheampong, Coordinator of TJCG said the Coalition was part of the global advocacy network committed to ensuring that taxes and domestic revenues mobilised were appropriately utilised to enhance the development of the country. He said Ghana had a lot of tax incentives granted by Parliament, Ministries and other authorities at different levels hence the introduction of the Exemptions Bill to bring them together to ensure proper coordination. He noted that there were numerous exemptions granted to multinational and local companies with the aim of attracting foreign direct investments and also promoting local industries. The dialogue, according to him, was to collate inputs of various stakeholders across the country and present to Parliament for consideration ahead of the passage of the Bill into law. GNA Christmas reminds us of the importance of giving and sharing with friends and family. Christmas is such a festive season that people from all religions and faith celebrate worldwide despite it being a Christian festival. This year, the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocesan Youth Council (NABODYC) held a joint Christmas celebration in Garu. The celebration, which took place at the Holy Angels Parish playground, Thursday, 30th December 2021, was geared towards promoting peaceful coexistence in line with the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) project. It brought together Catholic, Presbyterian, Assemblies of God, and Muslim youth in the area. The respective religious sects competed in Volley Ball, Ludo, and Playing Cards games, with a common goal to enhance social cohesion amongst them. They were also educated on the need to live in peace with one another in their various communities. The Bawku Deanery Youth Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Vincent Duk Kolog admonished them to repel any attempts to be used to perpetrate violence in any situation. We have seen that very often than not, they make use of the young ones, finding loopholes among us and taking advantage of it do their dubious acts. We are aware of this, and as Christians, and Muslims, we must come together and bond through our common father [God], and consider ourselves as brothers and sisters of the Lord. Together, we will not give them the space to be able to use any of us for this [violence], he added. He stated that the reason for this gathering [celebration] is to give us this ambience to be able to interact with each other to get to know ourselves and to foster that unity and love that should be among us. Speaking on the renewed Bawku conflict that has claimed several lives and led to the imposition of curfew and the ban on wearing of smock, Fr. Vincent said, if the young ones had stood up and said we are together, we are not going to fight, it would have been difficult for any quarrel to go on there. He urged the people of Bawku to appreciate peace and protect it, he stressed. The leadership of the Muslims who were present expressed delight in the activities and the reasons for them, and pledge to help sustain the bond of unity among the diverse religious sects. The joint celebration is part of the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) project of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Civic Response, a leading Natural Resource and Environmental (NRE) governance policy advocacy organisation, has resumed community visits following a long break due to COVID-19 restrictions. The community visits which took place in August 2021, had Civic Response visit 49 communities in 15 districts across the country. The districts visited were Ho in the Volta Region, Jasikan in the Oti Region, Goaso in the Ahafo Region, Dormaa in the Bono Region, Bibiani, Sefwi Wiawso, Juaboso & Aowin in the Western North Region, Kumawu, New Edubiase & Bosome Freho in the Ashanti Region, Oda, Kade & Asankragwa in the Eastern Region as well as Assin Fosu in the Central Region. The community visits were to assess the states of the Real Time Monitoring (RTM) and the Social Responsibility Agreement (SRA) projects being implemented by Civic Response in these districts. Additionally, the trip was to find out which communities had SRA committees and those without to form one. It will further initiate the process of capacity building for SRA committees to demonstrate transparency and accountability on the implementation of SRA projects to their communities. In most of the communities visited, there were community durbars where issues pertaining to the projects were raised, discussed and addressed. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT Communities living within 5km radius of forests where logging is taking place are entitled to receive 5% of stumpage fees paid by timber companies as SRA payments. Out of the 49 communities visited, 20 communities have received their SRAs, four communities were yet to receive any SRA and one community, Gyadam (Oda) was yet to sign an SRA. Communities must first sign an SRA with the timber contractor before any funds can be paid to them. Following the advice of Civic Response, communities have used and are using their SRA funds for developmental projects. For instance, the GHc5,600 SRA funds received by the Merewa (Goaso) community has been used to construct a community centre while Sui (Sefwi Wiawso), Dodowuraso (Kade) and Nagode (Nkawie) communities have used their funds to either build or renovate school buildings. Sayerano (Juaboso) has so far received GHc10,800 SRA funds. REAL TIME MONITORING (RTM) Since 2018, Civic Response with the support of RFUK has been implementing Real Time Monitoring(RTM) of Ghanas forest using the ForestLink app. We have so far, trained 75 forest-fringed communities in 17 districts across the country to report forest infractions using the ForestLink mobile application. However, Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 interrupted the implementation of RTM which also led to a drastic reduction of the number of alerts being sent on the platform. The community visits were, therefore, used to revamp RTM implementation in Ghana and to understand the reason behind the reduction of alerts received. It was welcoming to learn that the sending of alerts was fewer as a result of the reduction of illegalities happening in implementing communities. However, the monitors admitted that, there were still illegal activities happening in adjoining communities. Some technical challenges with mobile network connectivity and mobile devices also accounted for the drastic reduction of alerts. This discovery necessitated the organization of a skills update and lessons sharing workshop for community monitors and verifiers held in Accra in October, 2021 to address the technical challenges as well as strategize as to how to introduce RTM to other adjoining communities. FOREST SERVICE DIVISION (FSD) Another issue that came up during our trip was the issue of the lack of feedback from FSD officials. According to some community monitors, they were discouraged from reporting infractions to the FSD officials because they were not getting feedback from FSD when they report infractions to them. Community monitors from Abutia, Temante, Anhwiaso, Gyadam, Amantia, and Kontenase lamented not getting feedback from FSD. The Kantankrubo community in particular mentioned the fact that Forestry Commissions (FC) stoppage of the arrest of offenders discouraged them from reporting infractions. THE MODIFIED TAUNGYA SYSTEM(MTS) The MTS is an agroforestry system within forest reserves where farmers are allocated a portion of degraded forest reserve to plant timber seedlings alongside food crops. The farmers receive 100% proceeds from the crops while benefits from the sold timber are shared among Forestry Commission (40%), the farmers (40%), the traditional landowners (15%) and the forest-adjacent community (5%). Several communities including Gyadam and Ananekrom (Kumawu) expressed their interest in joining MTS as it serves as an opportunity to increase their income as well as support the restoration of the degraded forest reserve. It was observed that communities like Akoburaso (Nkawie), Anhwiam (Assin Fosu), Denchi (Sefwi Wiawso) and Aboagyekrom (Sefwi Wiawso) communities are already practicing the Modified Taungya system. For instance, 200 farmers in Aboagyekrom and 350 in Denchi are involved in the MTS. However, it was reported by communities around Krokusua Forest Reserve in Juaboso District that even though they have noticed that permits have been granted to a contactor to harvest timber from the MTS they planted, they have not received their benefit-sharing arrangement as was agreed on between them and the Forestry Commission. LAND ACT Civic Response also took advantage of the trip to educate communities about the new Land Act which came into force in December 2020. It is a consolidation of all existing laws on land and land administration into a single act. To achieve gender equality for sustainable development as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) means eradicating poverty especially among girls and women. Ms Faustina Acheampong, Director of the Department of Gender under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection with the mandate to ensure gender equality has said. At the national validation meeting on Ghana's combined 8th and 9th periodic report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Ms Faustina said, "to achieve gender equality, we must fight the biggest challenges confronting the nation such as poverty and inequality." According to her, putting an end to violence and discrimination against women and girls means making sure that no one is left behind. The meeting is to validate inputs at a consultative meeting towards the finalisation of Ghana's 8th and 9th CEDAW report. She emphasized that there is the need to work towards a significant increase in societal investments to close the gender gap and strengthen support for institutions in relation to gender equality and empower women and girls. She pointed out that there's also the need to find innovative ways to include men and boys in the gender equality conversation for sustainable progress. On his part, Dr. Edward Ampratwum, Head of Governance and lnclusive Development at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) re-emphasized that "in order to combat violence against women, states have to be looking to tackle poverty and empower women by addressing power imbalances across societies and the underlying structural barriers to gender equality, such as unequal access to and control over resources and gendered division of labour." He said, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the growth of gender based violence and continues to undermine the realisation of women's human rights and international human rights. The UNDP he said is deeply concerned about the increasing spate of gender based violence and discrimination against women and girls across the world. He urged other development partners to consider the implementation of CEDAW as an integral part of their work and not just the gender ministry. On the occasion of the bicentenary of the death of Napoleon Bonaparte, RFI's foreign-language editorial staff undertook a project that aimed to shed light on little-known aspects of Napoleon's acts and actions, the impact of which are still visible today inside and outside of France. What was produced and written was carried in a number of reports and multimedia presentations that looked at the legacy of Napoleon, known as the "Emperor of the French, in Brazil, Belgium, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Romania, as well as in France. At the end of December 2021, the 'Year of Napoleon' came to an end, and after all the audio, photo and video reports produced by RFI, along with over 100 new books published in France on his legacy, we are wrapping it up with words. 'Alive, the world passed him by, dead it belongs to him' If you were to summarise his life you might recall the words of the French writer and contemporary of Napoleon, Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand, when he wrote of Napoleon: Alive, the world passed him by, dead it belongs to him." There have been many more words written about him since then. In fact, since Napoleon's death in 1821, according to the French historian Jean Tulard, the equivalent of one book every day has been written and published about the man somewhere in the world. That figure, however, could be greatly underestimated, according to Chantal Prevot, librarian at the Fondation Napoleon. He says that by combining all the databases of the world's largest libraries, the real figure is more likely to be between 1.8 or even two works published about the man ever day since his death. Add to this the audiovisual content derived from Napoleon's death and that figure rises to more than three publications per day, which represents nearly 220,000 works. Keep in mind that this only includes works that feature the words "Napoleon" or "Bonaparte" in the title, or a combination of the two. To put this in perspective, t is worth noting that even at a rapid reading rate of two pages per minute, and with a lower average of two hundred pages per work, it would take a century of continuous reading to read it all. Napoleonic studies With the bicentenary of his death this year and contrary, perhaps, to appearances, there has been no rush to add to the vast number of publications already available. The books that were published this year would have been published anyway, bicentennial or no. In the field of Napoleonic studies, publications are regular, and the number of productions remain stable. However, there has been a boom in the number of print runs with, it seems, a greater number of books printed than in previous years, thanks to the success of book like Thierry Lentz's Pour Napoleon (Perrin), which, to date, has already sold almost 20,000 copies - a record for this type of work, or Napoleon a Sainte-Helene (Napoleon on Saint-Helene) by Pierre Branda for the Perrin publishing house. All this is supported and widely covered in the media. This coverage has to a certain extent been marked by debate over the commemorations of Napoleon's death, a debate, it should be noted, that was shot-lived. In this respect, it should also be noted that there was no major anti-Napoleon work produced. Another aspect of this bicentennial is that it has given rise to an unprecedented profusion of publications around the numerous exhibitions that opened over the year along with their catalogs. From Napoleon n'est plus (Napoleon is No More in the Musee de l'Armee in Paris (nearly 45,000 visitors despite the health crisis) to the monumental Napoleon at the at La Villette, as well as Palais pour l'Empereur (Palace for the Emperor) at the Chateau de Fontainebleau (which also houses one of the most beautiful libraries of Napoleon anywhere, and which was renovated for the occasion), or the exhibition Napoleon and Literature at the Musee Massena in Nice, which explores his place in literature. Napoleon and the press Much of the excitement around the bicentenary was most clearly visible in a place that Napoleon himself feared more than 100,000 bayonets, notably newspapers, and the media as a whole. Napoleon was so concerned about the press, in fact, that he put it under police surveillance. Even now, the press of yesterday and today is still fascinated by Napoleon. Evidence of this is clear from the editorial explosion that the bicentenary of his death has provoked and the fact that much of the polemic around some of the more controversial issues that have overshadowed it - the role of slaver women, soldiers, and civilians has largely dissipated. In this respect the colossal number of newspapers that have widely covered the events over the past year is telling. Among the major titles that participated are those like Le Point which, since December 2020, has published a large number of special issues on the subject as has Le Figaro, Le Monde, and Paris Match. Elsewhere, the daily press across France also carried numerous pieces on this local and national legacy, giving the bicentenary a local context that offered insights into Napoleon as a national figure. Finally, there were the specialized academic publications, which also published a great number of titles intended for the general public. The kinds of books were also telling. There were dictionaries that could not be read in a single sitting, graphic novels, comic books and shorter books and articles as well. Posthumous homage This profusion of books, special issues, and articles that have accumulated since Napoleon's death is a posthumous homage to the man who was an avid reader as well as a highly informed censor, at the head of an "empire" of 70,000 books spread over several libraries. Napoleon organized his libraries himself, from the creation of the collections to the classification of the works. He is known to have regretted very much that his last library, that of Saint Helena, could only hold 5,000 books. Napoleon devoured all kinds of books: history, geography, philosophy, poetry, theatre, and literature. He read everything, except - and this is to be emphasized - religious works, a testament to the fact that he was a child of the French Revolution as well as a child of the Enlightenment. This passion for reading and for libraries was amplified by his isolation on Saint Helena, where reading was his favorite pastime. His library was the last stronghold, until his death on 5th May,1821. Closing Napoleon's year through the prism of the press and literature is, for the foreign language editors of RFI, an ideal way to open the chapter of the coming year, that of the quadricentenary of the birth of another Frenchman known throughout the world: Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Moliere. Reverend Father Stephen Dogodzi, SVD, the Parish Priest of the St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Abeka, has cautioned the public, especially Christians to desist from moving from church to church in search of a solution to their problems. He said desperation sometimes leads people to succumb to all financial and sexual pressures and demands from some so-called Prophets and spiritual leaders, which worsened their plights. Some of you, you come to church on Sunday and go to other churches on other days to seek for 'akwankyere' (direction) because Goliath is threatening your life. Where in the Bible is it written that when you need help, sow a seed first? You are doing business and you pray for God to bless it. Instead of investing the profit in the business, you are investing it in the pockets of Prophets and mismanaging the business. He gave the advice, while delivering a homily at the Church's service in Accra. Speaking on the topic, Who or What is the Goliath in Your Life, the Priest described a Goliath as anything that terrified one's life or made one run away from his or her destiny. Among them are illnesses or diseases, he said and pointed out the COVID-19 as one of them as it terrified the entire world, caused people to lose their loved ones, and triggered depression among others. The second Goliath to a person is people who know his or her weakness, he said. Those people, if it is at the workplace, they frighten you. If it's your male or female Boss, he or she could sexually harass you and if you are a house help, your master could sexually harass you, he explained. He mentioned failures of people as the third Goliath to everyone in situations like examination, and not getting basic life needs like partners, jobs, and admission to educational institutions. Father Dogodzi said God, however, did not create humans to live in fear and called on everyone with a goliath to make courageous and positive words or statements about their lives to restore hope in them. He also directed that people sought help from the right people and places, whether churches or fertility centres, so that their problems were not worsened. He reiterated that churches were deceiving and extorting monies from desperate individuals to flourish as a result of desperation to get rid of the goliaths troubling their lives. My brothers and sisters, seek help at the right place and you will find it. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God to fight the life battle which is not of the flesh but with authorities and powers of darkness. And the Goliath that is troubling you, whether sickness, infertility, or financial instability, you shall see them no more in 2022, he added. GNA The founder and leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah, has noted the importance of prophetic ministry in the country. He claimed that prophecies saved the lives of several people including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the past. During his 31st night sermon on Friday December 31, he revealed that a few years ago, he had a revelation in which President Akufo-Addo was involved in a plane crash, leading to his death. He said he proceeded to inform the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) especially the National Chairman Freddie Blay who then informed the General Secretary John Boadu about the news. Two days of prayers were said to avert the calamity, he indicated. He recounted that few weeks after the prayers, the Presidents plane was reported to have caught fire, forcing the pilot to cut the journey short. He believed that his prayers prevented the plane from crashing which could have ended the live of the President. Similarly, Rev Owusu Bempah further stated, he had a revelation that the Vice President had been involved in an accident. After receiving the revelation, he said he moved to the Office of the Vice President and met Dr Bawumias spokesperson, Dr Gideon Boako and informed him about the prophecy. We did things to avert the calamity but I wont mention what we did here, he said. He further appealed to the Inspector General of Police , COP Dr George Akuffo Dampare to invite men of God who believe in prophecies to explain prophetic ministry to him. Mr Owusu Bempah believes that the IGP issued the order against the publication of the death prophecies following briefing he received from Pastors who do not believe in prophetic ministry. The Police had cautioned Religious leaders in Ghana to be measured in their utterances, particularly the way they communicate prophecies, ahead of New Year Eve's services. We want to caution that under Ghanaian law, it is a crime for a person to publish or reproduce a statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, where that person has no evidence to prove that the statement, rumour or report is true, the police warned in a statement issued on Monday, December 27 2021. It is also a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications service, to knowingly send a communication that is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person, the statement signed by Superintendent Alexander Obeng, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, added. A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years. Friday's services across the nation was the first since Inspector-General of Police Dr George Akuffo Dampare took office. He had met religious leaders over prophecies deemed to cause fear and panic in the nation. That meeting was precipitated by a fake gun attack on popular musician Shatt Wale , who had later indicated he took that action as a result of a prophecy by the Founder and Leader of New Life Kingdom Chapel, Bishop Stephen Kwesi Appiah, on an Accra-based radio station before the Monday, October 18 incident. The man of God, popularly known as Jesus Ahuofe, was arrested and later granted a GH100,000 bail . The police admitted that they are not against prophecies especially in a country where the centrality of God is in the live of many. There should be no apprehensions, therefore, about undertaking the various activities. We ask only that everyone keeps within the law and is mindful of the welfare of each other. But Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah said during his 31st night preaching on Friday December 31 that I will like to appeal to the IGP that if he needs briefings on the prophetic ministry he should invite some of us, not pastors who do not believe in prophecies, 3news.com Detained Tunisian politician Noureddine Bhiri has been rushed to hospital in a "critical condition", activists and lawmakers said on Sunday. Bhiri, a 63-year-old former justice minister and deputy president of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party opposed to President Kais Saied, was arrested Friday. Ennahdha is the largest party in the parliament suspended by Saied in a power grab in July last year. Bhiri "is in a critical condition, he is in intensive care" at a hospital in the northern town of Bizerte, lawyer and lawmaker Samir Dilou told AFP. Bhiri "faces death", the anti-Saied group known as "Citizens against the coup" said on Twitter. "Kais Saied bears full responsibility for the life of Mr. Bhiri," it said, adding that he had been "rushed to the hospital in a very serious condition". Ennahdha chief Rached Ghannouchi, who is also the speaker of the suspended parliament, released a letter addressed to Tunisia's president demanding urgent information concerning Bhiri's condition, and his release. Following "the refusal to disclose where he is being held... we stress that it is your responsibility to reveal his current situation," Ghannouchi wrote in the letter published on the Ennahdha website. He called on Saied "to enable a medical team and lawyers to visit him... and we ask you to urgently release him". Mondher Ounissi, a doctor and member of Ennahdha's executive bureau, said that Bhiri suffers from several chronic illnesses, including diabetes and hypertension. He has been "deprived of his medication" and "his life is threatened", Ounissi told a news conference, adding that Bhiri usually takes 16 pills a day. 'Inhuman' situation Media reports earlier said he had stopped eating and taking his medication. Ounissi urged the Red Crescent and international organisations to intervene on Bhiri's behalf, calling his situation "inhuman". Another Ennahdha senior member, Said Ferjani, told AFP that seeing "a former cabinet minister treated this way... is dangerous for Tunisia and the region". MP Saida Ounissi tweeted earlier that Bhiri had been kept in a "secret location" since his arrest, and that no charges had been levelled against him. Tunisia's independent national body for the prevention of torture (INPT) said on Saturday that authorities had provided no information on Bhiri nor on Fathi Baldi, a former interior ministry official also detained. The interior ministry on Friday said that two individuals had been ordered under house arrest, without identifying them. It said the move was a "preventive measure dictated by the need to preserve national security". Saied on July 25 sacked the Ennahdha-supported government and suspended parliament, presenting himself as the ultimate interpreter of the constitution. He later took steps to rule by decree, and in early December vowed to press on with reforms to the political system. Tunisia was the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring revolts of a decade ago, but civil society groups and Saied's opponents have expressed fear of a slide back to authoritarianism a decade after the revolution that toppled longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Sudan's civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned Sunday, more than two months after a coup and following another deadly crackdown on protesters, with the military now firmly in control. Sudan had been undergoing a fragile journey toward civilian rule since the 2019 ouster of autocrat Omar al-Bashir, but was plunged into turmoil when military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan launched his coup on October 25 and detained Hamdok. Hamdok was reinstated him on November 21 under a deal promising elections for July 2023, but local media had reported he had been absent from his office for days, with rumours swirling over his possible resignation. "I have tried my best to stop the country from sliding towards disaster," Hamdok said Sunday evening, addressing the nation on state television. Sudan "is crossing a dangerous turning point that threatens its whole survival", he said. Hamdok was the civilian face of the country's fragile transition, while Burhan has been the country's de facto leader following Bashir's ouster. Hamdok cited "the fragmentation of the political forces and conflicts between the (military and civilian) components of the transition" and said that "despite everything that has been done to reach a consensus... it has not happened". Sudanese protesters gather as security forces fire tear gas during a demonstration against the October 25 coup, in the capital Khartoum. By - AFP Mass protests against the coup have continued even after Hamdok was reinstated, as demonstrators distrust veteran general Burhan and his promise to guide the country toward full democracy. Protesters also charged that the deal to reinstate Hamdok simply aimed to give the cloak of legitimacy to the generals, whom they accuse of trying to continue the regime built by Bashir. 'No to military rule' Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. By Cla PCULIER AFP Thousands of demonstrators on Sunday braved tear gas, a heavy troop deployment and a telecommunications blackout to demand a civilian government. They lambasted the coup, shouting "power to the people" and demanding the military return to barracks, at protests near the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum and in its twin city Omdurman. The pro-democracy Doctors' Committee said security forces killed three protesters, including one who was shot in the chest and another who suffered a "severe head wound" at the hands of security forces in Omdurman. As with previous demonstrations, which have become regular since the coup, the authorities had erected roadblocks, with shipping containers blocking Nile River bridges between the capital and outlying areas. But thousands still came out to demonstrate "in memory of the martyrs", with at least 57 protesters now killed since the coup, according to pro-democracy medics. Sudanese demonstrators rallied against an October 25 coup launched by military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, shouting power to the people. By - AFP Young men on motorcycles were seen ferrying wounded protesters to hospitals as security forces blocked ambulances from reaching them. Web monitoring group NetBlocks said mobile internet services were cut from mid-morning ahead of the planned protests, the first of the year. They were restored in the evening. Activists use the internet for organising demonstrations and broadcasting live footage of the rallies. Protests since the army's takeover have been repeatedly broken up by security forces firing rounds of tear gas, as well as charges by police wielding batons. 'Year of resistance' Sudan has a long history of military takeovers, but Burhan insists the military's move "was not a coup" but a push to "rectify the course of the transition". On Friday an adviser warned that "the demonstrations are only a waste of energy and time" which will not produce "any political solution". Activists on social media say 2022 will be "the year of the continuation of the resistance". Sudan's top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, pictured here on December 8 greeting soldiers during a military exercise, led a military takeover on October 25. By Ebrahim HAMID AFP They demand justice for those killed since the coup as well as the more than 250 who died during months of mass protests that paved the way for the toppling of Bashir. Activists have condemned sexual attacks during December 19 protests, in which the UN said at least 13 women and girls were victims of rape or gang-rape. The European Union and the United States issued a joint statement condemning the use of sexual violence "as a weapon to drive women away from demonstrations and silence their voices". On Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned in a statement that Washington was "prepared to respond to those who seek to block the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a civilian-led, democratic government and who would stand in the way of accountability, justice, and peace". Over 14 million people, one in three Sudanese, will need humanitarian aid during the coming year, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs -- the highest level for a decade. Inspired by the 2005 Bollywood flick 'Bunty Aur Babli', a married couple in the national capital decided to follow the same path of crime and subsequently committed a snatching. The couple -- Gaurav Malhotra (26) and Poonam (23) (names changed) -- had tied the knot four months ago. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest district), Gaurav Sharma, said in a media briefing that the case was unique as it was the first time a lady was involved in such kind of street crime. "Usually, we get reports of two men as snatchers but this time the snatchers were a married couple," he said. The incident took place on December 23, when a 20-year-old woman was robbed of her mobile phone in the South Campus police station area by two motorcycle-borne snatchers, of which one was identified as a woman. Subsequently, a police team within seven days gathered all the relevant information and nabbed the accused couple on Sunday. During interrogation, it was revealed that their family belonged to a low income group and the accused man's father is a butcher. "They wished to live a lavish life and planned to be rich by using shortcuts, just like in the Bollywood movie 'Bunty Aur Babli'," the official said. On the day of the incident, the accused woman had demanded an android phone from her husband, and the two were looking for some passersby using a mobile phone. "They noticed the complainant and snatched her phone and ran away from the spot," the official said. The police said the accused duo had no previous criminal record. Abdalla Hamdok, prime minister of Sudan's fragile transition to civilian rule before being ousted and detained in an October coup then reinstated, resigned Sunday in a new blow to the turbulent African nation. After weeks of house arrest, during which Sudan was rocked by mass protests, he officially returned to government under a deal signed with military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in a televised ceremony on November 21. However pro-democracy protest organisers rejected the deal and in the ensuing weeks tens of thousands have taken to the streets to protest against Hamdok's ineffective and hamstrung government hampered by the military's tight grip. In the face of the rising violence -- at least 57 protesters have been killed since the coup and hundreds more wounded according to medics -- and accusations of "treachery", Hamdok decided to step down. "I have tried my best to stop the country from sliding towards disaster," he told the nation in a televised speech on Sunday hours after the latest anti-military rally in Khartoum. He cited "the fragmentation of the political forces and conflicts between the (military and civilian) components of the transition" and said that "despite everything that has been done to reach a consensus... it has not happened". Sudan "is crossing a dangerous turning point that threatens its whole survival", he warned. Hours earlier thousands flooded the streets of Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman, braving a heavy troop deployment, chanting "power to the people" and demanding the military return to their barracks. Huge challenges Sudanese anti-coup protesters carry the portrait of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok during a gathering in the capital Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman on October 30, 2021. By - AFPFile Hamdok, a British-educated economist who worked for the United Nations and African organisations, carved out an image as a champion of good governance and transparency over the course of a long and varied career. He emerged as Sudan's civilian leader after a wave of unprecedented, youth-led protests brought down long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir, who was arrested by the military in April 2019. Hamdok was outside Sudan and not directly involved in that protest movement, but the appointment of the moustachioed technocrat was cheered by much of the population and greeted by the international community. His challenges were huge: political turmoil and economic crisis, shortages of basic commodities, and the need to rebuild a banking sector on the verge of collapse. Hamdok was born in 1956 in the state of South Kordofan. After completing a degree in agricultural economics in Khartoum he moved to Manchester in the United Kingdom for his masters. Years later his home state found itself on Sudan's southern border when South Sudan became independent in 2011 after decades of war with the north. His own village turned into a war zone and Hamdok was keen to push for a resolution to Sudan's civil conflicts. Hamdok drew on his experience in various African peace-building initiatives when Sudan signed a deal with rebel groups in October 2020 to end unrest in Sudan's regions of Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile. Before joining the post-Bashir transition he was deputy executive secretary of the UN's Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa. Divisions and economic woes A Sudanese demonstrator holds a poster bearing a crossed out face of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, during a rally in front the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum, on October 21, 2021. By - AFPFile Bashir's regime had long been under crippling US sanctions but, with Hamdok's government in power, Washington removed Sudan from a sponsors of terrorism list. That and debt relief from international creditors opened the way for foreign investment. The trade-off was tough economic reforms. His government scrapped subsidies on petrol and diesel and carried out a managed float of the Sudanese pound. Many Sudanese saw the measures as too harsh and anti-government protests broke out in several parts of Sudan. Delays in delivering justice to the families of those killed under Bashir, and even during the 2019 protests following the autocrat's ouster, also left Hamdok vulnerable to criticism. His troubles escalated from mid-September when anti-government protesters blockaded Sudan's main sea port, triggering nationwide shortages in wheat and fuel. Divisions deepened within the Forces for Freedom and Change, the umbrella civilian alliance which had spearheaded the protests against Bashir, and which picked Hamdok as premier in 2019. The compounding political and economic problems augured Burhan's October military coup. With his resignation, Sudan, a country with a history of coups, appears to have once again plunged into a new political abyss. 03.01.2022 LISTEN The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) tricked the Minority in Parliament in selecting the two deputy speakers of the House after the election of Mr Alban Bagbin as Speaker on January 7 2021. Speaking at the 40th-anniversary commemoration of the 31st December Revolution in Accra, the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, said: The leadership of NPP came to Parliament and actually came to beg us to allow them to select a first deputy speaker and in the end, [a] word was sent from the Presidency that they are also begging, so, we agreed. Still, they persisted and virtually begged us that they do not want to disgrace Ghana. NDC does not want this country destroyed, so, we agreed". "Immediately, we agreed, the first statement that came from Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu after the swearing-in was that we begged them and that there was no election in Parliament to select a first deputy speaker. Those of you accusing NDC of not being interested in negotiations should listen carefully: As if that was not enough, immediately after the second deputy speaker was selected, he also addressed the press and declared his support for the NPP. "What does that mean?: That the NPP used trickery to select the two deputy speakers, Asiedu Nketia explained. classfmonline.com Six people have been killed and homes torched in a grisly attack Monday by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in a Kenyan coastal region bordering Somalia, police and government officials said. One man was beheaded and five others shot or burned to death in the attack in a village in Lamu County approximately 420 kilometres (260 miles) southeast of Nairobi, police said. Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia said the attackers were suspected jihadists from Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group based across the border in Somalia. "Our security forces are pursuing them, and we urge support from locals to help us because when we work together we succeed," he told AFP. Police said the attackers stabbed and beheaded a local elder and razed his home, and shot dead another man whose body was found on a roadside nearby. The corpses of four other men burned beyond recognition were found with their hands bound in another location, according to the police report seen by AFP. "Also several houses were torched within the locality and property of unknown value burnt," the report said. Bullet cases were recovered and an investigation is ongoing. Retaliatory attacks The Lamu region, which includes the popular tourist beach destination of Lamu Island, lies close to the Somali frontier and has suffered frequent attacks, often carried out with roadside bombs. In mid-2014, close to 100 people were killed in a series of armed assaults on the inland town of Mpeketoni -- in the same region as Monday's attack -- and surrounding villages in Lamu county. Al-Shabaab fighters have staged several numerous attacks inside Kenya in retaliation for Nairobi sending troops into Somalia in 2011 as part of an African Union force to oust the jihadists. In January 2020, the Islamists stormed a US military base in Lamu, destroying several aircraft and killing three Americans. A year earlier, Al-Shabaab gunmen killed 21 people at an upscale hotel complex in Nairobi while previous attacks saw 67 killed at the Westgate shopping centre in 2013 and 148 at Garissa University in 2015. The jihadists are seeking to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu, and control swathes of southern Somalia from where they regularly launch attacks in the capital and elsewhere. Somalia is gripped by political crisis with its president and prime minister locked in a feud over the country's long-delayed elections, an impasse analysts say is distracting from the fight against the Al-Shabaab. Dr. Helen Arkorful of the University of Professional Studies Accra, has argued that the use of mobile phone technology can help in digitizing the music industry in Ghana. Excerpts of her study from her doctoral study are worth reading. In Ghana by 2009, mobile phone subscription was estimated at 12 million. By 2017, subscription was estimated at 36.6 million amongst a population of 26.6 million. At the same time, the National Communications Authority (NCA) reported a rise in mobile data subscription from 17.73 to 18.03 million from December 2016 to December 2017, with a penetration rate of 77.58%. While phones are generally purchased for their basic functionality such as making and receiving calls and texting, there is sufficient evidence to show that currently the Ghanaian mobile phone user is increasingly becoming more sophisticated and requires phones integrated with internet capabilities. The rise of smart phones has partly been attributed to the acceptability of the mobile technology amongst a large informal sector in the country. Other factors that have driven the rise in the use of mobile technology includes but not limited to the fact that they are relatively cheaper, multifunctional and relatively easier to use compared to other technologies. The rise of the mobile phone particular in African has been described as revolutionary , staggering and a remarkable phenomenon. These adjectives also describe the changes in the use and application of modern technology in many parts of Africa including Ghana. The current trend of mobile uptake and utility reflects the force of globalization exerting its influence on modern life. These broad global structural level changes are rapidly transforming and defining the way life is lived. The music industry is one of the areas that has experienced one of the most rapid transformations in the last 3 decades. The uptake and use of new technology has affected the creation of music, storing, production and more importantly the marketing of music which drives revenues and funding of the industry as a whole. Currently, digital platforms are quickly replacing traditional mediums of playing, storing and selling music. The internet space is fast revolutionalising the very essence of music in these modern times. While these broad level technolonogical changes are transforming the industry positively by easing the accessibility and production of music by the use of modern technology, they also necessitate different kinds of mediums of playing and skills to thrive in these digital spaces. Furthermore, the internet space opens up local music to globalization. Although globalization widens the market for local musicians, it also means music from around the world can flood the local market sometimes drown out the voice of local music especially if the quality is not matched. Like many sectors of the Ghanaian economy such as in agricultural production where local production of poultry has virtually been tramped over by cheap imported chicken, the music industry stands the risk of similar unfair competition from areas where music industry is substantially more developed compared to those in less developed countries. The difference however is that, the risks are substantially greater, in the case of agricultural, government authorities can implement various measures to constrain the inflow of cheap goods into their countries. Unlike agricultural production, current production and consumption of music is driven by internet based platforms which are often hosted by platforms from more advanced countries. There is limited control and even technical competence to sufficiently operate within the internet space to sufficiently control the inflow of music. Notwithstanding these important challenges currently confronting the music industry in Ghana, the global platforms also have great opportunities for local musicians to project their influence beyond their limited space. Till date, however, there is limited scholarly focus on how the music industry in Ghana can focus on positioning itself to benefit from the influence of globalization. This study applies a multilevel approach to examine how globalization and digitization are shaping opportunities and challenges associated with the production of music in Ghana. 03.01.2022 LISTEN The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has denied claims by Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah that the Councils former President Apostle Opoku Onyinah consulted him for prophetic direction. Setting the record straight, the GPCC in a statement explained that it called for a meeting in 2016 to discuss with Prophet Owusu Bempah his utterances on some Bishops in the media and his prophecies of death of some notable members of Ghanas society. The Council delegated its then president, Apostle Opoku Onyinah and Rt Rev Dr Nana Anyani Boadum to meet with Prophet Owusu Bempah instead of the entire National Executive Council so that Prophet Owusu Bempah would not feel like he was on trial. The GPCC in a statement said at the meeting, Apostle Onyinah sought to understand the prophetic ministry of Prophet Owusu Bempah and how he began his ministry which he (Owusu Bempah) explained. After listening to the Prophet, Apostle Onyinah advised him on how men of God should communicate what God gives or reveals to them in public, being sensitive to the sensibilities of those they prophesy to. The statement said at no point in time during the meeting did Apostle Onyinah seek any prophetic direction from prophet Owusu Bempah. ---Classfmonline.com Nigel Gaisie, one of the proven false prophets in Ghana, adwane kadoo. Thus, he has dodged the might of IGP Dr George Akuffo-Dampare that was ominously about to descend upon his head like a pack of bricks. He has hurtled away like a frightened hounded dog with its tail tucked in-between its two hind legs. Nigel Gaisie, loudmouth and obstinate as he is, has scurried to take refuge in Umofia to avoid arrest for breaching a directive by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to all prophets in Ghana not to embark on their usual frivolous and reckless but alleged prophetic predictions of doom for the coming year about to dawn on humanity and the nation, during their 31stDecember 2021 watch night services. Nevertheless, the known and numerously proven quack prophet Nigel Gaisie, sought to be smarter by doing the very prohibited act by adopting analogies. He prophesied about events likely to take place in a country in Africa called Umofia. Once I heard the name Umofia mention, my mind was cast back to the Nigerian renowned novelist Professor Chinua Acebes book titled, Things fall apart the centre cannot hold. It is surely in that book that the narratives concerning Obi Okonkwo may have Umofia mentioned, if I am not mistaken. Umofia, if it does exist at all, could be a town in the Ibo land in Nigeria. The cowardice of Nigel Gaisie had never been more conspicuous than on Friday, 31st December 2021, at his night watch church service where instead of saying NDC, he turned it into CND and portrayed it to his mostly ignorant, gullible and brainwashed church members as a political party in Umofia going to win their 2024 general election. However, the party will be denied the victory by the countrys current ruling political party. Is it not this fake womanizer prophet whose numerously prophecies as prophesied never materialised? Is it not this same self-styled prophet who has admitted on television interviews to being extremely fallible when it comes to libidinous arousal hence quickening to take many women to bed? Can such a womanizer be a man of God to tell the secrets from God? Was it not Nigel Gaisie who had recently been proclaiming in the valleys and on top of the mountains that he would prophesy his alleged fear and panic false prophecies on 31st December 2021, despite the IGPs order to the contrary? Why did he issue a disclaimer, adopt an unknown country (Umofia) and reverse NDC to CND before revealing his usual nonsensical stories alleged to be revelations to him from God Almighty? Is he actually serving the God Almighty who is the Creator of all things seen and unseen, or he is serving a different god that reveals falsehoods to him to make him a laughing stock all of the time? If he were a man as he had been boasting of, he should have said Ghana, NDC, etc., and his arse will be dangling in police cells by now. He is simply a coward, but an expert crook able to fool his church members and his NDC political fans who are obviously shallow-minded persons that eagerly accept all falsehoods thrown at them by Nigel for facts and truth. How I hope the police would invite him to point out from a world map where that country Umofia is and their political parties. If he happens not to be able to explain convincingly the questions to be thrown at him regarding Umofia, CND and the rigging of their general election 2024, he must be arrested and prosecuted. He has caused fear and panic to the citizens of that unknown country. I shall be back to write about the stupidity of certain NDC parliamentarians who were prior to the 31st December 2021 prophetic watch night church services, arguing that there are no laws in Ghana to direct prophets about what to say and what not to say. Hence, the IGP has no ground to stand on by his order to the churches not to prophesy any fear and panic prophecies as they are noted for. Nigel Gaisie is just a coward, crook and a false man of God who has been frightened off by the shadow of IGP Dr George Dampare to dive for prophetic cover in Umofia and CND sophisms. Who say man no dey in Ghana? IGP Dr Dampare and his police force dey ooo! All the fake prophets are shaking like leaves come under the intensely blowing harmattan wind! Hahahahahaaa! Lest I forget, some shallow-minded Ghanaians are saying Nigel Gaisie had correctly prophesied the death of a staff member of the Ghana multimedia. That is absolute trash! If he predicted that there would be attack on the staff of multimedia in 2021, without specifying the type of attack, whether physical or spiritual, and somebody from the multimedia dies, how can any sensible person attribute that to the precision of Nigel Gaisies prophecy? It is only a mentally-retarded person unfamiliar with biblical prophecies that will take Nigel Gaisie serious on that conditional prediction, his trademark of course. Rockson Adofo 2nd January 2022 Is it actually prophetic, progressive and sensible for a male pastor or prophet to be bathing his female church members for any reason? Why will a male pastor or prophet see it as godly and an attempt to help a woman when he bathes her in the glare view of the public and under recording cameras for public consumption? I had heard how in Ghana it is alleged some male pastors and prophets bathe some women at night by the seaside and in rivers but only to end up sleeping with such women. However, I have never seen a pastor bathe women in their church in front of the entire congregation until the attached video was forwarded to my WhatsApp platform on Sunday, 2nd January 2021. The action taken by the pastor or prophet in the video defies the order issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo-Dampare, to Ghana prophets not to make predictions, announcements or do anything that will cause fear and panic to the public. However, the prophet in the video, bathing women in his church has caused more fear and panic to many a discerning Ghanaian, I should think. If there were minors in the church at the time the prophet was bathing the women and inviting the congregation to watch and testify to the fact he was not having any erection, then the pastor or prophet must be invited by the police for questioning. If some of the women he bathed are married women, then he has invaded the husband-wife privacy. He has insulted the intelligence of the Ghana police and denigrated womanhood. I panicked when I saw the video and it is only right to convey it to the attention of the IGP to invite him for questioning. Please, Ghanaian pastors, the Almighty God that we all know or have heard about, will never ask a male pastor to bathe anyones wife so please stop your charlatanry and womanizing behaviours. It doesnt speak well of you. Rockson Adofo Monday, 3rd January 2022 Over the years, giving prophesies of panic during 31st December watchnight service to usher in the new or ensuing year has been the practice of pastors and prophets of some charismatic churches in Ghana. Most of the 31st December watchnight prophesies have been predictions of misfortunes and deaths of renowned members of society such as politicians, clergy, celebrities, chiefs, journalists etc. In Ghana, the 31st December watchnight church service itself has been given myriad of names by the clergy. Notable among these names are crossover night, jump over service, watch over night, cross-over-to-recover and operation Jabez crossover. Others are Passover service, flying over night, restoration night, run over service, swim over night, cry over night, storm over service, December to remember, takeover, stepover and many more. Prior to the 31st December 2021 watchnight services across the country, the Ghana Police Service directed the churches to be measured in communicating prophesies so that they do not create unnecessary panic in society. Whereas some clergy men and women agreed with the Police, others opined to the contrary that the Police wanted to suppress or restrain the church and for that matter the prophets from performing their godly duties. Laughably, the directive by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) regarding prophesies of panic at the 31st watchnight services has chased one renowned Prophet Nigel Gaisie to redirect his 2022 prophesies against the fictional Nigerian society of Umuofia. The Prophet said, I am not talking to the people of Ghana because of the repressive system going on in Ghana. I am not talking to the topographical, geographical land called Ghana. I am prophesying to a nation called Umuofia. If he prophesied about Umuofia because Ghanas system was repressive, then does it mean he -and not God- has been choosing what he the prophet should say and to which country or city? Umuofia Kwenu! Umuofia Kwenu!!, Kwenu, Kwenu oooo!!!! Readers may recall that Umuofia is the village or setting in Chinua Achebes novel dubbed Things Fall Apart. It is in Umuofia that the tall, huge and famous Okwonko defeats the energetic and unbeatable Amalinze the Cat in a wrestle. It is in the outskirts of the same Umuofia village that Nkokwo kills Ikemefuna. In a twinkle of an eye and for fear of being arrested by the Police, Prophet Nigel Gaisie has become an Achebe adherent, giving prophesies about the city of the fictional village of Umuofia. Has the IGP not caused Nigel Gaisies exodus from Ghana to Umuofia? One would have thought that Prophet Gaisie would mention the Things- Fall - Apart characters such as Okonkwo, Ogbuefi Ezeudu, Ezinma, Nwoye, Ikemefuna and many others in the prophesies he gave about Umuofia. Many social media users in Ghana are happy that the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampares directive against prophesies of panic had really sanitized the prophetic space in Ghana on 31st December 2021. In my view, the IGPs directive mimics the June 14, 1989 Religious Bodies Registration Law (PNDC Law 221) passed by the Rawlings-led Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) Administration of Ghana. Section 20 of PNDC Law 221 defined religious bodies as "any association of persons or body or organization which professes adherence to or belief in any system of faith or worship; or which is established in pursuance of religious objectives The object of PNDC Law 221 was to protect the Ghanaian citizenry from the exploitative tendencies of some churches in the country. It was reported at the time that Chairman Rawlings (as he then was) indicated that PNDC Law 221 was meant to preserve purity in terms of religious teachings. In the enforcement of the law, the PDNC Government disbanded two local religious sects (the Nyame Sompa Church at Ekwankrom in the Central Region, and the Jesus Christ of Dzorwulu Sect). These two religious sects were accused of abusing the rights of women in particular. The PNDC Regime also banned two international religious sects namely Jehovahs Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Oduro-Marfo, 2018). These two Christian religious sects were accused of other shenanigan activities (Korto, P.A., Read More: The Pastor and the Pulpit, the Politician and the Power: Thoughts from my Hamlet (Episode 4: Final Episode)). Regarding the IGPs directive regarding doomsday prophesies and the resultant Umuofia prophesies by Nigel Gaisie, the following rhetorical questions are worth asking. Does God give prophesies to Ghanaian Prophets only on 31st December? Is the current IGP taking a cue from certain provisions in the erstwhile PNDC Law 221? Can the IGP sustain the directive during his tenure? Will the Police Service sustain the directive even if Dampare is no longer IGP of Ghana? Is the directive a nine-day wonder? Will the church use the opportunity to self-regulate prophetic ministries to forestall the creation of societal trepidation? God is Almighty and He fears no man nor spirit let alone fear the IGP of Ghana, so why has God now asked His Prophet (Gaisie) to change direction to the fictional town of Umuofia in the face of a Police directive against prophesies of panic? Whatever the answers to my rhetorical questions may be, the current IGP has succeeded in compelling one Prophet to cross over to the land of Umuofia with his prophesies of panic. It was indeed a prophetic journey from the land of Kwame Nkrumahs Ghana of reality to Chinua Achebes Umuofia of fiction. Said differently, Prophet Gaisie has been damparized to Umuofia. Haaaaaaahaaahaaaa, Ghana dey bee kk. ~Asante Sana ~ Author: Philip Afeti Korto Email: [email protected] US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, on Sunday said he has tested positive for the coronavirus. "My symptoms are mild, and I am following my physician's directions," Austin said in a statement, adding he would quarantine at home for the following five days in accordance with US health authority CDC's guidelines. "To the degree possible, I plan to attend virtually this coming week those key meetings and discussions required to inform my situational awareness and decision making," Austin said. "I will retain all authorities. Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks will represent me as appropriate in other matters." The defense secretary said that he was fully vaccinated and had received a booster in October. He had last seen US President Joe Biden in person on December 21, more than a week before beginning to experience symptoms and having tested negative that very morning, he said. Austin was last in the Pentagon on Thursday, when he briefly met a few members of his staff. The number of new coronavirus infections in the US has recently risen rapidly, in part due to the spread of the particularly contagious Omicron variant. On average, health authorities in the country of 330 million inhabitants, recorded around 300,000 new infections every day for the past seven days. GNA 03.01.2022 LISTEN A man, Flt. Sergeant Nicholas Owusu Frimpong who allegedly fired shots of a firearm on Friday, 31 December 2021, at the A&C Mall has been picked up by the police. He was arrested in a collaboration between the Police and the Military Police after being captured on video firing shots of a firearm. He is alleged to have discharged the firearm to welcome the New Year 2022. Flt. Sergeant Frimpong is currently being detained by the Military Police whilst investigations continue, a statement issued by the Police Director for Public Affairs, Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng on Monday, 3 January 2022 noted. The Police however urged the the public to be guided in their celebrations and desist from acts that compromise public safety and order, in continuing to make merry for the New Year. The police administration had earlier announced a GHS5,000 bounty on the head of a man captured on video firing an AK47 rifle into the air on New Years Day. The police, in a statement on 1 January 2022, said they have "intercepted a video in which a young man is seen firing several shots of a firearm suspected to be AK47 at ANC Mall, East Legon, last night, 31 December 2021, purportedly to welcome the New Year. "The police has taken a serious stance against the actions of the young man since it is a crime to discharge a firearm in public without lawful and necessary occasion under Section 209 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29)." "The police administration, after reviewing the video footage, has placed an amount of GHS 5,000 as a bounty for anyone who can provide information leading to his arrest to face prosecution," the statement read. In the video, the man is seen casually discharging multiple rounds of the weapons into the air before being approached and embraced by another man. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/03/2022 -- The Latest research study released by HTF MI "Cloud Robotics Market" with 100+ pages of analysis on business Strategy taken up by key and emerging industry players and delivers know how of the current market development, landscape, technologies, drivers, opportunities, market viewpoint and status. Understanding the segments helps in identifying the importance of different factors that aid the market growth. 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Contact US : Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@htfmarketreport.com 03.01.2022 LISTEN Striking members of the Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists say they will not back down their quest to have government through the Health Ministry address the current impasse between them and the Medical and Dental Council. The Association on Saturday, January 1, 2022, began an indefinite nationwide strike following what it described as the expiration of the license of its members. Each year, members are expected to renew their license with the Medical and Dental Council, which makes them eligible to practice. However, the group has refused to renew the license as it says it has parted ways with the Medical and Dental Council for its failure to champion the course of anaesthetists over the years. Speaking to Citi News, the President of the association, James Nwinsagra said they are hopeful the Health Ministry will intervene in the shortest possible time. So far as I am considered, we have not had any official response from the government. We are thinking this may be due to the holidays. We are hoping and praying that we can amicably find a solution to the problem by tomorrow. Whatever decision we make lies on the ministrys response to our concerns. The group wants the Ministry of Health to lead the charge in ensuring that the license of its members are renewed. The members have in recent years been engaged in a tussle with the Ministry of Health and the Medical and Dental Council over their condition of service, among other concerns. ---citinewsroom The Reverend Dr Richard Aggrey, Minister of the Throne Temple International, has encouraged Christians to wait upon the Lord in their endeavours in 2022 and beyond to reap God's full blessings. Believers ought to wait upon the Lord and trust Him to establish them in the things they hope for, he said. Rev. Aggrey said in his New Year Message that 2022 was a promising year and all must trust in God and play their expected roles as they sought God's direction. Referring to the scriptures, the Minister explained that one needed to embrace and cultivate the habit of sacrifices and honour it to attract God's blessings. He encouraged Christians to constantly fast and pray and desist from making hasty decisions that would endanger their lives. Fasting and prayers, he said, would make one spiritually strong adding that relying on God was also the wisest decision Christians could make. God does not need man's help, rather man needs greater help from God to accomplish his or her dreams in the year ahead. GNA The Founder and Director of Christs Ambassadors for Nations (CAFoN), Mr. Christopher Kofi Amenyinyor, has been appointed Ghana Country Director for Bridge Africa International (BAI), an International Non-Governmental Organization. His appointment took place on December 18, 2021, during a fundraising dinner held in La Cote d'Ivoire, by Bridge Africa International. Mr. Christopher Kofi Amenyinyors organization, CHRISTS AMBASSADORS FOR NATIONS (CAfoN), is a non-denominational missionary group that is into preaching the gospel of Christ while providing for the poor and needy in the Ghanaian society. CAfoN was founded in 2008 and has since preached the gospel and reached out to school children, single parents and widows, mostly in rural communities in the Central Region. Bridge Africa International, on the other hand, seeks to develop leaders that will work with communities across Africa to transform communities for Jesus Christ through transformational programmes that empower church leaders; development of strong families and communities; women, girls and youth empowerment and building partnerships through advocacy for the sustainability of their work with communities across all nations they operate. The organization is operating in thirteen (13) African Countries so far, namely Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Burundi and Namibia. The others are Guinea Conakry, Tchad, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa; with Rwanda as the headquarters. Bridge Africa International found a similarity between their vision and that of Christs Ambassadors for Nations and are, therefore, partnering with CAfoN to push their agenda in Ghana too. Mr. Amenyinyor is expected to register the organization in the country, set up an office, launch the organization and see to its running and growth across the length and breadth of the country. Mr. Amenyinyor is also expected to organize a fundraising dinner latest by March 2022, with renounced businessmen and women, politicians and Men of God as the guests. Christians in Ghana have been admonished to remember the Akufo-Addo government and leaders in the country in their prayers as believers welcome a new year, 2022. "Please keep the leadership, especially His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in your prayers. May God continue to grant all of us wisdom and good health. Vice president Dr Mahamadu Bawumia urged Christians when he addressed various congregations in Kumasi as part of events marking the 31st Night Church Services. Accompanied by Second Lady, Hajia Samritu Bawumia, the Vice president said, although the whole world is suffering, our government is doing everything it can to address the challenges." Let us all, whether Christian or Muslim or whatever religious persuasion, work together, live peacefully together and pray for each other and our dear nation," Dr Bawumia stated. Firefighters on Monday resumed their battle against a blaze that has engulfed South Africa's parliament and threatened national treasures, as police confirmed they had charged a 49-year-old with starting the inferno. The fire brigade had declared that the blaze, after breaking out at around 5am (0300 GMT) on Sunday, was under control after a struggle that stretched into the night. But in late afternoon, spokesman Jermaine Carelse said the fire had restarted in a part of the Cape Town complex -- the roof of the building housing the National Assembly. AFP reporters on the scene saw thick clouds of smoke rising once more and flames were visible. Only a dozen firefighters were still deployed from around 70 who had fought to tame the fire, and around 30 reinforcements were rushed in, using a crane lift to direct their hose. No casualties have been reported, but the damage is catastrophic. The blaze began in the wood-panelled older part of the building -- a section that houses South Africa's first parliament and some of the nation's most cherished artefacts. Firefighters battled the flames for several hours before being forced to retreat and call for reinforcements. By Marco LONGARI AFP It then spread to the neighbouring new assembly, where legislators currently meet. Parliament spokesman Moloto Mothapo said the roof of the National Assembly had collapsed. "The entire chamber where the members sit... has burned down." Suspected arson President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters at the scene on Sunday that a man had been held and that the building's sprinkler systems had apparently failed. Smoke billows into the sky in Cape Town from a fire that broke out in South Africa's seat of parliament. By Obed Zilwa AFP The Hawks elite police unit said a 49-year-old man would appear in court on Tuesday, charged with "housebreaking, arson" and damaging state property. The parliament's presiding officers were to meet with Public Works Minister Patricia de Lille to take stock of the devastation. Jean-Pierre Smith, Cape Town's mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the entire complex had suffered damage, both from the fire and the tonnes of water used to fight it. As for the roof of the building's historic section, "it's gone," he said. Completed in 1884, the historic section is where parliament keeps treasures including around 4,000 heritage and artworks, some dating back to the 17th century. The collection includes rare books and the original copy of the former Afrikaans national anthem "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" (The Voice of South Africa), which was already damaged. It also features a Keiskamma tapestry, measuring 120 metres (390 feet) in length, named after a river in the southeast of the country, that traces the history of South Africa from the first indigenous peoples, the San, to the historic democratic elections of 1994. "The temperature in there is still around 100 degrees (Celsius, more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit), making it difficult to fully determine the true extent of damages," said Smith. Second fire in a year Around 70 firefighters were deployed on Sunday, some using a crane to spray water on the blaze. Map of Cape Town, South Africa, locating the seat of parliament. By Tupac POINTU AFP Images broadcast on television had shown giant flames leaping from the roof. The area was quickly secured, with a cordon stretching to a square where flowers were still displayed in front of the nearby St. George's Cathedral, where anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu's funeral took place on Saturday. Cape Town has been home to South Africa's houses of parliament since 1910, when separate administrations formed a union under British dominion and became a predecessor to the modern South African republic. The site includes the National Assembly and the upper house National Council of Provinces, while the government is based in Pretoria. It was in parliament where South Africa's last apartheid-era president, FW de Klerk, announced in 1990 plans to dismantle white-minority rule. The complex consists of three sections, with the newer additions constructed in the 1920s and 1980s. In March another fire also broke out in the older wings of parliament, but it was quickly contained. Cape Town suffered another major fire in April, when a blaze on the famed Table Mountain which overlooks the city spread, ravaging part of the University of Cape Town's library holding a unique collection of African archives. With barely a day to the implementation of the reversal of the discounts on Benchmark values Policy, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) is calling for a stay of the reversal on raw materials which cannot be produced locally. The government announced the decision to scrap discounts on benchmark values in the 2022 budget as part of an industrialisation and revenue mobilization drive. AGI has been at the forefront of calls for the removal of the rebates, arguing that it was counterproductive for the local industry. But speaking to Citi News, Greater Accra Chairman of AGI, Tsonam Akpeloo, called on the government to give concessions on the policy in the interest of the local industry. What we are saying is that those goods that we do not produce in Ghana, we can always have a benchmark value on it, but the other products that are produced in Ghana but are imported into the country , they should not be allowed to enjoy importation incentives. Thats our call, and we have been very consistent with that call. For the industry to thrive, we need raw materials and some of these raw materials will have to be imported into Ghana, so it is only proper that we maintain the Benchmark Value on those raw materials. The reversal will affect 43 items under three categories prescribed by the Ghana Revenue Authority. The government introduced the benchmark policy in 2019 in accordance with the World Customs Organization's policy of regular review of valuation databases. Under this policy, certain commodities are benchmarked to the prevailing world prices as a risk management tool, to reflect the true market dynamics of these commodities. It also takes into consideration factors such as protection of health, the environment, and security, as well as protection of local industries. In line with the reversal, relevant stakeholders were consulted with the aim of reaching a consensus on the implementation of the policy. The government had hoped the benchmark value reduction would translate to lower prices of goods in the country, as well as reduce smuggling. But the government has said these goals did not materialise. ---citibusiness Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says government will this year begin the construction of 16 new Senior High Schools in Zongo Communities across the country. Speaking at a meeting with Muslim Leaders in Accra, Dr. Bawumia said government will prioritise education in Muslim communities. In fact, we have begun a programme to build 16 model Senior High Schools for the Zongo communities, one in every region of the country. These are going to be first-class model Senior High Schools that will rub shoulders with the best in the country. We are starting the first three in 2022 and roll them in due course. We'll develop Zongos with schools, not mortuaries Bawumia jabs NDC Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the run to the 2020 elections, mocked the National Democratic Congress' manifesto promise of facilitating the establishment of morgues in accordance with Islamic customs and practices. Speaking at the conference of the national council of Fulani chiefs, Dr. Bawumia says people in Zongo communities deserve education and not mortuaries. We are going to build a model senior high school in the Zongo community in every region, so we will start with 16 model SHSs so that our children will have an opportunity to attend those schools. That will be the start of next year. Our policy is not one Zongo, one mortuary, we are not thinking of mortuary. We are thinking of schools we want to develop our Zongos with schools and not mortuary. ---citinewsroom Chinas experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST) a fusion energy reactor has run for 1,056 seconds at 70 million degrees Celsius, the longest duration to date, Xinhua News Agency reported. The system has been developed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The artificial sun, called HL-2M, is a fusion reactor at the Southwestern Institute of Physics (SWIP) in Chengdu, which generates power by applying powerful magnetic fields to hydrogen to compress it until it creates a plasma that can reach temperatures of more than 150 million degrees Celsius. This is 10 times hotter than the nucleus of the Sun and generates enormous amounts of energy when the atoms fuse together. The plasma is contained with magnets and supercooling technology. The tokamak is one of several types of magnetic confinement devices being developed to produce controlled thermonuclear fusion power. EAST scored a previous record in May , running for 101 seconds at a temperature of 120 million degrees Celsius. The latest one came after it was announced last week that a new round of testing would be conducted by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP). Gong Xianzu, a researcher at the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was quoted by Xinhua as saying: The recent operation lays a solid scientific and experimental foundation towards the running of a fusion reactor. Nuclear Fusion Reaction The facility is called artificial sun because it mimics the nuclear fusion reaction that powers the real sun, which uses hydrogen and deuterium gasses as fuel. The main purpose of this reactor is to create an enormous amount of green sustainable energy in the future. And this will be done through the nuclear fusion process. Nuclear fusion, a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei are combined to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons), releases very high levels of energy without generating large quantities of nuclear waste. Currently, nuclear power is obtained in the form of fission, a process contrary to fusion (energy is produced by dividing the nucleus of a heavy atom into two or more nuclei of lighter atoms). Fission is easier to achieve, but it generates waste. Moreover, hydrogen and deuterium gasses are abundant on earth, are clean, and have minimal waste products. The experiment, which started in early December, will last until June. [The experiment] once again challenged the world record. We have comprehensively validated the technology, driving it a major step forward from basic research to engineering applications, said Song Yuntao, Institute of Plasma Physics director. New Tech With Immense Possibilities However, fusion reactors are still at a nascent stage. The two main challenges are keeping the temperature over 100 million degrees Celsius and operating at a stable level for a long time, according to Xinhua. Li Miao, director of the physics department of the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, called it a milestone as the experiment reached the goal of keeping the temperature at a stable level for a long time. The breakthrough is a significant progress, and the ultimate goal should be keeping the temperature at a stable level for a long time, Li told the state-owned Global Times, adding that the next milestone might be to maintain the stability for a week or more. The energy generated from nuclear fusion is the most reliable and clean energy, said Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, adding that if the technology can be applied commercially, it will have huge economic benefits. However, Lin cautioned that as the technology is still in the experimental stage, and it still needs at least 30 years for it to come out of the lab. Its more like a future technology thats critical for Chinas green development push, he told Global Times . Biggest Energy Quest The $22.5 billion International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is one of the most ambitious energy projects in the world today. In southern France, 35 nations are collaborating to build the worlds largest tokamak. China is also part of the ITER project. HL-2M will offer key technical support to this project in research areas such as flux instability and ultra-high temperature plasma magnetic phenomena. Similar endeavours are ongoing in the United States, Europe, Russia, and South Korea. India is also an integral part of the global project. ITER-India is responsible for the delivery of the following packages: cryostat, in-wall shielding, cooling water system, cryogenic system, ion-cyclotron RF heating system, electron cyclotron RF heating system, diagnostic neutral beam system, power supplies, and some diagnostics. Additionally, related R&D and experimental activities are being carried out at the ITER-India laboratory in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Source: eurasiantimes.com Asantehene Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, has touted teachers as holders of the key to national development and indispensable in the country's quest for quality education. "If education is the key then our teachers hold the key to our development and prosperity," he told members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) at its Sixth Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Kumasi. Delegates from all the 16 regions are attending the week-long conference, which is being held on the theme, "[email protected]: Surviving as a Reliable and Vibrant Teacher Union in the 21st century." President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to address the Conference at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on Tuesday, January 4. It would be climaxed with the election of national officers to lead the Association for the next four years. "By your tutelage we are able to shape our communities and nations. There can be no science, technology and inventions without a teacher," the Asantehene said. He said teachers were the primary source of human progress and deserved to be held in high esteem for the essential services they continued to provide. The implementation of the Free Senior High School Policy, he noted, was a landmark in Ghana's education system. Much as the initiators deserved commendation for the bold step, the sacrifices and commitment of teachers towards its implementation could not be overemphasized, he said. Otumfuo Osei-Tutu challenged the teachers to use the opportunity to confront challenges facing their work and chart a new course with focus on creativity and innovation. "As we seek the best from our teachers, so must our teachers be made to feel truly valued," he said. "It does get truly disconcerted when industrial relations break down and teachers abandon their classrooms and lecture halls, which obviously affects students." He said he was pleased that officials from the Education as well as the Employment and Labour Relations ministries would participate in the Conference and called on all parties to focus on improved formula of negotiations and consultations to minimise industrial actions. The Reverend Prof. Emmanuel Adow Obeng, the President of the Presbyterian University College, who delivered the keynote address, eulogised GNAT for becoming a formidable teacher union after years of struggle. He said the Association had made significant impact in protecting the interest and welfare of the Ghanaian teacher and also contributed to the socio-economic development of Ghana. GNA Hon. Dan Botwe, the Local Government Minister, has urged Ghanaians to sacrifice to support the E-levy to achieve the desired national development and job creation opportunities. The socio-economic problems of the country require sustainable revenue generation strategies to tackle and so government has no intention to make life difficult for the people of Ghana. The E-Levy is a thought-through budget proposal to meet the huge demands of development," he said. Government, therefore, needed the support and understanding of the public to realise the objectives of the E-Levy for the benefit of Ghanaians. Mr Botwe, also the Member of Parliament for Okere, said this at a mini durbar to climax the Annual Odwira Festival of the chiefs and people of Adukrom in the Okere District of the Eastern Region. In the quest for national development, all hands must be on deck to support government policies, he said. He refuted claims that the E-Levy was a bad policy, which would make the Government unpopular. Government needed more revenue to meet the high demands of development, he said, citing the huge numbers of graduates from the universities without jobs, who needed government's intervention. "The demand for good roads, schools, and hospitals amidst the huge burden of ensuring that there are job opportunities for the young ones far outweigh similar demands in my days as a youth and we, as a people, must all come to that realisation". The Government, in the 2022 Budget and Economic Policy presented to Parliament, announced the proposed Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy), which is a charge of 1.75 percent of the value of electronic transactions and it covers mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments and inward remittances. However, this has not gone down well with a cross section of the public. While many described it as a double taxation of the already burdened taxpayer, others have questioned its rationale in propelling national development when the combined revenue of oil, gold and cocoa, among other things, has not been utilised judiciously for the same purposes. On education, Mr Botwe called on the traditional authorities to show much interest in it to ensure that no child was left behind in the Free SHS Policy and all the others geared towards economic empowerment. He pledged GhC20,000 on behalf of the Master Dako Foundation, an establishment in honour of his late father, towards the Adukrom Education Fund. Earlier, Nana Otutu Kono, the Chief of Adukrom, announced that the Traditional Council and stakeholders in education had instituted an Education Fund to improve standards and access to education in the area. 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Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e838673088)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8387dde78)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e838673088)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8387dde78)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e8387f4788)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8387dde78)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8387dde78)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82ff74ee8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e8387fa000)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e8387fa000)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 03.01.2022 LISTEN According to market business news.com, nation building means creating a country that functions out of a non-functioning one either because the old one has been destroyed in a war, has fallen apart, or never really worked properly. Nation building and national development are initiatives much cherished by every patriotic citizen, whether of party A or part B. This ardent desire of citizens for sustainable national development has always brought every president post independence under siege, leading to the formation of various vigilante groups, with its most recent, Fix the country campaigners. However, it is an indisputable fact that nation building requires the collective effort of everyone. The president and his subordinates have their role to play in ensuring sustainable national development. And the role of fellow citizens cannot also be overlooked. The role of our leaders are always overemphasized, leaving out the role of citizens. But one fact all and sundry must know is that the leader today was once an ordinary citizen like everyone today, and as the saying goes, charity begins at home. Todays patriots will irrefutably become the leaders tomorrow. Todays corrupt leaders were yesterdays patriotic watchdogs and active leaders of vigilante groups. Quoting from The gods are not to blame, the question is, When rain falls on the leopard, does it wash off its spots? Perhaps, in our part of the world, the richness of kingly life has the tendency to wash off the love and patriotism of our leaders for their people. The nauseating aspect is that most of these balsy anti-corruption campaigners are only fighting for their selfish gains and not for the love of the country. The system in our country is too corrupt from top of the hierarchy to the bottom to the extent that every citizen is always looking for ways to beat the system. Come to think of it: The ministers are accused of signing contracts and making deals with unscrupulous persons for their personal gains. The MPs and DCEs are accused of embezzlement of funds and questionable terms and conditions of state contracts. The judge is accused of taking bribes to pervert judgement in court. The lawyer is accused of taking undue money from clients to defend lies. The police and military officials in charge of recruitment are accused of taking bribes to recruit applicants. The MTTD and DVLA personnel are accused of taking bribes without proper vehicle roadworthy assessment. The school management as well as administration is accused of taking bribes to admit students with protocol at the disadvantage of the poor student who was legally qualified and had his/her placement in the school. The teacher is accused of leaking exams questions in order to have amorous affairs with female students, and also accused of taking undue money from students to abet cheating students to get exams questions, for extra classes, and handouts. The school gateman is accused of taking gifts from students to allow them sneak out of campus. The school cook is accused of stealing ingredients meant for the students to prepare food for their families at home. The senior student is accused of forcefully extorting money and from freshers to secure beds for them. The external and internal auditors are accused of taking bribes and gifts to render inaccurate reports on corrupt practices at various workplaces. The doctor is accused of referring patients to their private clinics to charge them exorbitantly. The pharmacist is accused of taking money from NHIS insured customers for drugs covered by the policy and later go for the money from the NHIS office. The nurse and midwife are accused of not working with commitment at state institutions as compared to their attitude at private hospitals. The businessman is accused of adding more zeros. The market woman is accused of melting candles inside measuring cans to dupe unsuspecting customers. The driver together with his mate is accused of charging passengers with undue fares and failure to give back to passengers their change. The farmer is accused of applying harmful and life-threatening chemicals to food crops for better yields and income. The landlord is accused of illegally forcing tenants to vacate their rooms for new tenants ready to pay more money while the occupants time is not due. What puts us at the nadir of our hopes is that our spokespersons, the press, is accused of receiving money and gifts from politicians to hide the truth from citizens! What a great disservice to our beloved country Ghana!! Where stand the vigilante groups leaders and their members? Now show us, who is corrupt? Ghana, a country with corrupt leaders and corrupt citizens. One might justify oneself that the corruption seen among the grass-root citizens is relatively negligible and normal to that of the leaders. But these are the same people who become brainwashed from their anti-corruption ideologies immediately they assume power. The leaders today citizens are vigorously protesting against started the same way you have started: lateness to work, bribery, wasting and using working hours for private selfish businesses, cheating customers, poor sanitation practices, etc. To effect the change the country needs, change your attitude today for a better Ghana tomorrow. If todays youth cultivate the spirit of honesty and loyalty, discipline, and not sheer patriotism borne out of a desire to get favor or fill their bellies in the next regime, then without any shadow of doubt, Ghana has a brighter future of self-reliance. Angels are not coming from any place to lead us tomorrow, you will be, I will be, so LET US BE THE CHANGE TODAY WE WANT TO SEE TOMORROW as we keep walking the walk and talking the talk till the system begins to work for all! So help us God. Whosoever knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is evil James 4:17 Written by: Kokoor Emmanuel 03.01.2022 LISTEN I have spent some time teaching Biblical interpretation to minimize the havoc Biblical illiteracy wreak on Christians that do not know how to read the Bible for all its worth. False prophets abound because many Christians cannot read the Bible well, including good Christians. One does not need to be a Bible scholar or a theologian to read and understand the Scripture under investigation. The scriptures, "Do not touch my anointed ones and harm not my prophets!" have been twisted and abused by false teachers and prophets to absolve themselves of moral responsibility and accountability (Psalm 105:15). The false prophets use these scriptures to get away with their anti-social behaviors, and their misinformed devotees also use such scriptures to defend their cult leaders. Devotion and loyalty to leaders are commendable, but only for good reasons. The question is: What does the Scripture verse, "Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm," mean? As I have said already, all one must do to understand this verse of scriptures is to be a good reader. Read the whole chapter within the context to know what the psalmist refers to here. These scriptures have nothing to do with the present-day so-called men of God. Zero in on verses 6-10, and verses 14-15, after reading the whole psalm. The verse is simply warning the heathen kings and their people not to harm the people of Israel. The verse is not warning New Testament believers not to criticize or question their leaders constructively. The first rule to correct Bible interpretation is "Context, Context, and Context." A careful exegetical reading of this Scriptures shows that the psalmist is speaking of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: All the people of Israel, including their leaders and not the present-day false Bible teachers. The phrase "my anointed, and my prophets" refers to Israel and its leaders. Read verses 14 and 15 together. "He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: Do not touch my anointed ones, and do not harm my prophets!" Other parallel Scriptures that these false teachers cite are 1 Samuel 24:9-12. "You shall not touch the Lord's anointed." However, these scriptures read within their contexts have nothing to do with questioning the anti-social behaviors or conducts of people who profess to be God's ministers but act contrary to His teachings. This verse has to do with KILLING someone anointed by God. For verse 10 says the following, "This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lay my hand on my lord because he is the Lord's anointed.' "Please, people of God, read the scriptures well. What the false teachers do not tell their devotees is that in the ensuing verses, David rebuked King Saul, saying, "as the proverb of the ancients says, wickedness proceeds from the wicked.' But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog, a flea? Therefore let the Lord be judge, and judge between you and me, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand." David also rebuked King Saul in (1 Samuel 26:8-10, 11, 23). Also, In the New Testament, we see Paul, the least of the apostles, rebuking the greatest of the apostles, Peter. In Galatians 2:11, he says, "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned." These are strong words. Folks, do not let any false Bible teacher deceives you. Christ warns us to beware of false prophets who come to us in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. The problem is that many of these ministers, especially those with many followers, are Narcissistic Sociopaths. Narcissistic-Sociopaths are individuals driven for power and care about anything other than themselves. These people offer no apologies, do not admit guilt, and are never remorseful under any circumstance. The narcissistic minister thinks he is a special gift to the church and makes it richer and colorful; therefore, he cannot be questioned or criticized. I recently saw a minister with a large following in Ghana and other countries pronouncing curses on church members who dare criticize him. That man is a narcissistic sociopath. These ministers who claim to be Christians pretend as if they have never heard anything about Christ's admonition for us to forgive those who trespass against us. (Luke 11:4; Matthew 6:12; Luke 17:3-4). Some defend their unchristian behaviors, attitudes, and leadership by referring to 2 Kings 2:23-24, where some children mocked the prophet Elisha, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord, and two female bears came out of the wood and tore them up. The problem with these ministers is that they cannot differentiate between historical narratives and didactic teaching of the Bible in biblical interpretation or exegesis. Not every historical narrative is a command to be followed or be repeated. This is because, first, we do not know the circumstances and contexts of the events. Second, we do not know, and we do not understand God's sovereignty or providence. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira died for lying to the Holy Spirit, yet many Christians often lie to the Holy Spirit but are still alive. Now, you see the danger of using historical narrative as a norm. So, do not let false Bible teachers and prophets read their self-serving interpretation into the scriptures to deceive you and abuse you. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Atiwa-East in the Eastern Region, Mrs Abena Osei-Asare has been honoured at the second edition of the Ashanti Region Music Award (ARMA) held in Kumasi for her contributions to the annual awards ceremony. In a citation presented to Mrs Osei-Asare, who is also a Deputy Minister of Finance at the event held on the theme, "Solidifying the Breakthrough of Ashanti Region Music." The citation reads: "Your immeasurable contributions is worthy of recognition". It added, " Your impeccable role was a great push to the event. There are no means we can express our gratitude than to say Oheneba Ayekoo". The awards ceremony that took place at the Prempeh II Assembly Hall in Kumasi was organized by 3D Events Management. The event saw a lot of music lovers as well as several dignitaries including Ministers of State, Politicians, Traditional Leaders, among others all gathered to celebrate the biggest regional music awards in Ghana. Awards In all about 40 awards were given out to deserving artistes. Hip Hop musician Yaw Tog emerged as the overall Artiste of the Year. He also won the Hip Hop Act of the Year. Another Hip Hop musician, Jay Bhad also won two awards; Best Music video of the Year, and Album of the Year with his hit track Yeyedom. Gospel musician Odehyieba Priscilla won two trophies; Gospel act of the Year and Gospel Song of the Year with Awurade Kae two Bohye The event ended up with the CEO of Ghana songs being awarded a car for being the Nominee with the highest votes. The ARMA 2021 would go down in history as one of the best events to be held in the music landscape in the country. A night of great talent show, a superb display of Ashanti culture and reunion within the industry. The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has attributed excessive speeding on the part of drivers as the cause of the many road accidents recorded during the Christmas festivities. Data from the Police MTTD shows that 28 lives were lost with 148 injuries recorded as 133 accidents occurred between December 24-26, 2021. In a similar situation, between December 19 and 25, a total of 81 deaths with 378 injuries were recorded from 373 accidents. The Greater Accra Region recorded the most accidents, followed closely by the Ashanti Region. Speaking to Citi News on the development, Director of Operations at the Police MTTD, Superintendent Dr. Sasu Mensah said the accidents were avoidable. Most of the drivers on our roads are not respecting traffic rules and regulations. Some of the motorists have not even seen the traffic regulations before, so they are not aware of most of the regulations that govern road use. That is why we have most of the crashes occurring on our roads. At this time too, most of them are speeding because they want to go and come quickly by exceeding the speed limit, so what will happen is definitely a crash. That is why we are witnessing this quantum of accidents this festive season. Dr. Sasu Mensah further expressed worry over the lack of knowledge about the various road regulations on the part of many motorists. ---citinewsroom The United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities have tightened their travel restrictions to passengers who have been in or transited through Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Ghana in the last 14 days. Such passengers are not permitted to enter or transit Dubai. The update was reviewed on January 2, 2022, at 16:57 (GMT +4) after an earlier one on December 28, 2021. This is the latest update to the earlier ban on some eleven countries in Africa. Six more African countries including South Africa, Ethiopia, among others, have been added to the list bringing the total to seventeen. The update sighted by Citi News on the Emirates website stated that, the following passengers are exempt from the suspension and can travel to Dubai: Employees of Official Missions between the UAE and the aforesaid countries, UAE nationals, 1st degree relative(s) and their domestic/house workers/helpers and members of the Diplomatic missions between the UAE and the aforesaid countries are exempted. All other exempt passengers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted at an approved facility within 48 hours of departure. Validity must be calculated from the time the sample was collected. They must also present a negative COVID-19 Rapid or Real Time PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within 06 hours of departure. [They] Must undergo COVID-19 PCR test on arrival and must remain in self-quarantine until they receive the test result. Only children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from taking a COVID-19 PCR test, the statement added. The first travel restriction that took effect on December 28, 2021, was received with mixed reactions from some stakeholders. The CEO of Adansi Travels, Gideon Asare, called for swift intervention from the government of Ghana to resolve the issue to allow passengers to travel to Dubai. According to him, Dubai has been the main destination for tourists and any ban on travelling will take a toll on their business. Any travel ban on Ghana will affect our business because we rely on Dubai to survive, he said in an interview with Citi News. Meanwhile, the ranking member on Parliament's foreign affairs committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called on African countries affected by the ban to retaliate in equal measure to force the UAE to back down on its restrictions. ---citinewsroom Earthstone Energy officials are closing the books on a transformative year that saw it complete four transformative acquisitions and announce a fifth the acquisition of Chisholm Energys assets in the northern Delaware Basin of New Mexico. Weve been fortunate, all the stars aligned, said Robert Anderson, Earthstones president and chief executive officer. Speaking with the Reporter-Telegram by telephone, Anderson said the industrys cycles are familiar to him and his management team. Weve been around a long time, in different forms, in different companies, he said. Whether youre a public or private company, your job is to create shareholder returns. He said Earthstone managed its debt cycle to survive and set the company up to continue having a company to run. The last few years have been difficult, Anderson acknowledged. Fortunately, we put ourselves in a position to capitalize on these five deals, which have changed the size and scale of the company from where we re a year ago. Thats our job, without creating undue risk for shareholders. He estimates the series of acquisitions will increase Earthstones Permian Basin acreage by approximately 400 percent and almost triple daily production rates. The Chisholm acquisition alone will increase the companys Permian Basin footprint about 35 percent and daily production by about 39 percent, giving Earthstone a foothold in the Delaware Basin. Anderson said the Chisholm deal was competitive, but his company had an advantage because the company could use its stock as part of the deal and the purchase price we were willing to pay, which is about $604 million. Other deals announced this year include Midland Basin assets from Foreland Investments, additional Midland Basin assets from Tracker Resource Development III and affiliates of Sequel Energy Group, and finally the acquisition of Independence Resources Management. You have to get investor attention and be relevant. Weve always managed our company to manage debt. Even though we operate well, you have to be of a certain size, said Anderson, estimating that size is about $1 billion in capitalization. In general, in the oil and gas space its difficult to get investor attention, he continued. We recognized we need to get bigger. Some of the deals came to Earthstone, he said, while others, like Chisholm, were competitive. In a couple of deals, he said the company wasnt necessarily the highest bidder but could close quickly or could utilize its stock in the deal. Anderson said his team has operated conventional assets in the Delaware but will be relying on the Chisholm staff and their familiarity with New Mexico flaring permits and federal drilling permits during the transition. It lets us walk before we can run, he said. Earthstone plans to maintain Chisholms two-rig drilling program in the Delaware and its own two-rig program in the Midland Basin. Anderson doesnt anticipate increasing that program, though once Chisholms assets have been integrated into Earthstone and he sees whats working well, there is a chance of adding another rig, he said. Industry returns have been good over the last 12 months, prompting investors to want back into the space, Anderson said, adding that there arent as many energy-focused investors as in the past. A lot of exploration and production investors continue to pick carefully where they place their money, Anderson said. Weve had lots of conversations over the last 12 months with investors new to Earthstone, educating them on our strategy. While Anderson is excited about closing the Chisholm acquisition in the first quarter of the year and setting the company up for future opportunities, he is also excited about the future of the oil and gas industry. Oil and gas has a good future, he said. We do need all forms of energy Im not against renewables. But we will be driving cars running on gasoline and diesel for some time. Im optimistic as we get through this virus flareup, there will be more oil demand and well be able to meet it. SANAA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi militia said they seized a "military" ship of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Red Sea off the Yemeni port. "The UAE ship carries military equipment and entered the Yemeni regional waters without permission," Houthi military Spokesman Yehya Sarea said in a brief statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. "The ship was carrying out hostile acts... and we will release further details at a press conference within hours," he said, warning the Saudi-led Arab coalition against "any foolish act as the ship's crew members from different nationalities are still inside it." Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi militia in Yemen said in a statement reported by the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV that the UAE-flagged commercial vessel was attacked and seized by the Yemeni Houthi militia off Yemen's port of Ras Issa. It said the vessel carries medical equipment and was sailing from the Yemeni island of Socotra, where a hospital donated by Saudi Arabia is being built, to the Saudi port of Jazan. The Houthis' move came a few days after the Yemeni government army backed by the coalition countries of Saudi Arabia and the UAE recaptured strategic areas in the oil-rich provinces of Shabwa and Marib in central Yemen. Enditem Disruption of air traffic due to FM broadcast transmitter Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) reports that the radio traffic of aircraft landing at Schiphol has been regularly disrupted in recent weeks A translation of the Dutch national amateur radio society VERON post reads: Music from the FM broadcast band caused the interference. This disturbance was on the frequency that Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) uses to give instructions to approaching air traffic. After the deployment of the Telecom Agency (AT), a broadcaster in Gelderland was taken off the air at the end of last week. It concerned a license holder who was allowed to broadcast via FM, but did not adhere to the rules. After the transmitter was shut down, there was no more disruption on the aviation band. Although this incorrect FM use did not create an acutely dangerous situation, a disruption of radio connections in aviation is a direct risk. This is because failure ensures that there is no contact between the air traffic controllers and the pilots. Air traffic controllers guide aircraft by means of course, speed and altitude instructions. The air traffic controller uses radiotelephony for this. If the frequency is disrupted, this can cause pilots to not hear the instructions from the air traffic controller properly. In the worst case, this could lead to planes approaching each other too close in the busy airspace around Schiphol because a pilot receives an instruction too late. For safety reasons there should be no doubt that the device has received the instruction. That is why the pilot must always completely repeat the instruction himself to the air traffic controller. LVNL may switch to an emergency frequency in the event of disruption, although this is not preferred because fewer alternatives remain in real emergency situations. Every year there are many reports from pilots about disruption by music that interferes with the aviation band, often from air pirates. In view of the importance of safety, LVNL immediately reports this to the authorities. This year there were 10 reports. Source: Luchtverkeersleiding Nederland (LVNL) via VERON https://tinyurl.com/IARU-Netherlands dszc/Getty Images With the rapidly-spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus making its way through the United States, many schools across the country are moving to remote learning for the first week of the spring semester. The decision could be extended, depending on case numbers moving forward, schools said. The University of Texas at Austin, which saw a weekly positive rate of 8.1% for the last week of the fall semester, a marked increase from its 0.9% average since June 1, 2020, is requesting all students to get tested within 72 hours prior to return to campus. Texas State University is requesting the same thing. Jonathan Leinonen, principal lecturer in the Michigan Technological University College of Business, is a 2021 Engineering Unleashed Fellow. This year, 27 individuals from higher education institutions across the country have been named fellows by Engineering Unleashed (EU). The designation recognizes leadership in undergraduate engineering education. The honor, which encompasses research plus funding, will go far in continuing to differentiate Michigan Techs business program for its business-STEM interface. In this Q&A, Leinonen describes the opportunity, his work and what the EU fellowship means for business students, Michigan Tech and the region. Engineering Unleashed Engineering Unleashed (EU) is a community of 3,800 faculty members from 340 institutions of higher education. Its powered by the Kern Family Engineering Entrepreneurship Network (KEEN), a 50-partner collaborative that shares a mission to graduate engineers with entrepreneurial mindsets who are equipped to create societal, personal and economic value. In 2019, Michigan Tech became the 42nd university accepted into KEEN, a great honor for all of campus. Q: Jon, congratulations on being named an Engineering Unleashed Fellow! Howd you get involved in the EU community? JL: Thanks! The seed for the fellowship process was planted as I worked with a group of innovative faculty from across campus with a vision to promote an entrepreneurial mindset throughout Michigan Tech. Once I learned what Engineering Unleashed is all about, I began to realize that a lot of what we teach in the College of Business is in line with KEEN. In the process, I took Engineering Unleashed Faculty Development workshops that were designed and delivered by a group of subject-matter experts who serve as faculty members at more than 25 institutions. The workshops attract faculty participants from across the country, focusing on the development and application of an entrepreneurial mindset in teaching and learning, research, industry or leadership. Q: What do you do in your day-to-day work? JL: As a principal lecturer within the College of Business, my main focus is on teaching business management courses. Prior to this, I worked in industry for about 20 years, which sensitized me to the needs of businesses to develop a holistic view to problem-solving. To complement my teaching, I also work with entrepreneurial and economic development groups that include Michigan Techs entrepreneurial support programs, Michigan Small Business Development Center, the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce for the Upper Peninsula, MTEC SmartZone and Portage Health Foundation. Q: What opportunities does this fellowship open up for you? JL: Working in the midst of this ecosystem allows leverage across my roles for class projects, research and community impact. The support from the KEEN fellowship has materially advanced the under-resourced college student dialogue with stakeholders, identified new research opportunities for students and is leading to material outcomes that demonstrate our capabilities as a University and within the College of Business. As we show success in these areas, students are eager to learn and be involved in research, the community becomes more engaged and opportunities open up across the board. I am one to look ahead and often ask whats next. Im eager to see this project bring in more students and opportunities to engage the community with new value. Q: Whats your project about? JL: I applied the entrepreneurially minded learning (EML) framework from Engineering Unleashed to work with students to submit a project to the Undergraduate Research Internship Program (URIP) through the Pavlis Honors College. EML is the collective process of instilling curiosity and discovery, developing insight and creating value through experiential education. We secured funding to hire two students with additional support from the Deans Advisory Council in the College of Business and the Portage Health Foundation. Those students worked to prepare two reports that identified resource needs specific to students in the western Upper Peninsula. An example of the need we are addressing is the number of college students who have been diagnosed with conditions such as anxiety, depression and chronic pain. Students who lack the resources to handle these diagnoses face a much greater challenge to learning. Another is the cost of college where students are not able to access available grants or benefits they may be eligible for. Helping students to identify and access the available resources is an ongoing need we are looking into. Right now were completing our first cut of informational videos and a draft of the regional scholarship program. Leinonen works with students to identify resource needs specific to students in the western Upper Peninsula. Q: Where did you get the idea? JL: In my Introduction to Business course, some students expressed an interest in research, so I attended the Engineering Unleashed workshop on entrepreneurially minded student research. The focus of our project is to assist under-resourced college students, which is related to a community-wide poverty assistance initiative being led by Portage Health Foundation that I am also involved with. Q: What challenges have you encountered? JL: As I brought more students into working on the project, one of the challenges was to maintain focus. We started to get into resource needs that include food security, safe and affordable housing, various aspects and access to health care, communication with stakeholders and more, in addition to finances. In our fall class, we constrained our scope to communication with stakeholders through informative videos to high schools and also community representatives. We also had another group focused on researching and documenting a business model based on best practices applicable to the western UP for a regional scholarship program. Q: How will students benefit from this? JL: Concepts discussed in the classroom have little value unless we can help someone improve their life at the end of the day. Students are gaining hands-on experience with a variety of business concepts with the promise of also helping future students as a result of their work. Through this project, we followed students curiosity in research and applied it to a regionally significant challenge. I surveyed students from my class after exercising the entrepreneurial mindset. Eighty-five percent of respondents indicated they either agreed or strongly agreed that they are better prepared to handle a future complex project, they are more proficient with skills and ability to conduct research, they can see how their work leads to broader community and societal benefits, and their efforts will make a material benefit to the lives of other people. Altogether, the students not only helped the project, but are more capable to carry these skills forward for future impact. The group interviewed high school and college students and administrators, community representatives and government officials. They are working on videos for social media to communicate the needs and ways for people to become more involved in supporting students. Another group of students prepared information to develop a regional scholarship program. The students goal is to develop a plan to seed, build and operate a community-based scholarship program for the western Upper Peninsula. I anticipate that future student projects will be able to work on more specific facets that were identified along the way, including resources to support students mental and physical health, support for navigating the college administrative processes and also further engagement with the scholarship program. Q: You also serve as co-director of Husky Innovate and vice president of Superior Innovations. How does EU coalesce with those initiatives? JL: Michigan Tech has an amazing team of entrepreneurially minded people. As students develop their entrepreneurial interests, Michigan Tech provides people and programs to meet them at every step of the journey. Students shape and test their ideas, secure development resources, build out their team and business model, and set themselves on the path to entrepreneurship. I often say that success has a lot of peoples fingerprints on it, and the team here is as good as anywhere to help dreams become reality. About the College of Business The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics. Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, the University offers more than 125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. Muskogee, OK (74401) Today Thunderstorms likely. Rainfall will be locally heavy at times. A few storms may be severe. High around 75F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Strong thunderstorms likely. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. Low 51F. SSW winds shifting to WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. SpaceXs first launch of 2022 will deploy more Starlink internet satellites Spaceflight Now report that SpaceX plans to kick off its 2022 launch schedule with a Falcon 9 rocket flight Thursday from NASAs Kennedy Space Center with the companys next group of Starlink internet satellites. In a change from previous Starlink missions, the Falcon 9 rocket will fly southeast from the coast of Florida on a course just north of the Bahamas to place the new batch of internet satellites into low Earth orbit a few hundred miles above Earth. The mission, designated Starlink 4-5, is expected to target an orbital plane with a tilt of 53.2 degrees to the equator, one of five orbital shells at different inclination angles that SpaceX plans to fill with around 4,400 satellites to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity around the world. SpaceXs previous launches carrying Starlink satellites to a similar orbit have flown northeast from Floridas Space Coast. Launches to the southeast must fly around the Bahamas to avoid the risk of dropping debris on populated islands. Maritime warning notices suggest the mission scheduled for Thursday will do just that, tracking over the Atlantic Ocean north of the Abaco Islands, before making a slight right turn to head farther downrange. SpaceX plans to land the Falcon 9s first stage booster on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas positioned in the Atlantic. The landing platform departed Port Canaveral Saturday to head for the recovery zone. The launch Thursday is targeted for 4:49 p.m. EST (2149 GMT), with a backup time available at 6:47 p.m. EST (2347 GMT). Meanwhile, crews at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are preparing another Falcon 9 rocket for liftoff no earlier than Jan. 13 with dozens of small satellites from U.S. and international customers. That mission, known as Transporter 3, is SpaceXs third dedicated rideshare launch hauling smallsats into a sun-synchronous orbit. Liftoff time Jan. 13 is set for 10:25 a.m. EST (1525 GMT), and SpaceX is expected to land the first stage on an onshore pad at Cape Canaveral. Read the full Spaceflight Now article at: https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/01/02/spacexs-first-launch-of-2022-will-deploy-more-starlink-internet-satellites/ An arbitrator has backed the state's mandate for COVID-19 vaccinations for prison guards and Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice workers. That will mean about 10,000 employees in 46 Illinois Department of Corrections facilities and five Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice facilities will have until Jan. 31 to get at least their first coronavirus vaccine unless they receive a medical or religious exemption. Gov. J.B. Pritzker mandated vaccines for the workers on Aug. 26. The original deadline for inoculation was Oct. 4, but implimentation was delayed by opposition to the mandate by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the primary union for corrections guards. Illinois Department of Public Health data show that just under 19% of all COVID-19 cases in the state since July have been in correctional facilities. There have been 12,057 confirmed cases among prisoners and 6,293 among prison staff members, according to the state health department. Of those, 524 have involved prisoners at Jacksonville Correctional Center and 203 have been among staff members there. At Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mount Sterling, there have been 226 prisoners and 219 staff members infected, according to the state. About 66% of prison staff members and 75% of prisoners have received at least one of two require doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to the most recent information available from the Illinois Department of Corrections. Pritzker said in a statement after the arbitrator's ruling that the mandate is important to protect workers and those incarcerated. "Protecting the health and safety of workers and residents across the state remains a top priority for my administration and I look forward to continued discussions with our labor partners as we move forward with the task of keeping our employees and residents of our congregate facilities safe," he said. Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty With the rapidly-spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus making its way through the United States, many schools across the country are moving to remote learning for the first week of the spring semester. The decision could be extended, depending on case numbers moving forward, schools said. The University of Illinois will start the spring semester remotely for at least the first week, beginning in-person learning on Jan. 24, with the University of Illinois Chicago moving to remote learning for at least the first two weeks. A newly redrawn congressional district that includes Jacksonville could be home to the race to watch as two Republicans prepare to square off. Congressman Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, had already announced his intention to seek election in the new 15th Congressional District. He has represented the 13th District since 2013, but the district was substantially altered when boundaries were redrawn last year because of population changes. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, took office in 2021 as the freshman congresswoman for the 15th District. At the time, it remained largely in the eastern portion of the state before being horse-shoed during the redistricting process. Davis has chalked up significant endorsements for his campaign, including 32 of the 35 county Republican chairmen in the new 15th District. But Miller on Saturday drew a nod from former President Donald Trump, which some political analysts say could play well for her in the Republican-dominated, largely rural district. Trump also endorsed Miller in 2020. In turn, Miller was among those who objected to accepting presidential election results from Pennsylvania and Arizona, calling the election tainted. Her entry into office was also marked with controversy over comments she made at a rally two days after being sworn in. Speaking at an event for the conservative Moms for America, she said, You know, if we win a few elections, were still going to be losing, unless we win the hearts and minds of our children. This is the battle. Hitler was right on one thing: He said, Whoever has the youth, has the future. Our children are being propagandized. Although initially defending those remarks against criticism and calls to resign, Miller later expressed regret over the comment, which she said was twisted into "something antithetical to my beliefs." Miller said Saturday that she would continue to fight against anti-gun legislation, open borders, and COVID-19 vaccination mandates. She said Trump was endorsing her because she is "a conservative fighter who is not afraid to take on the DC swamp." I am not a career politician, and running for office is not my lifes ambition, she said. My life is spent in the real world, on my small family farm with my husband, Chris, where we were blessed to raise our seven children and welcome our 17 grandchildren. I bring those values to Washington, not the other way around. ... With hard work, prayer, and faith in our country, conservatives will take back the House and make America great again. Davis is also a Trump supporter and was co-chairman of his 2020 reelection campaign in the state. Davis campaign spokesman Aaron DeGroot said Saturday that Miller "is so desperate to stay in Congress shes running in a district she doesnt live in." Rodney Davis is a conservative who gets things done," DeGroot said. "Hes already been hard at work highlighting his conservative accomplishments and work with President Trump during his time in office. Thats why hes earned support from countless grassroots Republican leaders in the district." The Republican primary will be June 28. We have lived on handouts. We have been given loans, trade-offs, Money Swaps, call it what you may, all in the name of repaying our debt, not as it should have been on creating wealth resource of the nation. by Victor Cherubim Sri Lanka has been over the recent past years been comparing its journey to other nations. We have been giving ourselves grief about not doing enough. What if, this is our toxic natural trait, one that is keeping us chained to the lower realms of existence? This is now our year 2022, to let go of our false sense of competition, as we commit to being better than the past image of ourselves. This is one of the most successful ways of who we were meant to be, a caring nation, a nation living within its means. Modern life is built on addiction. Craving, overconsumption, drink dependence, shame, or the chasing of irretrievable or imaginary highs. It is are not just a weird deviation from the norm. With the Coronavirus, we like to think these cravings have become the norm. But dont let us kid ourselves, or shift the blame on the pandemic, It has been the norm, perhaps, the default mode what our modern world economy is built on. We in Sri Lanka have wanted the impossible. This is not a bad trait, because civilization has been achieved by doing the impossible.Over the recent years we have not earned it. We have lived on handouts. We have been given loans, trade-offs, Money Swaps, call it what you may, all in the name of repaying our debt, not as it should have been on creating wealth resource of the nation. That said is all well and good, but how do we repay our unlimited borrowing? Who made us borrow over the limit? Did those who got us into this irretrievable position have a hidden agenda? Can we blame anyone except ourselves to have put us in this position? We have always wanted to live Singapore in Sri Lanka. We have always wanted to crave for or be in the mood and mind set of indulging in our five senses. But how much is too much? Could our sense of judgment be tearing us away from our happiness? Something to think about, before we go for a Currency Swap, an extension of the loan repayment, an infrastructure development for the 444th time. Challenging as this may seem in the beginning, let us commit to finding joy, peace, and the inner happiness which the Buddha taught us. We have been waylaid from the simple everyday things like watching the beauty of our natural environment, like watching the Sun rise or the Sun go down from our perspective, or spending quality time in the peace and tranquillity of the Dhamma, by worrying about our burden of debt. Why did we not find joy in the simple everyday things, not about mimicking Lewis Hamilton with his Lamborghinis, or Skyscrapers or long distance four lane motorways or skyways? We possess the power and freewill to create our own happiness, really our own inner happiness. Why did we not commit ourselves living in alignment with our sacred purpose? Among the many deceptions of life is that we have not harnessed our energy for this purpose. However, if we did have, were we short of ableinpiring leaders to show us the path towards our future? This is something to think about, as we sip our milk tea every morning in the New Year. The very fact that we have been assigned a CC rating by Fitch ratings Agency is a good wake up call. We have come to see the folly of our ways in the past for going for the temporary, not the timeless. Social Media and its addiction We can of course beat ourselves with the cane of misjudgement, our inadequate leadership, our lack of innovation, or our lack of skilled labour, but spare a thought for us being addicted to Social Media instead. The mechanisms of addiction of modern economy, whether we are addicted to legal painkillers, struggling with an addiction to crisps, chocolates or biscuits, is hardly comparable to our status anxiety. The Big Issue: is: How to survive without Social Media. Social Media is supposed to bring us together. But the evidence suggests it is tearing us apart. It is making us lazy, angrier, less empathic, more fearful, more isolated and more tribal. John Lanier, world famous Silicon Valley Scientist, first alerted us to the dangers of social media. Liberating oneself from its hold will transform our lives and not only in Sri Lanka, but the whole world for the better. Social Media addicts often try to hide their addiction, especially from themselves. But often it shows. They are rushing for affirmation, addicts become anxious, strangely powerless. Hard CoreSocial Addicts are like junkies, or ruinous gamblers. Addicts seek out suffering which is a part of the cycle of scratching an itch. We are told gamblers are addicted to not winning. But a junkie is addicted to not winning, but to the process of losing, which is more likely the difference between a high and a low. The ethics of Attention Seeking Economy raises unique concerns not confronted by other more familiar addictive products. It harms users in a way that is both demeaning and objectionably exploitive.John Lanier. Does the International Financial Community want to turn Sri Lanka into a zombie to be shackled in debt as a lesson for other nations, is a subject of deeper discussion? Water infrastructure repairs View Photos Sonora, CA PG&E has completed needed repair work on its Tuolumne Main Canal which had limited water supply for the Tuolumne Utilities District. TUD asked customers to conserve starting on December 28 after a large tree fell onto a flume just below Lyons Reservoir. PG&E owns the main canal, but the water it transports goes to TUD. Water from Lyons was again released to the area damaged by the Main Canal on January 1st. In addition to the PG&E infrastructure damaged, TUD suffered minor to major damage on some of its district ditches. Trees are down in various areas. Also, the Soulsbyville ditch suffered a berm failure, and the Eureka Ditch was damaged by a fallen tree. Repairs are still being made on the latter incident. The flow to all district customers should be restored by the end of the week. Spokesperson Lisa Westbrook adds, TUD would like to thank all its partners who have and are aiding in this emergency response. The people of Tuolumne County have a great reputation of stepping up in times of crisis. We would like to thank all the PG&E and TUD crews for their tireless work in the extreme weather through the holidays. In addition, TUD appreciates the help from its local partners Twain Harte Community Service District, Tuolumne County Roads Department, Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services, Cal-Trans and its friends across the river at Utica Power and Calaveras County Water District who offered their assistance. TUD has lifted its earlier call for water conservation. Three Texas women aim to find love and compete for Clayton Echard's heart in the new season of The Bachelor. The show returns for the first time in two years, with 31 women arriving at the Bachelor Mansion to meet lead Echard, who was previously on Michelle Young's Bachelorette season last year. Jess Palmer will take over the role as the host of The Bachelor, which will premiere on January 3 at 7 p.m. on ABC. The new season marks the first not led by longtime host Chris Harrison, who departed the franchise earlier this year after his controversial interview with Rachel Lindsay, the show's first Black bachelorette. In the "Extra" interview, Harrison defended the racist allegations surrounding a contestant from Matt James' season, Rachael Kirkconnell. Social media called out Kirkconnell for attending a plantation-themed party in 2018. She also has been criticized for liking Confederate flag-related TikTok videos. James, last season's male lead, was the show's first-ever Black Bachelor. Palmer, 42, was the Bachelor in 2004, and his arrival marked new territory for the show. He was the first-ever professional athlete to look for love on the ABC reality program. Meet the three women from the Lone Star State on the show: Rianna, 26, is a registered nurse from Dallas. She loves to two-step, hunt and horseback ride, and says she never hesitates to do something outrageous for memory or experience, according to her bio on ABC.com. In recent years, Rianna has put her career and education at the forefront of her life, but now she's ready to hop back in the saddle and take her shot at finding the one. She's looking for a man who is family-oriented, outgoing and loyal. He must love to travel and bonus points for a man who loves hiking as much as she does, the bio states. One thing Rianna isn't interested in is a man who wants to change her because she loves who she is and knows that when she meets her soul mate, he'll feel the exact same way. Lyndsey W., 28, is an industrial sales representative from Houston. She is looking for a man who is humble, reliable and ready to be her best friend. Her faith is incredibly important to her and nothing would make her happier than to share that with the man she loves, her bio on ABC's site says. She's ready to stop wasting her time on men who don't deserve her and find someone who will make her the priority. Lyndsey believes true love is within reach and we hope she's right. Sierra, 26, is a recurring coordinator in Dallas. She loves traveling, yoga, dressing to impress and working toward achieving her goals, according to ABC.com bio. Sierra is ready for marriage and wants it soon. The bio states she's looking for a man who is cultured, direct and just as ambitious as she is. Also, Sierra has no time for anyone with bad hygiene. She's done wasting time and is ready to jump into love with both feet. Billy Calzada /Billy Calzada Nearly a year after Winter Storm Uri devastated Texas, residents are finally getting a full understanding of its impact. Bexar County reported the fourth-highest fatality total in Texas, according to a final report from the Department of State Health Services. The February 2021 snowstorm brought a total of 246 deaths across Texas, making it one of the worst natural disasters in the state's history. The report, which was released on December 31, said 16 winter storm-related deaths were reported from Bexar County from February 11 to June 4. Harris County had the highest fatality total at 43, while Travis County and Dallas County reported 28 and 22, respectively. Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News More than 1,000 staff members did not return to work at Northside Independent School District on Monday, January 3, the same day classes resumed after winter break. NISD spokesperson Barry Perez tells MySA about 926 of 1,260 people out are believed to be teacher positions. NISD has around 13,000 employees, Perez says. He adds the absences could have been for many reasons, such as seasonal allergies, family illness, and COVID-19-related illness. The average substitute fill rate is about 80 percent on a normal day (meaning about 80 percent of teachers find a sub) but ran significantly lower at 58 percent on Monday, Perez says. The Russian side underscored that Putin told Biden that any large-scale sanctions would be a grave error, de facto fraught with the danger of a complete breakdown in Russia-US relations. by M.K. Bhadrakumar Getting off your high horse is never easy and it remains to be seen how deftly Moscow navigates its path in the downstream of President Vladimir Putins 50-minute phone conversation Thursday with his American counterpart Joe Biden. Washington highlighted that the conversation took place following Putins request meaning, the Kremlin is on the back foot. The Russian readout claims that the forthcoming diplomatic engagements in Geneva in the second week of January between Russia and the US, NATO and the OSCE successively will be about providing Russia with legally binding security guarantees. but the White House is non-committal. The Kremlin readout claims that Biden emphasized that Washington had no intention of deploying offensive strike weapons in Ukraine. But the US statements failed to acknowledge it. Instead, in a background press call, a senior White House official was categorical that there were certainly no declarations as to intentions. He firmly reiterated that any further invasion of Ukraine on Russias part will entail costs (that) include economic costs, include adjustments and augmentations of NATO force posture in Allied countries, and include additional assistance to Ukraine. The Russian side underscored that Putin told Biden that any large-scale sanctions would be a grave error, de facto fraught with the danger of a complete breakdown in Russia-US relations. The Russian state media highlighted this particular exchange. The White House readout concluded that substantive progress in these dialogues (in Geneva) can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation On the core issue of security guarantee, all that Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov would say was It seems to me that Washington understands Russias concerns, although Washington has its own concerns. On the contrary, the senior White House official never mentioned any security guarantees. As far as the American side is concerned, apropos of issues related to NATO, our position is very clear that these are decisions to be made by sovereign countries, obviously in consultation with the Alliance, and not for others to determine simply put, Russia has no input on questions of NATO expansion or Ukraines NATO membership. In essence, Biden showed an exit ramp to Putin. The White House official disclosed that Biden laid out (to Putin) two paths, two aspects of the U.S. approach that will really depend on Russias actions. He said, One is a path of diplomacy leading toward a de-escalation, and the other is a path thats more focused on deterrence, including serious costs and consequences should Russia choose to proceed with a further invasion of Ukraine. Washington estimates that it is speaking to Moscow from a position of advantage. Putins conciliatory idiom in the most recent days probably reinforced an impression in the American mind that hes looking for an exit strategy. Meanwhile, Washington has succeeded brilliantly in rallying its European allies especially, the European Quad counterparts and intends to keep up the very careful and very intensive coordination and transparency among our partners and allies. Washington also set the stage for Bidens phone conversation with a calibrated power projection. The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman and its escorts have been positioned in the Ionian Sea between Greece and Italy. On December 27, the US spy plane JSTARS E-8 flew over eastern Ukraine to collect ground intelligence. Two days later, the spy plane had a rerun. This is the first time ever that US has attempted such brazen intelligence gathering on Russian deployments. The mission was undertaken with the permission of the Ukrainian government. From the copious output by US think tankers in the recent weeks, the US considers itself to be in a win-win situation. The Brookings Institute was plainly dismissive about Russias demands which it considered as too outlandish to merit consideration. The think tankers in Washington are pouring over Russias options in binary terms an outright invasion of Ukraine or a limited incursion plus deployment of Russian troops to Donbas. The latter option is given weightage in a report compiled by the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War in Washington by a team of experts led by Frederick Kagan (husband of Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland). It anticipates: Putin will very likely deploy Russian troops into Belarus this winter Such a move could dramatically increase the challenge NATO faces defending the Baltic States from future Russian attack because it would put Russian mechanized units on both sides of the narrow Suwalki Corridor through which NATO supplies and reinforcements to the Baltic States must run And it would put additional Russian troops on the Polish border, increasing the threat to NATOs eastern flank. Having publicized on December 17 its demand for written legally bound security guarantee, Moscow is now obliged to stick by it. The US assumption is that Putin is damned either way. Indeed, if Putin backs down, it will be a massive loss of his public image as the strongman, which may even have implications for the 2024 presidential election in Russia. Worse still, the West would be emboldened to retain the option to continue with the present salami tactic integrate Ukraine into NATO incrementally while pushing military deployments right up to Russias borders. Bringing Russia down a few notches in its global standing suits American interests worldwide when it is feeling the heat of Moscows contestation in global politics. Curiously, the US does not take the China factor seriously. While there is no let-up in the US confrontational policy toward China and a Cold-War style confrontation is crystallizing, Washington is confident that Beijing will not exacerbate the crisis by risking a military flashpoint through 2022 with the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party due in the second half of the year. The consensus among US experts is that Chinese stagecraft almost exclusively focused in the coming months on consolidating President Xi Jinpings legitimacy and power base within the party and country to steer through the CCP Congress his re-election for a third term, a momentous event in Chinese political history since Mao Zedong. Herein lies the great danger: With the challenging midterm elections due in November in the US, which Biden is almost certain to lose, he may visualize a political rebound by playing the Russia card, which enjoys bipartisan support. In strategic terms, the US transatlantic leadership also stands to gain. The Kremlin leadership faces an existential dilemma. On the one hand, having waded into the midstream, turning back is difficult. On the other hand, the status quo may be seized by NATO to complete the unfinished business of training Russia to become a dancing bear. However, what is being blithely overlooked is that in Kiev, there is also a savage power struggle brewing, as the recent attempt by President Volodymyr Zelensky to lock up his predecessor Petro Poroshenko in jail on sedition charges suggests. The Pandora Papers have revealed that Zelensky founded a network of offshore companies and his former business partner and employer, Ukrainian banking and media tycoon named Ihor Kolomoisky (who is also sanctioned by Washington) allegedly laundered $5.5 billion through a tangle of shell companies. In September, in Kiev, someone tried to murder Serhiy Shefir, a friend and business partner who is believed to have created a network of offshore entities for Zelensky and others. Meanwhile, the stink involving then vice president Bidens son Hunters direct link to a Ukrainian corrupt company and its owner still pollutes the air. Forbes magazine recently wrote, Its consensus now that Hunters foreign relations have hurt American foreign policy in Ukraine. The internal and external political changes in Ukraine need to be taken seriously. They may turn out to be the missing link in the US narrative. Even if the Biden Administration pretends not to notice, Moscow must be watching closely. Author Bio: M.K. Bhadrakumar is a former Indian diplomat.This article was produced in partnership by Indian Punchline and Globetrotter. R. Andrew Odum/Getty Images The San Antonio Zoo recently released Puerto Rican Crested Toad Tadpoles into their native habitat, after conservation efforts to help revitalize the endangered species. At one time, the species was believed to be extinct, however one fluctuating population persists in the Guanica National Forest in the southern portion of the main island. Anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 adult toads exist today. The biggest threats to their survival are habitat loss and invasive species, according to the U.S Fish and Wildlife. UPDATE: The San Antonio Police Department reported late Monday afternoon that there have been no updates in the search for Lina Khil. They did not provide an update as to why volunteers were searching a green belt behind a Catholic church three miles away from the apartment complex she went missing. Original story follows below. A group of volunteers from a local nonprofit have joined continuing search efforts to find 3-year-old Lina Khil who is still missing two weeks after her disappearance. Volunteers with the Eagles Flight Advocacy & Outreach joined the search for Lina on Sunday, January 2, at 9 a.m. and searched the green belt area behind the St. George Maronite Catholic Church, according to a Facebook post. EFAO is a local group that offers educational resources to families who have children with special needs. The green belt area is about 3 miles northwest from the 9400 block of Fredericksburg Road, where Lina originally disappeared while at a playground at her parents' apartment complex on December 20. Courtesy of SAPD It's unclear why search has branched out to this area. MySA reached out to the San Antonio Police Department for comment. The search continues after SAPD officials said that a bag of bones discovered last week were not connected Lina's case. SAPD Chief William McManus said at a press conference on December 28 that police and FBI were looking into potential suspects but the case is still considered a missing person case. "It's disheartening that we haven't found anything that leads us closer to Lina," McManus said at the press conference. Lina was last seen wearing a red dress, black jacket and black shoes. The Islamic Center of San Antonio is offering a $100,000 and Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $50,000 for information that will help law enforcement find Lina. More for you San Antonio-area could hear rumbles of thunder Sunday night People with tips or information that will lead to finding Lina should call 210-207-7660. John Davenport/San Antonio Express-News After the expected hard freeze on Monday morning, the National Weather Service expects warmer temperatures to hit San Antonio before another cold front enters the area on Thursday and Friday. While chilly winds will continue, NWS meteorologist Andrew Quigley tells MySA it won't be the freezing conditions Bexar County experienced over the New Year break. Quigley says they expect temps to pick back up to the 60s and low 70s across the southern region come Tuesday and Wednesday. The next cold front arrives Thursday with temps cooling back down in the high 50s. Quigley says it will come with chilly air and blustery conditions. Prospering in the pandemic: winners and losers of the Covid era FT Fintech Is a Scam A Listicle in Eight Parts Cory Doctorow, Marker. With a shout-out to NC. Climate #COVID19 Will Upton Sinclair please pick up the nearest white courtesy phone? There is a point at which exponential math takes over policy preferences. I dont understand how this isnt obvious two years into this pandemic. zeynep tufekci (@zeynep) January 3, 2022 * * * Check your status! 1,700 flights ALREADY canceled for Sunday after almost 2,700 were canned on Saturday sparking chaos at airports across the nation: Bad weather and staff shortages caused by Omicron are blamed as FAA warns of impending travel turmoil Daily Mail. Flightmare in the URL, not the headline, what a shame. Major staffing shortages at NYPD, FDNY due to COVID surge FOX5 New York * * * You will pry fomites and hygiene theatre from WHOs cold, dead hands. I mean, separate dishes? Really? Home care for #COVID19: a guide for family and caregivers pic.twitter.com/VNgaf1IIFS World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) December 28, 2021 For whatever reason, the worlds leading public health organizations have decided they can fight a pandemic with no coherent theory of transmission. This means that, despite all the handwaving about personal responsibility, many will be unable to protect themselves, either from lack of knowlege, or misplaced trust. Especially depraved because the messaging is aimed at families, by definition including families with children. Oh, and hold onto your hats, here, folks nothing about HEPA filters or Corsi boxes (which would be useful for wildfires, too). They dont even suggest putting a fan in the window. Let alone respirators. * * * Omicron sending children to hospital in record numbers The Hill SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistence throughout the human body and brain (preprint) (PDF) NIH (Kris Alman). From the Abstract: We performed complete autopsies on 44 patients with COVID-19 to map and quantify SARS-CoV-2 distribution, replication, and cell-type specificity across the human body, including brain, from acute infection through over seven months following symptom onset. We show that SARS-CoV-2 is widely distributed, even among patients who died with asymptomatic to mild COVID-19, and that virus replication is present in multiple pulmonary and extrapulmonary tissues early in infection. Further, we detected persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA in multiple anatomic sites, including regions throughout the brain, for up to 230 days following symptom onset Our data prove that SARS-CoV-2 causes systemic infection and can persist in the body for months. Just a flu. * * * The world must learn to live with Covid this year Editorial Board, FT How will pandemic end? Omicron clouds forecasts for endgame AP. The ultra-contagious omicron mutant is pushing cases to all-time highs and causing chaos as an exhausted world struggles, again, to stem the spread. Struggle seems a strange word to characterize let er rip, the strategy adopted, with varying degrees of overt brutality, by most Western governments. COVID is making Americans stupid: Study shows worrying about virus leads to people making bad choices and performing poorly on simple cognitive tests Daily Mail (original, from November). (Natural News) Most conservative discussions about the problems of our day seem to center around how the Democrats are destroying everything with their far-left policies. Truth be told, many (if not most) Republicans are no better. The GOP is filled, it turns out, with corrupt, spineless Republican politicians who govern (if you can even call it that) based on an ethos of greed and corruption. Many of them are Big Pharma hacks who craft policies that benefit the drug industry at the expense of public health, and enrich the already rich at the expense of the poor. Neither party works for the We the People, sadly, save for perhaps a small handful of exceptions within their ranks. The rest are bought-and-paid-for traitors who have betrayed their constituents by aligning themselves with special interests. Back in August 2020, it was reported that the worlds largest drug makers and their trade groups had cut checks to some 356 lawmakers ahead of that years election. This figure represents more than two-thirds of the entire sitting Congress. The most active PAC was none other than Pfizer, the CEO of which says that anyone who refuses to take his companys Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines is a criminal. Mitch McConnell takes in more cash from the pharmaceutical industry than any other politician The worst political offender by far is Mitch McConnell, a powerful Republican who is arguably the most corrupt member of Congress next to, perhaps, Nancy Pelosi. McConnell has raked in some $30 million in campaign bribes from Big Pharma and this is just the documented bribes that he actually reports. This would explain why McConnell and the Republican Party as a whole loves the pills (and hates nature). Of course, like all political organizations of all stripes, to one degree or another, the ranks of the elected GOP officeholders have been populated by grifting cowards since its inception such is the nature of the politician, reports The Daily Bell. The best among the elected GOP pussyfoot around the totalitarian ambitions of the biomedical corporate state. The worst among the elected GOP are complicit in the largest-scale medical crime against humanity in history. Despite claiming to be the anti-establishment peoples choice for president, Donald Trump is really no better. He and Deborah Birx, his covid task force coordinator, spearheaded the very lockdowns back in early 2020 that drove another nail in the coffin of the American economy. The alleged mathematical models they were using at the time claimed that upwards of 2.2 million Americans would die from covid that same year a figure that turned out to be completely made-up rubbish. Even so, the nation was locked down with prejudice, masked and left decimated. And the Trump administration proceeded to enact the CARES Act, which provided even more cash to the Big Pharma machine to clean up the mess (or so we were told) with Operation Warp Speed. All that was done to no positive effect, the Bell adds, referring to all the drug overdoses, undiagnosed medical conditions, broken supply lines, decreased IQ in children, vaccine passports, and everything else that grew out of Trumps plandemic policies. To this very day, Trump is still parroting the lies of Big Pharma by hounding his supporters to take the injections they are calling vaccines, claiming that they are safe and effective. Literally every interview Trump does now involves a lengthy self-aggrandizing diatribe detailing his vaxx success and how great his vaxx agenda was and how people dont give him enough credit for his vaxxes, the Bell says. More related news about American politics can be found at Corruption.news. Sources for this article include: TheDailyBell.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Ben Philippe, an English instructor at Barnard College, has authored a book in which he described a fantasy of gassing White people. In the book, titled, Sure, Ill be your Black Friend, Philippe wrote: When this race war hits its crescendo, Ill gather you all into a beautifully decorated room under the pretense of unity. Ill give a speech to civility and all the good times we share; Ill smile as we raise glasses to your good, white health, while the detonator blinks under the table, knowing the exits are locked and the air vents filled with gas. It was a clear description of genocidal murder against White people. Double standard on controversial writings The controversial passage was discussed when CBC invited Philippe, who is Black, to be interviewed on Q the networks flagship arts program. Guest host Talia Schlanger noted that, as a Jewish person, she was disturbed by the passage. Im a Jewish person, and my grandparents survived the Holocaust. I cant tell you how it felt to read that sentiment, she said. And I wanted to say to you that Im so sorry that your experience of the world made you feel that way. Just like that, Schlanger essentially justified Philippe for writing the gassing passage on his book. As of this writing, theres no indication that Philippe is being subjected to criticisms or any form of investigation at Barnard. Perhaps, legal analyst Jonathan Turley was right when he wrote on his blog that such writing should be protected as a matter of free speech and academic freedom. But Turley is also right that the incident raises another case highlighting the conflicting treatment by universities on such writings. Apparently, the same can be said with mainstream media. (Related: Racism theater: How the media, Obama and the racism industry are tearing America apart for their own selfish gain.) It is doubtful that even a fictional account discussing the gassing of minorities would have resulted in anything other than a rapid suspension and ultimate termination in many universities, Turley wrote. When controversies arise on the left, Turley pointed out, university administrators tend to quickly cite free speech and academic values. The sharp contrast in how controversial speech is handled raises serious concerns over free speech and academic freedom. Turley noted that faculty members denouncing police, calling for Republicans to suffer, celebrating the death of conservatives, calling for the killing of Trump supporters, supporting the murder of conservative protesters and making other outrageous statements were largely ignored by universities. However, professors and students are routinely investigated, suspended and sanctioned for countervailing views. Some intolerant statements are deemed free speech while others are deemed hate speech. Free speech deemed as hate speech Late last year, Montreals McGill University faced an attack on free speech and academic freedom as eight student groups pushed to rescind the emeritus status of Philip Carl Salzman, a retired professor and well-known anthropologist, to retroactively punish him for opposing their views. The groups declared in an open letter that free speech does not exist outside of its social context and that it has been shown to be dictated by whiteness. The example they cited was an article written by Salzman in which he expressed his opinion on the Middle East. (Related: The emergence of Orwellian newspeak and the death of free speech.) Salzman wrote: The Middle East is a place where doing harm and being cruel to others is regarded as a virtue and a duty. The groups also noted that in the article, Salzman condemned multiculturalism, immigration, gender parity, cultural equality, social justice and the Black Lives Matter movement while dismissing the existence of rape culture and systemic racism. While conceding that Salzmans article is editorial in nature, the groups claimed that the retired professors opinions were presented as though they are objective facts. Salzmans response shows the difference between dialogue and diatribe on campuses. It appears to have eluded the students supporting this petition that a university is supposed to be a place where opinions, views, and theories are exchanged and critically assessed. I would welcome critiques of my articles through argument and evidence and am prepared to defend my positions, Salzman said. But these students have made no attempt to challenge my articles with contrary arguments and contradictory evidence. Their view appears to be that diversity of opinion about important subjects is unacceptable. Faced with opinions that they dislike, they attack the messenger rather than the message. And they move swiftly from accusation to sentence, without bothering to pass through argument and evidence. Violence hailed as activism Meanwhile, good things happen when your views are generally accepted in the society. In 2014, University of California at Santa Barbara Associate Professor Mireille Miller-Young was charged with one count each of grand theft, vandalism and battery in an incident involving pro-life activists who were holding signs in a free speech zone on the campus. She pleaded no contest to the three misdemeanor charges. Miller-Young led her students in attacking a pro-life display, stealing part of their display and then committing battery on one of the young women. Despite her shocking conduct and the clear violation of the most fundamental values for all academics in guaranteeing free speech, the faculty overwhelmingly supported Miller-Young and the university decided not to impose any meaningful discipline. Michael D. Young, the universitys vice chancellor of student affairs, even issued a statement blaming the victims and practically defending Miller-Youngs conduct. She was lionized for her activism, as Turley put it. To top it all, Miller-Young was honored as featured speaker at the University of Oregons Department of Womens, Gender and Sexuality Studies in 2018. Miller-Young, who is black, discussed her work on black feminism, labor and sex work. Follow ThoughtPolice.news for more news and information related to free speech and censorship. Sources include: JonathanTurley.org 1 ThePostMillennial.com JonathanTurley.org 2 FoxNews.com (Natural News) The Moronic (Omicron) variant of the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) is spreading fast in Israel, according to reports. Despite having an authoritarian police state that pretty much requires all citizens to get vaccinated in order to live, Israels current state of public health is dismal at least as far as positive test results are concerned. The Times of Israel (ToI) is reporting that the number of new Moronic infections has tripled throughout the country. Around 1,800 Israelis per day are now testing positive, the data suggests. This represents a six-month high for the country, despite a jab program that is among the most aggressive in the world. The nations Health Ministry says that the number of confirmed Moronic cases reached 1,118 last Saturday, which is more than triple the 341 infections that were identified the previous Tuesday. Another 861 infections, the ministry added in an announcement, are highly suspected to be Moronic, but have not yet been confirmed. This latest wave of the virus is Israels fifth since the initial launch of the plandemic back in March 2020. And case rates continue to soar despite widespread injection compliance. Israel has become a police state hell In an attempt to curb the spread of Moronic, cabinet ministers are imposing yet another lockdown, this time restricting entry in malls. In-person learning for school children is also being restricted. New rules for the education sector were also set to go into effect Sunday, ToI reports. Classes for pupils in grades 7-12 in communities listed as red or orange will only be allowed to open for in-person learning where 70 percent of pupils have received the first dose of the vaccine. Pupils in classes where fewer than 70% of kids are vaccinated will learn online. This decision will also apply to primary schools (grades 1-6) in three weeks. In green and yellow communities, public education will continue on as normal for all grade levels. The way that Israels traffic light plan works is that each municipality throughout the country is given a score between 0 and 10 based on a list of factors. One factor is the number of new cases per 10,000 residents, as well as the number of positives. Cities and towns that receive an average score of 7.5 or higher are classified by the government as red, meaning heavy restrictions are coming. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has ordered that rapid testing be administered at all entrances to elderly care homes to supposedly protect vulnerable communities from becoming infected. This decision was made by Bennett after 25 people in an elderly care home in the central Israeli town of Savyon were diagnosed with the Chinese Flu. Twenty of them were residents and five were workers. After talking to Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla over the weekend, Bennett also decided to snap up 100,000 doses of Pfizers new anti-covid pharmaceutical. This drug will be administered on top of the endless booster shots that Israelis will continue to receive. Bourla claims that his companys drug can help to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death among high-risk groups by up to 90 percent. The first shipment will arrive in Israel within the next week. The risk for everyone one of us to contract the disease is the highest since the beginning of the pandemic, announced Prof. Eran Segal, a computational biologist from the Weizmann Institute of Science, and one of the Israeli governments top coronavirus advisors. There is no doubt that the most effective step is the vaccine, he added. This is what will reduce morbidity and the number of people in serious condition. The latest news about Israel and the plandemic can be found at Fascism.news. Sources for this article include: TimesOfIsrael.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) For the fifth time in the past 17 months, Dr. Scott Jensen has received threatening letters from the Minnesota Board of Medical (MBMP) Practice, which is currently investigating him over his prescription of ivermectin to some of his patients. The MBMP wants to know why some of Jensens patients are receiving ivermectin and whether it has anything to do with the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) in other words, they want to pore through peoples private medical records for political purposes. In case you have not noticed, the left-wing Branch Covidian lunatics currently running the country have decided that nobody should be allowed to even try to protect themselves against the Fauci Flu using this safe and effective remedy that has been FDA-approved since 1996. Anyone who dares try will be punished with prejudice. According to reports, Jensen is being bombarded with letters from the MBMP in an attempt to scare him out of prescribing it to some of his patients. The group is demanding full access to his private patient records, specifically for the most recent three to five patients to whom youve prescribed ivermectin to treat COVID-19. Citing Subdivision 3 of the Minnesota Physician Accountability Act, the MBMP claims that it should have access to hospital and medical records of a patient treated by the physician under review if the patient signs a written consent permitting such access. If no consent form has been signed, the hospital or physician shall first delete data in the record which identifies the patient before providing it to the board, the MBMP insists. Because ivermectin heals, the government doesnt want you to have it In a statement to The Epoch Times, Ruth Martinez, executive director of the MBMP, claimed that her organization routinely requests patient records to develop factual findings during investigations. Martinez added that doctors such as Jensen are required to fully cooperate with a Board investigation. Should Jensen refuse to comply, Martinez further says that the MBMP has subpoena authority to obtain records, when necessary. Many other doctors, especially in non-Western countries, are openly prescribing ivermectin to their Chinese Virus patients because they know the drug works. It is a powerful anti-parasitic that also has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been tested in about 72 small clinical trials globally with positive results. None of this matters to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), though, which insists that nobody should be allowed access to ivermectin because it was never authorized or approved by FDA for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Never mind the fact that all sorts of FDA-approved drugs are used off-label all the time for all kinds of things, including for gender reassignment transition and the behavioral management of children. All of that is a-okay with the CDC, but not the safe and effective use of a tried-and-true antimalarial drug for a global plandemic that has captured the lives of millions due to there being no standard recognized remedy for it. The MBMP is also upset at Jensen for supposedly spreading misinformation about the plandemic, and for not being vaccinated. Jensen is also accused of inappropriately recommending against children wearing masks in school and claiming that masks dont do the job. Back in March 2021, Jensen stated in a WCCO Radio interview that he would not be getting vaccinated with one of Donald father of the vaccine Trumps Operation Warp Speed injections because science would not indicate that I should be vaccinated. The far-left political agenda is so blatant, wrote one Epoch Times commenter about this ridiculous witch hunt against Jensen and others like him. More related news about the governments constant assault against ivermectin can be found at Fascism.news. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Carlos Tejada, a New York Times Deputy Asia Editor, has died at the age of 49. He suffered a heart attack less than a day after posting to social media that he had received a Moderna booster vaccination. (Article by Kay Smythe republished from TheNationalPulse.com) Tejada, who worked in part on the papers COVID-19 coverage, was married with two children. He had worked at the Wall Street Journal prior to moving to the Times, where he worked for almost five years. According to Tejadas own Instagram page, he was grateful to receive the mRNA/LNP booster while in Seoul, South Korea. Tejada originally received the Johnson & Johnson DNA/AAV COVID-19 vaccination in July 2021. Less than a day after receiving his Moderna booster on December 17th, Tejada died of a heart attack. The news was shared via Tejadas social media by his wife Nora the following morning. The Times confirmed his death on December 22nd. Former NY Times journalist Alex Berenson reported on his Substack that Tejada did not give informed consent to receive the booster shot, as the consent form was written in Korea and Tejada did not read Korean. On his social media, Tejada joked that Omicron could hit [him] with your wet snot, before going on to say, all I had to do was fill out this form in a language I cant read. Translation software tells me I now belong to the BTS army. Berenson also noted that there have been no clinical trials on the efficacy of mixing two different types of vaccinations. Studies conducted on COVID-19 vaccinations suggest that those who receive vaccines in rapid succession are more likely to develop heart complications, such as myocarditis and pericarditis. The NY Times has thus far made no reference to Tejada having received his booster shot just hours before his premature death. To this, Berenson, a former employee of the newspaper, said he hoped that Tejadas death would finally wake the Times. Studies published to AAHA have suggested that mRNA vaccines increase inflammatory markers in patients. Prior to Tejada receiving his Moderna booster, the CDC announced that 80 percent of COVID-19 Omicron variant cases were found in fully-vaccinated individuals. Forty-seven percent of Omicron cases have been found in those individuals whove only received the first vaccination, with 33 percent of cases identified in people with both vaccinations and boosters. Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo speaks at a news conference on Monday Jan. 3, 2022 at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more monoclonal antibody treatments are coming to Florida with new sites ready to open in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. (Susan Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel) With the omicron variant spreading, testing sites jammed and health care workers weary, Floridas surgeon general said he will release testing guidelines by Wednesday that will urge people without symptoms to refrain from getting swabbed. Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Floridas surgeon general, said during a news briefing Monday that he wants to unwind the testing psychology that federal leaders have created: His new guidelines will discourage testing for those at low-risk, such as children, and prioritize those at higher risk, such as the elderly. This doesnt restrict access to testing, but reduces the use of low-value testing and prioritizes high-value testing, he said. Advertisement For example, he said, If your grandmother gets a test, thats a much more valuable test than the 8-year-old third-graders that Los Angeles County is sending to get tested. The first one is much more likely to change outcomes. In Los Angeles County, officials required COVID testing to return to school for those who were exposed to COVID. We have to unwind this living life around testing, Ladapo said. Advertisement [ COVID-19 update: As hospitalizations approach 6,000, Florida reports 85,707 new cases from weekend ] Ladapo, known for his controversial views on mask mandates and vaccines, hasnt yet released specifics about the plan, saying his testing guidance will be released within 48 hours. However, already parents and pediatricians are voicing concerns, particularly with public schools resuming classes in person this week and children no longer required to wear masks. As omicron has sent cases skyrocketing, Floridians are flooding test sites and in some instances, turning to emergency rooms at hospitals to get tested. DeSantis said people without symptoms who are buying at-home kits at drugstores and getting tested at Florida sites are doing so frivolously and have contributed to the crunch. You want to test to get a clinical outcome. Thats got to be readily available for anybody affected, particularly our vulnerable population. Children are at less risk. Older people with health problems are at more risk. Lets test for a reason and the tests will be there for you, he said. While some counties have received a limited supply of at-home tests from the federal government to distribute, the governor said he continues to ask for more and doesnt know when or if they will arrive. Meanwhile, counties are scrambling to open more test sites. [ RELATED: Florida schools will stay open ] Almost immediately, the announcement of the states proposed guidelines drew criticism. Hes literally standing behind a sign that says early treatment saves lives. How do you get treatment early if you dont know youre positive until youre so bad off that you are admitted to the hospital? ColonelTom (@ColonelTom_) January 3, 2022 [ Lee en espanol: Florida quiere que no te hagas la prueba COVID si no tienes sintomas. Anunciara nueva guia de pruebas COVID ] Kristen Hewitt, of Plantation, said she disagrees with discouraging children from getting tested for COVID. I have been testing my children and will continue to do so, said the mother of two daughters, 10 and 12. Advertisement Its important for them to be tested to protect elderly members of our family, Hewitt said. Its also important because to be seen by a pediatrician, even for strep or the flu, they need to have a negative COVID test. And if they were exposed, you want them to have a negative test to return to school so they dont infect staff or children who could be immunocompromised. Hewitt said she doesnt consider children low value. I get that [tests] are hard to come by and people dont want to wait in line, but I think everyone needs to be tested. Dr. Sonja Rasmussen, a professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Epidemiology at the University of Florida College of Medicine, said she understands the thought process but doesnt think its the best approach. Sometimes you have to prioritize who is at highest risk and most at need, she said. But I think we need to know if a child has COVID because that child can be spreading it to others. Its better to prevent the disease than to treat it. Broward County Mayor Michael Udine said at the news conference that he encourages new testing guidelines. Advertisement We are opening sites on a daily basis, more and more to meet the demand of the public, he said. But I agree we need to come up with some reasonable, rational testing requirements so we are not creating a demand situation that no one can reasonably keep up with. Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com. (Natural News) Romania has approved a bill backed by the U.S. prohibiting Chinese company Huawei from joining its 5G network. According to a member of the Romanian Parliament, the centrist government in Bucharest approved the bill on April 15. The bills approval occurred amid a technology Cold War between China and the U.S., with its battleground set in Europe. The parliaments Information Technology and Communications Secretary and Member of Parliament (MP) Pavel Popescu said: The government just approved this bill of paramount importance for Romania, sealing a 2019 memorandum signed in Washington. [This means] that China and Huawei are ruled out from any would-be partnership on 5G with the Romanian state. National security is a key goal, and protecting Romanias future generations personal data is crucial. According to the August 2019 memorandum, companies who wish to take part in developing Romanias 5G network need to undergo a careful and complete evaluation. It elaborated that vendors should declare if they are subject to control by a foreign government, if they are subject to a legal regime enforcing transparent corporate practices and if they possess a transparent ownership structure. The April 15 bill reflects both the U.S. memorandum and the stance of Romanias Supreme Council of National Defense. Even before its 2004 participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Romania has been a staunch American ally. The U.S. believes that the Chinese Communist Party is using Huawei for global surveillance, a belief Bucharest shared. However, the telecommunications giant has repeatedly denied performing espionage activities for the Chinese regime. Popescu commented that the bill serves as a requirement for launching 5G tenders in Romania in the second half of the year. The bill also opens up an opportunity for Huaweis competitors Ericsson and Nokia to position themselves as suppliers for Romanias 5G network. Huawei is facing bans from different countries across the world The April 15 bill was first drafted last year but immediately faced a legal challenge from Huawei. The Chinese telecommunications company appealed to the European Commission to overturn the ban. According to Huawei, the law drafted under the guise of national security violated EU legislation banning discrimination against companies based on their country of origin. (Related: US and UK partner up to ban Huawei from 5G surveillance and data collection.) A report by Total Telecom said the bill will significantly impact Romanias 5G spectrum auction scheduled in late 2021. But it also pointed out that some Romanian providers procured a significant portion of their equipment from Huawei posing potential problems for the local firms. Aside from Romania, Huawei also faced similar bans from other European nations. A September 2020 report by Intellinews said Poland proposed a bill amending the countrys existing national cybersecurity system law. The new bill indicated that hardware and software providers need to be vetted for potential influence from countries outside the EU or NATO. Aspects such as human rights and use of personal data would be considered in the vetting process. According to the proposed legislation, providers found to be of high risk to Polands cybersecurity would be penalized with a ban on their products. It also said that these companies products would be withdrawn from the Polish market if they are determined to be a threat. While the bill did not explicitly point to the Chinese company, the requirements would clearly disfavor it. Warsaw has long remarked that letting Huawei join the countrys 5G build-up could undermine national security. Interestingly, Estonia also shares Polands worries over the Chinese firm. In May 2020, the Estonian parliament approved a law mandating security reviews for telecommunications equipment to be used in future networks. The new Electronics Communications Act approved by the unicameral Riigikogu includes Estonian intelligence services as among those examining companies for any undue influence. Similarly, the Estonian law did not mention Huawei or any other companies outright but lawmakers dubbed it the Huawei law. The country also a member of the EU and NATO also shared the same sentiments as the U.S. over Huaweis links to Chinese espionage. Riigikogu Defense Committee Head Andres Metsoja said in a statement: We must ensure that the communication services are offered using a secure technology and a reliable provider. Huawei also appealed to the European Commission to overturn the bans mandated by Poland and Estonia, but the appeal fell on deaf ears. Visit NationalSecurity.news to read more articles about Chinas espionage efforts through Huawei. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com TotalTele.com Intellinews.com Reuters.com By covertly recruiting popular YouTube influencer Abigail Thorn to counter growing opposition to UK govt Covid restrictions, psy-ops pros are bringing home the tactics they honed in the Syrian dirty war. (Natural News) (Article by Kit Klanberg and Max Bluementhal republished from TheGrayzone.com) Leaked documents have revealed a state-sponsored influence operation designed to undermine critics of the British governments coronavirus policies by astroturfing a prominent founder of the BreadTube clique of anti-fascist YouTube influencers. The project aims to conduct psychological profiling on British citizens dissenting against policies such as mandatory vaccination and lockdowns, then leverage the data to establish a YouTube channel that portrays these critics as dangerous superspreaders of disinformation. Designed to curb the influence of pseudoscience material online, with specific emphasis on Coronavirus-related anti-vaxxing sentiment, the operation is run by the UKs Royal Institution, and dubbed Challenging Pseudoscience. Its top patron is Charles, the Prince of Wales, next in line to the British throne, who recently hit out at supposed conspiracy theories surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. The organization received a substantial cash injection in 2020 from the UK governments Culture Recovery Fund earmarked for video production. Leaked files obtained by The Grayzone indicate that the Royal Institution has enlisted the services of Valent Projects, a social change communications firm founded by a public relations operative previously involved in the UK Foreign Offices campaign for violent regime change in Syria. Valent has also been sponsored by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), a US intelligence cut-out, for a project aimed at investigating disinformation. Valents central role in the operation highlights the trend of information warfare specialists bringing the techniques they honed against targets like the Syrian government back home to the West, where increasingly unpopular governments confront masses of citizens ever-bristling at coronavirus restrictions. As in Syria, where communications firms like Valent created, trained and instrumentalized media organizations to further regime change objectives, they have covertly recruited a famed British YouTube influencer to lend their carefully calculated messaging campaign an authentic flavor. According to internal documents, Valent plans to design a mass appeal social media campaign fronted and owned by prominent social media figure Abigail Thorn, the founder of Philosophy Tube. Valents research on British citizens who reject official policy on COVID-19 will be used to devise a campaign that utilises YouTuber Abigail Thorns existing platform to achieve a measurable cognitive shift in the target audience, the files state. Boasting over one million subscribers to her YouTube channel and more than 7000 Patreon supporters, Thorn has established a potent vehicle for any communications campaign. She is also a core member of BreadTube, an assortment of left-branded social media influencers that has attracted intense establishment interest for its purported ability to pop YouTubes political bubbles to create space for deradicalisation. While top BreadTubers are best known for employing memes and theatrical ploys to counter right-wing narratives, they have also dedicated intense energy to attacking the anti-imperialist left as tankies engaged in a secret red-brown alliance with right-wing extremists. In his book, BreadTube Serves Imperialism: Examining the New Brand of Internet Pseudo-Socialism, socialist organizer Caleb Maupin likened BreadTube to the counter-gangs deployed by British and US intelligence to infiltrate and dismantle insurgent forces from Kenya to Southeast Asia. BreadTube speaks in the name of left-wing sounding ideals. In reality, it is likely serving one section of the American ruling elite and the intelligence agencies, Maupin wrote. The covert relationship between BreadTubes Abigail Thorn, Valent Projects, and the Royal Institute appears to validate Maupins thesis. It does not surprise me at all to find out there is documented evidence that the British Royal Family and an intelligence contractor is bankrolling the work of Abigail Thorn, Maupin told The Grayzone. It lines up with everything I have observed about her and the BreadTube trend overall. Maupin continued, BreadTubes socialism is not really socialism, it is mobilizing young liberals to keep dissident elements in line. Its securing the rule of British and American corporations over the planet by trying to silence those who get in its way. The national security establishments favorite socialists Since launching Philosophy Tube in 2013, Abigail Thorns YouTube channel boasts over 7000 paying Patreon fans and well over one million YouTube subscribers. By probing complex philosophical and political issues in a highly accessible, engaging manner and deploying elaborate, artisanal audio and visual effects, she has emerged as a social media celebrity. A lengthy profile video produced by the BBC refers to her as one of the most high-profile transgender figures in the UK. Thorn is among the most prominent figures within the loosely knit collective of YouTube influencers known as BreadTube. Inspired by the title of anarchist Peter Kropotkins tract, The Conquest of Bread, BreadTube advances a hyper-identitarian, imperialism-friendly interpretation of socialist politics that has earned its creators enthusiastic promotion from establishment interests. The New York Times, for example, published a lengthy 2019 profile of a young man named Caleb Cain who supposedly fell down the alt-right rabbit hole on YouTube. Cain claimed he was de-radicalized through exposure to videos by Thorn and other popular BreadTubers like Natalie Wynn of Contrapoints. During the Trump era, as the Google-owned YouTube implemented a raft of stringent speech codes, it began amplifying BreadTube influencers through its algorithm. Other popular BreadTube figures include Vaush, a video gamer from Beverly Hills, California named Ian Koshinski. Known for his superficial understanding of Marxism, crude invective against Trump supporters (they disappear, or we all do), female high school athletes (sorry you fucking suck, dumb bitch), and imprisoned journalist Julian Assange (I want Assange to die in a CIA black site just because it would trigger all the worst people on Twitter), the self-described libertarian socialist has earned the moniker Vaush Limbaugh from his critics. BREAKING NEWS!! TRIGGER WARNING!! Small brain pro CIA @VaushV advocates for the torture of #JulianAssange in a sad attempt to hurt those who support him. Please donate to and disseminate @wikileaks documents. pic.twitter.com/vyF0yD6oBa Properganda Live (@QuinnPetersen14) December 13, 2021 Then there is Shaun, a British BreadTuber whose recent attack on left-wing political comedian Jimmy Dores criticisms of government Covid restrictions contained echoes of the Challenging Pseudoscience project prepared for Thorn by intelligence-related outfits. Shauns arguments relied heavily on statements by official experts and US government bodies like the FDA and CDC. While Dore has been limited by YouTubes sweeping speech codes, Shauns viral video appears to have benefited from an algorithmic boost. All the key signs of infiltration are there, Caleb Maupin said of BreadTube. Since when does US mainstream media highlight the work of Marxist revolutionaries? Why are people who seem so unfamiliar with basic elements of socialist ideology suddenly elevated to the position of respected experts by the algorithms? Why do their foreign policy views seem to line up so closely with the US State Department? I have had no doubt they were being covertly supported by powerful entities with goals other than overthrowing capitalism. Unlike some fellow BreadTubers, Thorn comes across as amiable and trustworthy, fostering a personal bond with her viewers and regularly publishing thank you notes to patrons, listing them each by name. These qualities have attracted support for Philosophy Tube by both public and private backers. Thorns April 2021 dismantling of the politics of right-wing culture warrior Jordan Peterson has racked up almost two million views and was sponsored by Curiosity Stream, a US media streaming service. The video opens with a black screen disclosing the support provided by the company and claiming Thorn would donate her fee to the feminist campaign group, Sisters Uncut. The video is also emblazoned with YouTubes paid promotion logo. Yet no such disclaimer referring to support from the Royal Institution can be found on any of her other uploads. And that may be because the Covid campaign was intended to be covert. Astroturf campaign seeks to achieve measurable cognitive shift The Challenging Pseudoscience operation designed for Thorn was launched in February 2021 by liberal science journalist Angela Saini. The author of several popular titles and a forthcoming book on the origins of patriarchy, she is also part of The Lancet Covid-19 Commissions Task Force on Global Health Diplomacy. The commissions chief, Peter Daszak, a zoologist who serves as president of the US-based NGO known as EcoHealth Alliance, was forced to resign in June over conflict of interest issues. In the years leading up to the outbreak of Covid-19, Daszak worked extensively on bat coronaviruses and gain of function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. His organization received tens of millions in funding from the Pentagons Defense Threat Reduction Agency, a division [countering] weapons of mass destruction and improvised threat networks. In December 2019, Daszak warned that coronaviruses can get into human cells, one can manipulate them in the lab pretty easily, and you cant vaccinate against them. The host of Sainis project, the Royal Institute, was founded in 1799 by British scientists of the day with the aim of introducing new technologies and teaching science to the general public. Landed gentry and royalty have always occupied the Institutions highest levels. Queen Elizabeth IIs cousin, Field Marshal Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, has served as president since 1976. The files indicate that the Royal Institution enlisted the services of Valent Projects, a communications firm [working] with clients in the UK and all over the world to counter disinformation and strengthen the bonds between people. Valent was founded by Amil Khan, a former Reuters and BBC reporter who officially left journalism to help good causes navigate the new information landscape. From February, Valent Projects proposed a two-phase project to develop an understanding of the psychological drivers behind the generation and spread of anti-vaxxer narratives. It planned to exploit this data to develop and test public messaging responses. The findings would inform other programming by Challenging Pseudoscienceas well as other stakeholders including the science community and concerned governments and public health bodies. In the campaigns first phase, extensive online interviews were to be conducted, along with ethnographic research to secure comprehensive understanding of the key online audiences driving anti-vaxxing mis/disinformation around the Coronavirus pandemic. Valent Projects then planned to draw together insights from these findings, developing comprehensive audience profiles including demographic information to design a mass appeal social media campaign fronted and owned by prominent social media figure Abigail Thorn, who runs online channel Philosophy Tube. Valent indicated its intent to exploit Philosophy Tubes sizable platform to achieve a measurable cognitive shift [emphasis added] in the target audience. Reaching the intended viewers was forecast to be a significant task in itself, however. Valent noted most Philosophy Tube viewers are within the 18 to 35 age range, but existing research suggested the most prolific consumers of pseudoscience material were over the age of 45. The firm felt the best topic to address this issue is probably along the lines of the thing about expertise [sic]. Fittingly, in August 2020 Thorn uploaded a video, Whos afraid of the experts? Featuring comedian Adam Conover of the popular show, Adam Ruins Everything, the 45 minute-long defense of the scientific consensus on the HIV/AIDS debate is the first result in any search for the term vaccine on Philosophy Tubes channel. The leaked documents thus expose what had long suspected by critics of BreadTube: the popular social media collective has been instrumentalized by powerful interests with connections to Western intelligence agencies. Read more at: TheGrayzone.com (Natural News) The past two years have fundamentally transformed just about every nation on the entire planet, and there will be no going back if the elite have their way. For more than a decade, I have been warning about the rapid growth of the Big Brother control grid all around us, but in 2020 and 2021 things have gone to an entirely new level. The pandemic has given them the perfect excuse to impose lockdowns, mask requirements, vaccine passports and mandatory injections all over the globe. They have used fear of the virus to get the vast majority of the world population to accept measures that they never would have accepted during normal times. As a result, now they can monitor us, track us and control us like never before. (Article by Michael Snyder republished from EndOfTheAmericanDream.com) In many areas, it has already gotten to a point where you cant even live a normal life without a vaccine passport or some other proof that you are up to date on your injections. In New York City, people have been getting arrested just for ordering food without showing proof of vaccination. As a result of such authoritarian measures, the vaccination rate in the city is up to about 85 percent, but that still isnt good enough for those in charge. So now they are going to be sending vaccination teams around to encourage those that have not been vaccinated to get their shots. Oh, and if you give in they will hand you $100 for being a good little servant of the system. Sadly, it sounds like door to door vaccination teams will soon be coming to the UK as well Door-to-door teams armed with Covid jabs will be sent to the homes of unvaccinated Britons in plans being considered by Ministers to reach the estimated five million people yet to be inoculated. Discussions between the Department of Health, NHS England and No 10 over the past week have looked at a nationwide drive to send vaccine teams to areas with low uptake rates as a crucial way to avoid lockdown and other restrictions. But at least the injections have not become mandatory in the United States and the UK just yet. However, an increasing number of nations are starting to move in that direction. Ecuador just mandated the injections for everyone that is at least five years old, it appears that Germany could make them mandatory early next year, and Austria is actually hiring people to hunt down vaccine refusers. Yes, our world really is becoming one huge science fiction movie. In Canada, the government was actually secretly tracking 33 million phones in order to gauge the publics responsiveness during lockdown measures Canada which has a population of 38 million has admitted to secretly tracking 33 million phones during the Covid-19 lockown, according to the National Post, citing Blacklocks Reporter which first noted the disclosure. The countrys Public Health Agency (PHAC) did so to assess the publics responsiveness during lockdown measures, according to the report. Canada has gone completely and totally nuts during this pandemic. But the Canadians still have a long way to go in order to top the insanity in New Zealand. Not too long ago, an anti-euthanasia group asked the Ministry of Health if a patient that is in the hospital with COVID is eligible for euthanasia In November, anti-euthanasia group #DefendNZ asked the New Zealand Ministry of Health (MOH) questions about the practice of the nations End of Life Choice Act (EOLC Act). One of these questions was, Could a patient who is severely hospitalised with Covid-19 potentially be eligible for assisted suicide or euthanasia under the Act if a health practitioner viewed their prognosis as less than 6 months? The response that the group got back was extremely alarming Doctors receive a government fee of $1,000 plus expenses for each person they kill through euthanasia. The MOH confirmed that such patients with COVID could be killed by lethal injection under the new euthanasia law. This includes patients who are considered to be dying from COVID or those who have extreme suffering from its effects. The MOH stated, A terminal illness is most often a prolonged disease where treatment is not effective. If you live in New Zealand and you get COVID, you will want to be very careful to clarify what someone means when they ask you if you want to go to sleep. Of course all of the rules, regulations and mandates that have been imposed upon us are not for the elite. They appear to be operating under their own special set of rules, and this should make all of us very sick. I really like how Emerald Robinson made this point in her most recent article Meanwhile, my colleagues in the corporate media spent their time in 2021 telling you that you could fly on a packed airplane but that your church was closed. That you couldnt walk into your favorite local restaurant but Target and Walmart were always open for you. That your schools were shut down but left-wing political rallies were safe to attend. They treated CDC guidelines as law. They repeated with a straight face that your civil rights were basically suspended indefinitely unless you were a member of Congress or Bill Gates. The overwhelming majority of my so-called colleagues in journalism spent the entire year celebrating this state of affairs. The stench of their treachery to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights will never be washed away. Our freedoms and liberties are being systematically destroyed all around us, but many Americans dont seem to care. Instead, they just continue to allow fear of the virus to push them into doing very irrational things. For instance, a riot almost erupted in Brooklyn on Friday when officials started to hand out free at-home COVID-19 tests Cops had to step in Friday as a crowd mobbed a Brooklyn corner where the city was giving away free at-home COVID-19 tests. Tempers flared as the larger-than-expected crowd descended on Flatbush and Church avenues, one of five spots in the Big Apple where city health officials were doling out tests amid a surge in demand over the holidays and lack of supply. People were so desperate to get those tests that the police had to be called in. It reminded me of scenes that we would see on Black Friday in the pre-pandemic days, but in this case people were ready to fight to get their hands on free COVID tests. Have we really sunk this low? I was really hoping that the pandemic was starting to subside, but now this new Omicron variant has caused a tremendous wave of fear. And politicians will inevitably respond to all of this fear by imposing even more authoritarian measures. I have been shocked by how easy it has been for much of the global population to accept the authoritarian measures that have been imposed so far. If they are not willing to stand up to tyranny now, what will happen when much greater tyranny comes along later? These are such dark times, and I believe that they will get even darker in 2022. The fiery grip of tyranny is getting a little tighter with each passing day, but much of the population of our planet does not seem to think that this is a problem. Read more at: EndOfTheAmericanDream.com In a minute, an average of 100 people die somewhere in the world. Scientists say the time near this inevitable demise could be powered by something "amazing and mysterious" taking place in someone's head. For years, scientists have been studying the brain processes of a human when it dies, and results suggest that brain death becomes irreversible in the human body. However, findings had been limited to what they can acquire due to the inability to easily monitor human death. Conventionally, physicians are obliged to prevent death if they can, not monitor it as it takes hold. In a 2018 study, an international team of scientists made a breakthrough in understanding the processes involved in brain death using animal experiments, strengthened with data they can get on the account of resuscitated patients on their near-death experiences. This had shed light to how brain death becomes reversible in the human body. 'Brain tsunamis' may be stopped Based on animal brain findings, the brain enters into and 'energy-saving mode' after 20 to 40 seconds without oxygen, becomes electrically inactive, and neurons cease to communicate with one another. The brain then begins to break down after a few minutes, and a wave of electrochemical energy - called a spreading depolarisation or 'brain tsunami' spreads throughout the cortex and other brain regions, ultimately causing irreversible brain damage. However, according to lead scientists and neurologist Jens Dreier from Universitatsmedizin Berlin in Germany, this tsunami of brain death may actually be capable of being stopped. "After circulatory arrest, spreading depolarisation marks the loss of stored electrochemical energy in brain cells and the onset of toxic processes that eventually lead to death," Dreier explained back then. "Importantly, it is reversible - up to a point - when the circulation is restored." Dreier monitored these processes taking place in nine patients with devastating brain injuries (under Do Not Resuscitate - Comfort Care orders). Also read: Pfizer's New COVID Antiviral Pills Could be Dangerous When Taken With Other Medications Brain Tsunami in patients, not a one-way wave Using neuro-monitoring technology called subdural electrode strips and intraparenchymal electrode arrays, the researchers found that spreading depolarisation in the patients' brains is not a one-way wave, thus it can be resumed to the brain as long as there is circulation and oxygen supply. "Anoxia-triggered [spreading depolarisation] is fully reversible without any signs of cellular damage, if the oxidative substrate supply is re-established before the so-called commitment point, defined as the time when neurons start dying under persistent depolarisation," the authors explained in their paper. "There are no direct implications for patient care today," Dreier said, pointing out more observations will be essential to understand what's really going on here. "Knowledge of the processes involved in spreading depolarisation is fundamental to the development of additional treatment strategies aimed at prolonging the survival of nerve cells when brain perfusion is disrupted." The team finally suggests that their findings could one day be a life-saver for patients at risk of brain damage or other kinds of stroke like cerebral ischemia that can incur death, with a lot more work and discoveries. Also read: COVID-19: Moderna Vaccine Booster Also Effective Against Omicron Variant Sign up to get breaking news, weather forecasts, and more in your email inbox. Sign Up Now NEW CANAAN The Board of Selectmen agreed Monday to hire the current Chief Financial Officer of Wilton, Anne C. Kelly-Lenz, as CFO for the town. She had been serving as acting CFO for both Wiltons Public Schools and the town. Kelly-Lenz will be replacing former CFO Lunda Asmanis, who left to accept a role in the Norwalk Public Schools in December. Personnel Director Cheryl Pickering Jones said Kelly-Lenz, who first started in Wilton in 2015, will start her new post on Jan. 18. Selectman Nick Williams said that it would be helpful to the town to acquire someone with the experience overseeing both a similar school district and the town, although qualifying his statement by adding that Kelly-Lenz no longer wanted to serve as the chief financial officer of both. When Asmanis departure was announced, First Selectman Kevin Moynihan had said he would have liked to combine the CFO of the town with the school district, in part to be able to keep the former director of management and budget for the City of Norwalk. He said Superintendent Bryan Luizzi had not agreed to the arrangement. Asmani also held various municipal finance positions in the towns of Maize, Sedgwick and Newton in Kansas prior to his first Norwalk stint. Moynihan said Wiltons First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice was disappointed Kelly-Lenz is leaving, but said he was disappointed when Asmani left. Kelly-Lenz was not immediately available for comment on Monday. Prior to starting as CFO in Wilton in 2015, Kelly-Lenz worked in Bridgeport as finance director, tax collector and treasurer. She holds both a bachelors degree in business administration and a masters degree in teaching from Sacred Heart University. She completed the Connecticut Tax Collectors certification and is member of the Government Finance Officers Association. Other town officials have voiced their approval of hiring Kelly-Lenz, including Chairman of the Audit Committee Bill Parrett and Board of Finance Chairman Todd Laveri, Jones said. A 68-year-old man was driving his sister to work when he drove his SUV around the lowered railroad crossing gates and was struck and killed by a Brightline train last week. Police on Monday identified the Toyota driver as Marc Charleus and his sister as Veronique Charleus, 58. An official from Brightline said not only were the railroad crossings gates down, the lights were flashing and bells were ringing. Advertisement The deadly crash happened at 6 a.m. on Dec. 30 near 214th Street and East Dixie Highway in Aventura, according to a statement from Aventura Police Chief Michael Bentolila. An Aventura Police Department traffic homicide investigator looks over an SUV which was struck by a Brightline train on Dixie Highway near the county line of Broward and Miami-Dade on Dec. 30, 2021. (Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun Sentinel) According to police, the SUV approached the track, stopped briefly, and then maneuvered the vehicle around the crossing gate. The fast-moving train plowed into the car, dragging it from the crossing to just over the Broward County line. Advertisement The deaths follow a string of deaths involving Brightline trains since the fast-moving commuter train resumed operations in November after shutting down for 19 months due to COVID. [ RELATED: Two dead after train plows into SUV in Aventura ] On Dec. 13 a pedestrian in her early 70s was killed by a Brightline train Fort Lauderdale. Some 48 hours earlier on Dec. 11, a deadly strike happened in Hollywood. Police said a man intentionally stepped in front of the train. Also a man walking on the tracks in North Miami Beach was killed Dec. 7, police said. The man did not move after the train horn sounded. The deaths of Marc and Veronique Charleus are believed to be 51st and 52nd deaths involving Brightline and motorists and pedestrians since Brightlines first fatality during a test run five months before the train operations officially began in January 2018. To date, none of the deaths involving Brightline have been blamed on its equipment or crews. The front of a Brightline train that struck a car in Pompano Beach is seen on Nov. 8, 2021. The Brightline commuter train hit a car carrying a woman and her grandchild on the higher-speed line's first day back in operation since the coronavirus pandemic began. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel) (Joe Cavaretta/AP) In December 2019, the Associated Press reported Brightline had the highest death rate among the nations 821 railroads with more than 40 deaths. After the report, the company created a public awareness campaign about the dangers of trying to beat a train and walking on or around the tracks. Brightline service came to a halt at the start in pandemic. The company resumed operations last month under much fanfare only to crash into a motorist who tried to beat the train across the track. Miraculously, neither the woman who was driving nor her grandchild who was in the vehicle were killed. [ RELATED: Brightline has highest death rate in the nation ] Brightline has stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. In densely populated areas, the trains run 79 miles per hour but can reach more than 125 mph in rural areas. Eileen Kelley can be reached at 772-925-9193 or ekelley@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @reporterkell. Theres no point in having a quantum computer if its not smokin fast; otherwise its way too much trouble, what with all the subzero temperatures and instability and such. So its always newsworthy when somebody sets a new standard for quantum computing processing speeds, even if quantum computers are far from common commercial use. In this case that somebody is IBM, which recently announced its newly developed quantum computing processor, called Eagle, has broken the 100-qubit barrier. IBM Fusion boldly (if clumsily) says it views Eagle as a step in a technological revolution in the history of computation. (It sounds like an algorithm wrote that sentence! Is this where youre leading us, Big Blue? A quantum future of incoherent techspeak?) Im being too harsh on IBM, which humbly notes that its record-breaking accomplishment wasnt the product of a brilliant insight or sudden epiphany. It was hard work, baby! Constructing a processor that breaks the hundred-qubit barrier wasnt something we could do overnight, IBM Fusion says. Constructing one of these devices is an enormous challenge. Qubits can decohereor forget their quantum informationwith even the slightest nudge from the outside world. So true, which is why I mentioned the instability issue at the beginning of this post. Decoherence is one of the biggest challenges in quantum computing. As Scientific American explains, use of quantum states leaves the quantum computer much more vulnerable to errors than a classical computer would be. These errors arise from decoherence, a process in which the environment interacts with the qubits, uncontrollably changing their quantum states and causing information stored by the quantum computer to be lost, Scientific American writes. Decoherence could come from many aspects of the environment: changing magnetic and electric fields, radiation from warm objects nearby, or cross talk between qubits. In its announcement, IBM Fusion spends no time explaining the significance of Eagle breaking the 100-qubit processing speed barrier beyond generalizations such as our team is solving challenges across hardware and software to eventually realize a quantum computer capable of solving practical problems in fields from renewable energy to finance and more. There is no inherent significance to the 100-qubit processing speed barrier, other than as a marker of progress. Indeed, IBMs Quantum Roadmap calls for a 1,000-qubit chip by the end of 202310 times the processing speed in less than two years. Meanwhile, Google, Microsoft, D-Wave Systems, Intel, Toshiba, Hewlett Packard, and many other companiesalong with countries such as China, Germany, Canada, the U.S., India, and Japanalso are developing quantum computing technology. IBM has declared this the Quantum Decade, in which enterprises begin to see business value from quantum computing. Big Blue is describing the early adoption phase. (Id be more inclined to call the ensuing period of mass adoption the Quantum Decade, but IBM again has neglected to ask me for marketing advice.) Once quantum computing is widely deployed, expect it to be used, among other things, to: Model complex molecular configurations to accelerate materials discovery and drug development Combine with artificial intelligence to enable even faster AI and possibly result in the development of thinking computers Quickly identify the points of failure in complex manufacturing processes Process natural language far faster and more accurately than existing AI algorithms Increase the speed of complex financial calculations Easily crack encrypted data, making a mockery of your puny, classical (or is it Jurassical?) computer-based cyber defenses A decidedly mixed bag. But thats the thing with emerging technologies; they can be used and misused. Overall, though, quantum computing will be a huge net plus for businesses, scientists, researchers and anyone who has to quicky perform what Harvard Business Review calls combinatorics calculations. Whenever the Quantum Decade actually begins, it will be exciting. Newburyport, MA (01950) Today Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 54F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 44F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Whippany, NJ (07981) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities. DAVIE Jury selection is set to begin Tuesday in the case of Dayonte Resiles, the murder suspect whose first trial ended last month in a hung jury. Resiles, 27, is accused of murder in the 2014 stabbing death of Jill Halliburton Su, a Davie woman whose lifeless body was discovered with two dozen wounds, bound in the bathtub of her home. If hes convicted of first-degree murder, the jury will determine whether Resiles deserves to be executed or sentenced to life in prison. Advertisement Broward Circuit Judge John J. Murphy brought prosecutors and defense lawyers into his courtroom Monday, first hoping to begin jury selection before turning to last-minute challenges that arose after the previous trial ended. Prosecutor Maria Schneider wanted to introduce an incriminating handwritten letter in which Resiles allegedly tried to recruit others to create an alibi. But to introduce the letter, Schneider would have to rely on an expert witness to confirm its in Resiles handwriting. Defense lawyers would then be entitled to counter by seeking an expert of their own, which would delay the retrial. Schneider did not appear willing to follow that course, but the issue was not resolved in court Monday. Advertisement [ RELATED: Inside the jury room during deliberations in the Dayonte Resiles trial ] Defense lawyers Michael Orlando and Allari Dominguez tried to have the retrial delayed until the state gets a better handle on COVID-19 transmission, which has been spreading in record numbers. Murphy denied that request, so it appears likely that jury selection will proceed Tuesday. The last trial ended in confusion after several days of deliberation. Jurors at one point announced they had reached a verdict and found Resiles guilty of manslaughter, a lesser charge that would have kept Resiles off death row and subjected him to a likely sentence of only 15 years in prison, about half of which he has already served. But when the jurors were polled on whether they agreed with the verdict, the forewoman admitted she did not. In a later interview, she accused some jurors of refusing to convict on any charge that would send Resiles, a Black man, to prison for the rest of his life. A second juror later came forward and disputed the racial angle jurors as a whole were convinced Resiles participated in the crime, he said, but they were not convinced he acted alone. Prosecutors did not broach the subject during the trial, but the evidence of Sus struggle convinced jurors that more than one perpetrator broke into her home, subdued her and killed her. Murder suspect Dayonte Resiles confers with his attorney Micheal Orlando on Jan. 3, 2022, for the start of his retrial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. (Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Only the defense raised the idea that someone other than Resiles was the burglar and killer, but the possibility of more than one perpetrator was implicit in the prosecutions strategy. The judge, at Schneiders request, read the jury a principal instruction allowing them to find Resiles guilty of first-degree murder even if they believed someone else did the stabbing. Under Florida law, two people committing a felony are equally responsible for what happens Resiles would be guilty even if someone else did the stabbing that ended Sus life. The idea of an accomplice would play a more explicit role in the retrial if prosecutors accept the feedback of the former jurors. Ultimately jurors announced they could not agree on a verdict, forcing the judge to declare a mistrial. Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com, 954-356-4457 or on Twitter @rolmeda While residents across the state welcomed the new year, several Connecticut families welcomed the newest additions to their families. Bridgeport Hospital saw its first birth just 18 minutes into the new year. The baby girls name is Melia Hus. She was born at 12:18 a.m. to to parents Megan and Jeremy Hus, of Newtown. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces. Hartford HealthCare, Yale New Haven and Greenwich Hospital all welcomed baby boys just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday, officials said. Hartford Health Cares first baby was Orlando Michael Morales Jr. He was born at 12:39 a.m. at St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport to parents Kimberly Torres and Orlando Morales, of Shelton. He weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 19 inches long. What a great way to start our new year, the parents said. Yale New Haven Hospital welcomed its first baby not long afterward. JayLon Osiris Smart was born at 12:47 a.m. to Deshawnnae Mims and Jeremiah Smart, of New Haven. The baby weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces and is the couples first child. The family is doing well and was resting on Saturday, the hospital said. Greenwich Hospitals first baby was born at 1:27 a.m. Danielle Cousins-Wedderburn and Chad Wedderburn of Bronx, N.Y., welcomed Akhil Wedderburn. The baby boy weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces and joins 8-year-old sister Raine Redley. Florida schools will stay open, Gov. Ron DeSantis pledged Monday, even as the fast-spreading omicron is keeping many students and teachers at home. Monday was the first day back from winter break for many students, including ones in Broward and Miami-Dade. School districts have fewer tools to help mitigate the virus, as the state Legislature has outlawed mask mandates for students, and the State Health Department has made student quarantines optional for most parents. Advertisement No changes to those rules will be coming, DeSantis said during a news conference Monday in Fort Lauderdale. [ RELATED: Broward School Board makes masks mandatory for visitors and vendors but optional for staff ] Kids need to be in school, DeSantis said. School districts do not need to be doing any crazy mitigation. Just let them be kids. Advertisement DeSantis said he doesnt believe mitigation efforts such as mask mandates and quarantining asymptomatic students and virtual learning have worked, and have resulted in poor student achievement. You look at places that did real strict mitigation in schools, some of them had the biggest declines on state test scores, DeSantis said. Broward led the state in declines. Kids need to have a normal environment. We cant go backwards. Broward had the largest percentage of students enrolled in remote learning last year, which is not available this year unless students are being quarantined. Were using every strategy we have available to us to try to control the spread, said Vickie Cartwright, interim superintendent for Broward schools. We know students are better in school, and we want to keep them in school. These efforts include social distancing when possible, including having some students eat lunch at their desks so as not to crowd the lunchroom where no one is wearing masks. South Florida school districts imposed mask mandates much of last semester, defying orders from the state Health Department to allow parents to choose whether their kids wore masks. Districts questioned the legality of those orders, but in November, the state Legislature passed a law banning mask mandates, so school districts now say they have to comply. [ RELATED: South Florida schools make masks optional ] Broward School Board Chairwoman Laurie Rich Levinson tried to mandate masks for employees, visitors and vendors, but the idea was quashed amid complaints from the Broward Teachers Union. The mandate now only applies to visitors and vendors. Advertisement Plantation parent Dawn Dantowitz said the districts policy is futile and putting a Band-aid on a broken water pipe. Vendors and guests dont even come in contact with the children, she said. Its ridiculous. Miami-Dade has enacted a mask mandate for employees and everyone else on campus except students. Several Broward teachers say most, but not all, employees and students are wearing masks. Palm Beach Countys rule will be similar, with all employees, visitors and vendors required to wear masks. The school district is asking students to do the same when they return to classes Wednesday, though the district stopped short of requiring it. The district recognizes this decision under Florida law rests solely with parents or guardians, according to a news release. School nurses will continue testing students with symptoms who have a consent form on file, and implored students and staff to stay home if theyre not feeling well or they have any potential COVID-19 symptoms. The District plans to expand testing this school year. Advertisement In Broward, about 1,644 teachers were out Monday, Cartwright said. She said normally on the first day after winter break, there are about 1,200 teacher absences. There were substitutes available for less than a third of those vacancies, she said. She said the district is assigning those with teaching certificates, both from the school and the district, to fill in for these absences, she said. Although attendance numbers werent immediately available, it appears there were a high number of absences among students Monday in Broward. I sent my kids today, but with KN95 masks, said Nancy Fry, whose two children attend a Coconut Creek elementary school. However, drop-off was not nearly as crowded as usual for that time. Im unsure if its people just being off schedule or staying home, but it was noticeable. Dantowitz pulled her two girls out of school as a proactive measure against the coronavirus. I dont want to pull my kids out but I feel like people are fighting for their rights to do what they want but nobody is fighting for my childrens safety. [ RELATED: Broward teacher fired for refusing to wear mask ] She said because she feels schools will inevitably be hot spots of infection, she hopes the School Board will be forced to take a position if classroom transmission spikes. Until then, Casey, her 12-year-old sixth-grader, and Bailey, her 8-year-old third-grader, are in school virtually for the week after she reported them as having been in contact with a COVID case. Advertisement The district allows students to listen in their classroom, either through an audio feed or video conference, if they are at home quarantining, but not if theyre just staying home due to a fear of possible transmission. Pikeville, KY (41501) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High near 80F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 68F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 56F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch. Longview, TX (75601) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially during the morning. High 86F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 66F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. The World Health Organization (WHO) today listed the Comirnaty COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for emergency use, making the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine the first to receive emergency validation from WHO since the outbreak began a year ago. The WHO's Emergency Use Listing (EUL) opens the door for countries to expedite their own regulatory approval processes to import and administer the vaccine. It also enables UNICEF and the Pan-American Health Organization to procure the vaccine for distribution to countries in need. This is a very positive step towards ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines. But I want to emphasize the need for an even greater global effort to achieve enough vaccine supply to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere. WHO and our partners are working night and day to evaluate other vaccines that have reached safety and efficacy standards. We encourage even more developers to come forward for review and assessment. It's vitally important that we secure the critical supply needed to serve all countries around the world and stem the pandemic." Dr Mariangela Simao, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products Regulatory experts convened by WHO from around the world and WHO's own teams reviewed the data on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine's safety, efficacy and quality as part of a risk-versus-benefit analysis. The review found that the vaccine met the must-have criteria for safety and efficacy set out by WHO, and that the benefits of using the vaccine to address COVID-19 offset potential risks. The vaccine is also under policy review. WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) will convene on 5 January, 2021, to formulate vaccine specific policies and recommendations for this product's use in populations, drawing from the SAGE population prioritization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines in general, issued in September 2020. The Comirnaty vaccine requires storage using an ultra-cold chain; it needs to be stored at -60C to -90C degrees. This requirement makes the vaccine more challenging to deploy in settings where ultra-cold chain equipment may not be available or reliably accessible. For that reason, WHO is working to support countries in assessing their delivery plans and preparing for use where possible. How the emergency use listing works The emergency use listing (EUL) procedure assesses the suitability of novel health products during public health emergencies. The objective is to make medicines, vaccines and diagnostics available as rapidly as possible to address the emergency while adhering to stringent criteria of safety, efficacy and quality. The assessment weighs the threat posed by the emergency as well as the benefit that would accrue from the use of the product against any potential risks. The EUL pathway involves a rigorous assessment of late phase II and phase III clinical trial data as well as substantial additional data on safety, efficacy, quality and a risk management plan. These data are reviewed by independent experts and WHO teams who consider the current body of evidence on the vaccine under consideration, the plans for monitoring its use, and plans for further studies. Experts from individual national authorities are invited to participate in the EUL review. Once a vaccine has been listed for WHO emergency use, WHO engages its regional regulatory networks and partners to inform national health authorities on the vaccine and its anticipated benefits based on data from clinical studies to date. In addition to the global, regional, and country regulatory procedures for emergency use, each country undertakes a policy process to decide whether and in whom to use the vaccine, with prioritization specified for the earliest use. Countries also undertake a vaccine readiness assessment which informs the vaccine deployment and introduction plan for the implementation of the vaccine under the EUL. As part of the EUL process, the company producing the vaccine must commit to continue to generate data to enable full licensure and WHO prequalification of the vaccine. The WHO prequalification process will assess additional clinical data generated from vaccine trials and deployment on a rolling basis to ensure the vaccine meets the necessary standards of quality, safety and efficacy for broader availability. The restaurant workers walked into the aerial tram car at about 9 p.m. on New Years Eve, their shifts complete, their moods festive, even with the lashing wind and heavy snow. Amber Santos stood beside the trash bins they had carried inside the car, which reeked of food leftovers from Ten 3, a restaurant at the top of Sandia Peak near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Almost home, she thought as she felt the tramway system, which shuttles people to the restaurant 10,300 feet above sea level, start to move. Advertisement Twenty people were in one car, and one person was in another 19 employees of Ten 3 and two employees of the tramway system who were headed home to celebrate 2022. Then, near the second tower of the tramway, the cars stopped. Advertisement At 10 p.m., nothing. At 11 p.m., still no movement. Somethings not right, Santos recalled telling her colleagues. Finally, the countdown until 2022 had, for those stranded, become a countdown until their rescue. It would take more than 12 hours. A passenger is lowered from a Sandia Peak Tramway car that was stranded overnight on New Year's Eve on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Albuquerque, N.M. (Roberto E. Rosales/AP) As temperatures dipped into the mid-20s, the passengers resorted to rationing Life Savers gummies and six bottles of water as they spent the first few hours of 2022 waiting for rescue crews to arrive. By Saturday afternoon, all of the stranded passengers had been rescued. No one was injured, officials said. Spencer Moreland, an incident commander for New Mexico Search and Rescue, which provided about 30 volunteers who helped with the rescue, got a call from the New Mexico State Police at 3 a.m. He was on the scene by 4 a.m., and an hour later, rescuers had begun the more than four-hour hike up the steep terrain in a snowstorm. Advertisement Rescuers had to get to a tower, climb to the tram and set up a rope system to lower people to safety, he said. From there, they hiked with the passengers about 100 yards to a landing site where a helicopter whisked them away a few at a time. Rescuers battled treacherous conditions, said Larry Koren, the pilot who flew the stranded to safety by landing his helicopter on a narrow ridge. Koren, who is also the undersheriff for the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, said members of the sheriffs office, along with other local officials, had trained with the tramway operator for just such a situation. Such a rescue was one that they had considered but never executed, he said, adding, And we never expected it would be for 21 people in a snowstorm. Michael Donovan, general manager of Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, said that wind and ice had caused an emergency cable to cross over another cable, preventing the tram cars from reaching their destination. He said rescuers were lucky that visibility had improved, allowing for a helicopter rescue. Otherwise, the stranded crew members might have had to hike to safety, a trek they were not equipped for. Advertisement Some of the cooks had Crocs on, he said. At first, being trapped in a tram car for New Years Eve had been welcomed as a funny, yet dangerous, adventure, Santos said. Her Instagram videos show her and the others yelling Happy New Year! at midnight. But then the temperature began to drop. At 12:57 a.m., it was 35 degrees. The passengers retrieved emergency blankets stored in the car and broke out hard pretzels and Life Savers gummies from their backpacks. Everyones quiet, said Santos, 31. Its dark. Its freezing. Were literally freezing or shivering because the small safety blankets dont retain any heat. She added, You just start thinking, Is this how Im going to die, in a tiny box with my co-workers? The wind swayed the car like a playground swing. At 3:49 a.m., they were bunched together, mostly silent, but still supportive of one another, Santos said. It was 24 degrees, and she continued to shiver, unable to sleep. Advertisement She tried to think positive thoughts: At least the car had a built-in toilet. And at least they could communicate with the tramway system workers through a speaker on the car. The workers told them help was on the way. But by 4 a.m., she believed she was going to die, she said. You just felt hopeless, Santos said. Youre cold. Youre sad. You just want to be at home on New Years with your friends, doing what other people do. When rescue crews finally arrived, she immediately reached for a blanket and a water bottle. After rappelling to the ground, which she said was actually very exciting, she got on the helicopter, was checked by medical workers and then walked to her car. She opened up Instagram one more time and recorded a message. I literally have no words for today, she said. Im literally out of words. This has been horrible. c.2021 The New York Times Company In a recent study published on the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers present all available evidence on the in vivo activity of Echinacea purpure against coronavirus infections from randomized, blinded, and controlled human clinical studies. Study: Echinacea as a Potential Force against Coronavirus Infections? A Mini-Review of Randomized Controlled Trials in Adults and Children. Image Credit: Anna-Nas / Shutterstock.com Since vaccination does not offer 100% protection against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the demand for antiviral preparations enhancing the immune defense for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections remains high. Two previous studies have provided crucial evidence on the effectiveness of Echinacea preparations against viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2. Although its inhibiting effects do not always reach statistical significance for a particular virus, Echinacea purpurea (L.) shows antiviral activity against several enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 in both in vitro and in vivo physiological concentrations. About the study In the current study, the researchers reviewed a total of 1,687 articles from PubMed and EMBASE databases. From these, two studies met the eligibility criteria and were, therefore, selected for the systematic review. During the initial screening, 988 articles were excluded and 58 more were further excluded, as they did not report respiratory tract or coronavirus infections. The researchers only qualitatively described outcomes from the two referenced studies. The first study was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, monocentric randomized controlled trial (RCT) published in 2012, whereas the second study was a double-blinded multi-center RCT was published in 2021 and discussed the use of an Echinacea extract formulated in tablets that were given to children between the ages of 4-12 years living in central Switzerland. In the selected studies, nasopharyngeal samples for virus testing were collected, blinded, randomized, and adequately controlled. A total of almost 1,000 patient data set was referenced, which included patients who were prescribed 65% (v/v) ethanolic extract (tincture or tablet form) of Echinacea purpurea for four months. Study findings Both studies demonstrated the preventive antiviral effects of Echinacea by varying parameters. Taken together, these studies screened numerous respiratory pathogens, some of which included influenza A H1/H3, influenza B, respiratory syncytial virus, and coronavirus 229E/OC43/NL63/HKU1. Overall, 755 subjects were randomized to receive E. purpurea and 717 participants were eligible for analysis as per safety collective (SAF) in the control (placebo) group of the first referenced study. From 355 eligible subjects of the Echinacea group, there were 21 coronavirus infections and the incidence rate was 5.9%. Echinacea significantly prevented enveloped virus infections (blue bar, * p=0.0114) and thereof coronaviruses 229E, HKU, NL63 and OC43 (orange bar, p>0.05) as measured by Jawad et al. 2012. Prevention of coronaviruses was significant for the ITT sub-group (p=0.010). From the 362 eligible subjects of the control group, coronavirus infections totaled 33 with an incidence rate of 9.1%. Preventive effects on coronaviruses were statistically significant in participants in both the Echinacea and placebo groups who actively utilized their diary to report adverse events and cold-related symptoms. The findings indicated an overall incidence rate of 5.5% for Echinacea and 14.6 % for placebo. The second referenced study determined Ct values for respective incidence tests, wherein the authors estimated the number of ribonucleic acid (RNA) copies as a measure for virus concentration in the nasopharyngeal sample. Overall, 57 and 72 samples were positively tested for messenger RNA (mRNA) from any respiratory virus during prevention with Echinacea and control, respectively. A higher Ct value indicates a lower viral load represented by the samples RNA level. Echinacea significantly increased the average Ct value by 6.1 Ct units, from 25.0 to 31.1, thus resulting in a 98.5% reduction in coronavirus concentration relative to Vitamin C. Overall, four months of supplementation with Echinacea reduced the virus concentration in nasopharynx swab samples and the overall incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in adults and children. In the 2012 study, under the influence of Echinacea, the viral numbers were reduced to below detection limits, whereas the 2021 study results showed lower Ct values. Therefore, the incidences with Echinacea and Ct values are complementary parameters indicative of the antiviral effects of Echinacea. A clinical study carried out from November 2020 until May 2021 was also included in this review to confirm the applicability of the antiviral benefits of Echinacea. This clinical study investigated the effect of an Echinacea purpurea preparation in dosages within the range of 2,400 mg to 4,000 mg extract per day in 120 adults over five months. In the Echinacea and control groups, five and 14 samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. During acute SARS-CoV-2 episodes, Echinacea treatment significantly reduced the overall virus load by about 99%, the time to virus clearance by 4.8 days, and fever days to 1 day versus 11 days as compared to the control group. Conclusions As hypothesized, the review findings confirm the general preventive effects of Echinacea purpurea extracts against coronavirus infections in both adults and children. While Echinacea reduced symptom development, significantly reduced their viral loads, and shortened the duration of illness in children, there is unpublished clinical evidence that further demonstrates its efficacy in adults as well. The clinical findings of the in vitro experiments further complement these findings. *Important notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Mechanical engineer and inventor Zach Lerner, assistant professor in Northern Arizona University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded $2.1 million by the National Institutes of Health's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. This funding, Lerner's largest grant as principal investigator to date, will enable him to launch a major, five-year clinical trial to test a treatment strategy for children with cerebral palsy (CP) using his patented and patent-pending inventions comprising a lightweight, wearable robotic device that provides neuromuscular training while making walking easier. This is far and away the most significant grant we've received to date in terms of duration, budget and scope. The project builds directly on the work we've been doing at NAU for the past five years-;developing an adaptive ankle exoskeleton device that offers a lightweight, portable and effective way to improve mobility in children with CP. We completed technological evaluations and the initial clinical feasibility and pilot studies necessary to collect the preliminary data for this randomized controlled trial (RCT), which is the gold standard for clinical trials looking to establish efficacy of a new intervention relative to standard of care." Zach Lerner, Mechanical Engineer and Inventor, Assistant Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northern Arizona University Many members of Lerner's team, who work with him in the Biomechatronics Lab on NAU's Flagstaff campus, were instrumental in completing this work, including NAU post-doctoral scholars Ying Fang and Paul Stegall; NAU graduate students Greg Orekhov, Chance Cuddeback, Leah Liebelt, Karl Harshe and Safoura Bishe; NAU undergraduate students Sam Maxwell and Jeff Yows; and MD/PhD student Ben Conner from The University of Arizona. Lerner's team will be working with Mike Schwartz and his team at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minn. to conduct the 12-week gait training intervention using the exoskeleton technology developed at NAU and built by Lerner's spinoff company Biomotum. Other aspects of the project will take place in Lerner's lab and at the Ability & Innovation Lab at the University of Washington in collaboration with Kat Steele. Study to establish fundamental knowledge, guidance for clinical and at-home treatment A child's ability to walk effectively is essential to physical health and general well-being. Nearly 4 in 1,000 children are afflicted with CP, a neurological disorder that affects muscle control and coordination and often makes walking extremely difficult. Although most treatment strategies have proven insufficient, one of the most promising potential new treatment options is the use of battery-powered wearable robots, or exoskeletons, that provide home-based gait training and mobility assistance. These devices have the potential to revolutionize rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular deficiencies, significantly decreasing their lifelong suffering and the resulting economic burdens placed on their families. "There is broad clinical consensus that dysfunction of the plantar flexors, or calf muscles, is a primary contributor to slow, inefficient and crouched walking patterns in individuals with CP," Lerner said. "Our study will focus on two hypotheses: that targeted ankle resistance training will produce larger improvements in lower-extremity motor control, gait mechanics and clinical measures of mobility compared to standard physical therapy and standard gait training, and that adaptive ankle assistance will result in significantly greater capacity and performance compared to walking with ankle foot orthoses and walking wearing just shoes." "The study will explore participant characteristics (for example, age, gender, GMFCS level, walking speed, spasticity rating) that are associated with the greatest improvement in outcomes following each intervention to provide guidance for future clinical and at-home implementation, establishing fundamental knowledge on the ability for adaptive ankle interventions to treat walking impairment relative to standard of care in CP." Jeffersonville, IN (47130) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 79F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional rain late. Low 63F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. (Newser) Drew Peterson wants his murder conviction vacated. The former Chicago-area police sergeant, who was convicted of killing his third wife and is a suspect in the disappearance and presumed death of his fourth wife, filed a six-page handwritten motion in October asking a judge to vacate his murder conviction in Kathleen Savio's 2004 death. A Will County, Illinois, judge will hear the motion Jan. 21, the Chicago Tribune reports. The judge said he found a "gist of a constitutional" claim in the motion, the AP reports. Peterson claims his lead attorney, Joel Brodsky, was not effective counsel, and the other lawyers on his team were threatened with being removed from the case if they went against Brodsky. Peterson also says Brodsky did not allow him to testify in his own defense, which he desired to do, but that Brodsky did push him to give TV interviews proclaiming his innocence, and the ensuing spotlight ensured he could not get a fair trial. He also claims the testimony of two of the state's witnesses, a pastor and an attorney, should not have been allowed as the information Stacy Peterson (his fourth wife) told them about Savio's death should have been privileged information due to their positions. Last but not least, he alleges prosecutorial misconduct and witness intimidation. The judge assigned Peterson, who filed the motion on his own, a public defender and two investigators from the public defender's office. State attorneys, in a response to Peterson's motion, point out that higher courts have upheld Peterson's convictionand that some of these issues have already been raised in those appeals. The other issues, they say, were not raised on direct appeal and thus should not be allowed to be raised now. Prosecutors also pushed back on Peterson's claim that he wanted to testify, calling out court transcripts in which he says he does not. Peterson is serving 38 years in Savio's murder, plus 40 years on a 2016 conviction of trying to hire someone to kill a Will County state's attorney. As for Brodsky, whose law license was suspended in 2019, he agrees with state's attorneys: "There's nothing here," he says of Peterson's claim. (Read more Drew Peterson stories.) (Newser) The Netflix show Emily in Paris took flak in Season One for trafficking in stereotypes about the French. In Season Two, it's Ukrainians who are offended. Or at least one prominent Ukrainianculture minister Oleksandr Tkachenko, reports the BBC. Tkachenko is loudly complaining that a new character from Ukraine, Petra, does a disservice to his country. Among other things, she shoplifts and worries constantly about being deported. She also has a lousy fashion sense, which, in the context of the show, is a grave offense. "In the 1990s and 2000s, Ukrainian guys were portrayed mainly as gangsters," wrote Tkachenko on the messaging platform Telegram, per the Mirror. And now this. "In Emily in Paris we have a caricature of a Ukrainian woman which is unacceptable," he writes. "It is also offensive. Is this how Ukrainians will be seen abroad?" Netflix hasn't responded publicly, but Tkachenko writes that the streaming service was "diplomatic" in its response to him and has pledged to help remedy the situation as the show goes on. The series stars Lily Collins, daughter of musician Phil Collins. She plays a young American living in the French capital. In the first season, the show's depiction of French peoplethink berets, rudeness, infidelitywas roundly criticized as cliched. "You name a stereotype, and within the first three episodes, Emily has not only encountered it, but tried to rectify it, to adjust it to the American way," read a typical early review of the "tone-deaf" show in the Guardian. In response to criticism like that, Lily Collins, who's also one of the show's producers, promised more cultural diversity in Season Two, per Insider. While Ukraine's Tkachenko isn't happy, not everyone thinks the latest criticism is fair. "So in a TV series, negative characters can be anything but Ukrainian?" responded Ukrainian film producer Natalka Yakymovych, per the BBC. "Obviously, we all would like her to be from Moscow, but you don't always get what you want." (Read more Netflix stories.) (Newser) Update: The person who crossed the DMZ to enter North Korea over the weekend is a male gymnast, Seoul says. He is believed to have defected from North to South Korea last year, and on Saturday made his way back, the BBC reports. Why he did so is not clear, nor is his current status. He was reportedly working as a cleaner while he was in South Korea. Our original story from Monday follows: A rare defection has been reported in South Korea, where a citizen was apparently able to cross the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas this weekend and enter North Korea, which has implemented a shoot-on-sight policy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not clear whether the South Korean citizen is still alive, but Seoul officials asked Pyongyang for the person to be protected, the BBC reports. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly implemented the shoot-on-sight policy after a North Korean defector who reportedly had COVID symptoms came back into the North from the South. The DMZ is one of the most heavily armed places around the globe, full of landmines, electric and barbed wire fences, sensors, and armed patrols. At 6:40pm Saturday, the person climbed a barbed-wire fence at the southern end of the 2.5-mile-wide DMZ, and an alarm was triggered. But somehow, no one noticed what was happening until 9:20pm, when a member of South Korea's military saw the person in the DMZ; by 10:40pm, the person crossed the military demarcation line and was on North Korean soil. After that point, the South Korean military saw the surveillance footage of the fence crossing from earlier in the night. The New York Times notes the person could be a North Korean spy or a defector who previously crossed from North to South and is now going back. No South Korean soldiers are missing. North Korea has not commented on the incident. (Read more North Korea stories.) (Newser) Sudans Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation Sunday amid political deadlock and widespread pro-democracy protests following a military coup that derailed the countrys fragile transition to democratic rule, the AP reports. Hamdok, a former UN official seen as the civilian face of Sudans transitional government, had been reinstated as prime minister in November as part of an agreement with the military following the October coup. In that time he had failed to name a Cabinet and his resignation throws Sudan into political uncertainty amid uphill security and economic challenges. In a televised national address Sunday, Hamdok called for a dialogue to agree on a national charter and to draw a roadmap to complete the transition to democracy in accordance with the 2019 constitutional document governing the transitional period. I decided to return the responsibility and declare my resignation as prime minister," he said, adding that his stepping down would allow a chance for another person to lead the nation and complete its transition to a civilian, democratic country. He did not name a successor. The prime minister said his efforts to bridge the widening gap and settle disputes among the political forces have failed. He warned that the ongoing political stalemate since the military takeover could become a full-blown crisis and damage the country's already battered economy. I tried as much as I possibly could to prevent our country from sliding into a disaster. Now, our nation is going through a dangerous turning point that could threaten its survival unless it is urgently rectified, he said. The October coup had upended Sudans plans to move to democracy after a popular uprising forced the militarys overthrow of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019. Four months after al-Bashir's ouster, the generals and the protesters reached a power-sharing deal to rule the country through elections in 2023. However, military-civilian ties have been frayed by the military takeover that has threatened to return Sudan to international isolation. Hamdok's resignation comes amid a heavy security crackdown on protesters denouncing not only the takeover but the subsequent deal that reinstated him and sidelined the pro-democracy movement. Hours before the resignation speech, Sudanese security forces violently dispersed pro-democracy protesters, killing at least three people. (Read more Sudan stories.) (Newser) For most of the fall season, the US Marshals Service was hard at work in Louisiana, scoping out the New Orleans area in an annual crime-fighting operation that paid off big time this year. In a report issued in 2021's final days, the agency announced that thanks to "Operation Boo Dat" it had tracked down five missing and endangered girls between the ages of 14 and 17, as well as made 30 arrests, many of them for sex offender violations, per USA Today. The operation was a multiagency effort, with an assist from the New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police, and other local law enforcement, per a Justice Department release. Regarding the missing girls, the Complex notes the teens "were found to be living in various motels and residences where alleged criminal activity was taking place." One 16-year-old, said to have run away from home after stealing a family member's vehicle and handgun, was found living at a New Orleans residence with multiple adults, including an adult strip-club dancer. A 14-year-old "with possible sex-trafficking ties" was located in a motel in the eastern part of the city with two other teens, while a 15-year-old runaway with "prior human sex trafficking issues" was found in Baton Rouge. Meanwhile, two sisters, ages 15 and 16, were found in a Baton Rouge apartment and were said to be possible "victims of adult(s) felony criminal sexual activities." The 30 arrests reported by the US Marshals Service included 17 for felony sex offender registration violations. One of those arrested was Lorenzo Oliver, a Tier 3 offender (the most serious designation), who authorities say had a felony warrant out against him for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in an abandoned home. Authorities also carried out, or tried to carry out, more than 100 sex offender compliance checks in Orleans and Jefferson parishes to make sure that sex offenders were living where they claimed to be. (Read more sex offenders stories.) (Newser) Update: The jury in the Elizabeth Holmes case was sent back to the deliberation room Monday after they told the judge they were deadlocked on three of the 11 fraud counts against the former Theranos CEO. The jurorswho began deliberations before Christmasdidn't say which of the counts they were unable to agree on, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Judge Edward. J. Davila read the jury a deadlock instruction after receiving their note. Santa Clara Law professor Ellen Kreitzberg tells ABC that a mistrial could be declared on the three counts if the deadlock continues, but the judge could still accept verdicts on the other eight counts. Our story from earlier today follows: After an extended holiday break, the jury weighing fraud charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes will get back to work Monday. When the eight men and four women who will determine Holmes' fate were still unable to reach a verdict by the middle of last week, the jurors were given Thursday off before an already scheduled court holiday on Friday, reports the AP. They hadn't provided any inkling where they stood in their deliberations last week after sending two notes to the federal judge presiding over the case the previous week. The jury so far has spent a total of roughly 40 hours (by the New York Times' count, it's been 43 hours) across six days discussing the charges against Holmes, who faces up to 20 years in prison if she's found guilty. The jury will now spend its seventh day trying to decide if Holmes was a crook. The 37-year-old is facing 11 criminal charges alleging that she duped investors and patients by hailing her companys blood-testing technology as a medical breakthrough when in fact it was prone to wild errors. The Times reports the deliberation period to date isn't an unusual one, at least in terms of "complex fraud cases in which defendants are charged with multiple counts that span multiple years." It holds up media tycoon Conrad Black as an example: The jury deliberated for 12 days in 2007 before returning a guilty verdict. His was also a 14-week trial, and he faced 13 counts. As former federal prosecutor Amanda Kramer puts it to NPR, "Remember, for the jury, there's just a lot to remember over a four-month trial." (Read more Elizabeth Holmes stories.) We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy Two years ago, our world changed forever when COVID-19 began spreading. It has reached communities, rich and poor, in all corners of the globe. More than 5 million people have died, and our world will never be the same. The Greek letters may have changed, but the fact is, this is not a new problem. Our federal government partnered with scientists and industry to develop vaccinations to help reduce the drastic and deadly effects of the virus. President Joe Biden has made vaccines readily available to everyone over the age of 5. However, each time we see a new spike, its as if we didnt see this coming. We are experiencing the most infectious strain in omicron, yet testing sites are reduced to bare bones with lines stretching several hours, monoclonal antibodies are hard to come by, and people are rushing to find a coveted rapid test on pharmacy shelves. Advertisement We look like the Wild West. Jeremy Katzman, of Cooper City, is a Democratic candidate for state House District 99 in the 2022 election. Despite being triple-vaccinated, I experienced minor cold-like symptoms and wanted to get tested to ensure I was not spreading the virus. Lines for Department of Health sites in Broward County stretched longer than a new ride at Disney, so I looked for alternatives. Friends on social media posted about the latest pop-up sites, which had varying levels of success. Finally, I found a private center and my family received the PCR tests we needed. I tested positive. Advertisement I managed to evade the virus for two years, but it finally got me. Luckily, my loved ones were all negative, but we rang in the New Year in quarantine to protect others. I heard from many friends in the area who were receiving positive results as well. My New Years resolution is to continue to remain vigilant and to help eradicate this virus. I hope our leaders resolve to do a better job protecting the people they serve. This is the time when people rely on their government for organization, leadership and compassion. How is it possible that our governor and his team still do not have the foresight to prepare for emergencies like this? The virus does not distinguish between red or blue. Hospitals do not choose whom to treat based on your vaccination status. Our health care workers and first responders are exhausted, and we must support them. Rather than being a part of the solution, our governor refuses to share data about the number of people who are infected. Instead of sharing conspiracy theories and focusing on running for president in three years, our governor should order the National Guard to support testing immediately and bring it to a higher level of accessibility than ever before. Our state health department must release its stockpiles of tests and reopen all testing sites. Two years later, they should be prepared to have them up and running in 24-48 hours, versus the weeks it takes each time we see a new spike in cases. And the state should require health insurance companies to cover COVID-related expenses. We can and must do better for all of our communities, and we should elect leaders who put the priorities of their constituents above personal ambition. Jeremy Katzman, of Cooper City, is a Democratic candidate for state House District 99 in the 2022 election. (Newser) Former President Trump's endorsements continue to make headlines, but on Monday, he offered his backing to a candidate who isn't a Republicanor an American. In what the Washington Post terms an "unusual endorsement in a foreign election," Trump released a statement endorsing far-right Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for reelection in what's shaping up to be a close parliamentary election that's expected in April. More: The statement. "Viktor Orban of Hungary truly loves his Country and wants safety for his people. He has done a powerful and wonderful job in protecting Hungary, stopping illegal immigration, creating jobs, trade, and should be allowed to continue to do so in the upcoming Election. He is a strong leader and respected by all. He has my Complete support and Endorsement for reelection as Prime Minister!" Unusual but not unprecedented. As far as foreign endorsements go, Politico points out that in October 2019, Trump endorsed Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's bid for reelection as well, a move Trump made while still president. As far as foreign endorsements go, Politico points out that in October 2019, Trump endorsed Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's bid for reelection as well, a move Trump made while still president. Who Orban is up against. The Post reports opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay has the backing of six opposition parties who want to boot Orban, who champions an "illiberal democracy." The New York Times details the ways in which Orban has worked to chip away at Hungary's independent and democratic institutions, from reeling in press freedoms to altering election laws for the benefit of his Fidesz party. The Post reports opposition leader Peter Marki-Zay has the backing of six opposition parties who want to boot Orban, who champions an "illiberal democracy." The New York Times details the ways in which Orban has worked to chip away at Hungary's independent and democratic institutions, from reeling in press freedoms to altering election laws for the benefit of his Fidesz party. The relationship background. The AP reports Orban was the first leader of an EU nation to endorse Trump in the 2016 election; he repeated that endorsement in 2020. Trump and Orban met in the Oval Office in 2019, with Trump saying at the time that Orban was "probably like me ... a bit controversial, but that's OK." The AP reports Orban was the first leader of an EU nation to endorse Trump in the 2016 election; he repeated that endorsement in 2020. Trump and Orban met in the Oval Office in 2019, with Trump saying at the time that Orban was "probably like me ... a bit controversial, but that's OK." President Biden's take. Biden hasn't been so warm to Orban. He called him a "thug" in 2020 and declined to invite him to December's virtual Summit for Democracy; Hungary was the only EU nation that didn't get an invite from Biden. Biden hasn't been so warm to Orban. He called him a "thug" in 2020 and declined to invite him to December's virtual Summit for Democracy; Hungary was the only EU nation that didn't get an invite from Biden. Not just Trump. Orban has enjoyed support from other US personalities on the right. Politico points out that in August, Fox News host Tucker Carlson temporarily hosted his show from Budapest, where he both interviewed Orban and "lavished praise" on him. Steve Bannon once called him "the most significant guy on the scene right now," per the Post. (Read more Donald Trump stories.) (Newser) Unless Republicans change course and stop blocking voting rights legislation, the Senate will vote this month on changing filibuster rules, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday. In a letter to Democratic colleagues, Schumer said that if Republicans don't budge, "the Senate will debate and consider changes to rules on or before January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to protect the foundation of our democracy: free and fair elections," the Washington Post reports. President Biden said last month that he would support "making an exception on voting rights for the filibuster" if the filibuster was the only thing standing in the way of voting rights legislation. Schumer linked the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to this week's anniversary of the Capitol attack. "Let me be clear: January 6th was a symptom of a broader illnessan effort to delegitimize our election process," he wrote, per the AP, "and the Senate must advance systemic democracy reforms to repair our republic or else the events of that day will not be an aberrationthey will be the new norm." The Freedom to Vote Act got all 50 Democratic votes in the evenly split chamber in October after changes were made to accommodate Sen. Joe Manchin, though it's unclear whether Manchin and fellow centrist Sen. Kyrsten Sinema will support changing Senate rules, the Post notes. Schumer warned that "much like the violent insurrectionists" of Jan. 6, "Republican officials in states across the country have seized on the former presidents Big Lie about widespread voter fraud to enact anti-democratic legislation and seize control of typically non-partisan election administration functions." Martin Luther King III, who has called for this year's Martin Luther King Day to be a day of action instead of celebration, welcomed the announcement, the Guardian reports. "There is no better way to honor my fathers legacy than protecting the right to vote for all Americans," he said. (Read more filibuster stories.) (Newser) President Biden's return to the White House Monday took place in conditions that at times resembled Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. Biden, returning from an eight-day visit to Delaware for the holidays, was stuck on Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base with his staff for around half an hour while snowplows cleared a path for a mobile staircase, NBC reports. After Biden left the plane, heavy snow made it impossible for a helicopter to take him to the White House, so his motorcade moved at a crawl through the snowstorm over the next hour. Up to 10 inches of snow was forecast for the DC region, the AP reports. White House press secretary Jen Psaki called off her first briefing of the year and federal offices across the capital were reduced to emergency personnel only. The Senate delayed its first vote of the year. The Hill reports that when the chamber briefly convened Monday, the only senators present were Democratic Sens. Tammy Baldwin, from Wisconsin, and Patrick Leahy, from Vermont. "Apparently to a number of groups around this area, it came as a surprise that it was snowing and that snow can be slippery and probably should have gotten some plows out," Leahy said, (Read more President Biden stories.) (Newser) One of the most isolated places on the planet has been hit by a coronavirus outbreakbut all the cases detected at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station in Antarctica have been mild and workers at the Belgian station are planning to stay put. At least 16 out of the 25 workers at the station have been infected over the last three weeks despite strict quarantine procedures, Sky News reports. Arrivals to the station have now been halted. Authorities say workers were required to quarantine in South Africa, one of the countries where the omicron variant was first detected, before traveling to Antarctica. The first COVID case at the station was found on Dec. 14 in a member of a team that had arrived a week earlier. "The situation isn't dramatic," Joseph Cheek at the International Polar Foundation tells the BBC. "While it has been an inconvenience to have to quarantine certain members of the staff who caught the virus, it hasn't significantly affected our work at the station overall," says Cheek. He says all workers were offered the opportunity to leave on a Jan. 12 flight and they all chose to stay. Workers at the station, which opened in 2009, are fully vaccinated and there are two emergency doctors at the site. (Antarctica lost its status as the only COVID-free continent more than a year ago.) Local top story Former members of Trinity Lutheran disburse $85,500 to five entities Larry Deklinski / SUBMITTED PHOTO Don Ponatoski, a lifelong member of the former Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shamokin, makes a donation to Oasis Community Recovery Club representatives Tiffany Kaseman and Danielle Houtz. The remaining members of the church have disbursed $85,500 of the churchs assets to five area entities. SHAMOKIN The remaining members of the former Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church have disbursed $85,500 of the churchs assets to five entities. The Shamokin Fire Bureau, Coal Township Fire Department, Shamokin Fire Police, Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library and Oasis Community Recovery Club are among the entities that recently accepted donations, which were funded through the sale of the church building at 65 E. Sunbury St. and cashed-out investments. Don Ponatoski, a lifelong member of the church who served as council president, said Trinity chose entities that serve an entire population. The fire departments received $31,000 each; fire police $15,000; library, $6,000; and Oasis, $2,500. Another unnamed entity will also receive a donation. He said members of the Shamokin Fire Police were grateful, adding that members will likely purchase personal protective equipment and radios that are compatible with Northumberland Countys digital narrowband communication system. Ponatoski said the congregation experienced decline over the decades. About the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic began, Trinity decided that the time had come to end their ministry and voted to disband upon the sale of their building, which occurred in late August. After 176 years, having finished its mission in Shamokin, the congregation disbanded. We were down to about a dozen active members, although our active roster was sitting at about 30. We were going through money that we had invested. It didnt make sense to keep going on. It was well over $2,000 a year to heat the place, and we kept it at a minimum, Ponatoski said, adding that the last service in June 2020 only saw a few people attend. Ponatoski said Trinity had hoped someone wanting to keep the building a religious center would make an offer, but no such person came forward. Trinity sold the property for approximately $50,000 to Kareem Nasser Mansour. We were looking for a buyer for a long time. We could write a book about the people who came to look at the church, he said. Trinity sought the advice from an attorney and Upper Susquehanna Synod, which advised that remaining assets could only be given to nonprofit organizations. Ponatoski, who was baptized, confirmed and married in the church, said members of council at Trinity agreed early on that the funds should stay local. He described the donations as bittersweet. Its not only our church, every membership in town is dwindling, he added. Its sad to see, but its just the way of the world, today. Church history According to the Upper Susquehanna Synod, Lutherans began gathering formally in Shamokin in 1840, with the Rev. John Peter Shindel, pastor from Zion in Sunbury, coming to preach on occasion. In 1845, while they rented space in the Central School House, the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church organized. Trinity Lutheran Church helped to organize two other congregations in the region, both named Grace. The church in Mount Carmel began in 1855 and closed in 2019. Grace Lutheran Church in Shamokin formed in 1886 to provide a place for German-speaking Lutherans to worship. After more than 20 years in the schoolhouse and interruption by the Civil War, Trinity finally constructed a building in 1865. Formal incorporation occurred the following year. A history of Northumberland County called the new structure one of the most handsome of Shamokins church structures. This building provided meeting space for the Susquehanna Conference of the East Pennsylvania Synod as it moved to become its own synod. Expansion of the property occurred through the early 20th Century as the congregation grew. This growth led to corresponding outreach and service ministries in Shamokin and beyond. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain embraced 2022 with high hopes and vibrant economic plans, as good news from South Africa - the first country to pronounce itself past its Omicron wave - brought hope for a joyous New Year. As Bahrainis bid adieu to 2021, light to moderate showers drenched various parts of the Kingdom but failed to dampen the celebratory mood. Several people also took to social media platforms to post pictures and share their delight in welcoming the new year amid showers. Its raining. Beautiful weather wrote Twitter user @tariqtalha. Rain in Bahrain is a bad girl that does it well because it lives fast and dies young, wrote another user, @ayeshateeee, on Twitter. Meanwhile, The General Directorate of Traffic issued a warning to road users to remain cautious to ensure safety. The Meteorological Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications had earlier issued warnings for heavy rain and strong wind of up to 13 to 35 knots with thunderstorms. Australians were the first to bid farewell to 2021 with a traditional fireworks display over Sydney harbour. Thanks to Omicron, the New Year began its annual roll from East to West quietly - with no official firework display in Auckland, New Zealand. Sydney opened the global celebration in vintage style, with its usual spectacular pyrotechnics reflected in the harbour below the Sydney Opera House. But there were no displays above many of the worlds traditional landmarks, with fireworks called off over Pariss Arc de Triomphe, Londons Big Ben and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com More victims of online payment transfer scams have taken to the social media platforms to air their woes. It is learnt that fraudsters have been targeting victims by making calls or sending SMSs. My husband got a call saying its a security verification from the online fund transfer app. He followed the steps told by the lady who called him. And to our bad luck, all the money from the account has gone, Suneetha Ratheesh posted on social media. Ailefo Afatsuom Rasan, another victim, posted: My husband got scammed and he lost BD1,000 from his account. We have filed a complaint with the CID department. Last week, The Daily Tribune carried a report about fraudsters targeting the online banking and financial transaction network in the Kingdom. The published article carried the plight of one Bangladeshi national, one Pakistani national and an Indian businessman, who together lost nearly BD1,500 to the scammers. Most of the victims have launched a complaint with the police department, pleading for an intense probe into the matter. Cyber security experts have always been high - lighting the need to protect Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and online transactions from scammers in light of increasing online payments. They include not responding to calls and text messages from strangers along with putting up different passwords on different accounts and UPI apps. The Central Bank of Bahrain, many a time, has carried out campaigns and circulated messages alerting over the possibility of falling victims to online fraudsters. Caution over huge drop in use of hand sanitisers: Bahrain Caution over huge drop in use of hand sanitisers: Bahrain TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Hand sanitisers were among the top weapons to fight the pandemic when COVID-19 cases were first reported two years ago. But now, it seems many are taking sanitising hands for granted, and the drastic decline in its sales throws light on the heavy risk the public is opting for. Pharma industry sources reveal that the demand for hand sanitisers has dropped by as high as 80 per cent, which is nothing but an alarming rate. They have urged the authorities to ensure that hand sanitisers are provided to customers at all cold stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets, restaurants and shopping outlets amid a steep increase in COVID-19 cases. Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Marwa Al Jamea, Chief Financial Administrator of Behzad Medical Establishment, one of the leading pharmaceutical distributors in the Kingdom, said there has been a drastic dip in the sale of hand sanitisers compared to the last year. Our hand sanitiser sales division has recorded a drop of 89 per cent when compared between last year and 2020 and this is a drastic change, Al Jamea said. At our stores across the Kingdom, we have been maintaining hand sanitiser stands, allowing every customer to be a warrior in the fight against this pandemic. The sharp drop in sales is a matter of alarm, especially when we see the Covid-19 infected cases rising. Binu Mannil Varghese, Consumer Product Division Manager at Gulf Pharmacy, another major pharmaceutical distributor, said demand for hand sanitisers has reduced substantially in the healthcare market. There has been a drop in sales something between 30 and 35 per cent. All I could say is the fear of COVID-19 seems to have vanished, which is not a good trend, Varghese said. Initially, hand sanitisers were imported from China. But, since the pandemic began, many companies in the region, including those in the Kingdom, began manufacturing hand sanitisers. Owing to the similarities in components, many perfume companies took up hand sanitiser production. And it seems now they will have to go back to the old days manufacturing perfumes alone. Another pharma executive, who doesnt want to be named, said his company has seen sales of hand sanitisers drop by 60 per cent. If you see the past three months, our hand sanitiser sales have come down by 80pc. We have been buying sanitisers exclusively from Bahraini companies to promote localisation. We hope the health authorities will give more emphasis on the use of sanitisers as a precautionary tool in the battle against COVID-19, the executive said. A health official said, vaccines dont offer a single solution. Now the Kingdom has begun to administer second booster doses. While the Health Ministry is doing its job, it is also up to the public to co-operate fully to make this fight against the virus a big success. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), using hand sanitisers is one of the most effective ways to contain the spread of COVID-19. Coronavirus is an enveloped virus and hand sanitisers are effective in removing these enveloped viruses by inactivating the envelope, thus making it non-infectious. As of now, the Kingdom has a little over 3,700 active COVID-19 cases while 615 new cases were reported on the New Year day. The Kingdom moved to Yellow Alert Level last week as a precautionary measure against the spread of new Omicron variants. The Kingdom has reported only a single case of Omicron. According to the Ministry of Health, the Yellow Alert decision follows the Kingdoms approach of prioritising public health in line with the guidelines issued by the WHO. The National Medical Taskforce for Combating COVID-19 has already urged individuals to visit health centres and receive booster jabs, and there is also no requirement to make an appointment. Individuals who have already received their booster shots can follow the procedures of the Green Alert level. According to Health Ministry statistics, 848,039 individuals have received booster doses in the Kingdom. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com HM the Kings Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has asserted that the Kingdom of Bahrain has become a perfect role model for empowering youth at the global level, paving the way for them to take part in making crucial decisions of major concern to the world in the fields of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and relying on them in building the future. This is consistent with the efforts led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to draw the International Communitys attention to youth in order to recognise the importance of their initiatives, in the midst of the challenges currently facing the world, HH Shaikh Nasser said marking the launch of the fourth edition of the King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award to Achieve SDGs. In a statement marking the occasion, HH Shaikh Nasser described the award as a message of appreciation and pride from the Kingdom of Bahrain to youth all over the world, especially those with achievements, influential creativity and innovative solutions in achieving SDGs. This is evident in the launch of a new edition of the King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award to Achieve SDGs, which is among Bahrains most important initiatives towards world youth, aiming to motivate youth to think outside the box and come up with ideas on the best ways to achieve UN goals in a youthful way, HH said. HH Shaikh indicated that the prestigious award has always attracted new ideas that cope with global changes, noting that the fourth edition will encourage youth to provide ideas and projects on achieving SDGs in a post-pandemic world with youth vision. HH Shaikh Nasser affirmed that the strong partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has promoted the award at the international level, and contributed to attracting a great number of participants from various countries, noting that partnership between the kingdom and many UN agencies has been expanded in order to ensure wider youth participation and achieve the awards noble goals. HH Shaikh Nasser expressed confidence that this years edition will be more successful than the previous editions, expressing hope that the International Community, public and private entities and youth sectors will urge the youth of the world to participate in the award, being their perfect platform to showcase their ideas on ways to achieve SDGs. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to supporters and members of the media after a bill signing Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. DeSantis signed a bill that bans private businesses from imposing mask and vaccine mandates on employees, and did so in a town whose name served as a veiled reference to "Let's Go Brandon," which is itself a euphemism among conservatives for "F--- Joe Biden." (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara/AP) Gov. Ron DeSantis, who spent $3 million in the past year zipping around the state in a $15.5 million plane thats supposed to be used only for public business, must think Floridians dont know what campaigning looks like. If hes confused, heres a tip: If there are snappy slogans on the podium instead of a simple, dignified state seal, that looks like campaigning. Advertisement If an audience of fans is yelling, cheering and waving signs with veiled references to profane catchphrases instead of concerned experts and charts with critical public information, that also looks a lot like campaigning. If DeSantis is spitting out slogans instead of addressing his duties as this states elected leader, it looks like campaigning. Sending out fundraising information closely keyed to the appearance he just made looks like campaigning. Spinning fantasies about stolen elections and conspiracy theories involving respected federal health officials? Well that sounds like lying. Also, sadly, campaigning. Advertisement Stopped in at Sister's Sweets, Eats & More in Chipley and enjoyed a nice lunch and some great baked goods. Give them a try if you're in the area: https://t.co/dLCaozZICd pic.twitter.com/GyH1UVqGgZ Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 28, 2021 When the governor is hitting bakeries, barbecue joints and coffee shops across Florida instead of talking about the life-and-death concerns of millions of Floridians who entrusted him with the states highest office maybe thats not campaigning, but its certainly not working. He has plenty to say in his official Twitter feed about all the bagels, sandwiches, coffee and baked goods hes noshed on. Unemployment, the affordable housing crisis and the ever-present specter of the coronavirus? Not so much. Worst of all, theres been barely a flicker of concern for Floridians who are dying of COVID currently at a rate of about 16 people a day, which he seems to regard as barely worth noticing. Have you contacted any of those families, Governor? You do realize that when new cases soar, its only a matter of time before those invisibly grieving families begin to multiply exponentially? Leave aside that potential compassion deficit for a minute. Heres what the law says: Public officials arent allowed to campaign on the states dime. They dont get to use the states plane, bought for official duties, as an aeronautical pack mule bearing the burden of their personal ambition. (Why does he need a $15.5 million state plane?) He doesnt get to co-opt the taxpayer-paid employees of the governors office and state agency heads as props and head cheerleaders, no matter how eager they may be to fulfil those roles. We need those people hard at work on serious state business. Groups like Integrity Florida, which recently spoke to the Orlando Sentinel about DeSantis use of the state plane and a potential blurring of the lines between public duty and political grandstanding, are right. He doesnt get to use publicly funded resources for his own benefit. We understand its much more convenient for him. But its not one of the perks of the job. Good Lord, governor. You know this. You went to Harvard Law School. Sir, you also know how many Floridians are mourning today and how many are terrified by the sound of incessant coughing from another room. Maybe not in numbers, but in magnitude: You know its a lot. Advertisement We dont expect you to visit them all. We dont expect you to bring any of them muffins or maybe some orange juice. Just show a little compassion. A little decorum. A little acknowledgement that Florida is something more than a backdrop for the glory that is you. That Floridians are more than props. That you are putting their needs first, as they deserve. This editorial first appeared in The Orlando Sentinel. Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister orders development of sustainable drainage solutions TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting, at Gudaibiya Palace. The Cabinet extended its congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on being awarded The Abu Bakr Al Siddique Medal First Class, by The Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation (ARCO), in appreciation of His Majesty's humanitarian efforts. The Cabinet commended the visions of His Majesty the King, which has showcased the Kingdom of Bahrain as a model of success in providing humanitarian relief. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, then directed for the swift documentation of all damage caused by the rainfall, and to compensate those who have been affected by the phenomena. HRH also ordered the development of sustainable drainage solutions in areas where rainwater has accumulated, in addition to ongoing work to modernise and develop stormwater infrastructure. This took place following an assessment of the impact of recent rainfall. The Cabinet praised the efforts of The Ministry of Interior, The General Directorate of Civil Defence, The General Directorate of Traffic, and The Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs, and Urban Planning in managing the impact of the recent rainfall. The Cabinet also thanked the citizens of Bahrain for their cooperation, spirit, and sense of national responsibility when faced with this situation. The Cabinet discussed a number of memorandums during the meeting with the following outcomes The approval of the following memorandums: 1. A memorandum by the Government Executive Committee concerning the formulation of legislation that strengthens the rule of law, safeguards rights and supports development. 2. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding a draft law to implement the terms of the agreement between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations Development Programme. 3. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding an MoU for cooperation in renewable energy between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Morocco. 4. A memorandum by the Minister of Finance and National Economy regarding subscription rights for the sixth general increase in the capital of the Islamic Development Bank. The decision follows the Kingdom of Bahrains commitment to enhancing the use of the banks services and initiatives, and to contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. 5. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the government's response to a proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives. How are the funds of foreigners deceased in Bahrain released How are the funds of foreigners deceased in Bahrain released TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com We live in a world of uncertainty especially due to the current pandemic. We are lucky to be in a country where the Government is taking all possible initiatives to control the pandemic and protect the lives of its citizens and residents. A big salute to the Rulers, Government, citizens and the frontline health workers. Words are not enough to express our gratitude to the frontline health workers. No stone has been left unturned by the authorities to combat the crisis and ensure that all citizens and residents are vaccinated and protected. It is highly commendable that the authorities are taking various steps to protect the rights of the expatriate employees including the Wage Protection Scheme implemented last year. The heirs of the deceased expatriates are facing a legal procedural issue. In the event of the death of an expatriate, his or her bank accounts, including joint accounts, are frozen until a court order is issued. We understand that this is based on a Law issued in 1971 dealing with Inheritance and Settlement of Estates of non-Muslim foreigners in Bahrain and the rules/regulations issued by the Central Bank of Bahrain. Many changes have occurred over the years and the expatriate population in Bahrain has increased tremendously. It is high time to re-consider this legal provision to ease the problems faced by the heirs of deceased foreigners, especially taking into consideration the legal provision that the personal matters of foreigners are dealt with according to their laws and Sharia principles are not applied in conventional banking. It takes a minimum of 3 4 months to obtain a legal heir certificate from the home country of the deceased duly legalized or apostilled and an additional 1 2 months to get a court order to release the funds. We cannot ignore the substantial costs involved in the process. This causes a lot of hardships especially if the deceased is the only earning member of the family. In some cases, families are unable to meet the expenses of the funeral or take the body back to their home country and meet daily living expenses when the bank accounts including joint accounts of the deceased are blocked. They are left with no alternative but to borrow money from relatives or friends to meet these expenses which may be difficult in many cases. The authorities should give serious consideration to this matter, an urgent need of the hour, and devise a method of quickly releasing funds from at least salary accounts and joint savings bank accounts to meet the immediate needs of the family. Few suggestions for consideration to overcome or mitigate this issue are: (a) allowing operation of bank accounts with either or survivor facility or nomination facility in bank accounts especially salary accounts and joint family accounts; or (b) exempting such accounts from the requirements of a court order; or (c) setting a limit on the amount of withdrawal, say up to BD 2,000/- by the joint account holder or nominee of the deceased who is in Bahrain. All high-value bank accounts, transfer of real estate and other assets may be blocked until a court order is issued. The Byrds Books bookstore is welcoming Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz in a virtual conversation with State Sen. Will Haskell, D-Westport, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 19. Theyll discuss Haskells new book, 100,000 First Bosses: My Unlikely Path as a 22-Year-Old Lawmaker during a free Zoom event. Haskell is one of the countrys youngest state senators and was endorsed by President Barack Obama when he ran for his first term. The book is Haskells first. Reservations are required at byrdsbooks.com. Attendees can also order signed copies of the book on the website. Haskell serves as the chair of the transportation committee in the state Senate, as well as the vice chair of the government administration and elections committee. Lt. Bysiewicz is the author of the book Ella: A Biography of Ella Grasso, Connecticuts 83rd Governor. Byrds Books is located at 178 Greenwood Ave. Author discussions and book group gatherings are regularly added to Byrds Books calendar of events, also at byrdsbooks.com. Byrds Books is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, as well as from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays for browsing, touch-free purchasing and the pick-up of books. Private shopping is available by appointment. Byrds Books requires masks during the coronavirus pandemic and provides a hand sanitizer. For directions to the store or for more information, call Byrds Books at 203-730-2973. Also visit byrdsbooks.com to review the shops expanded catalog of new book titles. Brookfield Third Valley Music Series concert announced The Valley Music Series has announced the third concert of its performance season at the Valley Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m. Jan. 16. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m.. An informal reception will follow the January concert. The reception will also offer concertgoers the opportunity to meet and mingle with the musicians, who are performing in it. Titled Music Among Friends, the string quartet will perform works by composers, Wolfgang Mozart, Hugo Wolf and Robert Schumman. The concert will be free and open to the public. The Valley Presbyterian Church is located at 21 W. Whisconier Road in Brookfield. Parking is free and the building is wheelchair accessible, all on one level. For information regarding the performance and other concerts visit the Valley website at valleypresct.org/valley-music-series.html, or call 203-775-2624 to learn more about concerts, the music and the artists. The artists have international acclaim and have performed in a wide range of venues, both individually and together. The artists are: - Yevgenia Strenger, on the violin, and who has performed as a soloist and a chamber musician in concert halls of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Strenger has also played in every major concert hall worldwide on New York Philharmonic orchestra tours. She toured the former USSR as a member of the Kalinin String Quartet before coming to the U.S. Upon arrival in New York, she became a member of the New York City Opera, where she became the concertmaster in 2001. - Sander Strenger, on the violin, and who is recognized as one of the rare breed of left-handed players for the violin instrument. His playing calls attention to those small details of phrasing, articulation and tone, which separate a performance from a mere reading. Strenger has appeared as a soloist with the Bronx Symphony, the West Side Symphony, the Broadway Bach Ensemble and the Missouri Symphony Society. Strenger was also previously a member of the Lydian and Estehazy Quartets, the Berkshire Chamber Players, the Euterpe Ensemble, and the Music Project. He has also served as the assistant concertmaster of the American Ballet Theatre and the Opera Orchestra of New York. - William Frampton, on the viola, and who has enjoyed a career of performances around the world as a chamber musician, soloist, orchestral player, and a teacher, since his New York recital debut in 2009 at Carnegie Halls Weill Recital Hall in New York City. Recent highlights of Framptons include over 100 performances with a string quartet led by Midori Goto in tours of Asia, and North America, numerous appearances as the principal viola player with the American Symphony Orchestra, appearances as a guest artist with the Johannes Quartet, and world premieres of chamber music by J. Mark Stambaugh, composer and professor in the music department at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. There was also a concerto by flutist Peter Homans. He can be heard frequently in the Broadway orchestras of the plays, Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King, as well as film scores including, The Joker, The Greatest Showman, West Side Story, and others. - Robert Burkhart, who is known as The adventurous cellist. He performs all across New York Citys diverse musical landscape. He has also performed in most major concert halls in New York as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral principal, section player and Broadway musician. He has also done so in more than 30 states., and as a soloist throughout Japan as a member of the New Symphonic Ensemble. He has also been featured in a recital setting on New York Public Radio station, WQXRs, Young Artist Showcase, program. Burkhart has recorded music for numerous films and commercials. His prelude from composer Sebastian Bachs Suite Nr. 1 in the G major music note on the American Express commercial, Dont Take Chances. Take Charge, has been heard by millions of people. Burkhart has also performed in dozens of musicals on and off Broadway. He has also been a principal cello instrument player of the Encores orchestra, recorded several cast albums, and was the lead cellist on Live from Lincoln Centers national broadcast of The Light in the Piazza, filmed musical. The Valley Music Series mission is to empower goodwill and understanding within its communities by offering free concerts that feature artists from communities near, and far. The quartets performance is expected to delight audiences of all ages. All people are welcome to attend. Danbury Holiday decorating contest winners announced The CityCenter Danbury has announced the winners of its 2021 Holiday Decorating Contest. Winners are: - Most locally inspired: Moda Brazil, - Best overall: La Mitad Del Mudo, and - Most Whimsical: Patriot Parking Garage. Local shops and businesses decorated their storefronts for the holidays, adding a festive and a seasonal air to the city district. The contest was judged by professionals and state and local dignitaries. Prizes were awarded. The spirited event coincided with the annual Light the Lights, celebration in downtown Danbury. Many other local businesses participated. CityCenter Danbury raises awareness for the city district through ongoing events that are planned to inform, beautify, and create a welcoming environment for local business, people, who live, work and visit in the city. Visit citycenterdanbury.com for more information about CityCenter Danbury, and other upcoming events at the amphitheater. Danbury Library to host program on bald eagles The Danbury Library is have a free virtual program, titled Bald Eagles in Connecticut: Its a Bird, Its a Plane no, its an eagle!!, at 3 p.m. Jan. 12. Registration is required. Register on the Events Calendar part of the librarys website at danburylibrary.org, or call the Danbury Library to register at 203-797-4505, extension 7713. Also register by email by emailing Katharine Mostacero, of the information services department at the library, at kmostacero@danburylibrary.org. She may be contacted for questions about the program or Zoom. Participants will receive a Zoom link to the program via email upon completing registration. Southbury Sustainability group offers road shows series Sustainable Southbury is displaying some of its efforts in January in the Southbury Librarys Fireplace Room. Sustainable Southbury will give a free 45-minute talk via a course at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11, in the librarys Kingsley Room. The discussion will focus on meal planning, shopping, understanding food dates, and what people may not know about food shopping or food waste. It will also include tips to extend the shelf life of someones food purchased, and proper storage techniques for food. People can save money and shopping time when they understand the food expiration dates, utilize meal planning tools, learn tips to extend the shelf life of the food that they have purchased, and the proper storage techniques, according to information from the town. The talk will be the first in a series of road shows that will also be offered around the community at different times and locations. The goal of the series is to bring the practical topic of sustainability to all people. Additional topics will be added in the future. People who would like to have the sustainability road show visit their group may email sustainablesouthbury@gmail.com. Sustainable Southbury is a grassroots group that is focused on the sustainability efforts of the town and the pursuit of the towns accreditation as a Sustainable CT town. Visit sustainablesouthbury.org to learn more about the group. Visit southbury-ct-org/sustainablect for more information about the towns efforts for accreditation. More information about the Sustainable CT state program can be found at sustainablect.org. The library is located at 100 Poverty Road in Southbury. DANBURY Diana Rivera and her husband love her mother-in-laws traditional Mexican dishes so much that she opened a restaurant inspired by them Rivera opened Los Rivera Cafe at 1 Ives St. in December. Her mother-in-law, Maricruz Rivera, prepares the food, while a chef cooks it. We combine his skills in the kitchen with the flavor she puts in the food, Diana Rivera said. The restaurant offers meals that are unique to Danbury, she said. Diners wont get Tex-Mex style food, but Mexican-Mexican meals, she said. They can expect really tasty food here, traditional Mexican food, nothing like you have in the area, Rivera said. The main menu includes various types of tacos, tostadas, nachos, pork and quesadillas, as well as bistec azteca and other entrees. The brunch menu includes omelets and huevos rancheros, which is two fried eggs over a corn tortilla topped with a choice of sauces. Theres a kids menu and a cocktails menu with various margaritas and other drinks. Rivera is Ecuadorian, but her husbands family is from Oaxaca, Mexico. Her husband was born in California, while her mother-in-law lived in Mexico until she was 18. The restaurants decor is from Mexico, too. She has lamps from Mexico and handmade paintings of famous people from Mexico. Rivera has worked in the restaurant industry in New York City throughout her career, either as a waitress, in the back or in management. But this is her first time owning a restaurant. She studied nursing in college, but decided to stay home after her son, now 6, was born. Her mother-in-law has cooked for friends and family for years, but this is her first foray into the professional food world, taking training courses for cooking for before the restaurant opened. Maricruz Rivera said she likes to make people happy with food. When my kids go to my house to visit and they ask for food, I do whatever they want to eat, everything from scratch, she said in a message translated from Spanish to English by her daughter-in-law. I think thats how I show them my love, even (though) they are all grown up. She said she feels the same way about the restaurant. In every quesadilla, in every taco or any food that I prepare for a customer, I want them to leave happy, Maricruz Rivera said. Diana Rivera said her husband came up with the idea for the restaurant as a way to provide jobs for the family and highlight his mothers cooking. She puts love into everything that she cooks, she said. Diana Rivera and her family moved to Danbury from Queens, N.Y. three years ago so her husband could open American Auto Collision, an auto body shop on Shelter Rock Road. She said she had to adjust to living in quieter Danbury. When I came to town to Danbury, it was missing something for me here, she said. With the restaurant, she said wants to bring a piece of New York to Danbury. The food and bright colors are meant to make the establishment a place where when they come in, they can feel happy, she said. It took more than two years to open the business because of the work, such as electrical and plumbing, needed on the building, she said. She rents from the same landlord who owns her husbands auto body shop. The restaurant is by the Danbury Green, which was upgraded as part of the newly completed first phase of the citys streetscape project. Diana Rivera said the project came at a great time for her restaurant. I think were going to have really good business here, she said. The restaurant opened about three weeks ago. It was hard, Diana Rivera said. Its still hard because it is so hard to find people to work, waiters, bartenders. She has two waiters, one who works in the morning and one in the afternoon. She helps both of them. There are five kitchen staff, including her mother-in-law and the chef. Although Diana Rivera is Ecuadorian, the restaurant plans to stick to Mexican food. Its hard already with one menu, she said. She said theyve gotten compliments from the food from customers, including from a recent party of 100 people. They were really happy about the food, Diana Rivera said. The Union Health Minister brought the attention of the States/UTs to the fact that collectively, they have only used just over 17 per cent of the available approved funds under the Emergency COVID-19 Response Package (ECRP-II). Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday interacted with State Health Ministers, Principal Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries of States/UTs and reviewed the public health preparedness to COVID-19 and national COVID-19 vaccination, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. According to the ministry, the meeting was held in view of the rising cases of the Omicron variant and the recent decisions to roll out vaccination for the age group 15-18 years and precautionary dose for identified vulnerable categories. The meeting was officiated by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, stated the ministry. The Union Health Minister noted at the very outset that globally, countries are experiencing 3-4 times the surge in Covid-19 cases in comparison to their earlier peaks. The Omicron variant being highly transmissible, a high surge in the case can overwhelm the medical system. He, therefore, advised the States to leave no stone unturned in ramping up infrastructure to manage a high surge so that India escapes unscathed from this episode of COVID-19. Mandaviya said in this regard that irrespective of the COVID-19 variants, measures for preparedness and protection remain the same. He urged the states to reinvigorate their teams to work at the ground level and strengthen monitoring and containment mechanisms. This was followed by a comprehensive and detailed discussion on various aspects of COVID-19 management including ramping up of hospital infrastructure, increased testing, stringent restrictive measures for breaking the chain of transmission, and stress on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour among the masses. Critical bottlenecks in medical infrastructure were also discussed. Mandaviya said, We have put up a strong fight against Covid earlier and this learning must be used to re-focus on efforts against the Omicron variant. We must focus on planning with regard to the 15-18 age group vaccination and precautionary doses for eligible beneficiaries, he observed. The Minister also urged states to ensure that the healthcare workers and frontline workers are fully vaccinated, as they form the vulnerable categories. While appreciating the efforts of States/UTs in achieving the national average of 90 per cent coverage of first dose vaccination of all eligible adults, he urged those states, whose progress of vaccination is below the national average, to ramp up their vaccination campaign. States were directed to prepare a weekly plan to catch up and exceed the average national vaccination coverage and review the implementation of this plan on a daily basis at the level of Secretary/ACS Health with special emphasis in 5 poll-bound states of Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Manipur. States/UTs were also instructed to ensure the orientation of vaccinators and vaccination team members for vaccination of 15-18 years age-group and the identification of dedicated session sites for vaccination of 15-18 years age-group. Also, states/UTs were advised to share their requirement of vaccine doses through district-wise estimation of beneficiaries using Co-WIN. They were urged to plan for the distribution of Covaxin to identify session sites well in advance and publish sessions for at least 15 days to provide sufficient visibility. Mandaviya also pointed out that various measures are being taken by the Union government to ramp up infrastructure development and vaccine production in the country. He requested states/UTs to share their best practices so that the entire country can benefit. The Union Health Minister brought the attention of the States/UTs to the fact that collectively, they have only used just over 17% of the available approved funds under the Emergency COVID-19 Response Package (ECRP-II). States/UTs were exhorted to expedite the physical progress under ECRP-II in terms of ICU beds, oxygen beds, Paediatric ICU/HDU beds etc. The Minister also urged States/UTs to effectively use IT tools for telemedicine and teleconsultation, including training and capacity building of human resources, timely availability of ambulances, the readiness of states to operationalize COVID-19 facilities for institutional quarantining, and effective and supervised monitoring of those in home isolation. Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN Police in the city are investigating a report of gunfire that took place early Sunday morning. The shooting involved two young men who were treated at Yale New Haven Hospital for non life-threatening injuries, according to a report by Scott Shumway of the New Haven Police Department. On Sunday around 1 a.m., New Haven police received a Shotspotter alert of gunfire on Edgewood Avenue between Howe and Dwight streets, the report said. BRIDGEPORT Detectives are chasing several strong leads in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred late Sunday, police said. Minutes after 10 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Marcel Street for a report of a person shot. Capt. Kevin Gilleran, head of the Detective Bureau, said arriving units found a victim in the front yard of a Marcel Street residence. He was taken to St. Vincents Medical Center, where he later died. This appears to be isolated incident where the victim knew the suspect, Gilleran said. He identified the victim early Monday as 36-year-old Andre Brown, a Bridgeport resident. This is the citys second homicide of the year the first around 1:30 a.m. Saturday. The Bridgeport Police Department would like to offer its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Brown, Gilleran said. The Detective Bureau processed the crime scene on Marcel Street and is chasing several leads, police said. Friends of Brown at the scene Monday morning declined to be identified, but backed the police description of the shooting as one where the victim and suspect knew each other. They said Brown was born in Jamaica and lived in the Bronx, N.Y., before moving to Connecticut about five years ago. He had a young son, they said, describing Brown as a loving, respectful, jovial person. On Sunday night, they said Brown went outside to speak to a woman he knew and then they heard several gunshots. Brown tried to run back to the house but collapsed, they said. Drops and smears of blood stained the front walkway of the home Monday morning. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jorge Cintron at 203-581-5227 or the tips line at 203-576-TIPS. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that this is the citys second homicide of the year. Jeremy White nurses a bruised hand a day after he tackled and subdued a suspect who Lockport police said robbed a woman at the 7-Eleven on S. Transit Road and High Street. A witness of the crime, White ran after Merritt while wearing high-top rubber boots and held him until police arrived. (Photograph by Benjamin Joe) Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Generally cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 57F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 43F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. If you already subscribe to our print edition, sign up for FREE access to our online edition. Thanks for reading The Henderson News. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has recommended a former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Se... Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has recommended a former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, as the next president of Nigeria of Igbo extraction. The Governor stated this on Sunday at his country home in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa Local Government Area of the state, when he received Anyim who visited him, describing him as a man whose public service credentials and experience are good enough for the Presidency of Nigeria. Ikpeazu assured Anyim of his support as the next Nigerian President of South-East extraction, noting that what matters now is just for the Igbos to be given a chance to produce the next Nigerian President. Ikpeazu said, No other tribe in Nigeria has demonstrated practical belief in the Nigerian nation better than the Igbos as can be seen from the fact that our people live and invest heavily in every part of the country. He added that that in the South East and indeed across the country today, the credentials of Senator Anyim stand very tall. Earlier, Anyim said he came to formally inform Ikpeazu and the party leadership in the state of his plans to contest for the Presidency of the country in the 2023 elections as the South East is the most qualified zone in Nigeria to produce the next President, based on equity and justice. Anyim said that he decided to make himself available for the contest after a careful analysis of my antecedents, experience, passion and wide contacts across the country. He called for the support of the governor and the party in the State, assuring that he would be a candidate and a President that Nigeria would be proud of. Manchester United interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, has explained why he made Cristiano Ronaldo captain against Wolves on Monday. Rang... Manchester United interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, has explained why he made Cristiano Ronaldo captain against Wolves on Monday. Rangnick also explained why he started Phil Jones in Man Uniteds Premier League tie against Wolves at Old Trafford. Man United faces Wolves at home in their first Premier League game of 2022, but they will be without injured captain Harry Maguire after the centre-back sustained an injury in their last game against Burnley. With Victor Lindelof still testing positive for COVID-19 and Eric Bailly set to link up with the Ivory Coast squad at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Rangnick decided to start Jones, who partnered Raphael Varane, and made Ronaldo captain against Wolves. Explaining his decision, Rangnick told MUTV before Man Uniteds kick-off against Wolves: From what I have seen so far he [Jones] was extremely professional all the time, even when he was not in the squad, since last night our two other centre backs were out, he was the logical choice. Victor was still positive, it was clear since yesterday morning he would be out. Harry had that knock on his chest against Burnley, we thought he would be good but yesterday it was impossible, he had too much pain when he was standing around and sitting, it was clear it was impossible to play. Speaking on Ronaldo, who captains Man United for the first time since his return to the club last summer from Juventus, Rangnick added, The question was is it David or him [Ronaldo], these are the players who have been playing for the longest period of time and I wanted a field player as captain which is why I chose Cristiano. Ilana Omo Oodua, the umbrella body for Yoruba Nation self-determination agitation, has clarified that Yoruba Nation agitators would stop t... Ilana Omo Oodua, the umbrella body for Yoruba Nation self-determination agitation, has clarified that Yoruba Nation agitators would stop the upcoming governorship election in the South-West through legal means. This was contained in a statement to react to the controversies that greeted the New Year message one of its leaders, Prof. Banji Akintoye, on social media. The statement was signed by the spokesperson for Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Maxwell Adeleye, on Sunday. Akintoye had threatened that the agitators would not allow election to hold in South-West, insisting the referendum must be granted for a Yoruba Nation. Part of the statement read, For clarity purpose, the decision to boycott and do everything within the ambits of the law to stop the Osun and Ekiti States 2022 Governorship Elections was taken by the Congress of Ilana Omo Oodua on 22nd December 2021. Our argument is that with a valid constitution force majure and notice of constitution grievance already declared in line with the United Nations and African Union Charters on Peoples Right which Nigeria is a signatory to, the 1999 constitution which the Nigerian Government wants to use to conduct the Osun and Ekiti State Elections has already been invalidated. Notwithstanding our position, we resolved to approach the courts within the jurisdictions of Ekiti and Osun States to put our democracy into test by demanding a declaration that theres indeed a constitutional dispute in Nigeria and as such, the elections in Ekiti and Osun states should not be conducted, hence the basis of the declaration from Professor Banji Akintoye that there ll be no Governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti States in 2022. We are just trying to explore the Constitutional avenue in the fight for our inalienable right to self-determination. Anyone perpetrating or planning violence is not one of us. We want to assure that if we lose in the Nigerian Courts, we shall take our case to the ECOWAS Court or the International Court of Justice. It is no retreat, no surrender. Pelumi Olajengbesi, one of the lawyers representing Sunday Adeyemo, a Yoruba youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho, has resigned from... Pelumi Olajengbesi, one of the lawyers representing Sunday Adeyemo, a Yoruba youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho, has resigned from the activists legal team. Igboho is being detained in Cotonou, Benin Republic after he was the arrested with Ropo, his wife at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou, while on their way to Germany on July 16, 2021. Olajengbesi announced his resignation on Sunday in a statement on his Facebook page. The lawyer said he was satisfied with his professional contribution to the legal team, adding that he does not want to be associated with any agitation for the Yoruba nation. This is to officially announce my resignation as counsel involved further in any matter relating to Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho and the Yoruba nation agitators, the statement reads. As a firm, we are satisfied with our little best in contributing to providing legal solutions and representations to Igboho and associated Yoruba nation agitators as far as ensuring the protection and enforcement of their rights in this matter. We were able to secure the release of 12 persons brutally and unlawfully arrested by the reckless State Security Service (SSS), and also secured the release of an innocent herbalist equally unlawfully arrested and detained by the SSS. I have stated ab initio that the scope of my work will only be within the purview of my professional duty as a lawyer to Sunday Igboho and his aides. I am a strong believer in constitutional democracy, civil liberty and human rights which includes the right to self-determination but I am not a Yoruba nation agitator nor a member of any like organisation. Olajengbesis resignation comes days after Banji Akintoye, the leader of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, a Yoruba self-determination group, said Igboho would soon be released from detention. Akintoye had also said there would be no state governorship and house of assembly elections in our homeland in 2022, adding that the next election that we Yoruba people will engage in will be the first election in our own new country. Alvaro Morata is on the verge of returning to Spain to join Barcelona, according to Deportivo Mundo. The ex-Real Madrid striker is being tip... Alvaro Morata is on the verge of returning to Spain to join Barcelona, according to Deportivo Mundo. The ex-Real Madrid striker is being tipped to return to LaLiga and sign for the Catalans initially on loan. Morata currently plays for Juventus, where he is on loan from Atletico Madrid, who he joined from Chelsea in July 2020 for a deal worth 58 million. However, Barca are close to landing Morata this month with the transfer 95% complete. It is believed a total agreement has already been reached with Juventus for the players loan for the next six months, as well as an agreement with Atletico to execute a future purchase option. The fact that Atletico still have outstanding money from Barca for the purchase of Antoine Griezmann would also play a part in the transfer, with Xavi Hernandezs side taking over Morata instead. Xavi is confident he can already count on Morata for the Super Cup match against rivals Real Madrid on January 12. Nollywood star, Charles Inojie, has called for the swift conduction of the 2023 elections, as he hoped for positive changes in the country... Nollywood star, Charles Inojie, has called for the swift conduction of the 2023 elections, as he hoped for positive changes in the country. The actor said this in his New Year message shared on his Instagram page on Saturday. Known for the role of Lucky Johnson in the The Johnsons family drama, Inojie wished that 2023 could come before 2022 because of the general elections. He wrote in Pidgin, Abeg we fit do 2023 before 2022? Make we do election quick whether things go change abeg. (sic) Sharing the picture, he added, Happy New Year. Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party stands a chance of winning the 2023 presidential election i... Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party stands a chance of winning the 2023 presidential election if his counterpart in Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, emerged the candidate of the party. Wike lamented that Nigeria was in a serious crisis as a result of insecurity, stating that it was time for the Peoples Democratic Party to return to power and save the country. The governor, who stated this while answering questions from journalists during a visit to Bauchi State on Saturday, said God would not forgive the PDP, if it failed to heed the yearnings of Nigerians to return to power. He said, One of my resolutions for the year 2022 is to make sure that Nigeria is better than what it was last year. It is also to make sure that the PDP is united because if the PDP makes the mistake of not listening to Nigerians, it will be very difficult for God to forgive the PDP. This is an opportunity to save Nigeria. We Christians know that when the Israelites were in problems, God had to bring Moses to lead them. Nigeria is in serious problems now and it is the PDP that will lead Nigeria out of these problems. So, we must take that responsibility. Ill prefer that if God makes it that the ticket falls on him (Bala Mohammed), it means our chances are very, very bright. This insecurity, this is not the kind of Nigeria we want, it is not the Nigeria where every day you wake up in the morning, the newspaper says, 40 people have been killed These deaths are caused by the inability of the so-called government to protect us. Wike described Mohammed as being more than qualified to become the next President of Nigeria. He noted that the antecedents and achievements of the Bauchi State governor in over two years in office showed that he could rule the country effectively. He said, My brother, Bala, has gathered a lot of experiences. He was a director in the ministry; he became a Senator, then a minister and now a governor. And with these alone, he is qualified to be president. Then, youll also look at what he is doing in Bauchi; look at his pedigree, as a first time governor. I was here to flag off projects, many of my colleagues were also here to do the same, how many first time governors do you see doing that? So, the call for him to become President is not misplaced at all. Bala is someone who is qualified to run for President of this country. He is overqualified. In any ramification you want to look at it from, his relationship with people is second to none, so people calling on him to run for President have seen the qualities in him. Mohammed described Wike as tough and the face of the PDP whom he looked up to as a leader. He said, Wike is always full of pleasant surprises and todays visit has exhilarated a feeling in me that I have more than a brother in the Rivers State governor. I have always looked up to him. He is a leader not because he is a governor or because he has money, but the stuff hes made up of. The police officers in Zamfara State has alleged poor treatment by the federal government, alleging that the festivities were bleak for many... The police officers in Zamfara State has alleged poor treatment by the federal government, alleging that the festivities were bleak for many families as their December salaries were just paid. Speaking with newsmen in Gusau, the state capital, a police officer identified as Godwin lamented that he could not provide the essential needs for his family. Believe me, I did not buy clothes, shoes for any of my five children due to hardship. We are suffering as police people. Can we continue to live on borrowing even though we are fully employed by the federal government and we are not beggars Other policemen people who spoke to newsmen expressed disappointment over the delay of salaries and allowances, warning that the delay in salary payment would not encourage officers to perform professionally. A visit to banks in Gusau, showed crowded banking halls as police officers jostled to cash their December salaries today. Most of the police officials told newsmen that they have been at the bank since 6am but are unable to collect their monies, saying that the banks even ran out of cash in the AT. They said that some of them that were sent to villages where armed bandits are operating and yet have not been paid their risks allowances. Can you imagine that the police operatives are just collecting their December salaries today? If the federal government worker could not receive his or her salary as at when due, then what do you say about private organizations. The police officers appealed to the federal government to consider their families and treat them like human beings. After all, it is our rights, not a privilege. The government should also consider the fact that they are at war with bandits and many have lost their lives in many operations Gunshot scare forced popular Nigerian Artist, Teniola Apata, also known as Teni, to flee an event in Buguma Town, Asari-Toru Local Governm... Gunshot scare forced popular Nigerian Artist, Teniola Apata, also known as Teni, to flee an event in Buguma Town, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State over the weekend. The acting spokesman for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident but said Teni was rescued by security operatives unhurt. She was invited for a carnival where she was performing, some miscreants started throwing stones and all that. But the police and other security agencies were on ground to ensure nothing happened. The command has started investigation into the incident to ascertain what really happened. The police division there in Buguma has been mandated to fish out those behind the attack. We will ensure they are brought to book, she stated. The A-list female artiste, known for her hit song Your Case was performing another hit Super Power when gunshot rent the air. The ear-splitting gunshots sent everyone scampering for safety, as seen in a viral video. MBABANE One of the countrys small agricultural towns is developing an Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Online sources define an IDP as a super plan for an area that gives an overall framework for development. It aims to co-ordinate the work of local and other spheres of government in a coherent plan to improve the quality of life for all the people living in the area. The town is inviting consultant for the preparation of Vuvulane Town Board five-year integrated development plan/strategic plan and yearly implementation plan. All bids should be in by next Friday (January 14) at noon. Full tender specifications can be downloaded on the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) website. Meanwhile, all Urban local authorities in the Kingdom of Eswatini have been tasked by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to produce an IDP. Each local authority is responsible for the coordination of the IDP and to consult all relevant stakeholders who impact on and/or benefit from the development of the area to make their contributions. An IDP has to be drawn up in consultation with all relevant forums and stakeholders. This IDP then becomes the basis for all the plans and projects of the local authority, and the municipalitys annual budget is drawn from the IDP. Other government departments and public utilities working in the area should take the IDP into account when making their plans. An IDP must link, integrate and coordinate and take into account all development plans and proposals of the local authority. It should have an implementation/ action plan that aligns the resources and capacity of the local authority. The final IDP has to be approved by the council and also has to be submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and an adviser to President Joe Biden, delivers an update on the omicron COVID-19 variant during a press briefing at the White House on Dec. 1 in Washington, D.C. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/TNS Yes, it should be paid for indirectly through property taxes No, continue the 50-50 split between property owners and the city Yes, but I don't like either of these methods of paying for it Vote View Results Taking her to Jazz Fest We'll go to brunch I gotta go to church with her A nice card / flowers / phone call Vote View Results The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and federal regulators on Monday decided they're also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds once enough time has passed since their last dose. But the move, coming as classes restart after the holidays, isn't the final step. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must decide whether to recommend boosters for the younger teens. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC's director, is expected to rule later this week. The FDA also said everyone 12 and older who's eligible for a Pfizer booster can get one as early as five months after their last dose rather than six months. FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said in a statement the agency made its decision because a booster "may help provide better protection against both the delta and omicron variants," especially as omicron is "slightly more resistant" to the vaccine-induced antibodies that help fend off infection. How will the pandemic end? Omicron clouds forecasts for endgame Pandemics do eventually end, even if omicron is complicating the question of when this one will. But it won't be like flipping a light switch: Real-world data from Israel racked more than 6,300 12- to 15-year-olds who got a booster there at least five months after their second Pfizer dose and found no serious safety concerns, the FDA said. Likewise, the FDA said even more data from Israel showed no problems with giving anyone eligible for a Pfizer booster that extra dose a month sooner than the six months that until now has been U.S. policy. Vaccines still offer strong protection against serious illness from any type of COVID-19. But health authorities are urging everyone who's eligible to get a booster dose for their best chance at avoiding milder breakthrough infections from the highly contagious omicron mutant. Health news in your inbox Reporter Emily Woodruff shares weekly updates and insights on local health news, including COVID coverage and medical research. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Children tend to suffer less serious illness from COVID-19 than adults. But child hospitalizations are rising during the omicron wave -- most of them unvaccinated. The vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech is the only U.S. option for children of any age. About 13.5 million 12- to 17-year-olds just over half that age group have received two Pfizer shots, according to the CDC. +2 Weekly COVID hospitalizations in Louisiana more than double as omicron surges The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has more than doubled in the last week as cases continue to skyrocket during the omicron surge For families hoping to keep their children as protected as possible, the booster age limit raised questions. The older teens, 16- and 17-year-olds, became eligible for boosters in early December. But original vaccinations opened for the younger teens, those 12 to 15, back in May. That means those first in line in the spring, potentially millions, are about as many months past their last dose as the slightly older teens. As for even younger children, kid-size doses for 5- to 11-year-olds rolled out more recently, in November -- and experts say healthy youngsters should be protected after their second dose for a while. But the FDA also said Monday that if children that young have severely weakened immune systems, they will be allowed a third dose 28 days after their second. That's the same third-dose timing already recommended for immune-compromised teens and adults. Pfizer is studying its vaccine, in even smaller doses, for children younger than 5. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. The father of the infant shot multiple times on New Year's Day has been arrested in connection with the shooting, New Orleans police said Sunday. The 1-year-old was shot multiple times in the Marigny neighborhood at around 2 p.m. on Saturday and was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle. In the hours that followed, police identified Corey Davis, 27, as a person of interest and made the arrest on Sunday. Davis was booked on charges of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree cruelty to a juvenile, domestic abuse, aggravated assault, aggravated criminal damage to property, felon in possession of a firearm, illegal use of a weapon, and theft of a motor vehicle. Police said the child was shot at the intersection of Decatur and Spain streets and is still at the hospital, though authorities have not released any information about the child's condition. +2 1-year-old shot in Marigny; NOPD seeks person of interest A 1-year-old was shot multiple times in the Marigny neighborhood around 2 p.m. on New Year's Day, New Orleans police said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up No other details were available Sunday. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson described the shooting as a tragic and senseless violent crime. "As I've said before, practicing self-responsibility and implementing proper conflict resolution skills can help to avoid tragic situations like this," Ferguson said. New Orleans police asked that if anyone has additional information on this crime, they contact the NOPD Child Abuse Unit detectives at 504-658-5267. Wyoming County, Pa. Deer Park Lumber is a family-owned hardwood sawmill with domestic and international customers. The business expects growth over the next three years as part of a $10 million project to expand and modernize its manufacturing facility in Wyoming County. The growth will create 8 new jobs and retain 74 existing jobs, according to Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin. I commend Deer Park Lumber for choosing to grow in Pennsylvania, said Davin. Our prime location, natural resources and thriving manufacturing climate is attractive to expanding companies who are already here as well as businesses looking to establish their first operation in the commonwealth. Pennsylvania is the best choice for manufacturers. As part of its expansion project, Deer Park Lumber is installing a state-of-the-art automated bin sorter along with an optimizing grading system to streamline its materials handling and operations processes. The company is making a significant investment in automation technology that will position it for long-term competitiveness. Deer Park Lumber has long prided itself as one of the best family owned employers in Tunkhannock and Wyoming County, said Dan DiMeolo, Plant Manager, Deer Park Lumber. Our commitment to excellence grows knowing that the significant investment we make today secures the future of our business, employees and their families at large. This capital expansion investment will dramatically improve our production capabilities which in turn improves our competitive standing in the global hardwood market. Keystone College, located just a few miles from Deer Park Lumber, will participate in the project by offering valuable information technology expertise to the company as it expands and modernizes. Keystone College is proud to partner with Deer Park Lumber on this important economic development initiative, said Keystone President Tracy L. Brundage, Ph.D. All of Wyoming County will benefit in numerous ways as Deer Park creates new jobs and retains existing ones. We are thrilled to offer valuable expertise which will benefit our local community. Deer Park Lumber received a funding proposal from DCED for a $3 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan, a $114,000 Pennsylvania First grant, and a $52,800 workforce development grant to help train its new workers. The company has committed to investing $10 million into the project. In conjunction with this project, the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission (NTRPDC) secured for the company a $10,000 grant for website internationalization through DCEDs Office of International Business Developments (OIBDs) Global Access Program, funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. NTRPDC also worked through OIBDs authorized trade representative in Mexico to open up additional markets for the company. We are always pleased to help any business expand their market place, but supporting a long-time member of our community is especially gratifying, said Cynthia Traore, International Trade Program Manager, NTRPDC. We have an established relationship with Deer Park Lumber and look forward to supporting them in this and future endeavors. The project was coordinated by the Governors Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. Wyoming County is built-on companies committed to growth and community, said Gina Suydam, President & CEO, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is happy to facilitate partnerships providing companies like Deer Park Lumber the opportunity to realize their goals for expansion. Advocating for state investments for our rural communities is crucial to supporting local economic development, Senator Lisa Baker said. Deer Park Lumber is a recognized leader and integral part of the supply chain for the hardwoods industry. This substantial funding will help to complete its planned expansion, and in turn, create and retain numerous family sustaining jobs. I look forward to witnessing this exciting project move forward, and seeing the future benefits that it brings for Wyoming County and our surrounding region. Located in the Endless Mountains of Tunkhannock, Deer Park Lumber Inc. is a second-generation family owned hardwood sawmill. The company purchases native hardwoods such as Red Oak, White Oak, Cherry, Ash, Hard and Soft Maple, Beech, Birch, Poplar, Basswood, Pine and Hemlock from private woodlot owners and ships kiln dried lumber domestically and internationally. Deer Park Lumber also has a staff of professional foresters and provides forestry management services. For more information about the Governors Action Team, the Office of International Business Development, or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the DCED website. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. Bloomsburg, Pa. A Benton man was charged with a felony after authorities said he lied on an application for the transfer of a 9mm Smith and Wesson Shield Pistol. Francisco Charles Avila, 30, checked no to a question in regards to being convicted of a crime with a maximum sentence of more than one year. Avila appealed the charged, but it was upheld. Avila was released from custody on Dec. 15 after he posted a $5,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing with Judge Russell Lawton is scheduled for early January. Docket sheet Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. MBABANE - South Africas Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa song featuring Amu Faku Asibe Happy ushered EBIS listeners to 2022 on Friday night. Unlike other years, where there is always one popular song being the favourite to be song of the year almost everywhere, this year things were different, it appears as if the different radio stations have their different song of the years, depending on the tribes which they cover or represent as a majority. Not sure if this indicate a high level of competition in the music industry or a decline in terms of artists who produces heats. Also known as the radio charts, the Top 20 returned last Friday at 8pm, with 20 new entries dominated by music from Eswatini. The show which airs on Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) is back to being presented by the popular double impact team of Bongani Bobo Dlamini and Bongani Tizalami Dube following the return of the former having taken a two-year sabbatical to pursue further studies. In his absence, the show had been steered by Lindelwa Lindz Mafa and Tizalami. Whether you are an artist, manager, a music business entrepreneur, you will need to focus on what music charts are and how they work. Charts can turn music from an under-the-radar creation into an acclaimed piece of art, thanks to plays on radio airplay stations, social media rankings, digital downloads, streams on music streaming services, and more. Music charts tell most people what to listen to and where the whole music industry is going for the time being. Charts are forever adapting to the music industry. Many years ago, for example, audiences had to wait for Channel YemaSwati, Eswatini Tv or Channnel O to play music videos, or for EBIS local radio station to play songs that would lead music lovers to buy cassette tapes to listen on repeat. Popularity nowadays is largely based on streams, YouTube views and even social media influence so how have charts incorporated this into their rankings? Presenters Explaining how the chart show is compiled, the presenters of Double Impact, Tizalami and Mafa said the charts are typically reflective of whats currently popular and on heavy rotation across various radio stations in Eswatini and in the SADC region. Various radio stations in the region share their weekly charts in the Music Compilers Group, and post these on their websites and social media pages. These ratings are then assessed by each station, with respective presenters empowered to use objective discretion to rate the music. This model is used by almost all major radio stations in the region, the likes of MetroFM, Ukhozi FM, Ligwalagwala FM, YFM, Botswanas Yarona FM, Zimbabwes StarFM, among others, explained Dube. For radio, the primary focus is the listener; hence the chart show scans all popular shows to ascertain what the listener wants not what the artist wants. However, said the presenters, the chart show takes a deliberate stance to promote local music by ensuring that an unofficial 75 per cent quota is reserved for local music in the charts. This is why we will always have some few tracks from outside Eswatini making it to the charts, so as to truly reflect the popular (pop) culture thats obtaining on the ground in Eswatini. Pop culture is influenced not just by radio, but by music thats played at recreational places like clubs; music that is heavily downloaded from online sites; music thats played at parties (including the virtual lockdown parties on tv), etc, he said. Dube added, That is why while South African radio stations like MetroFM would have the likes of Beyonce etc. on their Top 40 charts, but still ensure there are more South African songs on their charts, as they are in the South African territory. Likewise, we have few South African and American songs but we ensure the bulk is local as we want our locals to compete neck-on-neck with their global compatriots. In all honesty, the digital era we are in has fast tracked globalisation, hence music shows, including chart shows cannot be an island on their own. Listeners preferences are wide and vast, and they have to be respected while tactfully influencing loyalty to local as well. Understanding the Impact of Wind Conditions on Concentrating Solar Power Structures NREL Embarks on Two-Year, SETO-Funded Computational Modeling Project Jan. 3, 2022 Instruments shown here conduct a high-resolution measurement campaign at the Nevada Solar One facility. Photo courtesy of Shashank Yellapantula, NREL High wind loads increase structural design costs of concentrating solar power (CSP) collector structures, such as heliostats and parabolic troughs. In a new two-year project, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will work with the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energys Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to conduct two comprehensive at-scale field measurements of atmospheric turbulent wind conditions and the resulting wind loads on CSP structures. The data sets will be used to develop and validate computational models that will be made publicly available to the CSP community. Previous studies have relied on data from wind tunnels that do not adequately capture the dynamic effects observed at scale. In recent projects over the past two years, NREL has leveraged more than two decades of wind-energy modeling expertise to conduct at-scale field measurements to characterize the turbulent wind conditions at the Nevada Solar One parabolic trough CSP facility located near Las Vegas. The high-resolution measurements to be collected through the new project will be used to further validate the high-fidelity computational models that have been developed at NREL. A met mast characterizes wind wakes surrounding parabolic troughs. Photo courtesy of Shashank Yellapantula, NREL The team is composed of members from all over the lab who are working seamlessly to make sure this important project is successful and provides critical information to the CSP plant developers and operators, said Shashank Yellapantula, a research engineer in NRELs Computational Science Center. Yellapantula has been a part of two previously funded SETO projects as well as this recently launched two-year effort. He has developed and validated wind-loading simulation models for parabolic troughs that have resulted in peer-reviewed publications. He will be responsible for development of computationally efficient models that can be transitioned to industry at the end of this project. I look forward to working with my colleagues from the Computational Science and National Wind Technology centers, said Mark Mehos, NRELs Thermal Energy Systems group manager within the Center for Energy Conversion & Storage Systems. Significant funding from the Wind Energy Technologies Office has led to the development of high-fidelity computational fluid-dynamic models and instruments for on-site wind assessment. Leveraging these dollars to support the CSP community benefits all involved and should be a model for future collaboration. In addition to the NREL team, there are several industry partners and stakeholders that will serve as advisors to ensure that the project remains relevant to the industry. These partners include Schlaich Bergermann Partner (SBP), Solar Dynamics, Acciona Energy, and the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI). The NREL team and Acciona engineers are currently coordinating the wind measurement campaign at Accionas Nevada Solar One facility. For basics on concentrating solar-thermal power or for more on NRELs CSP work, visit www.nrel.gov/csp. James Davison sits inside the living room of his Basye home recently. Davison has traveled the world for his work in television news, politics, public relations and law enforcement and recently published "I Am Lazarus," a historical biblical fictional memoir. SANBORNThe Solsma farm is instantly recognized by any regular motorist traveling Highway 18 east of Sanborn. Continuing Coverage: This article is Part 5 of Pipe Dreams, a N'West Iowa REVIEW series on carbon-capture projects. Next to the corn-and-bean acreage is a rustic storefront that operates as a pumpkin patch in the fall and a fireworks shed ahead of Independence Day and New Years. Drive-by honks from friendly neighbors sing out daily. Solsmas Punkin Patch and Fireworks also is right in the cross hairs of the Heartland Greenway pipeline. Amy Solsma is one of the leading voices in NWest Iowa against the proposed carbon-capture project. For her, its about stopping corporate greed digging through her land. Its a money grab, Solsma said. Theyre going to make billions of dollars off of well theres 342 landowners in OBrien County. How many is in Lyon, BV, all these? Its the same kind of deal, thousands and thousands of farmers and landowners. The 342 is the number of farms lying inside what the pipeline company, Navigator CO2 Ventures, calls the route corridor. Rude Solsma received a letter from the Texas-based company saying her land is in the corridor, but she said she could not get specifics on where the pipe was planned to go through her farm or if she was even on the route at all. The whole thing is just too confusing, which Solsma said seems like an intentional tactic. Pull quote I dont think theres anything they could say to make us sign up with them. Amy Solsma, O'Brien County farmer Its a conundrum because theres so much were up against. The pipeline companies have been working on this, obviously, for years. You dont come up with this overnight, she said. And then we get that letter in November. And theres a meeting two weeks later. And its all so fast. And youre scrambling to figure out whats even going on. The meeting was Dec. 1 in Sheldon. By law, Navigator is required to hold a public informational meeting in every county it wants to travel through. Those presentations are overseen by the Iowa Utilities Board, the state agency that has the authority to block the project or give it the green light. The gatherings are essentially the same as the ones Summit Carbon Solutions held weeks before Navigator. Summit has its own multistate carbon pipeline it calls the Midwest Carbon Express. The meetings are supposed to answer questions for landowners that the pipeline affects as well as provide them a venue to sign easements with the company. I dont think theres anything they could say to make us sign up with them, Solsma said. And it comes back to the letter in which Navigator said if it does not get enough easements, it could pursue a nuclear option: eminent domain. Besides calling the measure rude, Solsma said, it feels like a threat. Thats why she and other landowners across the Hawkeye State are teaming up with the Sierra Club to organize their efforts to stop the pipeline. The farmer laughed when she described the environmental activist group as an unlikely ally, but the disparate groups are united against the pipeline. Its destroying our greatest natural resource, the land, Solsma said. This is forever O'Brien and Osceola counties have approved letters to the IUB objecting to eminent domain. Proponents of the carbon-capture project say that its pro-agriculture because it could extend the life span of the ethanol market. Solsma raised a counterpoint many other farmers brought up at the informational meetings: Digging the pipeline could be catastrophic for the affected ground. She said other underground infrastructure, such as the Dakota Access Pipeline, harms the dirt years after it is patched back together. This is all before considering what happens if drainage tile is damaged or if theres a gas leak. This is forever, you know? she said. It still comes back to her original sticking point, the Heartland Greenways corporate sheen. The chief fuel partner in the project is Valero. It has an ethanol plant on the west side of Hartley. A main investor is BlackRock, a multitrillion-dollar firm that holds more capital than any other company of its kind in the world. Action Plan The Sierra Club has a four-point outline for Iowans opposed to the proposed carbon dioxide pipelines, the Heartland Greenway and the Midwest Carbon Express. 1. Dont sign. No landowner should voluntarily sign an easement, the group says. Even if they are OK with the pipeline on their property, they should not accept the first offer from the company or agree to anything without a lawyer. 2. Educate yourself. Everyone should be educated on how the group says the pipelines are harmful to the environment without economic benefit to local farmers. 3. Lodge a complaint. Official written submissions to the Iowa Utilities Board are read and considered by the state regulatory agency when it makes permitting decisions next year. The form can be found online: iub.iowa.gov/online-services/open-docket-comment-form. 4. Connect and fight back. The Sierra Club is in the process of gathering and organizing objectors across the pipeline routes for cohesive political action. The base agreement offered by the Navigator pipeline as well Summits Midwest Carbon Express is three years. Its not nearly enough for Solsma and its not nearly enough for throngs of other farmers in NWest Iowa and elsewhere. The main steps Solsma and other advocates against the pipelines are taking are twofold. First, they are refusing sign any agreement with the companies. Second, they are filing official objection with the Iowa Utilities Board, which must legally consider public submissions. The link for comments is iub.iowa.gov/online-services/open-docket-comment-form. As someone whose family has farmed in NWest Iowa since 1895, Solsma said agriculture always seems to be the pawn in all these games, and shes not going to forfeit without a fight. Its tough, you know, because we dont have numbers of people in a way to really fight this, she said. Its just really sad that we always have to be in the middle of things we dont always get a voice in. Walmart temporarily closed its south Hammond location for sanitization amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The Arkansas-based retail giant temporarily shut down the location at 7850 Cabela Drive, just off the Indianapolis Boulevard exit from the Borman Expressway, on Sunday afternoon, and will not reopen it until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Walmart is bringing in a third party to do a deep cleaning. "As an essential business and a member of the Hammond community, we understand the role we play in providing our customers with food, medicine and other essential items, especially at this time," spokeswoman Ashley Nolan said. "Everything were doing is for the well-being of our associates and the thousands of customers we serve daily, and in consideration of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and health experts. We will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission." Walmart employees in Hammond will also take advantage of the temporary closure to restock the shelves. "As you know, several areas across the country have begun seeing a renewed increase in positive COVID-19 cases, and we want to assist health officials working against the pandemic," Nolan said. "When the store reopens Tuesday, we will continue conducting associate health assessments, and all unvaccinated associates must still wear face coverings." Walmart also is giving employees vaccinations in-store whether on or off the clock, offering up to two hours of paid leave to get the jab and up to three days or paid leave to recover if they had an adverse reaction. "These protocols and convenient access to vaccinations are in addition to the extensive measures weve put in place during the pandemic to help protect our associates and customers," Nolan said. "We will continue working closely with elected and local health officials, adjusting how we serve the community while also keeping the health and safety of our customers and associates in mind." Walmart has a second location in Hammond, off Indianapolis Boulevard in the Marina District by the Chicago border and the Hammond Horseshoe Casino. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. This time of year, large fluffy snowflakes transform the landscape of Door County, Wisconsin, with its charming villages, forests and 300 miles of shoreline dotted with lighthouses, caves and cliffs, into a winter wonderland. Its a different type of beauty than in warmer weather the fruit trees bare and the villages looking as though captured in snow globes. With lesser crowds, the setting is tranquil, but still one to be enjoyed to the fullest. Sure, the goats are gone from the roof of Al Johnsons Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay, but you can still watch them on the goat cam on the eaterys website and dine on Swedish pancakes with Lingonberry jam in the dining room. Its one of the many pleasures that make Door County a perfect winter weekend getaway. Rent cross country skis and head to Whitefish Dunes State Park, with white limestone cliffs in Sturgeon Bay, as the sun is setting. Thats when, on Jan. 29, the annual Winter Candlelight Ski takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. There are separate trails for hikers and skiers and a shelter with food, libations and a fire. There are more luminaries lining the trails at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay during the Fire & Ice Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 18. The next day is the Fire & Ice Festival, where ice carvers create sculptures from large blocks of ice. While in Sturgeon Bay, check out Renards Cheese, where three generations of cheesemakers now produce over 50 flavor-infused specialty cheeses, as well as cheddars ranging in age from one year to 15, smoked string cheese, jacks including Monterrey, morel and leek, and pepper, cheese spreads, gouda and limburger. Other products sold at Renard's on-site store include sausages, maple syrup, jams and jellies, mustards, and butters such as apple, cherry, pumpkin and sweet potato. Though theyre not doing tours right now (that could change so keep an eye on their website), visitors can sample wine and cheese and watch a video of the cheesemaking process. If youre looking for a place to stay, the Scofield House B&B in Sturgeon Bay is a Victorian beauty with the modern amenities the majority of us like. Starting just north of Sturgeon Bay, the 66-mile Door County Coastal Byway was named a National Scenic Byway last year. Its two major roads are Highway 57, which runs along the more rugged east side of the peninsula to Sister Bay, and Highway 42, which for the most part travels along the west side along Green Bay. Inland between the two is mostly rural farmlands and orchards. Each of the towns and villages along the way is distinctive, offering its own attractions, and you can customize your itinerary's focus, depending on your interests. Outdoor activities include ice fishing and winter hikes, and the Door County Wine Route offers the opportunity to explore the many art galleries, distilleries, microbreweries, cheeseries and coffee shops. In Fish Creek, the Winter Tour of Lights that started in early December continues to Feb. 6, with even more light displays than in previous years. Get a map and take a self-guided tour. Running Feb. 4-6, theres the Fish Creek Winter Festival, advertised as a quirky event with live music, chili cook-off, fireworks, food, Fruit Loop Fun Run and a Stumpf Fiddle Contest. The latter is a musical instrument made from a variety of objects that includes a broom handle or other long wooden stick, metal pie pans, strings, bells and other noise-makers. Known by other names, such as jingling johnny, polka cello and devils stick, its a do-it-yourself instrument more designed for fun than the production of beautiful music. Downtown Fish Creek, named by Forbes as one of the 15 Prettiest Towns in America, is a charming collection of shops, restaurants and art galleries. The most famous of all is probably the White Gull Inn Bed and Breakfast, which opened in 1896 and much more recently was the winner of Good Morning America's Best Breakfast Challenge for its cherry-stuffed French toast served in the lovely old-fashioned dining room. That, as well as any other breakfast menu item, comes with the stay. The inn, which is open year round, is in the downtown and features candlelight dinners on Friday nights and that Door County specialty, a fish boil a large cauldron filled with water, freshly caught white fish cut into chunks, potatoes, carrots and onions over an open fire. Its a tradition little seen in other areas, originating in the 1800s with the arrival of Scandinavian immigrants looking for inexpensive ways to feed large groups. Egg Harbor is also an adorable place to shop for jewelry, art, stained glass at Studio One Art Glass and clothing, with gift shops and even a baby and children boutique. Make a reservation ahead of time to board the Door County Trolley for one of the special wintertime tours, including the 4.75-hour Wine, Spirits & Brew Tour that features stops at a winery, distillery, and microbrewery as well as a lunch at such restaurants as Crate, Barringer's Restaurant, The English Inn and Sonny's Italian Waterfront Restaurant. Winter Cocktail is the name of the trolleys other seasonal trip (and remember the trolleys are heated) with visits to three locations for cocktails as well as lunch. Dinner at Glacier Ledge at the Door Artisan Cheese Company in Egg Harbor is a wonderful way to spend a winter afternoon. The cheeses are both made and aged on-site in cheese caves. Theres a marketplace, and on the second Sunday of each month, a cooking class, and on the third Sunday of the month, an International Dinner. The 2300-acre Newport State Park in Ellison Bay, located on 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline at the northern tip of the peninsula, is the states only wilderness-designated state park. It also is on the International Dark Sky Associations list of 48 dark skies around the world. Be sure to bundle up and enjoy this rare experience. For more information: 920-818-1133; www.doorcounty.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Need to get away? Start exploring magnificent places with our weekly travel newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SITEKI Political activist Mphandlana Shongwe says a mass prayer is essential ahead of the much anticipated dialogue. The prayer, according to Shongwe, should be held to ensure that lies are rid off in order for the country to embrace democratic reforms in a truthful manner. Speaking on behalf of the late Attorney, Nhlanhla Kush Vilakatis friends on Saturday at the Emmanuel Methodist Church in Siteki, Shongwe said the country was facing a threat in the form of lies. He said there was a need to get rid of lies especially when it comes to the state of affairs in the country. Vilakatis body was cremated last Thursday and his remains were laid to rest on Friday morning after a short prayer. He was the founder of Kush Attorneys and Associates, a law firm based in Siteki. The service was characterised by preaching and singing of political songs by the close to 100 members of the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) who attended the service to honour their senior member and founder of the movement. Also at the service was Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Thulani, Mkhaliphi, Siteki-based lawyer Ernest Mavuso, Law Society of Swaziland (LSS) Deputy President Sdumo Mdladla and Secretary General(SG) Charity Simelane to mention a few. Shongwe also recounted how he met the late Vilakati at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) in 1983 while they were both 23 years old. The political activist implored the late attorneys son, Felizwe to take his fathers baton in politics and ensure that his legacy lives on. I am sad that a friend, a brother and a comrade has left us at a time when he was needed the most to ensure the struggle succeeds in its endeavours. He was a pillar of strength and someone whom we turned to when we needed advice particularly on issues of politics during the formation of the movement, he said. Shongwe further said Kush served as vice president of PUDEMO and his love, humility and humbleness was enjoyed by everyone who was part of the foundation of the movement at the time. Furthermore, he urged the nation to consider joining politics and to also have a home where they would have a belonging and be known. The sun is about to set, so one has to know where he or she belongs, Shongwe said. Reforms PUDEMO Vice President Zodwa Mkhonta, who was representing President Mlungisi Makhanya, said emaSwati should embrace the call for political reforms. The vice president said she had noted how the Regional Development Fund (RDF) was being promoted countrywide on how easy it was to access it yet the true reflection of things was that it was difficult to get access to the money as it had conditions attached to it. Mkhonta said it was high time the running of government was given back to the people so that those in authority would be accountable to them. She further acknowledged the role played by the late Kush at PUDEMO and said it was imperative emaSwati ensure that his legacy lived on. Our government has failed. This is seen when our children do not get scholarships for tertiary education while those who dont get the required allowances. We are saying enough is enough, we love our culture and will preserve it even when we have gained political reforms, she said. Mkhonta described the late Kush as a library as he was resourceful on political issues. Programme Director and Emmanuel Methodist Church Preacher, Paul Mabaso described Kush as someone who fervently believed in the principles of Gods teachings and had been a hardworking member who always contributed to the churchs activities. He was a scholar and someone who loved church. I am so humbled to note that many people have spoken positively about what he did while still with us. May his soul rest in peace, he said. Speaking on behalf of neighbours, Make Dlamini said they were grateful as neighbours that Vilakati died in the house of the Lord. We want to assure his children that God will be with them throughout their grieving period and will also take care of their needs, she said. Gary's "Welcoming City" ordinance, enacted in 2017 in response to the anti-immigrant push of the early Trump administration, largely complies with state law, according to a recent ruling by the Indiana Court of Appeals. In a 2-1 opinion, the state's appellate court reversed a decision by Lake Superior Judge Stephen Scheele halting enforcement of key sections of the ordinance, and instead determined only two minor portions of the Steel City ordinance conflict with Indiana's statutory prohibition on so-called sanctuary cities. Specifically, the appeals court said Gary cannot prohibit city employees or departments from refusing to assist federal officials in the investigation of the citizenship or immigration status of any person, or the enforcement of immigration laws, if such assistance is requested by federal authorities. At the same time, the court concluded Gary does not have a standing obligation to participate in the enforcement of immigration laws absent a federal request, particularly if a person's encounter with a city agency or employee has no connection to immigration issues. "While state officials may assist the federal government with immigration matters, it is well settled that, under federal law, state and local cooperation with federal immigration officials is voluntary, not mandatory," said Appeals Judge Edward Najam Jr., on behalf of the court. To that end, Najam said Gary is not required to hold in police custody any person wanted by federal immigration authorities for a potential immigration violation if there's no longer any basis for keeping the person locked up for an alleged violation of state law or a local ordinance. "Here, again, Gary maintains that immigration detainers and administrative warrants violate the Fourth Amendment, and, as such, state law cannot require that the city comply with such per se unconstitutional requests. We must agree," Najam said. "We hold that the arrest and detention of a person conducted solely on the basis of known or suspected civil immigration violations violate the Fourth Amendment when conducted under color of state law." Appeals Judge Elaine Brown dissented from that portion of the court's ruling. She said when state policy favors aiding the federal government in the removal of unlawful immigrants, as it does in Indiana, there's no basis for localities to ignore immigration detainer requests or administrative warrants. Otherwise, the appeals court deemed valid challenged ordinance sections directing Gary agencies and officials to refrain from inquiring about the citizenship or immigration status of any person interacting with the city and urging Gary Police to exercise discretion if an arrest is likely to increase the risk a person will be deported. Gary city attorney Rodney Pol Jr. said his team still is reviewing the appellate court ruling to decide whether to ask the Indiana Supreme Court to consider restoring those sections of the ordinance struck down by the appeals court. The Democrat from Chesterton also was selected last year to fill a vacant seat in the Indiana Senate, giving Pol a chance in the weeks ahead to potentially persuade the Republican-controlled General Assembly to clarify or repeal the 2011 sanctuary city statute to ensure all municipalities can enact welcoming city ordinances. Gary officials have said the ordinance solely is intended "to make everyone in the community feel welcome" and "to ensure that the immigration status of those who live, work, or pass through Gary will not affect how they are treated by Gary agencies and agents, including its police department and social services providers." Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita doesn't buy it. He claimed in his unsuccessful 2018 run for U.S. Senate that the welcoming city ordinance is a smokescreen to conceal the fact Gary is a sanctuary city where illegal immigrants are unlawfully protected from appropriate detention or deportation. The Republican, originally from Munster, currently is considering whether to ask the Supreme Court to set aside the Court of Appeals decision and restore the trial court ruling that blocked enforcement of key portions of the ordinance. "We intervened to defend the statute and offer an interpretation of some disputed provisions, and will continue to do so as appropriate," Rokita said. Assuming an appeal is filed by either side, the Supreme Court is likely to decide by late spring or summer whether to take up the case. A similar lawsuit challenging key provisions of East Chicago's welcoming city ordinance is pending before a different three-judge panel at the Court of Appeals. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have temporarily deterred litigants from seeking review by the state's highest court. Between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, a total of 724 cases were submitted for action by the Indiana Supreme Court, a 20.7% drop compared to the 913 cases filed at the court during the same period in 2019-20, according to the court's recently released annual report. Data show the largest decline was criminal conviction appeals. During the 2021 budget year, there were 363 criminal petitions for review at the Supreme Court, compared to 481 in the 2020 budget year a drop of 24.5%. Civil appeals to the state's highest court also fell to 266 in 2021 from 306 in 2020, a 13.1% reduction, as well as attorney discipline cases handled by the five justices to 67 in 2021 from 87 in 2020 (down 23%), records show. Notably, even with fewer cases to consider, the Supreme Court in 2020-21 produced approximately the same number of opinions 74 (53 majority, 21 non-majority) as it did the year before COVID-19 changed everything: 80 (57 majority, 23 non-majority). "We navigated the challenges of the pandemic and ensured access to justice," said Chief Justice Loretta Rush. The Republican-appointed high court justices also agreed, more often than not, on what they saw as the right course for Indiana law. Of the justices' 53 rulings, 77% were unanimous, another 18% were 4 to 1, and just 5% were decided 3 to 2, according to the annual report. Justice Geoffrey Slaughter, a Crown Point native, retained his dissenter-in-chief crown in 2021, writing five full dissents and three partial dissents, as well as two concurring opinions. Retiring Justice Steven David, the court's longest-serving member with 11 years on the bench, was second with three full dissents and one concurrence. Though data also show David wrote the most majority opinions during the year with 10. He was followed by Justice Christopher Goff (9), Rush (8), Slaughter (7), and Justice Mark Massa (5). The court additionally produced 14 unsigned majority opinions. Beyond disposing of cases, the annual report highlights steps taken by the Supreme Court, as head of Indiana's statewide court system, to adapt judicial business to remote work and other safety measures intended to protect court participants from COVID-19. Those include the development of live stream technology for county court hearings, remote oral arguments at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and even prerecording Rush's annual State of the Judiciary address to the General Assembly. "Though in-person interactions may be ideal for most court hearings, committee meetings, and day-to-day work, the ability to connect with one another through video screens has been a vital tool for continuity of judicial branch operations," the report says. According to the report, Indiana courts last year also tallied 13.5 million page views of online court records, accepted 7.9 million electronically filed documents, processed 77,000 online traffic ticket payments, and launched new initiatives promoting equity and inclusivity in the judiciary, among other accomplishments. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT David Pastrick said its been hectic restarting his career in the Lake County coroner. Ive been talking to everyone in government," he said. "Ive been on the phone with a lot of officials in the past few days. Ive been putting together our policies." Lake Superior Court Judge Thomas P. Stefaniak pronounced the oath of office this week for Pastrick in a small gathering of family and friends as he embarks on his new term in office as the county's chief investigator of questionable deaths. He will administer more than two dozen full- and part-time deputy coroners and a budget of more than $1.6 million, according to county government documents. It's not his first rodeo. Pastrick served as county coroner from 2002 to 2009, when state term limits required him to step down. Voters reelected him in 2020 after he captured the Democratic Party nomination for coroner in that years primary, winning out over three other opponents. Because of a quirk in the law, he had to sit out a year while outgoing coroner Merrilee Frey completed her term in office. Pastrick said Yvette M. Manfredy will be his chief deputy. He said she is one of three employees who have continued to serve the coroners office since he left a decade ago. He said he soon plans to appoint a chief investigator. Respectful care of the decedent and their families is the number one job for this office, Pastrick said. He said one of his chief concerns now is to complete the training of a number of death investigators who only recently joined the office. He said he will concentrate reducing staff turnover to reduce the public cost of having to train new investigators. Pastrick said he also will look to save tax dollars on investigative supplies and equipment by acquiring them through the Indiana National Guard. He wants to build up a rapport with the county sheriff and other law enforcement agencies in Lake County to ensure cooperation at death scenes, Pastrick said. He said he will also look into using the sheriff chaplain to provide counseling to stricken families of decedents his office services. He said he will set up a medical review board to provide professional assistance to the offices pathologists in difficult cases, to ensure the cause of death is determined as often as possible. Pastrick, a son of the late former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick, has been a funeral home director for 37 years. He is a graduate of the Worsham College of Mortuary Science and has been a licensed funeral director for more than 30 years, managing the family-owned Oleska-Pastrick Funeral Home in East Chicago. Voters first elected him county coroner in 2000 and again in 2004. He defied speculation over the next 11 years that he might run for other county offices, but he did serve 10 months as second-in-command to Frey between 2012 and 2013. He reentered politics in 2020 after term limits required Frey to step down. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GARY Even 159 years after this country took its first official steps toward abolishing slavery, leadership issues persist today as they did in the Old Testament. So said the main speaker Saturday at the Interfaith Clergy Council of Gary and Vicinitys 61st annual Emancipation Proclamation Service of Freedom, a virtual service on the ICCs Facebook page. The Rev. Dr. Shelley M. Fisher cited Psalm 82, in which God challenges the judges of that period, for her reflection. An author, minister, consultant and retired educator, Fisher recalled how God called upon judges to defend rights of the weak, fatherless, poor and oppressed from the hand of the wicked. Instead, the passage notes, judges would defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked. Those leaders of old, just as in todays society, Fisher said, were operating in darkness. Those judges knew about God, but they did not know God. They did not follow through on their instructions. A Gary resident, Fisher posed this question throughout her address: Whom do you serve? Today, she said, people have gone astray, ... walking in everlasting darkness. Without moral leadership, Fisher said, everything goes awry. Even after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, Fisher said, it took another two and one-half years before the final slaves were freed in Texas. Announced by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War on Sept. 22, 1862, the Emancipation Proclamation stated that all slaves in states still engaged in rebellion against the Union shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free. Presented chiefly as a military measure, according to history.com, the declaration turned the war into a crusade against slavery and went into effect Jan. 1, 1863. Today, with the pandemic and racial issues, Fisher said, as a believer, we need to go to the court of the Lord. In these times, we need the wisdom of God. We need to align ourselves with what we need to do. God is calling us into relationship. We are living in perilous times, and we need the wisdom of God to get through these times. The challenge, she said, is misplaced allegiances, with people knowing what is right but choosing to do otherwise. We need to align with the word of God, Fisher said, adding that a priority in the New Year should be serving the living God. During the service, Attorney Barbara Bolling-Williams, a member of the NAACPs national board of directors, read the Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation did not free all the approximately 4 million men, women and children held in slavery in the United States. It applied only to enslaved people in the Confederacy and not to those in the border states that remained loyal to the Union. In conclusion, Fisher called upon the faithful to serve God. Lets turn to God. He is a God of mercy, of grace. Allow him to live in our hearts. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HAMMOND As COVID-19 cases reach new highs in Indiana, Hammond has reinstated a mask mandate for all public buildings. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. signed an executive order reinstating the mask mandate Monday morning. The mandate is effective immediately and will last until March 1 if McDermott does not renew or rescind it. Unmasked visitors will not be allowed entry into city buildings; the order does not apply to private businesses. The mandate also makes exceptions for people who are eating or drinking, or who are participating in sporting events. In the Hammond Sportsplex, masks will be required for attendees and staff, but not for players or refs, McDermott explained. I am still approaching Hammond as business as usual, just with masks, McDermott said. This is different because with the new strain (omicron) I know a dozen people that are ill with COVID right now, and through the first and second waves of the pandemic, I couldnt say that. All city meetings and events currently on the books will continue as planned, though details on masking requirements for speakers and performers will be worked out in the coming weeks. McDermott said the city may even institute vaccine or testing requirements for larger public events. "I hope I can reverse this and rescind the order soon, but given what we are hearing about a surge and with many holiday gatherings increasing the risk of spread of COVID-19, I think this is the best course of action for the near term, McDermott said. "I want to make sure we are safe at City Hall and all other public buildings so that the city is being proactive about protecting its workforce including our first responders." The executive order also encourages COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots "as the best and easiest way to slow the spread and minimize the risk of hospitalization and death." McDermott cited the recent surge in COVID-19 cases as the reasoning behind the new mandate. Lake County is currently classified as "red," meaning uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, according to the Indiana Department of Health. Ive told everyone that will listen that Im vaccinated and boosted and that doing so is the best way to overcome this illness and minimize the risk to yourself of a severe illness or worse," McDermott said. "Go get the shot thats about as straightforward as I can be." McDermott signed two other executive orders in November, mandating vaccinations for all newly hired city employees as well as current employees who apply for a transfer or promotion. Thus far, there has been little pushback on the orders; city departments often do not add many new hires around the holidays, McDermott said. "The City Hall is a gathering place and people come here to conduct their business," McDermott said. "If they do not want to wear a mask, they can conduct their business online." Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CALUMET TOWNSHIP A man was killed after attempting to save his dog from a house fire in Calumet Township early Sunday morning, according to Lake Ridge Fire Chief Mike Redd. Reports of a house fire at 1503 East Elm St. came in just after 2:30 a.m. When the Lake Ridge Fire Department arrived on the scene, police told first responders the occupants of the home, a husband and wife, had made it out of the burning building, but that the husband had returned to get his keys and dog. The husband never returned from the house. A male body was found in the basement of the house in the early afternoon, Redd said. Officials are waiting to release the victim's identity pending confirmation from the Lake County coroner's office. The two-story home collapsed in on itself, Redd said, and P&C Trucking was called in to assist with the excavation. The structure was leveled "to protect the safety of the community," Redd explained. Lake Ridge was assisted by fire departments out of Griffith, Highland, Merrillville, Lake Hills and Gary. The Indiana State Fire Marshal was also on the scene to investigate the cause of the fire, which is currently unknown, Redd said. No injuries were reported, though siding on both the garage and on a neighboring house to the west was melted. Crews left the scene at about 2:30 Sunday afternoon. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SCHERERVILLE With the only trails consisting of deer tracks and grooves left by ATVs, almost 100 acres of former farmland on the edge of Schererville does not resemble a county park yet. Hopeful it will be able to secure enough local funding by this summer, the Lake County Parks Department would like to transform the brush-filled land into a space for conservation, enjoyment and education, according to Craig Zandstra, superintendent of planning and natural resource management. "Having that transition between your more wooded and drier upland and your wetlands protects more species and makes this a really neat area," Zandstra said, describing the 50-feet of grade change throughout the site. "I think there would be a lot public good that would come from this project. Several years ago, the owners of the former farm approached the Lake County Parks Department about buying the 99.3 acres of land. The majority of the property is in Schererville, with about 4 acres crossing into unincorporated land in St. John Township. Though developers have eyed the property, the 25 acres of wetlands has been a deterrent, Zandstra said. A law passed last February, allowing property owners to fill or drain any state-regulated wetlands, may make the plot of land more enticing. Nestled between 77th and 85th Avenue near the Pennsy Greenway Trail and Lake Hills Park, the land is surrounded by housing and the Chapel Lawn Cemetery. All but five acres of the rolling land have laid largely untouched since the owners stopped farming in the 1980s. If Lake County Parks is able purchase the land, the area will likely be named Lake Hills Park, Zandstra said. Before it was farmed, the land would have probably been classified as an oak savanna. Zandstra described the property as a "nice mixture of nature," with wooded uplands and grassy wetlands. Parts that were farmed consist of newer trees and brush, though there is a ridge of old growth full of bur oaks, white oaks, shagbark hickories and oak sedge. The land is also dotted with wildflowers such as milkweed, coneflowers and black-eyed Susan a patchwork of habitat ideal for the marsh birds and reptiles that call the land home, Zandstra explained. Downstream impacts The former farm is more than a treasure trove of biodiversity. Zandstra said some of the wetlands found on the property are connected to Turkey Creek, which ultimately ends in Lake Michigan. If the wetlands are conserved and revitalized, more stormwater can be collected and stored. Water can then be released slowly after heavy rains, reducing flooding. Storing stormwater and runoff also lets water filter through the soil profile, removing pollutants. "This project would ultimately help protect water quality in Lake Michigan," Zandstra said. "I like to call it 'green infrastructure flood control' because you are letting nature take care of the floodwater for you. You're not putting in pumps or levies or lift stations to keep the water in place, you can just let the water overflow into the wetlands." Eventually, Lake County Parks could even "re-meander" Turkey Creek through the property, returning it to a more natural state, Zandstra said, as the creek has been straightened and dredged over the years. Pockets of wetlands could be added to the creek, letting it store water for longer. The downstream impact on Lake Michigan is actually what helped Lake County Parks secure federal funding. So far Lake County Parks has received $860,000 from the Indiana DNR through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program. The deadline to use the coastal program funds is this summer. Currently, Lake County Parks is in talks with the Town of Schererville and a few other partners to find local funding matches. If Lake County Parks is able to buy the land, Zandstra said the park would likely be open to the public in three to five years. After land is secured, invasive species would have to be removed, native prairie plants would be seeded and a trail system would be put in, with a possible boardwalk added near the wetlands. While a majority of the property would be kept natural, Zandstra said the five acres land that has continued to be farmed would likely become a spot for parking and public access. Eventually, the park could even have an educational building or outdoor classroom, Zandstra said. 'Suburbia creeping in' Lake County Parks has been actively looking to create more parks in the western part of the county. Demand for open space increased during the pandemic, Zandstra said as more people realized the physical and emotional benefits of getting outside. However, when it comes to open space, Lake County may be behind its neighbors. Combining federal and state land, Zandstra estimates Lake County has about 25,000 acres of open space. "I think we have less (open space) than most counties that surround us," Zandstra said. "Development is always important, but having a balance is just as important. ... as the county develops we need to try and preserve anything we can." Maintaining green space is not only environmentally beneficial, Zandstra said it also increases property values for surrounding homes. With new subdivisions and retail centers popping up across the county, Zandstra said Lake County Parks hopes to secure local funding sooner rather than later. "We do have a lot of suburbia kind of creeping in, more and more now we're seeing that happen at an accelerated pace," Zandstra said. "I have no doubt that if we don't get this, it will be developed." Love 24 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The surge in COVID-19 cases and overwhelmed health care providers have prompted Portage and Michigan City officials to switch to virtual meetings in January. Portage also cited a large number of cases and exposures among city staff members. Both cities councils, boards and commissions will meet virtually through at least Jan. 31, in accordance with Gov. Eric Holcombs ongoing executive order and public health emergency declaration. Tuesdays Portage City Council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. All Portage city meetings will be streamed on Facebook at "Portage Indiana Government Page" and YouTube at their regularly scheduled dates and times. To find the Michigan City meetings on Facebook, search "My Michigan City, Indiana." Michigan City Mayor Duane Parrys executive order on public meetings additionally closes City Hall to the public except by appointment. Parrys announcement referred to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data that showed 288,579 new COVID-19 cases reported in the United States on Dec. 20, which set a record for highest single-day total since the pandemic began. Portages announcement mentioned the 44 deaths related to COVID-19 in Porter County between Dec. 1 and 29, with 58 hospitalized as of Dec. 29. Indianas 7-day positivity rate is at 20%, the Dec. 31 announcement said. In the last week, there have been 1,467 confirmed cases in Porter County vs. 903 during the same week last year. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. VALPARAISO Five new courses will be offered to Valparaiso High School students, the School Board decided recently. Lap Swim and Water Activities will be offered as a physical education elective for students who want to take swimming beyond PE II and Lifeguarding. Latin IV will be available to students who want to continue studying Latin into their fourth year without the rigor of the AP honors level curriculum. Introduction to Computer Science will be added to align with the Next Level Programs of Study being developed by the Indiana Governors Workforce Cabinet. This class will teach Project Lead the Way computer science essentials. Principles of Computing PLTW Computer Science Essentials will be offered as an AP class for those who want to continue computer science instruction. The fifth class, Topics in Computer Science PLTW Cybersecurity, helps prepare students for a lucrative career. Its really a fast-growing, high-demand field, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education Nick Allison said. Cybersecurity, an advanced level course, aims to teach students not only how to defend their own and a companys data but also how to follow an ethical code of conduct. Board member Jennifer Bognar said her son is studying computer science in college and appreciates the VHS program. I hope our children realize how blessed they are to have so many options, fellow board member Erika Watkins said. In other business, the board approved a $576,965 contract with D.A. Dodd for boiler replacement at Flint Lake Elementary School. That was the lowest of five bids. The board received three bids for unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel, but the lowest two bids failed to meet the bid specifications, Superintendent Jim McCall said. The board rejected all three bids and instructed McCall to advertise for bids again. Resident Brian Williams told the board he plans to give his $125 automatic state tax refund, approved by Gov. Eric Holcomb, to Valparaiso Community Schools. Those who support the referendum will want to put their money where their mouths are, he said. The district will seek taxpayers permission next year to maintain its existing tax increase to fund expanded programming and other needs in the schools. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MANZINI Divorce is far better than killing a spouse. This was said by Bishop Nash Shongwe of the Divine Healing Ministries International on Friday in an interview preceding the end-of year service, which started just five hours before midnight. The man of God emphasised that the church should not have secrets and tolerate gender-based violence (GBV. He said if people failed to resolve impasses through mediation and counselling, they should divorce. He said divorce was a better option than for couples to kill each other as this caused trauma on their children and families. Shongwe also encouraged women to speak out in the various forums and not hide their challenges. I condemn the killing of women and I encourage them to go to the police and report abuse instead of hiding it. That way, there will be no secrets and the perpetrators will be brought to book so that this scourge ends. Shongwe said as the new year began; the challenges carried over from 2021 would not fade unless Christians acted to ensure job creation and end GBV. He said Christians should pray a lot and be part of the solutions to job creation. The man of God said the economy had been in dire straits for some time and it needed the Christian fraternity to play a role by being entrepreneurs and also praying for its recovery as God would hear their cries. The bishop bemoaned that there were many graduates who were not active in the labour force as there were no opportunities. This, he said, had to end as Christians should not just expect solutions but should be active players in redeeming the economy. According to the Labour Force Survey 2021 report, the overall unemployment in the kingdom is 33.3 per cent, which is an acute increase from 23.4 per cent recorded in 2016. It reported that 54.1 per cent of the working age population was out of the labour force and that youth unemployment increased by 10.8 per cent in the past five years as it reached 58.2 per cent last year. On the other hand, Shongwe said as the new year began; Christians should pray for pupils to return to class and cease to boycott lessons. This, he said, could be achieved also by the involvement of the clergy through constant active roles as social leaders within their communities. We need to pray that learners return to class as we need them to resuscitate the economy, Shongwe said. He said challenges that dominated the previous year should be dealt with head-on by all people in order to stop the animosity within the nation. He said this should be the same case with the political challenges faced by the country. He said they needed the citizenry to come together and forge a way forward through the anticipated national dialogue. Honesty Shongwe said this needed guidance from God, honesty and shackling the habit of dwelling in the past. The bishop emphasised that the country needed to take the good out of 2021 and excel in it while introspecting on what went wrong to formulate a better strategy to deal with it. He said the creed for the Divine Healing Ministries International would this year be Proverbs 3 verse 5-6, which reads: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. With this, he said as the year began, his church would also be focusing on the vulnerable elderly. Through his foundation - Dr John Nash Shongwe Foundation and the church, he said they would be constructing houses and offering food parcels. Subsequent to this, in his sermon to end the year, Shongwe read Psalms 124 verse 1 -5, which reads: If the Lord had not been on our side let Israel say, if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. In elaborating on the scripture, the bishop said what transpired in June 2021 was something he would not like to see a repeat of as there were instances when he went to bed without knowing if he would be alive the next morning. What I experienced in the country was something I once witnessed when I went to preach in Uganda. There were gunshots in that country throughout the night. Also, he said the coronavirus pandemic had killed many people that were close to him while others contracted it; however, he had survived it. When Mike moved from Vancouver to Silicon Valley in late 2018, he couldnt believe his luck. He found a beautiful Art Deco cottage less than 30 minutes from work, with redwood forests and wineries on its doorstep and rent that was inexplicably within his price range. It was the dream home he and his wife, Jackie, had been searching for perfect for the family they were about to start. If you feel like youre watching the opening of a horror movie, youre not wrong. First, the heating got weird. Wed turn it on and the whole house would suddenly fill up with this strange, humid, almost tropical warm air, said Mike, who asked that his last name be withheld to avoid retribution from his landlord. Water would condense on the windows and just pour down the panes. No amount of cleaning kept little blooms of mold from flowering on the walls and window frames. When Mike went down to the basement (disregarding decades of horror canon) he found that his heater was a 1940s-era contraption with rusted ducts, drawing air from earthen trenches flooded with stagnant water. They turned it off. The problems stopped, and soon their son was born. Mikes landlord replaced the heating system and sealed up the old ducts and vents. But when the rains came back in November, the baby became sickly and wheezy. He always had a snotty nose and this constant chest gurgle, Mike recalls. Their pediatrician dismissed concerns about mold, instead blaming day care. The respiratory problems grew worse and soon he needed an inhaler. Make a plan, not a resolution. Having a goal is great, but how will you achieve it? For example, if you want to make more money, what are the steps you need to take in order to do that and how much extra income would you need to hit your goal? If youre employed, is overtime a possibility or are you aiming for a promotion? Do you need to go back to school to learn a different set of skills? The more you dissect your goal, the easier it is to break it into actionable steps. And youll be more likely to follow through with your goal if those steps are detailed, said Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, a book that explores the science of habit formation. A 2011 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, for instance, found that employees of a large company who were prompted to write down the date and time they planned to get a company flu shot were statistically more likely to get it than those who received reminders for the shot but who werent prompted to write down their plan. Oftentimes also, when you come up with a plan, you anticipate what the obstacles are going to be, Duhigg said. When people change sustainably, its because they anticipated where theyll fail and theyve come up with some kind of recovery plan in advance. Shorten your list and write it down. If you have several types of goals, choose one that resonates with you the most, the experts said. (Maybe choose two if youre feeling ambitious.) Having just one goal and a plan for achieving it is more important than having lots of vague goals, they said. Next, write everything down. This will not only help you think through your goals, but also help make them more memorable, said Katy Milkman, a behavioral scientist and professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the author of How to Change, a forthcoming book on the science of achieving goals. The document has been described as a memo or email written by a Democratic operative who expressed confidence that the attorney general at the time, Loretta Lynch, would keep the Clinton investigation from going too far. Russian hackers had obtained the document, but it is apparently not among those that Russia sent to WikiLeaks, intelligence officials concluded. Mr. Comey was said to be worried that if Ms. Lynch were to be the one who announced a decision not to charge Mrs. Clinton, and Russia then made the document public, it would be used to raise doubts about the independence of the investigation and the legitimacy of the outcome. The Times reported in January 2020 that Trump-era investigators had pursued a leak investigation into whether Mr. Comey had been the source of the unauthorized disclosure in that 2017 article. Mr. Comey had been under scrutiny since 2017, after Mr. Trump fired him as the director of the F.B.I. After his dismissal, Mr. Comey engineered through his friend Daniel Richman, a Columbia University law professor the disclosure to The Times of accounts of several of his conversations with the president related to the Russia investigation. The inquiry into Mr. Comey, according to three people briefed on that investigation, was eventually code-named Arctic Haze. Its focus was said to evolve over time, as investigators shifted from scrutinizing whether they could charge Mr. Comey with a crime for disclosing his conversations with Mr. Trump, to whether he had anything to do with the disclosure of the existence of the document. As part of that effort, law enforcement officials had seized Mr. Richmans phone and computer, according to a person familiar with the matter. They are said to have initially searched them for material about Mr. Comeys conversations with Mr. Trump, and later obtained a courts permission to search them again, apparently about the Russia document matter. Separately, according to a person briefed on the investigation, the F.B.I. is also said to have subpoenaed Google in 2020, seeking information relevant to any emails between Mr. Richman and The Times. A spokesman for Google did not respond to a request for comment. A historic register of Jewish burial records from the modern-day Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca is among artifacts that have been recovered as part of a seizure by authorities in New York who plan to return the objects to their communities of origin. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn announced on Thursday the seizure, of 17 Jewish funeral scrolls, manuscripts and other records, which they describe as having been taken from Jewish communities in Romania, Hungary, Ukraine and Slovakia during World War II. Absent any provenance or documentation of conveyance from any survivors of those communities, there is no legitimate means by which the manuscripts and scrolls could have been imported into the United States, the U.S. attorneys office in Brooklyn said in its announcement of the seizure. Jacquelyn Kasulis, the acting U.S. attorney, said in a statement that the items were illegally confiscated during the Holocaust and contain priceless historical information. In early May, a Taliban commander telephoned Muhammad Jallal, a tribal elder in Baghlan Province in northern Afghanistan, and asked him to deliver a message to Afghan government troops at several bases in his district. If they do not surrender, we will kill them, Mr. Jallal said he was told. He and other tribal elders complied. After several rounds of negotiations, two government bases and three outposts surrendered without a fight. More than 100 security forces handed over weapons and equipment and were sent home unharmed. The Talibans strategy of coercion and persuasion was repeated across the country, unfolding for months as a focal point of the insurgents new offensive this year. The militants cut multiple surrender deals that handed them bases and ultimately entire provincial command centers, culminating in a stunning military blitz this summer that put the militants back in power two decades after they were defeated by the United States and its allies. The oddball reptile must have been stunning to behold. With a giant, mohawk-style crest, a birdlike beak and a body covered in something resembling but not quite fur, the pterosaur probably stuck out even among the other exotic creatures of the early Cretaceous Period. Its sprawling wingspan indicated that it almost certainly flew, but probably only for short distances because of its long neck and large crest. It most likely spent a good deal of time foraging on the ground, the researchers say. The crest, the researchers suspect, was a blessing and curse. Individuals endowed with larger-than-average headgear may have been more likely to attract a mate. The trade-off? Greater vulnerability to predators. (Die young and leave a beautiful corpse, perhaps.) Pterosaur fossils are rare. Their bones are extremely fragile, even more so than birds, the researchers say. A lake with fluctuating salinity that was created when Africa and Brazil separated was ideal for fossil preservation. Researchers have access to many fish preserved with their internal organs from that region. Mr. Beccari suspects their pterosaur specimen may have died by the lake, or by a river that dragged the body along into the lake. We think at the bottom of the lake there was no oxygen, so no animals or bacteria could decay the animal, Mr. Beccari said. If it managed to get to this part of the lake it would be safe from decomposing. Bosnian Serb leader stirs talk of war The fragile multiethnic government of Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing what may be its greatest crisis since the Balkan wars: The Serb nationalist leader, Milorad Dodik, is threatening to tear the country apart. Dodik has threatened to secede the Republika Srpska, the Serb territory he leads, from the rest of Bosnia; he has stopped meeting with the countrys other regional presidents; and he has vowed to withdraw from state institutions like Bosnias armed forces and tax agency in favor of his own agencies. Some political rivals and foreign diplomats point to recent scandals and see the rhetoric as a way to deflect allegations of corruption and rally his nationalist base ahead of October elections. But in a region where the shadow of war is everywhere, many Bosnians fear that the countrys peace is under threat. Senator Portman said in an emailed statement that every new disclosure of problematic activities by social media companies reignites calls for congressional action. Before answering those calls, he said, Congress should take a step back to ensure that we are not legislating in the dark. For Mr. Silverman, the legislation is a return to politics. He came to the tech industry through an unusual path, which began in 2005 at the Center for Progressive Leadership, a nonprofit organization aimed at training a new generation of political leaders. He became interested in building online communities as a way to keep the programs alumni connected. In 2011, he helped found a company then called OpenPage Labs, aimed at building social networks for progressive nonprofits using Facebooks open graph, a short-lived program that allowed software developers to integrate their applications with Facebook. The most successful element of that company was its ability to measure what was happening on Facebook pages and groups, and the company began licensing its analytical tools to publishers, among others. A significant customer was the fast-growing progressive media start-up Upworthy in 2013, followed by a wave of other media companies. I first met Mr. Silverman in that period, and it was clear that his companys insight into which stories were spreading fastest on Facebook offered a distinct advantage to writers and editors looking for traffic. In 2017, Facebook made the service free, and opened it up to thousands of new users. Eventually, human rights organizations and fact checkers seeking to understand their own societies and improve their media also started using it, as well as journalists who wanted to understand Facebook itself. That was when we began to realize how much of the outside world was eager and depended on seeing what was happening on the platform, Mr. Silverman said. But as the news about Facebooks impact on society turned negative, CrowdTangle was increasingly seen internally as a threat. In July 2020, my colleague Kevin Roose started a Twitter account listing Facebooks most engaged links every day, much of it inflammatory right-wing commentary. The account was an irritant to Facebooks executives, embarrassed by the disparity between what they thought Facebook was a clean, well-lit public square where civility and tolerance reign and the image they saw reflected in the Twitter lists, as Mr. Roose put it after he obtained internal emails debating the future of CrowdTangle last July. Nick Clegg, Facebooks vice president for global affairs, complained in the emails that our own tools are helping journos to consolidate the wrong narrative. LOUISVILLE, Colo. Kathe Perez can barely process what she lost in the incineration of the three-bedroom home shes lived in for the past three decades. I havent slept for three nights, she said on Sunday. I cant stop crying. I cant talk. I feel in a daze. My soul is crushed. And yet, when she looks to the future, she sees only one option. I have high optimism, she said. Everyone says you cant imagine this happening to you. But when its right in front of you, were built for this. You can only do the next thing. But first, rebuild it. Her home is one of more than two dozen in her neighborhood in Louisville, Colo., destroyed by the devastating Marshall fire, which consumed roughly 1,000 homes in suburban neighborhoods between Denver and Boulder on Thursday. MANZINI Police officers were supposedly attacked by patrons of a bar at Mzaceni in the wee hours of Saturday. On the eve of the New Year, at Mzaceni under Madlangempisi Inkhundla, it was gathered that police who were assigned to enforce peace and order in the area during the crossover were attacked by patrons of a bar. This, according to sources, was after a businessman running a bar in the area refused to close it after midnight. The expectation to close after midnight, was in line with the announcement by government that people should adhere to COVID-19 protocols, when hosting events or having gatherings. It was said crossover events should be hosted within a three-hour period if the event was held outdoors. At this venue, it was gathered that the patrons were not eager to leave when the time lapsed. Disperse Also, in Mpaka, it was gathered that police had to disperse crowds at two drinking holes through the use of tear gas canisters. This was said to have happened after 1am where the patrons refused to leave despite that government had said gatherings should not exceed three hours. Meanwhile, at Mpaka, it was gathered that a group of youth members blocked the Mphaka Lomahasha Public Road by setting alight tyres and putting stones in the middle of the road. This, it was established from impeccable sources, was a way of celebrating the lives of people who died during the political unrest that ensued between June and July 2021. During the unrest, according to the Human Rights Commission Preliminary Report, 46 people were killed and 245 were injured. Meanwhile, sources claimed that the group of about 15 youth members picketed and blocked the road as they sought to celebrate the deceased. While doing so, it was established that members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) arrived at the scene. Upon arrival of the soldiers, the youth is said to have disappeared into the thicket, leaving the UEDF personnel with nothing but to clear the road. Also, on the eve of the crossover into 2022, it was reported that there were two burglaries at Fairview in Manzini. It was gathered that while the proprietors of the two places were at crossover events in other locations during the burglary at Fairview the thieves took everything inside it. Impeccable sources said the burglars took items such as electronic gadgets, furniture, clothing and bedding. It was gathered that the house was left minimal items. In the second burglary at Helemisi, it was gathered that the robbers stole laptops. Meanwhile, UEDF Public Affairs Officer 2nd Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo said her office had not received reports to that effect. The alleged pertinent battalions in question tasked with both areas of responsibility have not forwarded any reports to the office of the UEDF Public Affairs to that effect, that is to say; my office is not aware of both incidents. Given this, Khumalo said it would be impossible for her to respond to the allegations and moreover, from an uninformative position. She had been sought for confirmation on allegations that UEDF personnel had dealt with a road blockage in Mpaka where a group of youth were said to have set alight tyres in the middle of the Mpaka - Lonhlupheko Public Road. Information Also, she had been requested to assist with information on the allegation that there was a shooting incident which happened at Mzaceni in the Hhohho Region, involving UEDF personnel. Meanwhile, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that police had to close a number of establishments. When sought to confirm the two aforementioned places, Vilakati said she could not pin-point each and every place. She further said she could not comment on the road blockade at Mpaka. However, she confirmed that police were attacked by patrons at Mzaceni. She said this was after they tried to enforce law and order that the place be closed. She said the missiles used included beer bottles which were hurled at the law enforcers. She further confirmed the break-ins at Helemisi and Fairview. Follow our live updates on the Jan. 6 Capitol Attack Anniversary. WASHINGTON The anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot arrives this week with the congressional committee investigating the attack confronting a series of difficult questions, including how forcefully to flex its subpoena power and whether the Supreme Court will stymie a major element of its inquiry. As the nine-member panel continues to examine the events leading up to the worst attack on Congress in centuries, it is waiting to see whether the Supreme Court will refuse a request from former President Donald J. Trump to block the committees access to White House records related to the riot. The committee also has not ruled out moving to subpoena members of Congress, or Mr. Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence. Thursday will mark a year since a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building, determined to disrupt the formal certification of President Bidens electoral victory. At least seven people died in connection with the riot, dozens more were injured and hundreds of workers in the Capitol were shaken and traumatized, further fracturing an increasingly partisan Congress. The committee, aiming to release a final report before the November midterm elections, is planning for a more public stage of its investigation in the coming weeks as lawmakers work to trace the planning of the attack and expand the scope of the investigation. Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California and a member of the panel, said on Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation that public hearings could begin in a matter of weeks, if not a couple of months from now. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III has tested positive for the coronavirus, he announced. In a statement posted to his Twitter account Sunday evening, Mr. Austin said he had tested positive for the virus that morning, after experiencing symptoms while at home on leave. My symptoms are mild, and I am following my physicians directions, Mr. Austin said, adding that he planned to quarantine at home for the next five days while virtually attending key meetings and discussions to the degree possible. I will retain all authorities, he said, adding that Kathleen Hicks, the deputy secretary of defense, would represent him as appropriate in other matters. In sharing his diagnosis, the defense secretary stressed that his fully vaccinated status including a booster received in early October was to thank for his mild symptoms. Between network, cable and streaming, the modern television landscape is a vast one. Here are some of the shows, specials and movies coming to TV this week, Jan. 3-9. Details and times are subject to change. Monday INDEPENDENT LENS: PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF DESIRE 10 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). This documentary explores how real-life connections are being replaced by virtual relationships within the fast-paced livestreaming industry in China. Through a closer look at the popular YY streaming platform, it exposes the impact of technology as a revenue-generating platform, and what younger generations consider success in a never-ending online popularity contest. Tuesday MY SALINGER YEAR (2020) 5 p.m. on Showtime. Adapted from the memoir of Joanna Rakoff, this film follows a young writer, Joanna (Margaret Qualley), who lands a job as assistant to a technology-averse literary agent, Margaret (Sigourney Weaver), in New York City. Joanna is assigned the dull task of sorting through the fan mail of J.D. Salinger, the agencys reclusive top client, and decides to bend the rules, personally responding to letters that would otherwise go unread. This is supposed to be a year of revival for airlines. Its off to a rough start. The industry ended an already messy holiday season with thousands more flight cancellations as companies struggled to deal with bad weather and keep planes and airports staffed because of a surge in coronavirus infections. More than 8,000 flights in the United States were canceled from Saturday through Monday, affecting more than one in 10 scheduled flights, according to FlightAware, a tracking service. We had a series of punches that really knocked the industry to the ground, said Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, a research firm that specializes in the travel industry. The recent cancellations were caused by storms that produced heavy snowfall in the Midwest over the weekend and over the eastern United States on Monday, the worst day of the holiday season with more than 3,000 canceled flights. Southwest Airlines and SkyWest Airlines, which operates regional flights for several major carriers, were responsible for about a third of all cancellations over the weekend and Monday. Our planners continue their work to anticipate operational challenges today following the winter storm that moved across the country over the weekend, creating a band of heavy winter weather affecting the Baltimore/D.C. area Monday morning, Southwest said in a statement. The airline has a big hub at Baltimore/Washington International Airport. [Live updates: Elizabeth Holmes found guilty of four charges of fraud.] SAN JOSE, Calif. Jurors in the trial of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the blood testing start-up Theranos, reiterated late Monday that they were unable to agree on three of the 11 counts in her fraud case after earlier being instructed by the judge to keep going. The jury of eight men and four women has spent around 50 hours over seven days so far deliberating whether Ms. Holmes, 37, is guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and nine counts of wire fraud. Each fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The deliberations follow a more than three-month-long trial for Ms. Holmes that laid bare the worst excesses of Silicon Valleys start-up culture, where founders regularly stretch the truth in search of fortune and fame. Yet entrepreneurs rarely take their exaggerations as far as Ms. Holmes did, and are often not prosecuted. Ms. Holmes styled herself after Steve Jobs and said she planned to revolutionize health care with her start-up. On Monday morning, jurors sent a note saying they were deadlocked on three of the counts. They did not elaborate on which of the counts were at issue. Judge Edward J. Davila of the Northern District of California, who is overseeing the case, instructed them to continue deliberating. Dont count Explorer Cold Brew from Brooklyn as just one more in a long list of companies with ready-made cold brew concentrates for iced or hot drinks. It offers a compelling, uncommon feature with its coffees: choice of caffeine content. No-caf, low-caf, regular caf and extra caf are the options, with the milligrams of caffeine content (from zero to 150 per ounce) displayed on the labels. The coffees organic Sidamo and Yergacheffe Arabica varietals from Ethiopia and Peruvian beans for the decaf, both fair trade from local cooperatives are not bargain-priced. But they are rich with alluring earthy bitterness. The no- and low-cafs are decaffeinated using the commonplace Swiss Water Process, and the extra caf is made by adding caffeine extracted from unroasted beans. The company was started by Cason Crane, an American mountain climber, who assembled a group of coffee experts from South Africa, Lebanon and Indonesia. A part of the proceeds supports clean water efforts in Africa. Explorer Cold Brew Concentrate, $41 for 32 ounces, $20 for four 2-ounces samples, explorercoldbrew.com. Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. Over the summer, when The Timess Well columnist Tara Parker-Pope thought about the first two years of the coronavirus pandemic, she considered 2020 the year of the virus, while 2021 was shaping up to be the year of the vaccine. What might 2022 hold? Her gut told her that the next several years could tell a story of recovery, of learning to live with the virus and of the collateral damage that the pandemic has caused. It seemed really clear that a big part of that story is going to be mental health, Ms. Parker-Pope said in an interview. Ms. Parker-Pope wanted to poll mental health professionals to find out what they thought about long-lasting mental health implications of Covid-19. And she wanted to hear how they were bearing as they helped others cope. She shared the idea with others on Wells team, including Lori Leibovich, Wells editor; Christina Caron, Wells mental health reporter; Melonyce McAfee, a Times senior editor; and Toby Bilanow, the desks deputy editor who agreed on the urgency of a big-picture check-in with the workers on the front lines of mental health treatment. In order to reach mental health professionals, they decided to distribute the survey through Psychology Todays professional membership. The resulting survey was published recently and revealed illuminating information about the state of the mental health crisis. We wanted to make sure the survey was asking the right questions, Ms. Parker-Pope said. I reached out to different people in the psychology community and asked them for advice and guidance and feedback on it. By the time the survey was finalized, which was about two months after Well started the project, the team realized they needed an experienced data journalist to help them parse through the insights. So, they commissioned the freelance reporter Monica Cordero Sancho to find patterns and trends in the data. Billboards beckon us to Miami. Fantasy communes blossom in Maine. For those of us committed to sticking it out, our relationship task is making peace with smoke. (I should say this exercise is not for everyone. A recent study found that a month of medium-to-heavy wildfire smoke what much of California experienced over the last few years increases the risk of preterm birth by 20 percent. As one of the studys authors told me, Wildfire is literally making it unsafe to be pregnant in California.) One afternoon in August I lay on the deck of my friend Kevins cabin not far from Mono Lake, in the eastern Sierra Nevada, and told myself that I could love, in some deeply-flawed-but-beautiful kintsugi way, the ash-paste air. Kevins cabin is perfect was perfect. Out in the sagebrush, off a dirt road, next to an aspen-lined creek in the high desert, the cabin has everything and nothing: no electricity, no running water. Just one 10-foot-by-12-foot room with a sliding-glass door onto the epic mountain sky. Each summer often several times a summer my family drove over Tioga Pass, crossed the cattle guard up into Lundy Canyon, stripped on the rock beside the swimming hole, plunged into the snowmelt and emerged, elated and cleansed. The light shimmered off the aspen leaves like Gods own disco ball. We felt rich every time we arrived. This year, after I jumped in, I told myself I still felt renewed despite the smoke. That was a lie. The next day we hiked up into Twenty Lakes Basin, where you could cliff-dive and bathe in glacial melt. The world here, too, did not feel OK. The meadows looked dull green from drought and ash. This was not the California I first married, but to be honest, Im not the same person, either. Time is a beast. Did choosing to stay here mean a life defined by worry, vigilance and loss? Aching and eager to escape my own boring loop of depressive thoughts, I met with Alex Steffen, a climate futurist, on the back patio of a bar in Berkeley. Steffen, a 53-year-old mountain of a man with a crystal-ball-bald pate, hosts a podcast and publishes a newsletter called The Snap Forward. The idea behind both is that the climate crisis has caused us to get lost in time and space; we need to dig ourselves out of nostalgia and face the world as it exists. As he explained to me in his confident baritone, yes, California, and the world, are in bad shape. But the situation is not as devoid of hope as we believe. We have this idea that the world is either normal and in continuity with what weve expected, or its the apocalypse, its the end of everything and neither are true, he said. That orange sky in 2020? Were all like, Wow, the sky is apocalyptic! But its not apocalyptic. If you can wake up and go to work in the morning, youre not in an apocalypse, right? The more accurate assessment, according to Steffen, is that were trans-apocalyptic. Were in the middle of an ongoing crisis, or really a linked series of crises, and we need to learn to be native to now. Our lives are going to become or, really, they already are (the desire to keep talking about the present as the future is intense) defined by constant engagement with ecological realities, floods, dry wells, fires. And theres no opting out. What does that even mean? Where do these boats come from? If you see one half-sunken boat, once you start digging, you can bet there are more. But theres a lot of abandoned vessels in private marinas, too. Many of the boats can be found in Jamaica Bay, Coney Island and in Staten Island, Arthur Kill and Kill Van Kull, which are infamous boat dumping grounds. Besides natural disasters, why do people abandon their vessels, and can anything be done about it? A lot of them came down here from Long Island. But unlike a car, where some people need it for their livelihood, boats are for pleasure, but theyre expensive to maintain. So when people get to the point where they have no time to use the boat, or they dont have the money to maintain it, theyre simply not dealt with. One way to curb abandonment is requiring boats to be insured. For the past 10 years, owners who want to use city marinas and boat basins are required to buy insurance for their vessels. That way if the vessel is damaged, the owner has a company to call and claim the boat. I think this is good practice. Otherwise, people just look the other way because its costly to remove a boat. Does the Parks Department have a budget for marine debris removal? No, I have to find grant money from city, state and federal agencies. Sometimes, City Council members allocate funds. Last year Eric Ulrich, at the time a councilman in Queens, secured $65,000. So in December, a salvage company fished out five boats in Jamaica Bay, including a giant one that had been stuck since Hurricane Sandy. Some years we fish out 100 boats, some years none. How do you choose which boats to clean up? I have my own roster of derelict boats Id like to get to, but I get a lot of community input. Many times a civic association will get in touch with its councilperson. It could be that the derelict boat is causing a navigational or public hazard, which prompts a call to me. Over the years, Ive worked closely with the Jamaica Bay EcoWatchers and the American Littoral Society to decide which boats to fish out. Carolyn is an outstanding lawyer and proven leader with a distinguished record of public service with the Department of Justice and with the State and City of New York, Mr. Peace wrote in a news release on Monday announcing her appointment. I look forward to our working together in pursuing this offices mission and advancing the interests of justice and equality for the people of this district. Ms. Pokorny, 52, will oversee the offices criminal, civil, appeals and administrative divisions. In her new role, she said, she hopes to strengthen the relationships between the federal prosecutors office and the people who live in its jurisdiction: The Eastern District of New York prosecutes federal crimes in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and Long Island. I think the office will be more forward-leaning, Ms. Pokorny said, adding that she and Mr. Peace hoped to make community relations a centerpiece of their work, and planned to meet with the public, host events and improve outreach efforts. In part, she said, this is a lesson she learned at the M.T.A., where she realized the huge power of being open to scrutiny and complaints about the transit agency from both riders and its more than 70,000 workers. In the interests of transparency, her office publicized detailed progress reports on homelessness in the subways, overtime abuses, faulty infrastructure and allegations of corruption and solicited feedback from the public, she said. MBABANE Most of the problems facing the public health system in the country are outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health. This was said by the Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi and the secretary general (SG) of Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) Mayibongwe Masangane when reflecting on the ministrys highlights and lowlights for 2021. The year 2021 really tested the Ministry of Healths service delivery and placed the ministry in the spotlight. With the ministry trying to recover from the emergence of COVID-19 and the effects thereto from the year 2020, the recovery process was disrupted by the civil unrest, which resulted in major procurement issues as medical supplies deliveries were delayed with trucks, for a period of close to a month, failing to enter the country due to fear of being burnt. Controversy However, despite being riddled with controversy, the ministry remains resolute and determined to have a more productive 2022. Nkosi stated that the situation was complex as it spoke to the whole supply chain embedded in the government systems beyond health. The measures aimed at reducing wastage and arrears have many checkpoints and controls that can cause delays in the procurement system. Having said that, the ministry is working closely with the central agencies to address areas of inefficiencies, and improve performance. We have a fully-funded plan in the health systems strengthening project to address some of these concerns. We will see improvement in 2022. One of the strategies includes procurement of childrens vaccines and selected essential medicines through a United Nations (UN) prepaid pooled procurement system, stated the minister. In light of concerns previously raised by SWADNU concerning the hiring of nurses on a temporary basis, the minister was further questioned as to how the ministry would respond to the calls to hire nurses permanently instead of on a contractual basis. To which the minister stated that in the past two years, the ministry had been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, hence most of the staff hired on contract basis were for this response. This includes nurses and many other cadres of health professionals. When responding to an emergency or epidemic, hiring additional temporary staff is normal to create the required surge capacity. Unfortunately in this case, COVID-19 is dragging on unpredictably because of the nature of the virus, which keeps mutating. All the same, the health system and budget cannot absorb the short-term staff permanently, she said. The Mbabane Government Hospital (MGH) recently experienced an unprecedented invasion from a gang of men who sought to avenge the death of one of their own. The minister was further asked on how best the security issue would be handled in health facilities to ensure the safety of the staff as well as the patients. In general, we have a few isolated security incidences in our health facilities. However, following the recent security incident at MGH, it is clear that we need to review security services provision across all health facilities, and improve the scope of these services. Staff and patient safety remain our priority as a ministry. The event mentioned above is regrettable, and we need the whole nation to work with us to keep our hospitals safe. Health facilities should be easily accessible to all, as well as a safe environment to all, responded the minister. Security She was further asked on whether contractual issues between the security companies and government could have been the major cause of the security breach at the hospital to which she responded to the negative. Masangane was reached for comment to ascertain the unions reflection on the ministrys service delivery this year as well as what the union hopes the ministry will focus on in the new year. He highlighted that most of the problems which were faced by the public health system in the country were outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health. As a union, we engaged the ministry on internal issues and resolved some. But same were outside their scope like employment of nurses on contracts, the inadequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), the poor infrastructure, shortage of drugs and medical supplies, said Masangane. He stated that the only issue they failed to resolve, yet it was an internal one, was the shortage of food and that of security within our health facilities. The union expects the ministry to focus on the personnel welfare and ensure by all means necessary that there is adequate medical supplies, drugs, food for admitted patients and improved infrastructure going forward, said the secretary general. The minister was further asked on how best the ministry was aiming to mitigate the issues it faced in 2021 for the new year, to which she responded that the ministry would continue to focus on health systems strengthening as this was key in ensuring a resilient health system that will be ready to take any strain without collapsing. Our response to NCDs (non-communicable diseases) needs a lot of strengthening. All pillars of the response have been greatly exposed by the current pandemic. We have observed that most of the comorbidities that exposed COVID-19 infected patients to complications and death are NCDs. For that reason attention to long-term management of the diseases will ensure a healthier nation with a better chance to improve our health outcomes. Ultimately this will reduce the burden on our health system, especially hospitals. When the pandemic began, Mark Finazzo was working in a Columbus, Ohio, beer brewery, a job he lost to lockdown measures that plunged him, like many Americans, into terrifying months of isolation, anxiety and helplessness, with little more to do than watch the coronavirus rage across the TV news. Today Mr. Finazzo, 35, is in his first semester at Ohio State University. He is getting his second bachelors degree, this one in microbiology, hoping to become a research scientist like the people striving to create a vaccine he watched and read about as he sat on his couch in the pandemics earliest, darkest days. When I saw footage of hospital tents being erected in Central Park, it was like, Wow, life is fragile and precious, Mr. Finazzo said, referring to the field hospitals New York City mustered in the spring of 2020. I should probably do something to help out besides make a delicious poison that we like to drink. The viruss toll cannot be overstated: It has stolen over 800,000 American lives, and millions globally. Efforts to thwart it have swept away livelihoods, altered childhoods, and left lasting emotional tolls. At the start of yet another year of Covid-19 in our midst, its latest variant rising, there is for many a sense of familiar foreboding. Gov. Kathy Hochul will propose a limit of two four-year terms on New York State governors in her first State of the State address on Wednesday a move that could allow Ms. Hochul to distance herself from her scandal-marred predecessor, former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who held outsize power for over a decade. The proposal, a milestone that would require a constitutional amendment, would apply only to statewide elected officials including the lieutenant governor, the attorney general and the comptroller, according to state officials. It would need approval from the State Legislature as well as from voters and could significantly curb the power of the highest office in New York, where recent governors have served for as long as 14 years. New York is one of about a dozen states without term limits for statewide office. Ms. Hochuls move comes as she runs for a full term and could help her position herself as an advocate for government reform. With Democrats battling nationally to fend off a Republican takeover of the House of Representatives this November, New York offers perhaps the single best opportunity for the party to use its unified control of a large blue state to flip a handful of congressional seats by drawing itself more favorable lines, with as many as half a dozen seats hanging in the balance. New York Democrats could also use the process to try to shore up their commanding majorities in the State Assembly and State Senate, where Republicans are optimistic about mounting an aggressive campaign to reclaim territory lost in blue waves in 2018 and 2020. State Senator Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat who is one of the leaders of the legislative task force that would draw the maps if the State Assembly and State Senate reject the commissions proposals, said on Monday that lawmakers would begin reviewing the maps and move expeditiously given the very tight political calendar. They could vote to approve or reject the initial plans as early as next week. The window is exceedingly narrow. New York trails many other states in adopting new maps as part of the once-in-a-decade redistricting process and must reach a final conclusion by mid-to-late February. More than half of states have already completed their new maps, and Republicans are on track for a modest net gain in seats nationally. If New York lawmakers fail to reach an agreement by next month, the courts could step in to take over the process, as they did during the last redistricting cycle. The courts would be likely to appoint a special master to redraw the district lines. This would be a major change in thinking for doctors and policymakers. Since the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 went into effect, advance care planning which encourages all adults, even those in good health, to choose a surrogate to make medical decisions and to draw up an advance directive has been promoted as the way to make sure that people receive the care they want at the end of their life. But this well-intentioned effort has not worked as promised. In a recent commentary published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. R. Sean Morrison, a palliative care specialist, and colleagues wrote that despite decades of research on advance care planning, there are scant data to show that it accomplishes its goals. A 2020 review of more than 60 high-quality recent studies on advance care planning found no impact on whether patients received the care they wanted, or how they rated the quality of their lives afterward. When doctors talk to patients about advance directives, they implicitly promise that the directives will help patients get the care they want and unburden their loved ones, Dr. Morrison told me. And the reality is that weve been pushing a myth, he said. I once thought that the only barriers to effective advance care planning were practical. Not all people are aware of how to write such a directive, and even if they are, the document is not always uploaded into patients medical records or is easily retrievable. But the bigger obstacle, and what has increasingly troubled me working in the intensive care unit, is the difficulty of asking people to make decisions about future scenarios. Humans have an amazing capacity to adapt to illness or disease. From the vantage point of youth or good health, it is easy for people to say that they would rather die than live with significant limitations, pain or dependence on others. But people evolve in ways they cannot expect. This is why some survivors of catastrophic accidents, such as spinal cord injuries leading to complete paralysis, nevertheless come to rate their quality of life as good even if they never would have imagined being able to do so before the accident. As a result, what people are willing to go through to extend their life might change depending on the context. Advance directives written at one point in time about hypothetical scenarios cannot capture what someone actually wants at every point in the future. Jan. 6 and the four years before it were a forcible reminder that democracy is a task, not a birthright. Having rediscovered that we must take democracy seriously, we should now put it first in our politics. Majorities of the people, not the Electoral College, should be able to pick the president and decide who controls the House and Senate. All who make their lives in the United States including the incarcerated, people convicted of felonies and noncitizens should be allowed to vote. This might sound alarming to inland Republican voters who imagine themselves besieged by a permanent coastal majority. But in a working democracy, there are no permanent majorities or minorities. Forging partnerships in a truly democratic system, inland conservatives would soon find new allies just not ones determined to break democracy itself. Some of these changes probably require amending the Constitution. Hard changes have come through constitutional amendment before: Shortly before World War I, activists successfully pressed state legislatures to ratify an amendment giving up their power to choose U.S. senators. Maybe we can revive mass movements for amendments, starting with one that would make the amendment process itself more democratic. If the public supports a constitutional amendment to limit money in politics, restrict gerrymandering or enshrine a core abortion right, a committed majority should be able to say what our fundamental law is by popular vote, rather than having to go through the current, complicated process of ratifying amendments through state legislatures or dozens of constitutional conventions. This may sound wild-eyed. But it would not always have. James Wilson, one of the most learned and thoughtful of the Constitutions framers, believed that as a matter of principle, the people may change the Constitution whenever and however they please. This is a right of which no positive institution can ever deprive them. Even Madison conceded that if we thought of the Constitution as a national charter rather than a federal arrangement among sovereign states, the supreme and ultimate authority would reside with the majority, which had the power to alter or abolish its established government. It is hard to deny that, since 1789, the Constitution has become a national charter in the minds of most Americans. Do we really think that establishing fundamental law is too much for us, something only revered (or reviled) ancestors could do? More likely we are afraid of one another and the decisions majorities would make. Thinkers like Madison associated democracy with majority tyranny, but history tells a different story. Even our terribly flawed legacy is rich in examples of majoritarian emancipation: New Deal programs, the Civil Rights Acts and the Voting Rights Act and Medicare. Majorities can change the world for the better, when they have the chance. Giving one another that chance, over and over, is how equals share a country. But are we willing to give, and take, that chance? Maybe more than fearing majority tyranny, we suspect that the country is already too divided and mistrustful to make basic choices together at all. One thing Democrats and Republicans share is the belief that, to save the country, the other side must not be allowed to win. Every election is an existential crisis. In our current political climate, any proposal to democratize the system would immediately be coded as partisan, and half the country would reject it from the start. In such an anxious and suspicious country, the current system can be seen as a kind of peace treaty. Maybe that was what Mr. Biden meant when, just after taking his oath of office two weeks after the Capitol riot, in a Washington guarded by 26,000 troops, he praised the resilience of our Constitution. michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. [music] Today. archived recording Nearly half a million new Covid-19 cases were recorded in the U.S. The US has averaged more than 300,000 new cases a day. Hospitalizations are also rising fast here. michael barbaro The highly contagious Omicron variant is fueling record-breaking infection rates across the world and the United States archived recording There are three Americans testing positive for Covid every second, and Yeah, I mean, these numbers are absolutely staggering michael barbaro and disrupting basic services archived recording Thousands of flights are to be canceled, as michael barbaro from flights to subways in the process. [siren] archived recording The fire department says 30 percent of its E.M.S. personnel is out sick. Here in the U.S., new cases are higher, really, than theyve ever been during the pandemic. But heres the thing, deaths are down. michael barbaro But what its not doing is killing or hospitalizing those it infects at the same rate as previous variations. archived recording and deaths are lower than they were michael barbaro I spoke with my colleague, science writer Carl Zimmer, about why that is, and what happens next. [music] Its Monday, January 3. So Carl, happy new year? Is it a happy new year? carl zimmer [LAUGHS] It is certainly a new year like no other. michael barbaro And yet, it kind of feels familiar, right? carl zimmer Yeah, theres a weird sense of deja vu. Were all hunkering down, hopefully, and just not seeing people as much as we might have before. Were giving up the things that we had thought we could have back in 2021. And yet, even though it feels familiar, in a way, Omicron is actually kind of a new pandemic. michael barbaro What do you mean by that? carl zimmer Well, Omicron is really different than other variants in some really important ways. On the one hand, it does seem to be milder, and it does seem like we get protection from vaccines in an important way. And yet, its spreading like crazy, and has this potential to really break a lot of our social systems in the next month. michael barbaro Right. Well, lets ground this a little bit, as we start to understand what Omicron has done over the past 10 days or so since we last talked to you, by talking through the biggest action that our government has taken, which I think will help put everything you just said into some context. And thats the C.D.C.s decision to cut the length of time for self-quarantining after a Covid infection and not just by a little, but by a lot. And I thought that was surprising, given that we are experiencing this record spike in infections that you just mentioned. But it also felt related to that fact. So can you explain the C.D.C.s decision? carl zimmer Sure. So until recently, the Center for Disease Control had recommended that infected patients isolate for 10 days after they tested positive for the virus. But then, on the Monday after Christmas, the C.D.C. slashed that period to just five days for those without symptoms, or who didnt have fevers and theres other symptoms that are resolving. The thing is that experts have been debating about whether maybe we should be cutting back on that 10-day rule for some time now. In fact, people were pointing out that actually, some people, especially vaccinated people, they may not be infectious long before that 10-day point. michael barbaro Mm-hmm. carl zimmer And there were public health experts who were also saying, you know, 10 days is a long time, and so people may actually avoid testing, because they dont want to be out of work for 10 days. michael barbaro Right. carl zimmer So maybe there could be a sweet spot where you could really reduce a lot of transmission and not be so disruptive to peoples own lives and to the economy. And in fact, in October, Cornell University, just on its own, had gone ahead and cut back their rules to five days. You could get out of isolation after five days, only if you had two negative P.C.R. tests. michael barbaro OK. carl zimmer So Omicron shows up, and it, even more than previous variants, seems to be really arguing for a shorter isolation period. michael barbaro Why is that? carl zimmer Well, this variant moves fast. And this became really apparent once epidemiologists could start to look at some of the first outbreaks of Omicron. So for example, in Oslo, in Norway, there was a Christmas party. They were all vaccinated, and roughly three days later, the majority of the people of that party were feeling sick. They had Covid. michael barbaro Right. You told us about this party. Yup. carl zimmer Yeah. And so this variant comes on fast, and for many people, especially people who are vaccinated, it clears out fast. And so this is days faster than other variants. So on top of that, you now have Omicron surging around and infecting people. Theyre testing positive. And so these companies are following C.D.C. guidelines. Theyre telling their staff, well, dont come into work for 10 days. michael barbaro Right. carl zimmer So its incredibly disruptive. You dont have enough people to fly planes. You dont have enough people at clinics, at stores, and so on. I mean, and so business people were telling the government, could you please change this policy? Is there any way that we can lessen this blow? And the C.D.C. says, yes. And so the C.D.C. decides right after Christmas, were going to cut that down to five days. What they say is that if you dont have symptoms, or you dont have a fever and your other symptoms are clearing, that you can leave isolation. But wear a mask, a really good mask, for the next five days. So that was the policy that they ended up with. michael barbaro So what began is a medically motivated decision, which had been under consideration for a while it feels especially suited to the properties of Omicron, the speed of an Omicron infection. And this decision, youre saying, is nudged along pretty powerfully by the reality that the economy is starting to collapse because so many people are out of work for 10 days? Thats basically how we get to this 5- instead of 10-day self-isolation. carl zimmer Thats right. And we should be clear that this is a decision that is not uncontroversial. There are a lot of experts who have been very critical of it, because maybe five days is a good policy, but it has a central flaw, which is that theres no test involved. So remember, when Cornell put their policy in place, they said, you can get out after five days with two negative tests, right? Because the fact is that just because people have different biology, people get infected with a little virus or a lot of virus. Some people will be totally clear at day 5, and other people, theyll keep testing positive for a little while longer. michael barbaro And thus be contagious. carl zimmer Yeah. And so it could defeat the whole purpose to just let people go at 5 days instead of 10 if youre letting people go off and infect others. michael barbaro So why didnt the C.D.C. issue any kind of requirement for a negative test to leave isolation after five days? carl zimmer Well, my sense would be that its really hard to get a test right now. So if youre requiring people to go get some at-home antigen test and have it test negative before they come back to work, well, people arent going to be able to go back to work, because theyre not going to be able to find these tests, because weve run out of those tests. michael barbaro Right. So it would undermine a kind of central purpose of reducing this isolation by half. carl zimmer Its just not practical right now to say that testing is going to be an integral part of some sort of five-day policy. michael barbaro Mm. Carl, you said at the start of this conversation that Omicron is milder, and I want to talk about that. Because that is something I know that public health officials and people like you, colleagues of ours, have been reluctant to say firmly for many weeks. But you said it pretty firmly. So why are we now able to say that an Omicron infection is milder? And I wonder if that fits into the C.D.C.s decision at all. carl zimmer Well, its actually hard to describe what it is about Omicron. And we use the word, milder, as sort of a shorthand, but its tricky because Omicron is killing people right now. Its just not killing as many people as Delta. The clearest evidence of this is now emerging from the United Kingdom, where they came out with a pretty clear conclusion that the risk of hospitalization from Omicron is cut in half, compared to other variants. michael barbaro Thats meaningful. carl zimmer Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. That is a big deal. michael barbaro And thats for all populations, Carl? Thats whether youre vaccinated or unvaccinated, boosted on boosted? carl zimmer Well, thats where things get more complicated. The fact is that if you are vaccinated, you are well-protected against hospitalization. And here, again, the United Kingdom has come out with lots of good numbers. And they have just reported that if you have two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, your risk of hospitalization is reduced by 65 percent. michael barbaro Hmm. carl zimmer And if you have a booster, your risk of hospitalization is reduced by 81 percent. michael barbaro Huh. So thats interesting a baseline of hospitalization rates for Omicron is 50 percent less than Delta. And if youre vaccinated and boosted, its really, really good. So thats why we can use the word, mild. carl zimmer Thats right. The problem is that vaccines and boosters are not as effective at just preventing you from getting infected. So youre getting infections in people who are either unvaccinated or vaccinated, but what then happens next is that the unvaccinated people are at much, much higher risk of ending up in the hospital. And even now, when you look at the numbers, the vast majority of people who are filling up our hospitals now are unvaccinated. michael barbaro Well, lets somewhat optimistically focus on the idea that Omicron, for those vaccinated, boosted, and even unvaccinated, is generally less likely to cause severe illness and hospitalization. And Carl, what is the science of that? I mean, kind of, chemically, biologically, why is this less likely to put you in the hospital than Delta? carl zimmer This has been amazing. I mean, scientists have been working like crazy to try to figure out what Omicron is doing on a cellular level. And so they all basically spent their holidays not opening presents so much as injecting viruses into hamsters or into dishes full of cells to try to figure out what is going on with Omicron. How is Omicron different? And the results are really just coming out just now, and Twitter is where you go to get those hot new results. michael barbaro OK. And what are those hot new results? carl zimmer The fact is that Omicron really does work in a fundamentally different way than other variants, in the sense that when you get infected, say, with the Delta variant, you know, it goes in through your nose first, it sort of sets up shop there, and then it starts multiplying and spreading down your airway. And if youre unfortunate, itll get into your lungs and into the deep recesses of your lungs. It can cause lung scarring. It can cause difficulty breathing. It can leak out from the lungs to elsewhere, cause really serious disease and, potentially, death. michael barbaro Right. Those are the people who end up on respirators. carl zimmer Yeah. However, Omicron does a really lousy job, it seems, of multiplying in the lungs. So when scientists look at these animal models for Covid, Omicron just really isnt there in the lungs. The lungs are usually undamaged, and so its a really striking difference from other variants. On the other hand, if you look at cells taken from the lining of the nostrils, you will find that Omicron is really good at infecting those. So what we may be looking at is something that is specializing more in the upper airway, where its generally causing milder disease, and is also in a good place to go and spread to the next person, because its right there in your nose and ready to go. michael barbaro So were basically getting pummeled by a gentler version of Covid than weve seen before, which is a pretty weird concept. carl zimmer It is a very weird concept, very counterintuitive. But you just have to bear in mind that here, we have this variant that is already producing twice as many cases a day on some days than our past peak. So even if its half as likely to send people into the hospital, if we got twice as many, youre still putting as many people into the hospital. And so scientists are now working on models, trying to look forward. And they actually see the number of cases from Omicron going up even higher. So maybe were looking at 600,000, 700,000 cases every day. michael barbaro Wow. carl zimmer And when youre talking those numbers, in a very short period of time, youre going to have a whole bunch of people showing up at the hospital at once. You know, Ive been trying to think of a good metaphor for this because this is so counterintuitive. How could something thats milder be as dangerous or more dangerous than what weve already been through? michael barbaro Right. carl zimmer And I think about hurricanes. Imagine that a Category 5 hurricane hits your house one day. It slams your house, and it does a lot of damage, and you lose power, and youre covering for days. And then, somebody comes by and says, hey, did you see the weather forecast? Theres another hurricane coming. And you say, oh, great. And they say, no, no, no, its OK. Its OK. Its just a Category 3 hurricane. And you think, well, I guess Category 3 is better than Category 5. And then, they say, oh, and by the way, there are actually going to be four of them. Omicron is that string of Category 3 hurricanes milder, but potentially just as bad or worse. michael barbaro Right. In that case, mild isnt necessarily all that much better, if 700,000 people a day are getting an infection. carl zimmer Thats right. It could be worse, just because of the sheer number of cases that were seeing. michael barbaro Well be right back. Carl, as Omicron sweeps across the United States and hospitalizations are creeping up, it feels like one area that has stood out is the hospitalization of children. So talk to us about that. Thats a very scary issue, I think, for many of us. carl zimmer So the Center for Disease Control said at the very end of December that 378 children were being admitted to hospitals on average every day. And that is a jump of 66 percent from the week before. So you know, that is a serious thing. But you know, we do also need to put this in some perspective. If you look at people over 70 right now, almost 3,200 people a day in that age group are going into the hospital. So compared to other age groups, this is a very small risk that children are facing overall. But still, when youre looking at a new record for hospitalization of children because of this variant, thats something to sit up and take notice of. michael barbaro Well, Carl, if Omicron is generally milder, why are children going to the hospital in larger numbers? carl zimmer They are just not as vaccinated as older people. If you look at kids between 5 and 11, about a quarter of children have had at least one dose of the vaccine. Theyre not even allowed to have boosters yet. Children under five are not eligible for any vaccine yet. Now, theres no evidence that Omicron is making kids sicker than other variants. Its just a big pool of unvaccinated hosts that it can get into. And so they are just bearing the brunt of this new variant. michael barbaro Carl, when this episode airs, it will be the Monday after, for many people, a long holiday break, which means that a lot of kids are going to be returning to school. And given what you just established about their vulnerability to Omicron, especially young kids, how should parents and schools be thinking about returning kids to the classroom this morning? carl zimmer Well, one thing weve learned from this pandemic is that kids really suffer when you keep them out of school. And we have to do everything we can to keep them in school as much as possible without creating a massive public health crisis. And you know, we are in a very special condition right now. The kids are going to be coming back into school after a holiday break, where maybe a lot of them have spent time with lots of other people. And so they may be showing up with Omicron. Whats going to be the situation with the teachers? If a teacher wakes up with a scratchy throat, tests positive, they cant come into school. And so you could have schools this month where teachers and administrators are just M.I.A. You actually are seeing some schools already acknowledging the gravity of this situation, and saying, OK, well, we will maybe spend the first week or two of school this month virtually, and well see how things go. But there are lots of other things that can be used as well masking, testing, ventilation. There are lots of ways of preventing schools from becoming incubators for Omicron. But yeah, this coming month is going to be a real roller coaster ride for parents, for kids, and for teachers. michael barbaro Hmm. Carl, is there a world in which the Omicron variant, because it is mild and because it moves so fast, ends up infecting lots of people, creating antibodies against Covid, and ultimately protecting lots of people from getting Covid, and perhaps a more severe version of Covid, in the future? carl zimmer This is not really the ideal way to develop immunity to Covid. You know, we could be looking at tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people dying through this Omicron wave. But at the same time, it is fascinating from a sort of scientific perspective to see Omicron showing up in the United States, a country that is dominated by another variant, Delta and Delta causes very severe disease and theyre fighting it out like some sort of cage match between viruses. And scientists have been doing studies on how well youre protected from one variant if you got infected by the other. So if you got infected with Delta, lets say, in the spring, you dont have a whole lot of protection against infection from Omicron. Whats interesting, though, is that when scientists do experiments in labs, using the blood of people whove gotten Omicron, it seems like Omicron infections actually really protect quite well against Delta. So as more people get infected with Omicron, its going to get harder for Delta to find new hosts. And were actually seeing this play out right now. As Omicron cases are shooting up, Delta is actually going down. michael barbaro So Omicron is beating Delta in this cage match of variants? carl zimmer Yeah, Omicron seems to be winning. It seems kind of weird. The milder virus seems to be winning, but thats whats happening. And so would you rather have a country with huge, massive rates of Delta or Omicron? Well, Omicron, of course. Because youre going to have fewer people in the hospital. And also, as people recover mostly from mild Omicron infections, they will have this immunity. And if you add that immunity onto, say, vaccination, youre going to be really strongly protected. So the long-term possibility is that we are looking at Covid-19 eventually, kind of, really going down to substantially lower levels. And as we get more people vaccinated maybe we update vaccines that will help this even more of course, there could always be a new variant. michael barbaro Right. carl zimmer But if you look out over the long term, there is some comfort to be had. michael barbaro Hmm. Omicrons potential silver lining is pushing Delta out, creating antibodies that protect against Delta, and potentially giving lots of people protection against future Covid, and therefore ushering us a little bit closer to the end of the pandemic. carl zimmer Thats a possible outcome. michael barbaro Thats the optimistic Carl. carl zimmer No, no, that is a very plausible take. Its just that lets just not forget the death and the suffering thats going to have to come along until we get there. michael barbaro Well, as we conclude this conversation, Carl, Im curious when Omicron is expected to reach its peak here in the U.S. I know that peak doesnt mean, over. It just means, the height of infection. But when do we think, given the unique and rapid properties of Omicron, that that is likely to happen? carl zimmer It could happen pretty soon. When you look at what happened in South Africa, which is where Omicron had its first big surge, it shot up at a really astonishing pace in just a few weeks, and suddenly started falling back down. And so scientists are doing their best with very complex computer models to try to forecast or at least offer a projection of whats going to happen. And some of those are finding that maybe as soon as January 9, next week, we might reach a peak. I mean, that would be a very high peak, and there will be a lot of shock to the system to deal with. But you know, if it then falls as quickly as what happened in South Africa, then we could be looking at a much better situation by the end of the month. By February, hopefully, we can take that opportunity to get more people vaccinated, to set up systems to get more people medicines that can treat infection in the hospitals. We can be, overall, in a much better place soon. But you know, again, well have to see. michael barbaro Well, Carl, thank you, as always, for your time. We appreciate it. carl zimmer Thank you. archived recording (dr. fauci) One of the things that we hope for is that this thing will peak after a period of a few weeks and turn around. Weve seen that happen in South Africa, where they had a michael barbaro On Sunday, in an interview with ABC News, the Biden administrations top advisor on the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said he was optimistic that Omicron infections would quickly peak. Meanwhile, Fauci acknowledged growing criticism of the C.D.C.s decision to shorten the recommended period of isolation after an infection from 10 to 5 days without requiring a negative test, and said that adding such a testing requirement was now under consideration. archived recording (dr. fauci) The C.D.C. is very well aware that there has been some pushback about that. Looking at it again, there may be an option in that, that testing could be a part of that. And I think were going to be hearing more about that in the next day or so from the C.D.C. michael barbaro A box holding silicone in Emma Hastil and Daniel Kings home office carries a slogan that could be the couples motto. What are you waiting for? the cardboard box asks. Make it now! The silicone lives on a shelving unit packed with supplies lint roller, wood paint, primer, eyedroppers, sandpaper for the couples many creative endeavors. Amid the pandemic, they started an apparel and housewares company called Locus of Occult, which they run out of their two-bedroom apartment in Rockaway Beach, Queens. Below the crowded shelves sit stacks of white T-shirts and five-gallon paint buckets full of Jesmonite, a composite resin they use to make trippy lamps and Memphis-inspired terrazzo bookends. Playfulness and creativity have been part of Ms. Hastil and Mr. Kings relationship since the day they met in this apartment. One afternoon in the summer of 2019, Ms. Hastil, now 30, was at a nearby beach with a friend, and feeling down. Lets go to Dans apartment, she remembered her friend saying. Hell make you feel better. And so here I am automatically checking in on those I follow actual friends and the other kind, the random strangers I track in a way that serves to confirm my long-held suspicion that the eye is the most promiscuous organ. On this particular morning, I thought I might record at random fragments of what I found as I scrolled to use later in reflecting on where my head happened to be on a mild January morning more than 600 days after the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. So it is that I may l look back at Jan. 1 and note that on this day @kingofthefruitflies, a person I do not know but whose followers include the writer Wayne Koestenbaum whom I sort of do has taken a baptismal dip in frigid Lake Huron clad only in gray underpants, his intention to wash away 2021 and receive 2022 cleansed. And I will see that David Carrino, or @carrino.royale a new addition to my feed has deviated from the offbeat beefcake shots he scrounges from the internet slipstream to post a trippy film clip I will Google to identify as Ginger Rogers singing Were in the Money, from Gold Diggers of 1933, though in pig Latin. I will find myself wondering how the actor Michael Shannon came to be sitting shoeless on the performer Casey Spooners kitchen counter in an image taken by the fashion stylist Julie Ragolia; and why another stylist, my diaristic pal @billmulleninc, chose today to deviate from his often splenetic musings to post a moody Robert Mapplethorpe portrait of the actor Frank Langella from the 1980s. And I will question the taste of the my many Instagram friends who liked the work of the prickly patriotic Welsh artist @bedwyr.williams who today has drawn some outlanders taking a New Years dip and accompanied the drawing with a cranky thought bubble. And I will be baffled, as always, by the mysterious mental workings of @rg_bunny1, who has posted another slice of downtown Bohemian arcana that remains one of his enduring fixations. Then, I will fall across a post by Alana Petraske, a lawyer for a nonprofit whom I have never met but whose mother was a colleague of mine for decades, in which she shares a line that I learn is by Hafez: Most speaking really says, I am hungry to know you. And it will suddenly occur to me as I rise to begin another year of social distancing that one could probably say the same of these routine daily acts of scrolling and liking and forwarding and hearting. Guy Trebay The social network has increasingly changed its content policies over past two years as the coronavirus has surged, saying in December 2020 that it would remove posts with claims that had been debunked by the World Health Organization or government agencies. Facebook suspended Ms. Greenes personal Facebook account, where she had published the message about vaccines. The company left her verified government account active. Twitter, which said it had banned Ms. Greenes personal account after she had a fifth strike, also left her government account active. Ms. Greenes post cited misleading information from a government database of unverified raw data called the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, a decades-old system that relies on self-reported cases from patients and health care providers. There is no evidence of widespread major side effects from the coronavirus vaccines apart from a rare blood clotting disorder linked to Johnson & Johnsons vaccine, according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month. There have been at least nine deaths in the United States related to the disorder in the past year, leading the agency to recommend using other approved vaccines instead. The VAERS database, which is managed by the Food and Drug Administration and the C.D.C., has been cited in many coronavirus falsehoods to push the idea that side effects from the coronavirus vaccines have been underreported. An overview of the VAERS database on the F.D.A.s website said that VAERS reports generally cannot be used to determine if a vaccine caused or contributed to an adverse event or illness. Typically, doctors have discretion to use approved medications outside of their recommended uses so a fully approved vaccine like Pfizers could normally be prescribed as doctors see fit. But, in order to receive and administer any Covid-19 vaccines, providers must sign a legal agreement with the C.D.C. meaning that if they break the agencys rules, they risk being kicked out of the vaccination program and could face prosecution. The C.D.C. also previously warned that providers administering unapproved shots may not have protection from patients legal claims if something goes wrong. Legal experts say the government has done little to enforce compliance with regulations and seems unlikely to pursue punishments for most providers. People taking the extra shots are not doing anything illegal. They could face civil lawsuits if vaccine providers decide to go after them for lying, but that is extremely unlikely, according to Govind Persad, an assistant professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. The F.D.A. and C.D.C. did not respond to questions. Getting extra shots seems to have worked for some to a degree. After Ms. Rickss fifth shot, her doctor sent her a note stating that she had developed a moderate antibody response but still not a typical response. She has continued taking extra precautions as if she is unvaccinated. Researchers say some immunocompromised people depending on their condition and the medications they take may never generate an immune system response, no matter how many shots they receive. Doctors and advocates for the extra doses say the United States has a surplus of vaccines, so the alternative is often letting them go to waste. MANZINI - On the first day of the year at Mbhuleni, a three-year-old died allegedly due to rape injuries complications. It was gathered that the minor died supposedly from injury complications sustained in a sexual violation allegedly inflicted by her father. The minor died at about 3am on Saturday while in the company of her mother. Upon realising that her child was not responsive, the mother was said to have requested her brother - Sifiso Zwane to accompany her to the community police at Mbhuleni. It was gathered that they received help from a community police member who offered transport to ferry the child to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, it was gathered that the minor was certified dead by a doctor. Leading to the minors demise, her uncle, Zwane, said his niece was allegedly raped by her father at Mbhuleni in Matsapha on December 16, 2021. The mother, (*Samu), was said to have made the discovery on the day of the incident upon return from work. In his narration, Zwane said Samu informed him that she found her child unwell after she was allegedly raped by her boyfriend (toddlers father). Zwane said Samu had claimed that the deceaseds father had sexually violated the minor in order to spite her (mother). She went to the daycare centre that they usually left their child at and gathered that she (minor) had been fetched by her father who (allegedly) raped her, Zwane said. Following the submissions by Samu, he claimed to have asked if she had reported the matter to the police, to which she responded to the affirmative. He said his sister had claimed to have gone to the hospital for a report after recording a statement with the police. Zwane said his sister had insinuated that she was intimidated by a group of men while in hospital. Threatened These men, Samu supposed, were friends with the father of her child. According to Zwane, the mother of the minor said the men had threatened her. He said following the threats, Samu feared for her life and started to isolate herself. This, Zwane said, resulted in her not following up on the matter with the police while it also limited the medical attention accorded to the minor as the medication was bought at pharmacies. Also, the uncle said Samu purportedly discovered that a police report into the investigation of the childs rape had gone missing and she feared for her life because there were threats against her. Dumisa Zwane, a community police members at Kwaluseni, confirmed that the child was transported to hospital by him. He said she was certified dead and they were waiting to accompany the family to hospital on Wednesday for a post-mortem following the allegations that she was raped. He said the challenge was that the doctor yesterday informed them that the child died from rape complications. On another note, a mother of a seven-year-old child with a disability left him alone in her house on New Years Eve. There are claims that she informed community police members at Mbhuleni that she had gone to see her boyfriend. According to a close family member, the mother of the child left without informing anyone that she would not be available to take care of her son until her return yesterday. We only noticed later in the night that the child was alone in the house and this shocked us, the source said. The source further shared that the community police were notified about the mothers disappearance and they searched for her the entire weekend until she came back home yesterday. Community police member Makhosini Msweli confirmed that the mother of the minor had left her child alone in her house. Msweli said upon her return, the mothers family and the community police of the area engaged her. We advised and warned her against leaving her child alone. The consensus was that she would be reported to the police if she ever left her child alone again, Msweli said. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said the rape case was reported. She said if there were challenges or dissatisfaction in the manner the matter was being dealt with, the family could approach the station commander. Regarding the mother who abandoned her child who has a disability, Vilakati said the matter was not in their records. However, it was possible that it was reported, but not recorded at the time. ATLANTA Days after announcing that classes for K-12 students would be held in person after the holiday break, officials with Atlanta Public Schools reversed their decision, saying on Saturday that classes would be online only during the first week of the year. The decision came after further review of district and community Covid-19 data, a statement from the district said. Nearby Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton and Rockdale Counties have also pushed back the return to in-person classes because of high infection rates in those areas. On Friday, the Georgia Department of Health reported more than 24,000 cases of Covid-19 in the state. As of Sunday, the state had a seven-day average of 14,343 cases per day, according to a New York Times database. That is a spike of more than 700 percent over two weeks. WASHINGTON The federal government released new recommendations last month for unvaccinated students exposed to the coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said those students could remain in school, as long as they are tested for the virus twice in the week after exposure and both tests come back negative. The latest guidance, known as the test-to-stay protocol, aims to minimize disruptions to learning as two highly contagious variants of the virus, Delta and Omicron, spread across the country, causing some school closures and threatening to upend the strategies that federal and state officials adopted to return to in-person classes in the fall. Although some schools and districts are already using the test-to-stay approach, the C.D.C. had not previously endorsed it, citing a lack of evidence. Last month, the agency released studies from two counties, one in California and the other in Illinois, that effectively tested the protocol and found that it worked. The studies were conducted before the fast-moving Omicron variant began spreading in the United States. Scientists are still investigating many basic questions about the variant, including whether it increases the risk of in-school transmission. WASHINGTON Democrats plan to intensify their push to enact new voting rights protections in the coming days, hoping to persuade holdouts in their ranks to embrace fundamental changes to Senate rules that would allow them to force through the stalled measures over Republican opposition. In a letter to his colleagues on Monday, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, pointed to two emotionally charged observances this month to make his case that action on the issue could not wait. He argued that the approaching first anniversary of the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol by rioters seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election reinforced the need for new legislation to offset voting restrictions being imposed by Republicans in states around the country. And Mr. Schumer said that Democrats would give Republicans until the Jan. 17 observance of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to drop their opposition to debate and votes on the issue, or face the prospect of overhauling Senate filibuster rules that allow the minority to thwart legislation that has majority support. Make no mistake about it, Mr. Schumer wrote, this week Senate Democrats will make clear that what happened on Jan. 6 and the one-sided, partisan actions being taken by Republican-led state legislatures across the country are directly linked, and we can and must take strong action to stop this antidemocratic march. WASHINGTON Before Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh joined the Supreme Court, he served on a federal appeals court for more than a decade. In a memorable 2013 dissent, he reflected on the obligations of lower courts in the judicial hierarchy. It is essential that we follow both the words and the music of Supreme Court opinions, he wrote, meaning that judges on lower courts must follow not only the letter but also the logic of Supreme Court precedents. The Georgia Supreme Court took a different approach in a recent death penalty case, as a candid concurring opinion acknowledged. The reasoning of the United States Supreme Courts decisions does not bind lower courts, Justice David E. Nahmias wrote in June, speaking for three members of his court. Only the holdings govern. This was particularly true, he wrote, in cases concerning the Eighth Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment. Whether given punishments are constitutional, the Supreme Court has said, must be judged against the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society. Former President Donald J. Trump endorsed Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, on Monday, formally pledging his complete support to a far-right foreign leader who has touted turning his country into an illiberal state. Mr. Orban and his party have steadily consolidated power in Hungary by weakening the countrys independent and democratic institutions rewriting election laws to favor his Fidesz party, changing school textbooks, curbing press freedoms, overhauling the Constitution and changing the composition of the judiciary. The actions have caused consternation in the European Union, to which Hungary belongs, but also made Mr. Orban something of a cause celebre in conservative American political circles, following years of an aggressive influence operation to bolster his image in the United States. Last fall, Tucker Carlson, the top-rated Fox News host, broadcast from Budapest for a week, calling the nation a place with a lot of lessons for the rest of us. Former Vice President Mike Pence visited Hungary last year for a conference on conservative values. And the American Conservative Union has been promoting plans for a gathering there, dubbed #CPACHungary, later this year. WASHINGTON Local officials in the nations capital on Monday pushed back the reopening of public schools by a day because of a snowstorm. Covid-19 tests will now be available for pick-up on Tuesday and Wednesday, they said, and schools in the district will instead reopen in person on Thursday. City and school officials announced at the end of December that all students and staff would be required to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test result before returning to school. While schools will start in person, its possible that classrooms will have to switch to virtual learning in the coming weeks. The health and safety of our community remain paramount as we prepare to welcome students and staff back to our schools, said Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee in a statement. Covid cases in the district have increased 485 percent in the past two weeks, according to The New York Timess tracker, with an average rate of 2,103 cases per day. Hospitalizations have increased 60 percent during the same time period. Mayor Breed was blunt in describing the city. She spoke about mass looting and of the citys nasty streets strewn with trash, urine and feces. Do you agree with her assessment? Totally and completely accurate. And descriptive. And believable. She wasnt trying to be political. I think she was describing what she saw. Very bold. Its grandmotherish. Will the state of emergency in the Tenderloin work? Only if she can get the rest of the city to buy in. The city unfortunately is not run by the mayor. We are now plagued with the politics of districts that have no interest in anything except their little turf. You have often spoken about how much lies beyond a citys control. If you go back to 1997, I scheduled a homeless summit. I canceled it just before I was to do it because I concluded that there was no possible way for any one single city or county to solve the homeless problem. I am still of that opinion. They can address it, they can impact it, but they cant solve it. It is too rooted in poverty and mental health. San Francisco has played an outsize role in California politics. The states leaders have come from San Francisco in disproportionate numbers. Do you see San Francisco keeping this role? No, I do not. We have no bench. We have not attempted to build a roster of new, talented people. Do I hear you saying that San Francisco is no longer at the vanguard of liberal ideas for the country? No, we still have all kinds of people with ideas. But we have nobody on the bench capable of implementing them. Richard Leakey, the Kenyan paleoanthropologist and fossil hunter whose discoveries of ancient human skulls and skeletons helped cement Africas place as the cradle of humanity, died on Sunday in Kenya. He was 77. President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya announced the death in a statement but did not specify a cause. Mr. Leakey died at his home outside Nairobi, said Prof. Lawrence Martin, director of the Turkana Basin Institute at Stony Brook University on Long Island; Mr. Leakey was its founder. Mr. Leakeys parents, Louis and Mary Leakey, were towering figures in paleontology, but Richard was initially determined to steer clear of his parents field, finding work instead as a safari guide, before eventually, and perhaps inevitably, succumbing to fossil fever. A turning point came on a flight in 1967, when he looked down over the rocky shores of Lake Turkana in Kenya and had, by his account, a feeling that the area could yield a trove of fossils. He was right. CAPE TOWN A fire that ripped through South Africas Houses of Parliament on Sunday flared up again on Monday afternoon, fire officials said. The cause of the fire was being investigated, and a man who is in police custody in connection with the blaze is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, officials said. The speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, said in an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation on Monday that she did not believe the fire was an accident because it burned in two distinct areas of the complex. I dont think that it is just a mere accident that would cause devastation of this magnitude, said Ms. Mapisa-Nqakula. Parliament is an epitome of our democracy, she added, saying an attack on the institution is an attack on our democracy. NAIROBI, Kenya The military in Sudan is in control once again, jeopardizing the countrys already fragile hopes of a successful transition to democracy. With the resignation of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on Sunday night, Sudan has no civilian government to help steer a country that was just emerging from a dictatorship that lasted three decades. There are now fears of an escalation in the confrontations between protesters and security forces that have gripped the capital, Khartoum, and beyond in recent weeks, resulting in the deaths of at least 57 people, a doctors group said. A vast country of about 43 million people in the northeast of Africa, Sudan has neither the political structures nor the independent political bodies in place to legitimately appoint a new prime minister, analysts said, dampening further the countrys hopes of exchanging a military dictatorship for democratic rule. RIO DE JANEIRO President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil was flown to Sao Paulo on Monday and hospitalized for treatment of a stomach obstruction after experiencing discomfort while on vacation in the southern state of Santa Catarina, his office and a hospital said. He was admitted to Vila Nova Star hospital, where he was undergoing exams under the care of Dr. Antonio Luiz Macedo, the surgeon who treated Mr. Bolsonaro after he was stabbed in 2018 while campaigning for president. Mr. Bolsonaro is in stable condition, the hospital said, adding that five doctors were overseeing his care. In a post on Twitter, Mr. Bolsonaro said he started feeling poorly after lunch on Sunday. After arriving at the hospital at 3 a.m., he wrote, he was administered a nasogastric tube, which can be used to drain fluid from the stomach of a patient with an intestinal obstruction. The president, who included a photo from the hospital in the tweet, said that more exams would be conducted to determine whether surgery was necessary. Hiba Beg, a graduate student in the United States, was visiting the grave of her grandmother in New Delhi over the weekend when she learned that she was for sale to the highest bidder online for a second time in less than a year. Her screen filled with dozens of calls and messages from friends, all sharing the same screenshot of the profile created of her on the app, a fake auction site called Bulli Bai. Ms. Beg, a former journalist with an active online presence, wasnt alone. More than 100 other prominent Indian Muslim women, including artists, journalists, activists and lawyers, found that online images of themselves were being used without permission on the app, which went up on Saturday and was taken down again within about 24 hours. In June a similar app, called Sulli Deals, appeared. (Both terms are derogatory slang for Muslim women.) That one remained up for weeks and was taken down only after complaints from victims. Though the police opened an investigation, no one has been charged in that case. Indias online space is rife with misogyny and harassment of women. But the two auctions have amplified concern about the organized nature of the virtual bullying, and how targeted smears and threats of violence, particularly sexual violence, are deployed to try to silence women, especially those critical of some of Prime Minister Narendra Modis policies. DUBLIN A survivor of a balcony collapse that killed six students in Berkeley, Calif., in 2015 has died in a hospital in her native Dublin, her family said Monday. She was 27. The woman, Aoife Beary, died peacefully after a brave battle with her injuries sustained in the Berkeley balcony collapse in California her family said in a death notice posted online. The Irish Times reported that Ms. Beary died in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, having suffered a stroke the previous week. Ms. Beary was celebrating her 21st birthday with a group of friends on June 16, 2015, when the balcony of their rented fifth-floor apartment near the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, sheared off. Six students were killed after falling 40 feet to the ground, and seven others, including Ms. Beary, were left with serious and life-changing injuries. Most of the victims were Dublin college students who had just arrived to spend a summer in the Bay Area on three-month work visas. The victims who died were five Irish students Eimear Walsh, Lorcan Miller, Niccolai Schuster, Eoghan Culligan, and Olivia Burke and a young American woman, Ashley Donohoe, Ms. Burkes cousin. BRUSSELS After long indulging him, leaders in the European Union now widely consider Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary an existential threat to a bloc that holds itself up as a model of human rights and the rule of law. Mr. Orban has spent the past decade steadily building his illiberal state, as he proudly calls Hungary, with the help of lavish E.U. funding. Even as his project widened fissures in the bloc, which Hungary joined in 2004, his fellow national leaders mostly looked the other way, committed to staying out of one anothers affairs. But now Mr. Orbans defiance and intransigence has had an important, if unintended, effect: serving as a catalyst for an often-sluggish European Union system to act to safeguard the democratic principles that are the foundation of the bloc. Early this year, the European Court of Justice will issue a landmark decision on whether the union has the authority to make its funds to member states conditional on meeting the blocs core values. Doing so would allow Brussels to deny billions of euros to countries that violate those values. A series of what he has described as online and in-person consultations with citizens over constitutional amendments, scheduled to begin this month, faces doubts over transparency and security. Members of a commission assigned to draft a new constitution have not been appointed. The government has yet to start logistical preparations for, or budget for, the constitutional referendum set for July 25. Parliament remains suspended. The authorities have targeted some of Mr. Saieds critics, prosecuting or detaining several opposition politicians and businesspeople. They have also shuttered opposition news media outlets over what the government said was licensing issues. On Friday, Tunisian security officers seized and detained Noureddine Bhairi, the deputy chairman of Ennahda, the Islamist political party that once dominated Parliament and has called Mr. Saieds July actions a coup. Ennahda officials said Sunday that Mr. Bhairi had still not been located, and that his health condition was deteriorating. In a letter to Mr. Saied, Rachid Ghannouchi, the partys leader, called on the president to release him or, failing that, to allow a medical and human rights team to visit him. I very much doubt that the I.M.F. can put a program together as long as there is so much political uncertainty, Ishac Diwan, an economics professor specializing in the Arab world at Paris Sciences et Lettres, said in an email. And conversely, a poorly cooked program with harsh austerity will hurt the ongoing (and very important) political process. In other words, Tunisians feeling their wallets empty out may not stand for Mr. Saieds plans for much longer. But despite eroding support from political parties and unions that once backed him, Mr. Saied still enjoys remarkable support across the country. Republicans and Democrats are increasingly alienated from each other, rhetorically and geographically. How did we end up with such a segregated political landscape? Residents of Gillette, Wyo., where about nine out of 10 voters are Republicans, might have been equally shocked by President Bidens victory. The film critic Pauline Kael once said that she lived in a rather special world because she only knew one person who voted for Richard Nixon. People in the Bay Area, the countrys most Democratic metropolitan enclave, may have felt similarly after Donald Trump won in 2016. Not everyones as politically isolated as you. There's a zip code five miles away with a roughly equal mix of Democrats and Republicans. You live in a Democratic bubble. Only 9 percent of your neighbors are Republicans. Enter your address to see the political party of the thousand voters closest to you. More than half of Republicans believe that last years election was stolen from Donald Trump. Rather than reject claims of election fraud, Republican lawmakers have used the premise that the election was stolen to justify restrictions on voting. Mr. Trump most likely deserves much of the blame for the widespread belief among Republicans that the election was illegitimate. But theres another reason so many Republicans might not believe that Joe Biden won: They dont live near people who voted for him. Surveys have shown that Americans animosity toward the opposing political party is higher than it has been in decades. At the same time, weve found that geographic political segregation has increased over the past 10 years. Could the two trends be connected? Its a lot easier to demonize people on the other end of the political spectrum if you dont personally know many of them, said Richard D. Kahlenberg, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation. Thats not a healthy situation for the country. Earlier this year, we published a study that measured how politically isolated Democrats and Republicans have become. Starting with a dataset containing the address of nearly every registered voter in the United States, we estimated each voters political affiliation based on which party the voter registered with, demographics and election results. We used that data to create the maps here. We measured political isolation by looking at each voters thousand closest neighbors. For about one in five Republicans, and two in five Democrats, less than a quarter of their neighbors belong to the opposite political party. represents one out of 100 Democrats Each 0 25 50 75 100% of neighbors are Republicans 38% of Democrats live in a bubble represents one out of 100 Republicans Each 100% of neighbors are Democrats 0 25 50 75 19% of Republicans live in a bubble Each represents one out of 100 Democrats 0 25 50 75 100% of neighbors are Republicans 38% of Democrats live in a bubble Each represents one out of 100 Republicans 100% of neighbors are Democrats 75 50 25 0 19% of Republicans live in a bubble This years violence at the Capitol is a frightening harbinger of the future of American democracy if our political parties grow more estranged. Is it too late to pop our political bubbles? In many places, political segregation overlaps with racial segregation. People of color, who tend to identify as Democrats, live in densely populated urban communities. Republicans, who are mostly white, are spread out across exurbs and rural areas. Our data reveals the racial and political segregation that exists even within cities. In Mobile, Ala., for example, Black Democrats live along the water, while white Republicans are bunched up farther inland. This division has existed for more than a century, in part because of the governments racist housing policies. White Republicans Mobile Many Black neighborhoods were deemed hazardous by the government in 1937. White Republicans Mobile Many Black neighborhoods in Mobile were deemed hazardous by the government in 1937. White Republicans Mobile Many Black neighborhoods in Mobile were deemed hazardous by the government in 1937. In 1937, the federal Home Owners Loan Corporation made a map of Mobile for the real estate industry to use when assessing an areas risk level. Across the board, Mobiles Black neighborhoods were shaded in red and rated as hazardous, making it more difficult for residents to get loans or build enough wealth through homeownership to move elsewhere. Today, redlining lives on under the guise of single-family zoning laws. By banning multifamily housing units, many communities have essentially locked out people of color who have less wealth and cant afford single-family homes higher down payments. But even if racial segregation disappeared overnight, theres evidence to suggest that people would still be sorted into red or blue communities. Take Cedar Grove, N.J., and its neighbor to the east, Upper Montclair. About four out of five residents in both areas identify as white. Politically, though, the two New Jersey suburbs are worlds apart. Last year, Donald Trump won Cedar Grove by a margin of seven percentage points. In Montclair, President Biden won by 78 percentage points. Cedar Grove Upper Montclair Montclair LAKE ERIE Cedar Grove Upper Montclair Montclair LAKE ERIE Cedar Grove Upper Montclair Montclair While Cedar Grove and Upper Montclair are predominantly white, they differ in key ways that most likely correlate with their politics. The median household income in Upper Montclair is almost twice that of Cedar Groves. Theres a cultural difference as well, as Montclair is home to a sizable contingent of journalists who work in Manhattan. People arent choosing to live near neighbors who share their party affiliation said Alan Abramowitz, a professor of political science at Emory University. Theyre segregating based on lifestyle choices. The alignment of lifestyle and politics reflects the sorting of Democrats and Republicans by income and education, in addition to race. While members of both parties want to live in neighborhoods with good schools and low crime, they disagree about the importance of certain religious and cultural amenities. Democrats, surveys have shown, are more likely than Republicans to prioritize walkable neighborhoods with good public transit. Republicans, on the other hand, prize neighborhoods with more Christians and larger houses. If Mr. Biden is interested in a return to comity between Democrats and Republicans, he stands little chance of undoing the decades-in-the-making constellation of who we vote for and whether we want to live near a Whole Foods or Cracker Barrel. But the president can make it easier for people of color to move to the suburbs, in part by reforming discriminatory zoning policies. And he has good reason to make integration a priority: Democrats geographic isolation has cost the party political power. Because Democrats are clumped together in cities, Republicans have been able to redraw congressional district boundaries so that, in some states, the share of House seats that Democrats control is much smaller than Democrats overall share of votes. Take Ohio, where Mr. Biden won 45 percent of the vote but Democrats only control four of the states 16 congressional seats. The states 11th Congressional District, a Democratic stronghold that includes much of Cleveland, is a case study in how political segregation has led to disproportionate representation. During the 2011 redistricting process, Republicans extended the districts boundaries to include the city of Akron, another Democratic bastion. LAKE ERIE Cleveland Ohios 11th district Akron LAKE ERIE Cleveland Ohios 11th district Akron LAKE ERIE Cleveland Ohios 11th district Akron Republicans were able to lasso most of northeastern Ohios Democratic voters into a single district because those voters were clustered together in cities. By doing so, Republicans removed Democratic voters from nearby districts, making it more likely that their own party would win those seats. As states begin the redistricting process this year, Democratic leaders will be focused on striking down unfair boundaries drawn by Republican legislatures. Hours after the Census Bureau released state apportionment numbers last week, a Democratic redistricting group filed lawsuits to throw out maps in Louisiana, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. But for a more durable solution, President Biden should dismantle zoning laws that have kept Democrats and Republicans apart in the first place. Middle-income Democrats who cant afford a single-family home should still be able to raise their children in a duplex with a front yard. And young, lower-income Republicans shouldnt be priced out of the cultural amenities that city life provides. By making it easier for Democrats and Republicans to live side by side, President Biden might also restore some of our trust in one another. Our democracy only stands to benefit. Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the location of Ohio's 11th Congressional District. It is in northeastern Ohio, not northwestern Ohio. An earlier version of an interactive element with this article misstated a voter registration requirement in some states. When registering to vote, residents of some states may provide a political party affiliation; they are not required to provide an affiliation. Also, Maryland residents who register to vote may provide a party affiliation. Photo illustation by Braulio Amado Talk An Evangelical Climate Scientist Wonders What Went Wrong Such is the grimly politicized state of science these days that the descriptors typically used to explain who Katharine Hayhoe is evangelical Christian; climate scientist can register as somehow paradoxical. Despite that (or, indeed, because of it), Hayhoe, who is 49 and whose most recent book is Saving Us: A Climate Scientists Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, has become a sought-after voice for climate activism and a leading advocate for communicating across ideological, political and theological differences. For many people now, hope is a bad word, says Hayhoe, the chief scientist for the Nature Conservancy as well as a professor of political science at Texas Tech. They think that hope is false hope; it is wishful thinking. But there are things to do and we should be doing them. Where, if any, are there areas where you see a conflict between scientific consensus and your religious beliefs? The biggest struggle I have is that in the Bible, Jesus says to his disciples, You should be recognized as my disciples by your love for others, and today when you look at people who self-identify as Christians in the United States, love for others is not one of the top characteristics you see. Christianity is much more closely linked with political ideology and identity, with judgmentalism, partisanship, science denial, rejection of responsibility for the poorest and most vulnerable who we, as Christians, are to care for. You know, there was a really interesting recent article about the landscape of evangelicalism in the United States, and it said that about 10 years ago if you asked people, Do you consider yourself to be evangelical? and they said yes, and then you asked, Do you go to church? about 30 percent would say no. But nowadays something like 40 percent of people who self-identify as evangelicals dont go to church. They go to the church of Facebook or Fox News or whatever media outlet they get their information from. So their statement of faith is written primarily by political ideology and only a distant second by theology. Katharine Hayhoe in the PBS series The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers in 2011. GBH Archives I wonder if, at least insofar as climate-change skepticism goes, thats too easy of an explanation. Because if we think of an evangelical Christian as someone who believes that God gave man dominion over the Earth, that God and not humanity is going to decide when our world ends, and add to that, as you wrote in A Climate for Change, As Christians, were naturally suspicious of people who believe differently from us doesnt that seem like a recipe for a climate-change skeptic even before you add in political ideology? What you described is sort of the chicken and the egg. So, Mark Noll is a historian at Notre Dame. He wrote a book in 1994 called The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. In it he tracked how the political evolution of the United States directly related to how people viewed religion from an increasingly nationalistic and individualistic perspective, an increasing rejection of authority. Nolls book, even though it was written so long ago, shows how the land had already been cleared, tilled and sowed for when the Moral Majority came along in the 1980s. They took advantage of those fertile fields to deliberately politicize religion in America. They couldnt have succeeded if it wasnt for this trend over the last hundred years to conflate individualism and American culture with theology. Doesnt the argument that the evangelical church has been so totally co-opted by political ideology imply a sort of dim view of its followers ability to think critically for themselves? Oh, totally. There was an article in The Atlantic by Peter Wehner that had a good comment from Alan Jacobs, a Baylor professor. He said churches are not catechizing. People might show up for one hour on a Sunday morning, and half of that is singing, and theres some entertaining talking because they want to keep people coming in the door because thats how you fill the coffers. Churches are not teaching and people are spending hours and hours on cultural and political content and that is what is informing our beliefs. You talk a lot about the importance of trying to communicate with people outside of our respective bubbles. You do that out of necessity because youre doing the work you do while living in an conservative part of a conservative-leaning state. Where might cross-ideological conversations, particularly about climate change, happen for people who arent in a similar situation? So heres the interesting thing: Your question contains a misconception. The misconception is that climate action isnt occurring because of the people who arent on board with it. The reality is that more than 70 percent of people in the U.S. are already worried about climate change, and about 35 percent of those are really worried. So the biggest problem is not the people who arent on board; the biggest problem is the people who dont know what to do. And if we dont know what to do, we do nothing. Just start by doing something, anything, and then talk about it! Talk about how it matters to your family, your home, your city, the activity that you love. Connect the dots to your heart so you dont see climate change as a separate bucket but rather as a hole in the bucket of every other thing that you already care about in your life. Talk about what positive, constructive actions look like that you can engage in individually, as a family, as an organization, a school, a place of work. Add your hand to that giant boulder. Get it rolling down the hill just a little faster. Even if we live in a progressive bubble, most of the people are not activated, and we activate them by using our voice. Is not knowing what to do still a viable excuse for anyone? Theres supporting politicians who have strong environmental platforms. Theres eating less meat. Theres pursuing green energy options. Isnt it easy to figure out things to do? It is, but were so individualistic that it affects our perspective on climate solutions. We think its all about us and then were racked with guilt over the bottle that we didnt recycle or the hamburger that we ate. You could feel like youre doing everything possible to cut your personal footprint, and that would be a tiny fraction of the solution. When we realize that as individuals we cant fix it, thats where despair comes in. And if we dont realize that we have a shadow, not just a footprint, we feel like theres nothing that we can do because all we see is companies squabbling and avoiding action and the government in deadlock. I mean, I get discouraged and depressed reading about that stuff. Thats why we need to make people aware that, yes, our personal actions do matter but they matter because they can change others. When we take that extra step of saying: Hey, I tried a Beyond Meat burger, and it was delicious. Lets go to this place for lunch and give it a try together. Or: I reduced my food waste. Have we thought about composting in our cafeteria? If you take those kinds of actions, all of a sudden youve got 30, 50, 100 more people whose hands are on the boulder beside you, and you realize, hey, we might have a shot at fixing this. Hayhoe with President Barack Obama and Leonardo DiCaprio at the South by South Lawn event at the White House in 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters How do you see rational thinking and emotionally driven behavior as working together or not in this context? That is something that I have thought about but nobody has ever asked me before. I think its Jonathan Haidt who says that we think that people use information to make up their minds but they dont. People use what Haidt calls our moral judgment. We use moral judgment to make up our minds and then use our brains to find reasons that explain why were right. Theres no way to separate the emotional from the logical. We think its possible to convince people to act rationally in their best interests: Well, look at people who, as they are dying, are rejecting the fact that they have Covid. Look at people who are still rejecting simple things like taking a vaccine and wearing masks. We are primarily emotional, and emotions are engaged deeply with climate change because it brings up the most profound sense of loss: People on the right, for example, deeply fear losing their liberties because of climate solutions. So what we need to do is to show everyone how climate solutions are not only not incompatible with who they are but help more genuinely express who they are and what we care about; make us an even more-genuine advocate for national security, an even stronger supporter of the free market, an even more independent person or, in my case, a more genuine expression of my faith. Does our current situation ever make you doubt? It does not make me doubt the existence or the goodness of God. It makes me doubt Gods ability to act in people who call themselves his followers. I had an interesting experience a few years ago: I was visiting a university, as I often do, doing a luncheon event with a group of early-career women. One of the administrators stuck their head in and said the dean wants to talk to Katharine. They ushered everybody out and then the dean came and sat down and said, I used to be an evangelical. So I asked the obvious question: Why are you no longer? He said: It wasnt because I doubted the existence of God. Its because I couldnt see any evidence of God working in people. I saw person after person who claimed that they took the Bible seriously, they were Christian Im paraphrasing and all I saw was the opposite of love. It got to the point where I couldnt see any evidence of God working in people. Thats what Ive struggled with, too. What breaks my heart is the attacks I get from people who identify as Christians. When someone on Twitter has just called me a whore and I go to their profile and it says something about loving others and so blessed it makes me feel so discouraged. Im thinking, God, what are you doing? How do you understand it? When that happens, almost always within a day or two or sometimes even within an hour, I hear from somebody who is expressing love and joy and peace and patience and kindness the fruits of the spirit and who encourages me again. Part of the active hope is recognizing that there are people out there who are motivated from the heart, who are expressing love for others. Some of them call themselves Christians and some of them dont, but those expressions restore your faith in the goodness of people, in the goodness of creation and, ultimately, the goodness of God. But, yes, I certainly have moments when I just say, God, where are you? This interview has been edited and condensed from two conversations. Opening illustration: Source photograph by Deirdre Carmichael, via Katharine Hayhoe David Marchese is a staff writer for the magazine and the columnist for Talk. Recently he interviewed Brian Cox about the filthy rich, Dr. Becky about the ultimate goal of parenting and Tiffany Haddish about Gods sense of humor. Stillwater, OK (74078) Today Showers and thunderstorms - possibly severe during the afternoon hours. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High 82F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some strong early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low around 45F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%. The Saudi Ministry of Health in cooperation with the National Center for Privatization & Public-private partnership (NCP), has sought expressions of interest (EOI) for the development of two key medical cities in the kingdom. The King Faisal Medical City (KFMC) will come up in Asir region, while the Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz Medical City (PMMC) will be located at Sakaka in the Al-Jouf region. The projects are being tendered as a PPP under a model of Design, Build, Finance, Operate (with no clinical operations), Maintenance and Transfer. The health ministry, supported by NCP, has completed all required studies and legal work for KFMC which will have a bed capacity of 1,024 serving southern regions, and PMMC which will have a bed capacity of 442 beds serving northern regions. According to MOH, the winning private bidder will be responsible for completing the construction of the medical cities with an innovative design aimed at providing health services on global standards. The deadline for submitting the EOIs has been set at January 10. A 37-year-old man from Henan Province, in Eastern China, recently found his biological mother 33-years after being abducted, thanks to a map of his home village that he drew from memory. Li Jingwei was only four years old when he was abducted outside his family home in Yunan and sold to another family thousands of kilometers away. It was a neighbor who lured him with a toy and then drove him 2,000 kilometers to Henan Province, where he sold him to a family that raised him as his own. Its unclear if he ever tried to run away, but what is known is that he spent many nights remembering what his parents and his home looked like, which ended up helping him reunite with his mother 33 years after his abduction. Li used his childhood memories to draw a crude yet detailed map of his home village and then turned to social media for help, asking people where they thought it could be. Photo: Christian Lue/Unsplash Recalling the appearance of my parents and what it was like around my home was a routine for me for a long period in my life, Li Jingwei told reporters, adding that he could never remember the name of his village. Li said that it took time to get used to his new family and that it hurt whenever he read articles about family gatherings, but as he grew up, he started focusing on things like school, then work and getting married, and starting his own family. But he never forgot about his real parents. Inspired by other high-profile cases of people who were reunited with their families decades after being abducted, Li Jingwei decided it was time to focus more on his own efforts to find his parents. He realized his own parents were getting older and that he probably didnt have that much time left to reconnect with them. When I saw the story of Guo Gangtang, I thought to myself, I should try to find my biological parents I wanted to see them when they are still alive, Li told Henan Television. I realized I could not wait any longer because my parents should be getting older now. I worried that when I figured out where I am from, they might have passed away. But how does one find the family he lost over three decades before? Well, in Li Jingweis case, he started by providing a blood sample to the police and then digging deep into his memory clues about the village he was born in. He ended up drawing crude maps by hand, which he then posted online, asking people if they recognized the layout and where this place might be located. Lis maps went viral, as people learned his story and expressed their amazement at how detailed his drawings were. They included the design of the houses as he remembered them, and even big wooden buckets in which people cooked rice. As information came in from netizens, police were able to narrow down the search to a mountainous village in Yunnan Province called Zhaotong. Local authorities provided information about a local woman who had lost her son around the same time that Li Jingwei was captured, and a DNA test proved that she was indeed his mother. They were scheduled to meet in person on January 1st, but unfortunately, Li was unable to see his real father again, as he passed away some years ago. Li Jingwei did not tell Chinese media what he hoped would happen to the family who raised him, but, as of late, abducted children have been reluctant to prosecute the parents who raised them, because they had a good relationship with them. Illinois Needs Outreach for Mental Health Parity Law Mon., Apr. 25, 2022 The Illinois Dept. of Insurance has issued an RFP to educate residents of their rights under the states mental health parity law. It has budgeted $1.2M for a Housing charity Peter McVerry Trust is looking for derelict properties across the country to transform and help alleviate Ireland's homeless problem. The charity is working with a number of local authorities in the country and is now looking to source more suitable properties in towns and villages across the country. The are particularly looking for derelict buildings in town centre locations which they can transform into social housing. The Peter McVerry Trust has urged owners of derelict commercial or residential buildings to contact them The national housing and homeless charity is involved in delivering social housing in a number of counties including Tipperary and Mayo. Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said We are delighted to be able to help meet the housing needs of people impacted by homelessness in Co Tipperary. We have been working closely with the council to understand the need that exists locally and how best we can be of support to people in the county. We are now working on developing housing pathways to ensure people can exit hostels and B&Bs and get the wraparound supports they need once housed". We are working to turn vacant properties in towns and cities across Ireland into social housing through the Repair and Leasing scheme. If you own a vacant property and would like to work with us, please get in touch, emptyhomes@pmvtrust.ie pic.twitter.com/DLHG14Jdkd Peter McVerry Trust (@PMVTrust) December 26, 2021 Mr Doyle says the charity is already working on providing housing units in the county: "In partnership with Tipperary County Council, we have secured our first project in the county which consists of four one-bedroom units in Cashel. Given that one-bedroom homes are the type that are most needed and yet the hardest to come by, our focus on one-bedroom units will allow us to help move single people and couples out of homelessness and help vital projects such as Housing First. We are now working on progressing other opportunities in Tipperary. "We are looking at any possible opportunities to grow the number of homes we can provide, particularly the number of one-bedroom homes. This includes long-term vacant buildings, commercial properties that can be converted to residential, or vacant sites with planning permission. "Wed encourage anyone that has a property, which would be suitable for social housing, to contact us so that we can secure more housing options to help tackle homelessness," Mr Doyle said. The homeless charity recently worked on a family home just outside Castlebar in Mayo, which saw a long-term vacant house brought back into use. The charity is also working on 13 units located in Ballina town centre. After an end to the year that saw temperatures in the mid teens, the weather is set to change this week with snow, sleet and hail in Met Eireann forecast with temperatures also set to drop. According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland, temperatures are set to drop below freezing at night time as the week progresses with falls of sleet, snow and hail possible. According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland, Monday will be breezy with outbreaks of rain developing across north Ulster this morning, gradually pushing south across Ulster and Connacht today. Elsewhere, there will be a mix of bright spells and scattered showers. Maximum afternoon temperatures generally ranging 7 to 10 degrees but turning colder across north Ulster by late afternoon. Fresh and gusty southwest winds will veer northerly in northern counties during the afternoon. During Monday evening and early ton Monday night, showery rain will continue to push south over the country whilst clearer and much colder conditions extend across northern counties as the rain clears. Falls of sleet and hill snow are possible for a short time across parts of south Leinster and east Munster. A cold night with frost and patches of ice forming in some areas with lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees. According to Met Eireann, Tuesday will be a cold and bright day with frost clearing in the morning. There will be long sunny spells and just a few rain or hail showers pushing in across east Ulster. Maximum temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in moderate northwest breezes. Tuesday night will be dry with mostly clear skies. Lowest temperatures of minus 2 to plus 2 degrees with a widespread sharp frost developing in light to moderate westerly breezes. Cloud will build over parts of the west later in the night, with the chance of some light rain developing in the southwest towards morning. According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland, there will be a cold, frosty start to Wednesday with sunny spells developing. Overall it will be a largely dry day with just some coastal showers. Highest afternoon temperatures of 4 to 6 degrees in mostly light westerly breezes, backing southerly later. During the evening, cloud will thicken from the west with rain developing on western coasts on Wednesday night, extending eastwards across the country overnight along with strengthening southerly winds. The rain will be heavy in places with localised flooding possible. Lowest temperatures of zero to minus 2 degrees, coldest in the eastern half of the country early in the night. Thursday will be a windy day with rain clearing eastwards through the morning, followed by widespread blustery showers of rain, sleet and hail. Highest afternoon temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees early in the day, then turning colder again as the rain clears in fresh to strong and gusty west to southwest winds, with onshore gales on Atlantic coasts. According to the latest Met Eireann weather forecast for Ireland, Friday will be mostly dry for much of the country for much of the day, with showers confined to coasts of the west and north. A moderate southwest to west wind will be fresh on coasts and temperatures will be between 5 and 7 degrees in the afternoon and between plus 2 and plus 4 degrees overnight. Met Eireann says current indications suggest a wet and breezy day on Saturday with a drier and calmer day in store for Sunday. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. The Ford government is considering introducing tougher COVID-19 restrictions as Ontario continues to see record-breaking daily new.. CTV News 02 Jan 2022 Local media reports that Russia will host talks with Ukraine, Germany and France this week amid concerns over the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukraine border. Roshn, a leading Saudi real estate developer powered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed a partnership deal with Retal Urban Development for its new residential neighbourhood featuring 103 villas and townhouses within Phase One of Sedra, the company's first living community project in Riyadh. Set to be Roshns first community, Sedra covers over 20 million sq m area and incorporates more than 30,000 homes. The community offers a walkable, feature-rich living environment with mosques, kindergarten and public and private schools, hospitals, healthcare centers, shopping malls, commercial retail spaces and police stations Sedra illustrates Roshns ambition to create a complete city experience within a community, as well as being an important step towards Vision 2030s goal of increasing home ownership among Saudi citizens. Roshn pointed out that Retal was its first sub-developer partner for the project and was selected based on its track record of developing great homes as well as technical and commercial criteria following an extensive selection process. Roshn and Retal share the vision of a highly sustainable and technologically modern approach to housing that will be key to the development of a modern lifestyle and community culture in Sedra, it added. On the deal, Retal CEO Abdullah Al Braikan said: "This partnership presents a very positive step for Retal. We are now working with a national real-estate development company towards a common goal: Building real estate projects that adhere to the highest technical standards and quality of life requirements, in accordance with Vision 2030." This partnership marks another achievement in our endeavor to raise standards in every Retal project, he stated. Retal is committed to creating state-of-the-art housing solutions for a modern, upscale, urban community development. In recognition of Retals achievements, they were the recipients of the Best Real Estate Developer Award in Saudi Arabia 2019 and 2020, he noted. On the partnership, Roshn Group CEO David Grover said: "At Roshn we have a firm commitment to work closely with private sector developers, and I am very happy to see Retal joining us as our first such partner." Privately developed neighbourhoods will be integrated into Roshns master planned communities and complement the homes being built by Roshn. "I look forward to working closely Retal and all our future partners in our journey of delivering great communities across Saudi Arabia," he added.-TradeArabia News Service An Ontario court has awarded $107 million, plus interest, to the families of six people who died in the destruction of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 almost two years ago. The Duke of York's lawyers say the 2009 deal should bar his accuser from suing Andrew now, even though he wasnt a party to the original settlement. Rio De Janeiro (AFP) Jan 1, 2022 Between the pandemic and the rainy weather, it was a muted New Year's celebration on Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach, but there was a silver lining Saturday: 50 percent less garbage to collect. The iconic Brazilian beach city's sanitation service, COMLURB, said it had picked up 320 tonnes of trash from New Year's Eve celebrations, less than half the annual average of 724.2 tonnes fro Paris (AFP) Jan 2, 2022 France announced an easing of Covid restrictions from Monday and Britain's health minister said curbs were an "absolute last resort", as governments face tough choices between controlling the virus and keeping economies open. Coronavirus cases have surged globally in recent weeks, fuelled by the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, and the pandemic dampened New Year's celeb 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. CAPE TOWN, South Africa A major fire ripped through South Africa's 138-year-old Parliament complex on Sunday, gutting offices and causing some ceilings to collapse at a site that has hosted... #southafrica #capetown The Food and Drug Administrations approval of the Pfizer COVID booster shot for children ages 12-15 was welcome news to Midland County Department of Public Health Medical Director Cathy Bodnar. On Monday, the FDA amended its emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine to allow children ages 12-15 to receive a single booster dose; to shorten the wait time between the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and the booster from six months to five months; and to allow for a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children ages 5-11. The Midland County Health Department is waiting to hear whether the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will recommend the booster; the ACIP will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 5. Bodnar explained the ACIP is comprised of health experts who conduct their due diligence before making decisions. Well quickly follow what CDC recommends, Bodnar said. We want to hear from these experts. In a recent newsletter, the Midland County Health Department reported that as of Dec. 27, 2021, 33.4% of children ages 5-11 have received their first dose of a COVID vaccine while 27.3% have received both doses. Once the Pfizer booster is approved by the CDC for ages 5-12, the booster should be available through primary care physicians, local pharmacies and the Midland County Health Department. The health department currently hosts walk-in clinics 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. every Tuesday and by appointment only on Fridays. Bodnar encourages residents to get their vaccine and booster wherever its available and however it best fits their schedule. Vaccination sites can be located by visiting michigan.gov/covidvaccine. Weve been able to meet the needs with our walk-in clinics, she said, adding she does not know of any large community or school clinics being planned at this time. Last week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and state superintendent sent out a letter to all Michigan superintendents, recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. In response, Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael Sharrow sent out a special communique, urging staff and students to wear masks and get vaccinated. Bodnar stated the county health department encourages schools to follow the recommended mitigation measures as well as they are able to. Id like to see all the schools in our county require masks until we get through this Omicron surge and to really do the best they can with social distancing, Bodnar said. We want as many layers of protection as possible. Protection is of utmost importance, especially with the presence of the Omicron variant in Michigan, Bodnar said. She says that while Omicron hasnt made an official appearance in Midland, COVID-19 case numbers have been fluctuating in recent weeks. She encourages residents to follow preventive measures and highly recommends that those who have cold or flu-like symptoms get tested for COVID, as both viruses share similar indicators. Omicron is expected to be a significant increase in caseloads here. As much as we can do to reduce case numbers and be preventive, all the better, Bodnar said. Bahrain International Airport (BIA), operated and managed by Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), has been certified with the top Five-Star Covid-19 Airport Safety Rating for achieving the highest standard of hygiene and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It places BIA in the top 5% of airports worldwide for cleanliness and hygiene. This top rating was awarded to BIA following a detailed audit of Covid-19 safety standards conducted by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organisation, in December 2021. This safety accreditation is regarded as a global benchmark for defining safe travel assurance for customers and a top recognition of the effectiveness of the safety measures introduced by BIA to protect their customers and staff against the spread of coronavirus. The audit assessed 175 different safety protocols related specifically to the Covid-19 pandemic that serve to reduce risk and enhance customer and staff wellbeing. The inspections examined the implementation of health, hygiene, and safety measures in accordance with the recommendations of the ICAO Council's Aviation Recovery Task Force, in addition to requirements from Bahrains government. The 5-Star Covid-19 Airport Safety Rating recognizes very high standards of airport cleanliness and maintenance procedures, with these protocols adhered to consistently. BAC Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah said: "We are proud to obtain this 5-star rating which recognizes the immense efforts made by our team on a daily basis to ensure our customers travel with complete peace of mind. We dedicate this award to the government of Bahrain, which has taken proactive measures since the start of the pandemic to protect public health and safety, as well as to the frontline healthcare workers, who have worked tirelessly to keep the people of Bahrain safe." "Since January, BIA has received several awards and recognition from international bodies for its exceptional standards and efforts to protect passengers health and safety. We remain committed to ensuring that travel through the airport is safe, pleasant, and hassle free," he added. Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: "The standard, efficiency and consistency of Covid-19 Safety protocols that are provided here at BIA are excellent, and we congratulate Bahrain Airport Company on receiving this highest Covid-19 Airport Safety Rating. This safety rating provides a great assurance to customers travelling through the airport and highlights the effectiveness of the hygiene and safety protocols they have put place. Covid-19 safety has to provide the safest environment for customers and staff, and BIA has shown itself to be a leader in this area." BIA had introduced an extensive program of safety measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Throughout the terminal, there are frequent hand sanitisers, including high-contact areas such as check-in, boarding gates, and self-service facilities, reported BNA. Frequently touched surfaces have been treated with anti-microbial coatings, social distancing is provided throughout the terminal with a range of floor markers and seat markers. Front line service counters have been fitted with rigid screens, and self-service points such as ATMs, vending machines etc all have hand sanitisers adjacent. All airport users are required to wear face masks. Terminal cleanliness standards are rated as excellent, and this is verified throughout the Covid-19 Audit using ATP testing to analyse and evaluate this. The Covid-19 Safety Rating evaluates how effectively and consistently Covid-19 procedures are being provided, including terminal cleanliness, cleaning and disinfection systems, standard and usage conformity of staff personal protective equipment, branding, standard and application of social distancing signage, floor markers and seat distancing, hand sanitiser facilities, airport PA guidance, organisation and control of passenger flows around the airport, security screening hygiene systems, general passenger facilities (e.g. baggage trolleys) and control of social distancing and face mask usage, it added. This past year has been full of challenges and opportunities to grow for MyMichigan Health. As it looks ahead into 2022, it hopes to address those difficulties and look for ways to improve. The high community transmission rate of COVID-19 in Midland County has put a significant strain on local medical centers. Dr. Lydia Watson, senior vice president and chief medical officer of MyMichigan Health, reported she has seen a decrease in positivity rates, but the healthcare system is anticipating the presence of the Omicron variant in the near future. Watson encourages residents to use multiple prevention methods including getting fully vaccinated, get tested and connecting with physicians if they get infected with the virus. Were concerned that Delta, Omicron wont be the last well see of COVID, Watson said. If we can keep people out of the hospital, our workforce can take care of people more sustainably. One of MyMichigans largest concerns is making sure they have an adequate workforce to take care of both COVID and non-COVID patients. Diane Postler-Slattery, president and CEO of MyMichigan Health, said the healthcare system is working with colleges to recruit employees. MyMichigan is also studying the work of its employees to determine what services can be less intensive. Were trying to be innovative about bringing in new employees, Postler-Slattery said. Necessity has proven to be the mother of invention throughout the pandemic. Watson said one of the few positive outcomes of the pandemic is the use of telehealth services, allowing patients to meet virtually with their providers. As we move forward, well strategize how we can make it better, how we can do more. Our goal is to be customer and patient focused, Watson said. There is a promise for COVID treatments in the future, with the prospect of two antiviral pills that are in final trials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized both Merck/Ridgeback Biotherapeutics molnupiravir and Pfizers Paxlovid treatments for emergency use. There is some hope there, Watson said. Despite the challenges, COVID-19 has taught local healthcare workers the importance of vigilance and organization. Its not too early for us to prepare for the next pandemic, Watson said. In addition to the ongoing pandemic, MyMichigan is addressing the issue of older patients taking multiple medications. Postler-Slattery explained that individuals who are age 65 and older and take over five medications either prescription or over the counter become more prone to dizziness and have an increased risk of falling. MyMichigans task is to make sure their patients are taking medications appropriately. Were trying to keep patients at the center, Postler-Slattery said. The healthcare system is continuing to focus on five areas: patient experiences, quality and safety, financial strength, employee and provider engagement and its work with communities; as the largest employer in Midland County, MyMichigan has a large focus on giving back to the area. MyMichigan is also looking forward to several construction projects, some starting, others just being completed. In Midland, it plans to break ground for the Comprehensive Cancer Center. The $61.5 million construction project will result in a 115,000-square-foot facility that will bring cancer care to a single location. This coming April, MyMichigan hopes to open a three-story patient tower in MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, which will offer private rooms for all patients. In addition, the healthcare system continues to monitor the newly opened emergency department is operating in Bay City and is looking forward to an operating room project in Alma. It is also working to fully integrate its newest partners in Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac War Memorial Hospital and St. Ignace. Despite COVID, we keep plowing ahead, Postler-Slattery said. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into 2022, Midland health officials are certain about one thing: the immediate future of public health is uncertain. However, they are ready to apply the achievements and lessons learned in 2021 to help bring the community closer to a pandemic-free life. I never thought wed be where we are now, said Cathy Bodnar, medical director of Midland County Health Department of Public Health. Over the course of the past year, the health department has seen how public health measures including wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, frequent handwashing and quarantine policies have helped keep schools and businesses open. Midland County Health Officer Fred Yanoski explained how pandemic restrictions have been beneficial, adding how hes seen employers refine their business practices to best operate during the pandemic; some of those changes have been made permanent, including provisions for working from home. Its important our schools and society stay open, Yanoski stated. This is not the time to let our guard down, but we certainly anticipate the cases to go down. This past year also saw the widespread distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses for ages 5 and above. The vaccine has given Yanoski hope that the community can get to a place where people can go out, engage in activities and not worry as much about contracting the virus. We understand the vaccine isnt perfect, but it has a profound effect on decreasing morbidity, Yanoski said. The presence of the Omicron variant, which was first reported in Michigan in early December, has created a challenge to public health. Health officials, including Bodnar, are waiting to see the impact of the newest variant, focusing on its severity compared to the Delta variant. Bodnar stated that as variants appeared, 90% of the population needs to be vaccinated in order to best combat the virus. Unfortunately, Bodnar doesnt believe that threshold will be reached, which will put residents at risk for continuing waves of cases; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions data tracker, Midland County is currently at a 66.3% vaccination rate. Were in for a very tough winter; I hope that once we pass Omicron wave we can start moving to more normalcy, Bodnar said. In the meantime, Bodnar encourages residents to get fully vaccinated including receiving booster doses and getting tested often. Hopefully more tests will be available for less and less cost, Bodnar said. Another challenge is how public health issues including mask mandates and testing protocols in schools have become highly politicized. Yanoski stated that too much information is being spread by nonmedical professionals, which mixes messages. He also has received feedback from residents on both sides of the mask issue, some saying that the health department isnt doing enough while others say that its too much. However, the health officer is adamant that the message about the positive effect of vaccines and public masking has remained constant. I think its important to realize that public health isnt supposed to be politically oriented, Yanoski said. No matter what side of the issue people are on, Yanoski is encouraged by the fact that Midlanders are concerned about the health of their friends and family. Its a passionate community we have in Midland. People worry about the health of their families in the community, Yanoski stated. Its difficult to say whether Midland, much less the world, will be able to return to a pre-pandemic life in 2022. But there are encouraging factors to be considered. Bodnar hopes that there will be more information this year about how fully vaccinated individuals can quarantine for less time. There are also reports of new treatments for COVID-19 coming, in the form of antiviral medication, which may prove to be more effective in the future. Theres a lot of very smart people studying this and using their expertise and experience to attack this. I think there is hope that well return to normalcy, Bodnar said. The Midland Christian Women's Connection will host a luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12 at the Primrose Retirement Community Clubhouse. Martha Holzheuer, landscape ecologist and owner of Nature Niche, located at 2004 W. Wackerly in Midland, will share how to get started with native plant landscaping to make it successful. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman of the Board of Directors of the Libyan National High Electoral Commission, Imad al-Sayeh, explained here Monday the reasons that led to the postponement of the country's general election as previously agreed Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya's Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Mabrouka Toghi, has been released after being taken into custody in a case of alleged administrative corruption Bamako, Mali (PANA) - A dozen Malian political organisations, under the umbrella Framework of Exchange of Political Parties and Groupings for a Successful Transition, on Sunday rejected the five-year transition proposed the day before by the transition government to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Volker Perthes has expressed regret over Prime Minister Abdulla Hamdouks decision to step down, a press release issued here said Monday Photo: (Photo : Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) Authorities are issuing another warning and advice for parents to talk to their kids about a new viral TikTok Whoosh Bottle Challenge on social media after a teenager in Connecticut suffered severe burns and has landed at the hospital. On Tuesday, December 28, firefighters responded to a call for help at the home of the teenager, who was trying to recreate the TikTok Whoosh Bottle Challenge. Chief Matt Marcarelli told reporters that the teenager attempted to light a five-gallon plastic jug poured with rubbing alcohol to create noise or "whoosh," which he saw on the popular social media platform. Per the reports, the teenager was brought to Yale New Haven Hospital and then moved to the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Center to receive treatments. However, the extent of his condition was not made known to the locals who got word of his accident. "This could easily have led to a fatality as well as a major fire in the house," the chief said. "Alcohol is a volatile flammable liquid and can act as an accelerant." EAST HAVEN CT FIRE CHIEF WARNS OF LATEST TIKTOK DANGER Chief Matt Marcarelli and Fire Marshal Charles Miller warned of the latest TikTok danger called The Whoosh Bottle Experiment after a town youth was burned @BillyGoldfeder @fireengineering @tiktok_us @STATter911 #TikTok pic.twitter.com/shQfT5tYFY CT Fire Academy (@CTCFPC) December 29, 2021 Read Also: TikTok Mom Raises 5 Daughters to Believe That Virginity Is Not a Big Deal "Talk to Your Kids," Urged Fire Chief The firefighters are asking parents to monitor and sit down with their kids to tell them about the dangers of the TikTok Whoosh Bottle Challenge. Deputy Fire Marshall Charles Miller said that parents should open the lines of communication with their kids about what they see on TikTok. He believes that talking will help reduce this type of risky behavior. The fire department is also planning to inform and work with schools in the area to raise awareness about participating in social media challenges. TikTok, on the other hand, told People that videos without any safety measures would be deleted from their platform. The company said it is working on new "caution labels" to put in some videos so these will not pop up on their users' recommended feeds. However, the TikTok Whoosh Bottle Challenge did not originate on the platform as there have been uploaded videos about burning jugs with alcohol from more than ten years ago. Some of these featured chemistry teachers or scientists explaining the importance of wearing safety gear. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said that TikTok leaders assured them there are systems in place to disallow harmful content on the platform following several incidences of school vandalism in the fall of 2021. Tong said those systems might not be working since a child is now at the hospital. He added that he would meet with Tik Tok officials alongside Connecticut parents and educators who want better protection for the kids. Doctor in Florida Issue Warning, Too Meanwhile, a pediatric doctor in Florida also issued a warning about a similar challenge after treating a teenager with burns. Dr. Jenna Wheeler said that the child rubbed alcohol on himself and then lit a fire on the premise that the "alcohol would burn off before the fire touches" him. Naturally, it did not. Wheeler also said that she has treated kids who did the Nutmeg Challenge or the Benadryl Challenge that led to hallucinations. She warned kids that doing these challenges may permanently damage their health. She urged them to pause and think hard about participating in these games online. Related Article: Amazon Apologizes After Alexa Tells 10-Year-old Girl To Play With Electric Socket We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! New Delhi, Jan 2 (UNI) As part of administrative reforms, the central government will soon launch a first of its kind a district level Good Governance Index in Jammu and Kashmir to assess the status of governance. "Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) will carry out this task in collaboration with the Union Territory Government and the framework of the proposed Index has been finalised with the technical support from the Centre for Good Governance (CGG) Hyderabad" said MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here on Sunday. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen that we should replicate in Jammu & Kashmir, the same best practices of governance which are followed in other States and UTs of the country" the Ministry said in an official statement. Daniel Craig has donated to another suicide prevention charity. In October, it was revealed that the 'No Time To Die' star had given 10,000 to three fathers walking in aid of the non-profit Papyrus. The James Bond actor made the generous donation to Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen, who embarked on a 300-mile walk in the UK in memory of their daughters Sophie, Beth and Emily for the charity. The trio described the donation from Daniel as "fantastic" and were thrilled that he allowed them to publicise the gesture. Airey said at the time: "We found out about it yesterday morning, as Mike and Tim were travelling up to Cumbria - we were WhatsApping each other in state of surprise. "By the time they'd arrived, we'd got a note saying Daniel Craig was happy to have his name attached to it, which was just fantastic - it's a very generous donation, but to actually have the person who's the single most famous actor in the world at the moment being happy to help was just brilliant." And now, it has been revealed that the 53-year-old star has secretly been supporting the Bearded Fishermen organisation, which provides 24-hour mental health support and suicide prevention. According to the Daily Star newspaper, co-founder Rick Roberts said: "This is the second time he [Daniel] has done this, as he did it last year too. "He watches what we do and keeps up to date. "We don't say how much he donates but we know by the name on the transfer and some of the photos he has sent that it is him. "One day hopefully we will get to meet him. "His support and donation will go a long way to helping us to support people that need us." Alec Baldwin says Halyna Hutchins' death is "the worst situation" he's "ever been involved with". The 63-year-old actor accidentally fatally shot the cinematographer on the set of the Western 'Rust' last year, and in a lengthy video, the Hollywood star has reflected on 2021 and how thankful he is to have gotten "so much goodwill from people". He said: "I've had more people who have been kind and thoughtful and generous of spirit than I've had people who are malignant about the death Halyna Hutchins. "I'm not afraid to say that, and to couch that in some euphemisms somebody died very tragically. And I've gotten so much, I mean so much, goodwill from people. It's just incredible. "This has been surely the worst situation I've ever been involved with and I'm very hopeful that the people in charge with investigating this whole thing get to the truth as soon as possible. No one wants the truth more than I do." The 'It's Complicated' star went on to reveal that his goal for 2022 is to leave behind the "negativity" that affects him. Alec explained how he has been in touch with some "well-known people" about different ways to "attain a state of mind" that has no place for negative thoughts, including meditation. The movie star continued: "But the one thing I do want to consider very carefully in this coming year and to really push myself is in terms of trying to not allow the negativity in my life to affect me. "I've been having some very interesting phone calls with some very interesting people who I will not name, but some of them rather well-known people who deal in all kinds of behavioral, philosophical, religious, spiritual, meditation, all kinds of ways to attain a state of mind where you really short-circuit a lot of the negative in your life. And that's what I want." The father-of-seven - who is married to Hilaria Baldwin - also plans on "improving" his relationships. He added: "My goal in the new year is peace, awareness, consciousness, deepening my relationships with the people that I love, pulling them closer to me, and improving relationships with people I care about but maybe I don't get to see much of them anymore." The transitional authorities in Guinea-Conakry have allowed former president Alpha Conde to leave the country to seek medical help. The condition is that the former president cannot stay away for more than one month unless advised otherwise by the medical professionals. The announcement came in response to a request sent by ECOWAS to the new leader of the country, colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, on the 23rd of December. The news of Alpha Conde imminent release was greeted by the former president's supporters. Alpha Conde came to power in December 2010 and was re-elected in 2015 before seeking a third term that he won under controversial circumstances. A coup triggered his removal from power in September 2021. Source: africanews Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Founder and leader of the Alabaster International Ministries, Prophet Kofi Oduro, has teased prophets who couldn't give any prophecy concerning Ghana during the crossover services following a directive from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare. If you are a man, prophesy and say needless things. You are dead when you are arrested and sent to Tesano or Accra Command and finally remanded at Nsawam. You will have sores all over your anus by the time you return, he mocked. The IGP prior to 31st December night cautioned against doom prophesies which some Pastors usually give during the crossover services. A Change in the Prophetic arena Leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Isaac Owusu-Bempah, during his 2021 Watch Night and Cross Over event at the church headquarters in Accra, unlike his usual, decided to go the proverbial way. He told his members: God bless you for waiting. In due time, God will allow us to speak clearly on issues. Today is for wise and proverbial sayings, so lets take it like that. As a man of God and as revealed to me by God, I have to do my masters bidding. All I told you proverbially pray about it as you understand it, and lets pray for divine intervention. The founder of the Prophetic Hill Chapel, Prophet Nigel Gaisie also focused on a different country 'Umuofia' I am not talking to the people of Ghana because of the repressive system going on in Ghana. I am not talking about the topographical, geographical land called Ghana. I am prophesying to a nation called Umuofia, he said. "Cowards" Prophet Oduro reacting to this, described the Prophets who couldn't prophesy because of the directives as "cowards". According to him, if the prophecies were from God, they wouldn't be afraid to say it. The prophecies have been locked in rooms. I didnt know Ghanaian prophets feared Police arrest. You are cowards. John the Baptist and Paul were imprisoned . . . the righteous is bold as a lion, Prophet Oduro said. Some people are afraid of the police station. When Dampare was at Lapaz checking the state of security in the area, people were in their churches complaining that he is preventing them from prophesying . . . I want to tell the prophets of Ghana maybe its not the Almighty God and the God of the Bible you people are working with, but if it is the God of the Bible, speak the word, and he will defend the word; prophesy and he will defend the word but if you say unnecessary things, youd be jailed. If God gives me a message to be delivered to the President, he will hear it; I dont care about what laws you have in the country. Likewise, when God gives me a word for the IGP, he will hear it; I dont care what law you have in this country, he added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The People's Person (@kwameaplus) Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video As part of efforts to help resolve the unemployment canker in the country, Bishop Charles Agyinasare has proposed an initiative he believes could help the country resolve the challenge and also generate revenue from it. Bishop Agyinasare at his 31st December watch night service revealed that in his recent trips to other nations, he met Ghanaian students who were given scholarships to study outside the country but are scared to return due to unemployment in Ghana. These students he said are afraid of returning to Ghana and joining the no-job situation. For this reason, he is proposing that instead of GETFund and the other bodies offering scholarships to our students to study abroad and expect them to return, they should rather give official permission for these students to seek jobs in the country where they studied after graduation. He said the beneficiaries of these scholarships and their employers could generate some revenue for the country. He opined that the President of Ghana and the Executive arm of government must give these beneficiaries and their employers bonds to sign so they can repatriate at least 5,000 pounds in three years or 140 pounds a month over a three-year period over their employment there. Bishop Agyinasare was of the view that this initiative if well implemented could give the country some revenue and not frustrate and destroy the future of our young people. He recounted how the former Senior Minister in 2017 disclosed that the payroll was full and the government would be unable to employ new workers. He also referenced comments recently made by the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta advising young persons to go into entrepreneurship because the public sector was full to support his argument. Source: rainbowradioonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.10 per week for 10 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. Israeli news sites hacked on Soleimani's death anniversary Tel Aviv, Jan 3 (UNI) The Twitter account of two Israeli newspapers -- Maariv and The Jerusalem Post -- were hacked early Monday on the death anniversary of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020. According to The Jerusalem Post, the content was replaced with a photo of a model Dimona nuclear facility being blown up and a ballistic missile falling from what appears to be a representation of the hand of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. Besides, a text was also posted in both English and Hebrew on their Twitter and website saying: "We are close to you where you do not think about it." Airlines canceled several flights at Charleston International on Jan. 3 as COVID-19 cases surged and an East Coast storm system wreaked havoc on post-holiday travel plans. The airport's website showed 10 arrivals and eight departures were nixed as of mid-morning on the first full work day of the new year. Among arrival cancellations were: American Airlines from Chicago O'Hare and Washington Reagan National Breeze Airways from Richmond Delta Air Lines from Boston and New York LaGuardia Southwest Airlines from Baltimore and Denver United Airlines from Newark and Denver Among departure cancellations were: American to Chicago O'Hare Delta to Boston and New York LaGuardia Southwest to Baltimore and Dallas United to Newark, Washington Dulles and Denver The airport's flight schedule also shows JetBlue Airways has grounded an arrival and a departure between Charleston and New York's JFK Airport on Jan. 4. A wind-whipped cold front with wintry weather swept eastward Jan. 3 and forced some carriers to abandon flights while national news outlets reported a spike in coronvirus cases from the rapidly spreading omicron variant affected airline staffing levels as the pandemic enters its third year. "I'm sure some of the flights were affected (Monday) morning by the high winds here," said Charleston airport spokesman Spencer Pryor. The National Weather Services Charleston office reported wind speeds of 62 mph around 5 a.m. Jan. 3, according to its Twitter account. Pryor also said the airport does not keep records of the number of canceled flights over the long holiday period that began before Christmas, but he noticed a reported uptick in cancellations during the New Year's holiday travel period just as people began to return home for work or school. "System-wide, we have seen an increase in flight delays and cancellations," the airport tweeted on New Year's Eve. More than 1,900 U.S. flights and more than 3,300 worldwide were grounded as of early Jan. 3, according to tracking service FlightAware. That follows Sunday's cancellations of more than 2,600 U.S. flights, and more than 4,400 worldwide. And on New Year's Day there were more than 2,700 U.S. flights canceled and more than 4,700 around the globe. Charleston airport officials urged travelers to check with their carriers for the latest flight information before leaving for the airport. Be among the first to know when new restaurants are opening. Subscribe to Charleston's Menu, a newsletter offering an inside look at our city's unique food and dining scene. The 168-year-old former bank building that wraps around the corner of Broad and East Bay streets is now home to a Parisian-inspired bistro. After a 5-month delay caused by supply chain shortages, Brasserie la Banque opened on Nov. 30 at 1 Broad St. in downtown Charleston. The restaurant is the 10th Charleston concept for The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, which also operates in nine other cities in the South. Indigo Road President Steve Palmer, who was married in the restaurants upstairs space that will now host private events, tapped Jeb Aldrich to lead the kitchen as executive chef. According to Aldrich, the raw bar and caviar service have been early hits, along with the French onion soup, duck consomme with foie gras dumplings, bouillabaisse and olive oil-poached Alaskan halibut that he describes as a piece of fish you can have with a glass of red wine. The 62-seat restaurant has 13 seats at the bar, eight of which offer a nice view of Aldrich and his team cooking in the open kitchen. Its very New York feeling how the kitchens laid out. People love that open kitchen right there, Aldrich said. It makes them feel more part of the experience, and its kind of like the show. Aldrich has been pleased with the local response to his food and looks forward to debuting lunch and brunch at the start of 2022. For now, Brasserie la Banque is open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Its definitely becoming that neighborhood restaurant that we want to see, Aldrich said. GREENVILLE The largest bank headquartered in South Carolina completed its merger with a Tenn.-based bank. United Community Bank, which moved its headquarters to Greenville in July 2021, acquired Reliant Bancorp, Inc. and Reliant Bank. Reliant has 24 total branches across Nashville, Clarksville and Chattanooga, as well as a manufactured housing finance group in Knoxville. As of Sept. 30, 2021, Reliant reported total assets of about $3 billion. In October 2021, United Community Bank also finalized its acquisition of Aquesta Financial Holdings, Inc. and Cornelius, N.C.-based Aquesta Bank. Following both mergers, United Community Bank has approximately $23.5 billion in assets and 196 offices across the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Chairman and CEO of Reliant DeVan Ard founded the company in 2006 and will now act as the United Community Bank state president in Tennessee. "Together we will now be able to better serve our customers with a larger balance sheet and expanded products and services, which provides a tremendous opportunity to grow in Nashville and other key markets in Tennessee," Ard said in a statement. United Community Bank will make its official mark in Greenville when it starts demolition and construction in early 2022 on its new headquarters at 200 E Camperdown Way, the former location of the Wyche Law Firm. The bank has had a Greenville presence since 2012 and opened its first branch in the city in 2015. An activist, public speaker and former correctional nurse, Polly Daniels Sheppard officially provided the first scholarship award from the Polly Sheppard Foundation with the aim of helping students find their ways to careers in prison health and "to establish respectable medical treatment while assisting those in prison." Administered by Trident Technical College, the nearly $6,000 scholarship will help support students in studying prison health, including correctional and forensic nursing programs. Sheppard is one of the five survivors of the Emanuel AME Church shooting that killed nine people on June 17, 2015. Since then, she's participated in numerous projects across the Charleston area, such as the Illumination Project, presenting city officials with strategies for improving police-community relations and speaking at the Democratic National Convention. She also was a part of designing an exhibit in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Charleston International Airport. But before all of this, Sheppard worked as a nurse at the Charleston County jail for 14 years, working with patients who she says were not actually criminals, rather doing time for something "small" like driving with an expired license. "You actually meet some interesting people in jail," said Sheppard, "and over half of them are not actually criminals." Sheppard says she dedicated the scholarship for students pursuing nursing, specifically in the correctional industry, because she noticed a shortage in available nurses for detention centers like the one she worked at. As a requirement for the scholarship, all recipients must plan to work at least one year in the correctional industry. "I would work a lot of overtime hours," Sheppard said. "Many of the patients need a lot of help and come in suffering from mental illness, seizures or other chronic diseases." After the massacre, Sheppard said she decided any extra money she received from speaking engagements and other events would go toward a scholarship fund to bring more nurses into the system. And the plan is full speed ahead, awarding the first Polly Sheppard Nursing scholarship in August to Niki Walker, a 34-year-old mom of two and former corrections officer. Walker served as a corrections officer for five years at the Davidson County Sherriff's Office in North Carolina, where she says she found an interest in caring for marginalized communities such as the incarcerated. "Just because you are in jail doesn't mean you don't deserve adequate care," said Walker. "No one is immune from making one bad choice." Walker also said she wanted to pursue nursing to learn how to better tend to her daughter, who suffers from numerous health issues. Walker will graduate in a few short weeks and plans to start her career at the Medical University of South Carolina as a nurse. "One day I would like to work at the corrections level," said Walker, "but my end goal is to become a sexual assault nursing examiner." Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. NORTH CHARLESTON Patricia Jimenez dreamed of working in media. Growing up in Mexico, she was inspired by her godfather, a radio broadcaster, who used his platform to discuss important community issues. Family obligations prevented Jimenez from reaching her goal of working professionally in broadcast journalism. But she now volunteers with the Art Pot Multicultural Group, a small nonprofit, on a weekly social media broadcast. The program, geared toward the Lowcountry's Hispanic population, focuses on education, mental health and other topics. Jimenez feels she has, in a way, achieved her long-awaited ambition. "My dream was to have those types of conversations and talk with the community," she said. "The program helped to achieve my dream." Despite the setbacks brought on by the pandemic, Art Pot continues to serve the tri-county's growing Hispanic population. The nonprofit, founded in 2015 to serve the area's underserved and diverse Spanish-speaking community, is eyeing new goals in 2022 that include building better relationships with African American organizations to improve local neighborhoods and bridging the gap between Hispanic parents and local schools. Like many nonprofits, Art Pot struggled financially during the pandemic. The organization couldn't keep up with rent payments for its small North Charleston building off Reynolds Avenue, which housed a theater, classes and an an art exhibit space. Losing the space was devastating. The facility had been a hub for the Hispanic population. Here, local youth learned about the world through art. They took classes on painting, dance and theater. The building housed discussions between law enforcement and community members, seeking to dispel the fear that many Hispanics had toward police officers. There aren't many, if any at all, Latin-focused spaces in the Lowcountry where people can come together to discuss community needs, Art Pot board Chairwoman Lydia Cotton said. That definitely was a big loss," she said. We really were growing there. It was a very important place. Now, the organization wants to purchase a larger space that could serve as the Art Pot Art and Culture Home, where the group could host neighborhood conversations and workshops. "At this point, our dream is to have our own space again," she said. "But, we want to own it." Reaching the community One of the primary ways Art Pot has sought to serve the Spanish-speaking population throughout the pandemic has been through two weekly social media broadcasts. The first, "De Frente," was initially started by Art Pot Executive Director Maribel Acosta to offer information on COVID-19, such as where viewers could get tested. Acosta records the program with an iPhone from her North Charleston home, at her kitchen table. The show airs at 8 p.m. Fridays on Art Pot's Facebook page. The program evolved over time and now Acosta uses the series as a platform for discussing important topics, such as mental health and education. She sometimes conducts one-on-one interviews with guests, including health care professionals. The other broadcast is similar to "De Frente," but is more community-oriented. Entitled "Community Talks," the show allows residents to have open dialogue about ways the Hispanic community can improve, Cotton said. That program airs at 9 p.m. Wednesdays, also from the nonprofit's Facebook platform. "We talk about the things were doing wrong," Acosta said. "We tell it like it is. The Lowcountry's Latino population is growing. The percentage of Charleston County's Hispanic population grew by 55 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the most recent census numbers. The population now makes up 7 percent of the county's total population. Larger growth was seen in Berkeley and Dorchester counties, where the population grew by some 80 percent for each county. Acosta is hoping Art Pot can keep up with rising demand. "As the community grows, the needs are going to grow at the same time," Acosta said. "We definitely need more resources." Collaborating with others One area where Art Pot plans to improve in 2022 is in collaborating with other minority groups. The nonprofit has taken a step in that direction by collaborating with African American neighborhood group Women of Change and Character to pick up litter in Liberty Hill, a historic Black community founded by freedmen shortly after the Civil War. Volunteers from both organizations have partnered on maintenance projects for seniors. They've fixed handrails, repaired porch steps and painted homes. "Small stuff like that makes a difference in the community," said Jose Carmen Castillo Cordova, an Art Pot board member. Acosta said it's important for Hispanics and African Americans to work together in addressing community issues because both groups share the struggle of dealing with people's prejudices. The two groups have also had some difficult conversations. At a November community meeting in Midland Park, Cotton spoke with Women of Change and Character about the challenges that prevent Hispanics from participating alongside African Americans in protests against police brutality. Last year, the Lowcountry saw a handful of demonstrations organized by various Black-led activist groups demanding changes to the criminal justice system and an end to killings of unarmed Black people by police officers. Though these issues are important, community protests are vulnerable spaces for undocumented immigrants, Cotton said. Thus, it's important for Art Pot to find other ways to advocate for change, she said. "I believe in doing something about the issues, but there's a better way," Cotton said. "I cant put people on the front lines when theyre not even citizens." Candy Dozier Johnson said the collaboration between Art Pot and Women of Change and Character is an example of God's unconditional love, which transcends race, she said. Art Pot also wants to improve relationships between Spanish-speaking parents and schools. Many parents don't know how to look up their children's grades online or how to check emails for messages from the schools, Cotton said. Art Pot plans to have a workshop next year that will train parents on how to use these digital resources. High winds blasted the Charleston area as a cold front moved in, causing scattered power outages and some damage to buildings throughout the Lowcountry. The National Weather Services Charleston office clocked wind speeds of 69 mph on Shutes Folly, a small island about a mile offshore at Charleston Harbor, according to a meteorologist. The weather service also recorded 62-mph wind gusts at Charleston International Airport about 5 a.m. on Jan. 3. In North Charleston's Park Circle neighborhood, gusts toppled the Cooper River Baptist Church's white steeple, leaving it resting beside the brick house of worship. North Charleston firefighters responded to the area around 5:30 a.m. for a downed power line. They noticed the fallen steeple when they arrived, spokeswoman Stephanie Julazadeh said. No injuries were reported, and church maintenance workers were notified, she said. A section of scaffolding collapsed from the side of an apartment complex on Sottile Street and Huguenin Avenue in the early afternoon, leaving a pile of rubble in the middle of the street. The scaffolding fell from The Foundry, an apartment complex built in 2017. Several walls on the complex's buildings were covered with the scaffolding, and some construction crew members continued to scale ladders five stories high after the section had been blown down. Scaffolding crashed on top of an Amazon delivery van, shattering its dashboard, along with two other cars parked in front of the building. No other buildings were affected and no one was hurt in the incident, Sgt. Beth Wolfsen, a Charleston police spokeswoman, said. Construction crews set up blockades on both ends of Sottile as they worked to clear the rubble, though it didn't prevent a few curious residents from wandering by. The Charleston Fire Department inspected the scene and found that there was no damage to the building, Mike Julazadeh, department spokesman, said. Julazadeh said he was unsure whether the Occupational Safety and Health Administration would investigate if the scaffolding was properly mounted. That decision would be up to OSHA, he said. Dominion Energy crews had been responding since 3 a.m. to reports of outages throughout Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, spokesman Paul Fischer said. An outage map showed dozens of incidents affecting thousands of customers. Some 2,800 customers on Folly Beach lost power after a tree brought down a pole on Folly Road. Power was restored to the area by 12:30 p.m., Fischer said. Jack of Cups Saloon, a pub on Folly Beach, closed it doors in light of the power outage and wind damage. It will reopen Jan. 5, according to the restaurant's Facebook page. Outages were expected to fluctuate throughout the day as wind speeds change, Fischer said. While exact restoration times for other affected areas were unknown, Dominion crews would not stop working until all its customers' lights were back on, he said. Traffic lights at several intersections along S.C. Highway 61 were out around 7:30 a.m. after the high winds caused transformers to blow, according to the Charleston Police Department. All were restored by 11:30 a.m. Traffic also slowed at Mount Pleasant Avenue and Meeting and Morrison streets while police repaired wind damage, according to a 3 p.m. Tweet written by Charleston police. Airlines canceled several flights at Charleston International Airport amid the storm system and a surge in COVID-19 cases, wreaking havoc on travel plans. At least two Charleston-area school districts canceled or delayed classes, citing weather and power-outage concerns. Dorchester School District 4 officials announced about 6 a.m. all its schools would close on Jan. 3 due to high winds and power outages. Dorchester School District 2 administrators said its schools would operate on a three-hour delay. The Charleston County School District was scheduled to have a teacher work day, with students returning from winter break Jan. 4. Several districts elsewhere in the state also canceled or delayed school hours on Jan. 3. The strong winds came as a cold front moved across southeastern South Carolina. Gusts between 50 and 60 mph were anticipated as the front passed, according to a weather service alert. Temperatures in the 40s and 50s greeted early risers a stark contrast from the past week of warm, sunny skies. The cold front also brought snow from the Northeast to as far south as North Carolina, where nearly a foot of powder was recorded on Jan. 3. Dwight Koehn, a weather service meteorologist, said that the wind is dying down and would subside by the evening of Jan. 3. "There will be no wind, but it will be cool tonight," he said. "There will be a high of about 54 degrees tomorrow, and a high of 65 on Wednesday. The Aldersgate Winter Warming Shelter on Remount Road in North Charleston announced it would be open from 7 p.m. Jan. 3 until 7 a.m. the following morning for anyone in need of a warm and dry place to spend the night. Srinagar, Jan 3 (UNI) A top local Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and his Pakistani accomplice were killed in separate encounters on Srinagar outskirts on Monday, police said Police said top commander of Lashkar, Saleem Parray, a resident of north Kashmirs Bandipora district, was killed in a brief shooting in Shalimar area, while his accomplice fled from the spot. The accomplice identified as Hafiz alias Hamza of Pakistan was later brought down in a separate gunfight in a nearby area at Harwan an hour later, police said "..Terrorist Saleem Parray of proscribed #terror outfit LeT Salim Parray neutralized...... IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar announced in a police tweet. Police said Parray was one among the most wanted militants of Kashmir and was involved in a series of civilian killings. In 2016 Saleem Parray had killed 12 civilians by slitting their throats, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar told reporters after the gunfight. "His killing is a big success for the police." The other militant Hafiz, police said, was behind the recent killing of two policemen in north Kashmir's Bandipora district. "Second #terrorist killed in #Srinagar #Encounter identified as Hafiz @ Hamza of #Pakistan. He was involved in killing of 2 policemen in #Bandipora & after this #terror incident, he shifted to Harwan area of #Srinagar," IGP Kashmir said. On December 10, two policemen were killed in a militant attack at Bandipora town. UNI MJR ING It seem obvious that many leaders and lawmakers of this state are not interested in protecting their citizens. The infections and deaths from COVID go up, and laws and lawsuits roll out to prevent protections against the virus. There are no statewide mandates for masks or vaccinations for citizens of the state. These leaders seem to vote against any policies that regulate gun safety, improve access to health care, take care of the planet, provide child care or ensure quality education. We are on our own, which is very sad. Politics defines their level of compassion and caring, and it is not enough to protect us. BONNIE SEABRIGHT Mount Pleasant Manchin lacks courage A Tuesday letter to the editor noted the courage of U.S. Rep. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. It took no courage to reject the Build Back Better plan. Is there a Democratic mob ready to come after him in any meaningful way? Is there a Democratic majority in West Virginia poised to remove him from office? Courage would have been to say yes to policies that would help his constituents. Courage would have meant being able to explain to those constituents how it would help them. Instead, he seems to fear raising taxes on the rich, the same taxes he tried to preserve when he voted against the Republican tax package under the previous president. He seems to fear the prospect of having to face election opposition if he did anything to shatter the illusion of a proud coal culture. He seems to fear not being re-elected. He lacks the courage to stand with his party and his president. DAVID GOLL Edisto Island Little sympathy When I was attending high school in the 1970s, the teachers were always complaining about working conditions, pay and parents. What the author of a recent letter on the shortage of teachers fails to understand is that the parents are among the bosses. They help pay teachers salaries through property taxes. If teachers dislike the job, they should consider going to work at the U.S. Postal Service where they would not have to deal with nosy parents. DENNIS COMPTON North Charleston Biden a failure President Joe Bidens approval ratings are puzzling. The puzzling thing about them is that theyre above zero. Nothing Mr. Biden has done is good or praiseworthy. Everything he has done has been a disaster. As for his Build Back Better plan, it seems to be one big boondoggle that is destined to failure. Simply put, were headed to third-world status. SKIP LESEMANN James Island Stuart a caring doctor Farewell and Gods blessings to Dr. Robert Stuart, who retired in June. Dr. Stuarts initiatives with the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center leave an indelible mark on hundreds of cancer patients and survivors. It is important to note the kindness, empathy and sincerity he showed his patients. In 1991, I was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, which is rarely found in adults. At that time, treatment for these patients was still being researched. I had a 20% chance of survival. I was fortunate to be treated by Dr. Stuart, Dr. Mitch Toomey, Dr. Dirk Davidson and the staff in the Hollings Cancer Center clinic. I will always remember how Dr. Stuart sat by my bedside and held my hand. This man, with jet black hair and a wide smile, took time to talk with me. His eyes showed genuine concern, not only for my physical health but for my state of mind. He saw me not just as a patient but as a wife and a mother of a 3-year old daughter. He saw a young woman who wanted to survive. Dr. Stuart, thank you for setting the standard of care every patient should expect and receive. JACQUELINE P. ADAMS Goose Creek Goose Creek, SC (29445) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. There have been contradictions about our local government's strategy on COVID-19 testing and limitations for those who have come in close cont Read more David Brooks argues that what goes by the name of conservatism today is grotesque and bears no relation to what conservatives traditionally have believed. Not surprisingly, considering that this is Brooks, he begins his piece on the subject with autobiography. A socialist early in life, he says he fell in love with conservatism in his 20s because events persuaded him that, as Edmund Burke argued, human society is unalterably complex and if you try to reengineer it based on the simplistic schema of your own reason, you will unintentionally cause significant harm. Whatever Brooks believed in his 20s, he was no longer much of a conservative by 2008. That year, he supported Barack Obama rather than John McCain. Not Donald Trump or anyone who can be described as Trumpian. John McCain. Obama was determined to reengineer society based on the dictates of his overrated intellect. You couldnt be a conservative in any strong or traditional sense and prefer Obama to McCain. Thus, Brooks fell out of love with conservatism years before Trump emerged as a political force. He cant blame his disillusionment with the movement on Trump, Tucker Carlson, or voter suppression. Nor can he blame it on what he sees as contemporary conservatisms lack of epistemological modesty, or humility in the face of what we dont know about a complex world. If such modesty and humility drove Brooks ideological preferences, he would not have supported the highly immodest Obama. What about the specifics of Brooks indictment of the views and the mindset he believes have ruined the conservative movement? Brooks sees three fundamental flaws in contemporary conservatisms core convictions. First, Brooks maintains that American conservatism seeks to preserve Americas racial arrangements, which, he writes, are fundamentally unjust. Here, Brooks is presenting a caricature of what most contemporary conservatives believe about race. We believe in equality of opportunity. The left leans towards equality of outcomes, which it misleadingly describes as equity. Equality of opportunity is what enlightened conservatives have long believed in and called for. Conservatives have never favored distributing benefits and burdens based on the race of recipients in response to claims correct or incorrect that the current distribution is fundamentally unjust (or for any other reason.) However, this is not to say that conservatives believe that current racial arrangements are fully consistent with equality of opportunity. We dont believe they are. We know, for example, that public schools are failing to provide a great many young African-Americans with the education they need and the one required for true equal opportunity. Thats why most conservatives, but very few liberals, favor substantial changes in public school education, including the promotion of school choice so that Blacks wont be trapped in bad public schools. Its also worth noting that some of the conservatives whose writings presumably captivated Brooks in his 20s were more at ease than contemporary conservatives with racial arrangements that were far less just than contemporary arrangements. Second, Brooks frets that American conservatism focuses on economic self-interest and enlarging freedom at the expense of the welfare of citizens souls. But mainstream conservatism has long focused on protecting and enlarging freedom. This is nothing new. There have been, and still are, strands of conservatism that focus on the welfare of citizens souls. But its difficult to reconcile the insights that once propelled Brooks towards conservatism that human society is unalterably complex and that attempts at reengineering it, even for noble purposes, show a dangerous lack of epistemological modesty with a politics that downplays economic self-interest and freedom and emphasizes improving citizens souls. Third, Brooks asserts that American conservatism exploits the decay of national confidence to prosecute a holy war in the service of a Trumpian authoritarianism revolving around hatred of the Other. Peter Berkowitz shows this claim to be nonsense. He writes: Yes, Trump is vain and thin-skinned. Yet rather than adopt an authoritarian agenda, the 45th U.S. president cut taxes, curtailed regulations, restored the rule of law to Americas southern border, appointed judges committed to interpreting rather than rewriting the law, and gave states room to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Yes, some thugs and kooks rallied around Trump. Meanwhile, other thugs and kooks gravitated to the Democratic Party. The swing voters who were decisive in Trumps 2016 victory, moreover, supported him not out of hatred of the Other but in self-defense against the scorn that progressive elites directed at them, their communities, and their faith. And yes, many conservatives feel embattled. But not, as Brooks ridiculously alleges, because they need to continually invent existential foes critical race theory, nongendered bathrooms, out-of-control immigration. Conservatives and Trump voters feel embattled because, even as a New York Times columnist writing in The Atlantic dismisses their political concerns as a matter of benighted and feverish imaginations, they can see with their own eyes that schools indoctrinate students in critical race theory; that progressive elites make transgenderism a signature cause not to protect the basic rights of a tiny minority but as a lever to overturn traditional moral limits and teachings; and that since Joe Biden entered the White House, soaring numbers of migrants have illegally crossed the nations southern border. Brooks desire to overturn existing arrangements for the purpose of helping Blacks and improving souls shows that hes not a conservative in the classic sense. Hes a man of the center-left and has been for years. This doesnt mean that Brooks critique of conservatism is wrong (though it should be clear from what Ive written here that I think it is). But we shouldnt be surprised that a center-leftist is strongly put off by conservatism. Jonathan Turley relegates his analysis of the allegedly scandal free Biden administration of the past year to his personal site. He puts it this way in his heading: The Media Celebrates a Year of Free From Political Scandal and Press Scrutiny. Professor Turley dryly tees up his assessment of the media celebration: There is ample reason for the White House and many in the media to celebrate the lack of scandals in the Biden Administration because it was a collective effort. Of course, four years ago, the media was all-in on the Russian collusion allegations. The media was doing non-stop coverage of the Steele dossier with little scrutiny or effort to uncover those who funded it. The dossier was later discredited and American intelligence warned that Russian intelligence may have used it to plant disinformation. While the Clinton campaign repeatedly denied funding the dossier, it was revealed (after the election) that not only did the Clinton campaign fund and push the dossier but also allegedly lied to Congress, the media, and the FBI. Clinton campaign chair John Podesta allegedly denied such funding to congressional staff. According to reports, sitting next to him was Clinton attorney Marc Elias (who was later found to have funded the dossier through the Clinton campaigns legal account). The only thing more impressive than the relentless coverage of Trump scandals in 2017 was the relentless avoidance of Biden scandals in 2020. The media did give passing coverage to the host of Biden false claims and stories that range from saying that he was arrested trying to see Nelson Mandela to his evolving Amtrak claims to reinventing his positions on foreign wars like Afghanistan. There were also federal violations by Biden officials and allegations of improper presidential influence on pending investigations. However, when it came to scandals that could implicate the President in more serious misconduct (or contradict his past denials), the media was thoroughly uninterested. Consider just three of the Voldemort scandals of 2020, or those scandals which must not be named by the media The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) has said no fewer than 1,500 Nigerian artefacts taken away will be retrieved from across the world in 2022. Abba Tijani, director-general, NCMM, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during a telephone interview. Mr Tijani said these were part of the over 5,000 artefacts carted away from different locations in Nigeria, decades ago. The director-general said the artefacts would be retrieved from Germany, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and other individual museums across the globe. Terms He noted that agreements had been reached for the return of the Benin bronzes in the British Museum of Anthropology and Archeology at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, as they hold the second largest collection of such artefacts. According to him, the largest number to be retrieved in 2022 will be coming from Germany with 1,030 Nigerian artefacts. He said the Oxford University, England was also willing to return the Benin bronzes in their collection. We have not been able to retrieve much because the negotiation and agreement started this year; the artefacts are expected to start coming in from 2022. We have written formally to other museums with our artefacts, likewise the Australian embassy has organised a zoom meeting, to be held in January where we are going to meet with all the museum directors in Australia to discuss the terms of return. He also said they have been contacted by museums in the United States of America and other individual museums in other countries saying that they are ready to return all the Benin bronzes in their collection. Mr Tijani said the commission was working tirelessly on preparing a conducive environment for the artefacts to be kept in an international standard. Goal He said that upon return of the artefacts, the NCMM would organise a series of exhibitions where they would be displayed for the general public to have a glimpse of them. The director-general explained that this was necessary to correct most Nigerians misconception that these artefacts were not genuinely returned. He said the Federal Government would decide where the retrieved artefacts would be kept after the exhibition. For 2021, we have been able to retrieve two artefacts from the United Kingdom, one from Cambridge University and the other from University of Aberdeen Museum. Also at the United States Metropolitan Museum of Arts, we retrieved three Benin artefacts and we have agreed for the return of all the Benin bronzes in the whole of the historian museum in the United States of America. He also revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari had authorised that the artefacts retrieved from Cambridge and Aberdeen be returned to the Oba of Benin palace from where it was initially carted away. Mr Tijani added that even though the artefacts are not physically here yet, the agency is still processing the export permit. The Oba of Benin is happy about this and that is the reason he is proposing a royal museum; NCMM also has a national museum in Benin which we are planning to expand to be able to accommodate these artefacts when they finally arrive. We will ensure wherever the artefacts are kept are of international standard, just like where they are coming from, because they are precious materials that need to be properly preserved, he said. (NAN) Outspoken Catholic priest, Ejike Mbaka, has warned his fellow Catholic priests to stop attacking him for praying for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Mr Mbaka, the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, gave the warning during his usual cross over night service, Saturday, in Enugu. He said other priests were at liberty to curse the IPOB leader when he (Mbaka) blesses him, insisting that nobody owns his mouth. Mr Mbaka asked the Catholic priests who attack him for blessing Kanu not to create what he termed, an unimaginable anti-clericalism, predicting that the lay people will soon begin to insult and attack them. I am begging my fellow (reverend) fathers. Please, I dont own anybodys mouth and nobody owns mine. If I bless Nnamdi Kanu, if you want to curse him, curse him. (But) allow me to bless him. I see him (Kanu) as my son. All Igbos are my children. You may not understand the spiritual authority I have on this land, Mr Mbaka said. Prayer for Kanu Mr Mbaka prayed for God to show mercy to the detained IPOB leader and others in detention. He said if the church can pray for Nigeria in distress, nobody can stop him from praying for the secessionist leader whom he described as our brother that is in distress. We raise our hands for our brother, Kanu, and others in detention, in silence of love. We ask God to show him mercy. Nnamdi Kanu was captured this year (2021). I am handing over his condition to the hand of the Almighty. May God bless our brother, Nnamdi Kanu. And may the coming year be for him, a year of favour. It shall be well with Nnamdi Kanu wherever he is, he said. The IPOB leader is detained in Abuja where he is standing trial for alleged treason. The Nigerian government has designated IPOB as a terrorist organisation and accused the group of carrying out attacks on public officials and facilities. Dozens of security personnel have been killed in South-east Nigeria by suspected members of IPOB and its militant arm, ESN. On January 17, African diplomats will meet their global counterparts in New York to thrash out the details of a proposed new United Nations (UN) treaty to tackle cybercrime. It will be an opportunity for the African delegates to highlight growing digital threats and determine how to define, investigate and prosecute what is in effect a borderless crime. Existing treaties such as the Budapest Convention or the African Union (AU) Convention on Cybercrime and Personal Data Protection (the Malabo Convention) are considered by some states to be useful if somewhat limited regional instruments. Russia has been among the countries arguing for a UN-wide convention, with cyberspace increasingly becoming a theatre of geopolitical competition. The New York meeting is an example of the growing influence of cyber diplomacy. It is among a raft of multilateral forums, many of them led by the UN and driven by competing resolutions, where cyber governance, resilience, capacity and response are discussed. The core of such engagements is how states balance freedom of information, privacy and security in the rapidly evolving digital world. An upcoming Institute for Security Studies (ISS) report explains why Africa cannot afford to take a back seat in such diplomatic discussions. The continent currently lags behind many other parts of the world when it comes to digital capacity the people, processes and technology that define the digital age. Discussions on cybercrime, cyber security and how future digital technology is developed, diffused and deployed cannot be the sole preserve of richer nations with more advanced digital capabilities. Those same technologies are increasingly being used in Africa to shape the way business, government and security are conducted. Africas more digitally advanced states, including Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Egypt and Rwanda, must articulate the continents digital priorities coherently and convert this into organisational strength. This would almost certainly bolster Africas influence in cyber diplomacy negotiations. One regional cyber security expert interviewed for the ISS report observed that in many multilateral forums, cyber superpowers view Africans as junior partners needed to make up the numbers in possible coalitions. To counteract this, Africa needs continental champions who can negotiate common digital positions for presentation by continent-wide bodies such as the AU. Examples of the most pressing issues include how African states can rapidly develop their digital capacity in line with the AUs Digital Transformation Strategy. Beyond this are issues of cyber security. For instance, how should African states respond to attacks on critical infrastructure or the weaponisation of cyberspace to conduct disinformation campaigns and undermine democracy? It also includes the threat posed by cyber-enabled crimes. Their perpetrators use the internet to engage in traditional crimes like fraud and forgery, human trafficking or the illicit trade in drugs, wildlife products, weapons, precious stones etc. The AUs Digital Transformation Strategy emphasises the economic and developmental potential of rapid digital advances to the continent. A key part of this is ensuring equitable access to digital technologies and building the human capacity to benefit from them. However, discussions are needed on the unintended consequences of evolving technologies on human security. Without strategic thinking on shaping and taming the algorithms and deploying future digital technologies, African states risk being swept along by the more digitally mature superpowers and their agendas. The continent needs to upskill African cyber diplomats and embed digital knowledge across government. Competition over the ownership of emerging technologies and related power relationships are another reason Africa should engage more actively in cyber diplomacy. African states need the infrastructure underpinning digital technologies such as the networks, hardware and other tools that define the cyber ecosystem. This makes them dependent on other state actors and their proxies but also leaves them vulnerable to influence and imported norms about privacy, mass surveillance and security. The rapid rollout of CCTV camera systems along with facial recognition tools supplied by Chinese firms in countries including Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe have ignited a debate about sovereignty, technological interdependence and digital feudalism. Given the modest level of digital development among many of the AUs 54 states, Africa seems particularly vulnerable to tech-infused geopolitics. The economic challenges facing many countries on the continent may incline them to opt for the cheapest tech rather than the most secure. The ISS report argues that the AU should encourage states to, where possible, delink trade from cyber diplomacy dialogue. Bilateral trading relationships with powerful state tech suppliers may cloud judgements over governance issues, for example. Delinking trade from tech may encourage continent-wide approaches to governance and cyber security rather than pursuing individual short-term economic gains. This would reduce the potential for global powers to adopt divide and rule strategies on digital issues. With their relatively youthful populations, African states can also position themselves as a rapidly expanding future source and marketplace for new technology. The emergence of indigenous technologies such as M-Pesa in Kenya is an example of local innovation. According to World Bank figures, by 2050, one in four of the worlds people will come from sub-Saharan Africa. This, together with the continents large proportion of young people, provides leverage for African states to ensure their current digital needs and challenges are addressed as a global priority. Karen Allen, Consultant, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). President Muhammadu Buhari has justified his signing of the 2022 budget despite what he described as worrisome changes made by lawmakers to the finance law. He said signing the budget was necessary to save important projects, programmes and policies. Mr Buhari also said that had he declined assent to the budget, the lawmakers would exercise their powers and override his veto a situation he said would not be necessary considering the cordial relationship that exists between the Legislature and the Executive. The president was reacting to controversies surrounding the budget signing on Friday and his criticism of the National Assemblys handling of the budget. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Buhari, while signing the 2022 budget totalling N17 trillion, queried the lawmakers for inserting 6,576 new projects worth about N37 billion into the budget. He also complained that the lawmakers reduced the allocations for many strategic capital projects to introduce Empowerment Projects. Provisions made for as many as 10,733 projects were reduced while 6,576 new projects were introduced into the budget by the National Assembly, Mr Buhari said in his speech during the ceremony. However, in a late Sunday statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, the president said he is not angry with the lawmakers. He said disagreements such as the ones he listed, are normal in the everyday Executive-Parliamentary relationship because executive and legislative judgements dont always have to be the same. Despite the alterations by the National Assembly, there are still thousands of provisions in the 2022 Budget, all of which, when efficiently and effectively implemented, will have significant developmental impacts on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians, Mr Shehu explained. Given the presidents commitment to improving the lot of the common man, it would not be wise to throw away the baby with the bathwater. Ongoing Capital Projects, Critical Recurrent Votes, Priority New Projects all feature in the 2022 Budget and the presidents forbearance in assenting to the Budget will save these provisions from implementation delays and other challenges. If the president had declined assent to the 2022 Appropriation Bill, the National Assembly has powers to override the Presidents veto if they can drum up a 2/3 majority vote. Happily, this situation has not arisen during the tenure of the presidents administration, and the Executives relationship with the Leadership of the 9th National Assembly is much improved over what happened with the 8th National Assembly, Mr Shehu said. The spokesperson said it is on account of Mr Buharis confidence in the working relationship that he directed that a proposal to amend the budget should be prepared and submitted to the National Assembly, once they return from their recess. It is important therefore that, in place of anger or confrontation, President Buhari showed the democracy-loving side of his personality as he signed the budget at the same time calling for dialogue with the parliament to resolve the contentious issues. The presidency and the ninth assembly, Mr Shehu said, are committed to a good neighbourly relationship and this or any other disagreement between the two arms of government will not alter the dynamics of that relationship. Following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic at the Presidential Villa, the Nigerian government has put in place fresh conditions and precautionary measures visitors must fulfill before gaining access to the seat of power. PREMIUM TIMES had on December 25 exclusively reported the outbreak of the pandemic at the villa and how the government kept a sealed lip over the matter. Though the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed in a text message shared with our reporter that he contracted the virus, he declined to either confirm or deny other aides of the President had. The governments decision to keep the development under wraps has only further exposed the secrecy of governance in Nigeria. Such practice has gradually grown to become a culture among public officials in Nigeria, and particularly at the centre, as they conceal the health conditions of public office holders. From the years of the late President Umar YarAdua to the incumbent Mr Buhari, the public has always been in the dark over the nature of ailments their leaders are being treated for whenever they fall sick. But Mr Shehus colleague, Femi Adesina, while appearing on Channels Televisions programme Politics Today, more than 24 hours after he had failed to either confirm or deny the development to our reporter who reached out to him, confirmed the outbreak. Meanwhile, Mr Shehu has since released an update on his Facebook page, saying he has been confirmed fit by the doctors. New measures Addressing journalists on Sunday, Mr Shehu said new protective measures have been put in place at the state house to ward off a resurgence of the infection in and around the President. Mr Shehu, who said the new measures are not targeted at the governors willing to see Mr Buhari or any other guest of the President alone, noted that any visitor to the villa must pass through the same process. He said: Yes, a new regime of COVID-19 regulation has been put in place for all visitors to the Villa, not for governors alone. Every visitor to the Villa, not just those seeing the President, is now required to do a rapid test at the gate. The kits are freely issued so no one is required to make payment. This is purely temporary in view of the recent spike in cases, and will be removed any moment the situation abates. Its a growing practice in government offices in many countries. Exceptions Though Mr Shehu did not mention those to benefit from the exceptions to the new rule, he, however, confirmed that there are certain categories of people who may be visiting the villa but are to be exempted from the fresh conditions. Although some exceptions have been made for a few leaders in government coming from outside the Villa, they too are encouraged to do those tests. This policy has rightfully been justified following the discovery of COVID-19 positivity in some of those tested since the last few days of the practice, the presidential aide added. COVID-19 in Nigeria Since the outbreak of the pandemic in Nigeria in February, 2020, the spike in infections, which was recorded at the twilight of 2021, had been unprecedented. The President had also never been that endangered with many of his aides including the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Tijani Umar; the aide-de-camp (ADC), Yusuf Dodo and Mr Buharis chief security officer (CSO), Aliyu Musa, all reportedly down with the virus. As of Monday, the countrys fatality toll from the pandemic stands at 3,039, while the infection toll has increased to 243,450. According to the latest update by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the number of people who are currently down with COVID-19 infections has increased to 25,111, while 215,352 have successfully been treated and discharged nationwide. The government has continued to emphasise vaccination against the virus as the only antidote, while also appealing to the people to celebrate the yuletide season with moderation by observing relevant protocols already put in place to guide against further spread of infections. President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo did the uncommon in September 2015 by making public sketchy details of their asset declarations, although, it was in response to growing pressure on them to fulfil a major campaign promise. The presidency released the details of the duos asset declarations in a statement a few days before their first 100 days in office and promised to release the full versions after verification by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). Some who hailed Mr Buhari and his deputy for the gesture recalled that then President Goodluck Jonathan had blatantly told shocked Nigerians in 2012 that he would not publicly declare his assets no matter the level of criticism. Mr Jonathan, who earlier declared his asset publicly as the vice president in the late Umar Yaradua presidency, said he only did so in 2007 in deference to his boss, and not based on personal conviction. Therefore, Mr Buharis public declaration, even with the initial reluctance and the incompleteness of the disclosure, was a forward leap in transparency and accountability, his supporters said. But others who judged Mr Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), by their campaign vow to make public declaration of their assets within the first 100 days in office, were disappointed that it took pressure from the public for them to fulfil their promise. Mr Buhari, a former military dictator who ruled Nigeria with an iron fist in the early 80s, ran an anti-corruption-based campaign which earned him his electoral victory over then incumbent President Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. He had promised to fight corruption and end the lack of transparency that dogged the 16 years rule by PDP. Despite its corruption label, PDP has an unlikely record of producing the first Nigerian leader to ever make his asset declaration public. No law compels public officers to reveal their asset declarations submitted to the CCB to the public, but then President Umaru Yaradua and Mr Jonathan published the full details of their asset after assuming office in 2007. Yet, over six years after, the Buhari presidency has yet to fulfil its promise to release the full details of the asset declarations of the president and his deputy. Worse still, they have not said anything concerning subsequent asset declarations the president and his deputy made at the end of their first term and the beginning of their second term in office in 2019. Nigerians can only guess if they would make such public declarations by the time they complete their second and final term in May 2023. For Lukman Adefolahan, a human rights activist, without the access of Nigerians to the details of the asset declared by public officers, the anti-corruption war cannot produce the desired result. The law only says public officers should declare their assets; it is not mandatory for them to make them public. That is why it is difficult for Nigerians to access what they declare, said Mr Adefolahan. According to him and many other public accountability campaigners, with public declarations of assets, members of the public have the opportunity to track the expansion or contraction in the assets of a public officer or help the CCB to uncover assets not declared. Citizens, who are needed partners in the war against corruption, are therefore deprived of a vital tool for demanding accountability from their leaders and other categories of public officers mandated by the Nigerian constitution to declare their assets to the CCB every four years. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), in its report, 20 years of Anti-Corruption efforts in Nigeria, recommended that The National Assembly should revise the Code of Conduct Bureau Act to permit public disclosure of officeholders asset declarations without jeopardising office holders privacy or safety. Regime of secrecy The CCB is empowered to receive public officers asset declarations and verify them. It also has exclusive power to prosecute breaches of the code of conduct for public officers contained in Part I of the Fifth Schedule of the Nigerian constitution at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The constitution acknowledges the importance of citizens access to the details of assets filed with the CCB by public officers it makes provision for it in Paragraph 3 (c) of Part 1 of its Third Schedule. But that right of access is technically taken back with the clause contained in the same constitutional provision which predicates citizens access to public officers assets details on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe. CCB often flaunts this provision in rejecting citizens requests for the details of the asset declared by public officers, even when such requests are anchored on the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act. In March 2021, CCB chair, Muhammad Isah, said the bureau never honoured citizens requests for such information because the National Assembly had yet to give the guidelines for such public disclosure as provided for in the constitution. Advertisements Mr Isah, who was speaking through his special assistant, Mustapha Musa, at an event organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Lagos, said the provisions of the FoI Act concerning citizens access to the asset declaration forms of public officers were subject to the conditions which the constitution prescribes should be set by the National Assembly. In January 2020, SERAP decided to channel such requests to the various officials concerned. The organisation sent FoI requests to President Buhari, Vice-President Osinbajo, the 36 state governors and their deputies, urging them to provide the details of their asset declared to the CCB. With no positive responses from the officials, SERAP sued the CCB, urging the Federal High Court in Lagos, to compel the agency to provide the asset details the officials refused to disclose. CCB opposed the suit, insisting it had no power to provide the details without legislation made by the National Assembly. Delivering judgement on the matter on May 11, 2020, Muslim Hassan (now a Justice of the Court of Appeal), upheld CCBs position by holding that the duty to make the asset declaration form of public officers available depends on the terms and conditions to be prescribed by the National Assembly. SERAP has since appealed the judgment. Efforts to guarantee public access The CCB and some of its development partners had put forward a draft of legislation to guarantee citizens access to public officers. With no greenlight from the legislators, who are likely to become targets of the application of such law if passed, the draft legislation has simply died on arrival. But PREMIUM TIMES understands that there are ongoing collaborative efforts of the CCB, civil society organisations and some development partners to see how such public disclosure can be done without violating constitutional provisions. Such options, our reporter learnt, is likely to be a disclosure of the details of asset of various public officers on a designated online portal without giving the details of the concerned public officers. Deeper problems of political distraction, inefficiency Beyond CCBs hands being tied with legislation that prevents it from granting citizens access to asset declaration forms, experts say inefficiency runs deep in the organisation. In the last five years, CCB has turned a blind eye to landmark journalistic revelations tagged Panama Papers, Paradise Papers and Pandora Papers all of which pointed to likely asset declaration breaches by current and serving public officers. The revelations are based on leaks to a consortium of over 100 investigative journalists from different countries including PREMIUM TIMES. Former Senate Presidents Bukola Saraki and David Mark, and a former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, were listed amongst prominent Nigerians who have links with offshore assets revealed in the Panama Papers released in 2016. Like the Panama and Paradise papers of 2016 and 2017 respectively, recent Pandora Papers exposed at least 10 prominent persons, some of whom are former or serving public officers, who hid their wealth offshore ostensibly to evade tax. Names mentioned in the Pandora Papers include former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; a senator and former aviation minister, Stella Oduah; the acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko; Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, and his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Bagudu. Weeks after the release of the Pandora Papers, the most recent of the three, the CCB chairperson, Mr Isah, said the bureau would carry out its investigations on the revelations, but nothing concrete has been heard of action taken by the agency or sister organisations involved in the anti-corruption campaign. Mr Isahs comment turned out to be a repeat of the CCBs reaction to similar revelations in August 2016, when the agency, under its former leadership, claimed that it had started investigation of present and past government officials named in the leaks, but nothing has been heard about such moves. Tunde Ajileye, a policy expert and partner with SBM Intelligence, a geopolitical research consultancy firm, stated that the CCB had only shown vigour in pursuing prosecution for political reasons. The CCB is not interested in doing its job, except for when it is politically beneficial, Mr Ajileye stated, referencing the trial of Mr Saraki and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, who were believed to have been taken on by the Buhari administration for political reasons. In January 2019, the CCB, against the often-touted constitutional provision that prevents public disclosure of the details of public officers asset, provided Dennis Aghanya of the Anti-corruption and Research-based Data Initiative (ARDI) the details of Mr Onnoghens asset declaration forms. Speculation was rife that the Buhari administration was uncomfortable with having Mr Onnoghen as the CJN, who was then alleged to be sympathetic to the opposition PDP, by the time disputes arising from then imminent 2019 presidential election would get to the Supreme Court. The asset declaration forms released by the CCB to Mr Aghanya formed the basis of his petition sent against Mr Onnoghen, and subsequently the charges filed by the bureau against the CJN at the CCT. In the end, Mr Onnoghen, earlier suspended by Mr Buhari, was convicted of asset declaration breaches by the tribunal. He was punished with a permanent removal from office, prohibition from holding public office for 10 years, and forfeiture of asset which were the subject of the charges. On his part, Mr Saraki fell out with Mr Buharis camp after becoming the Senate President in 2015 against the choice of their party, the APC, for the position. In September that year, he was charged with asset declaration breaches at the CCT. But after years of trial, the CCT acquitted him, and in July 2018, the Supreme Court also affirmed his acquittal. Despite his victory, the injured relationship between him and the APC as well as Mr Buharis camp never healed, leading to his eventual defection from the party to the opposition PDP just weeks after his acquittal by the Supreme Court in July 2018. Poor funding reason for inefficiency? PREMIUM TIMES recent analysis of the 2022 budget proposals for seven anti-corruption agencies, revealed how the CCB and CCT have been poorly funded. During his recent budget defence before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, CCT chair, Danladi Umar, said his tribunal had concluded only 30 cases out of the 257 referred to it by the CCB in 2021. Mr Umar attributed the tribunals inability to treat all the cases referred to it to underfunding, among other challenges. CCB has a more severe underfunding problem, PREMIUM TIMES analysis has shown. The N2.9 billion proposed for it in 2022 was about 9.4 per cent lower than the N3.2 billion appropriated for it in the 2021 budget. But beyond the issue of funding, Liborous Oshoma, a lawyer, identified general inefficiency, especially in the area of proactively giving information to relevant anti-corruption agencies, as one of CCBs major problems. There is no law that bars the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to file a complaint to the appropriate government agencies when you (CCB) do investigations and you are unable to verify asset so declared; nothing stops you (CCB) from informing the ICPC and EFCC which are the appropriate agencies of the state of those properties, he told PREMIUM TIMES. Lack of synergy among relevant agencies has also been identified as the bane of the anti-corruption war. Adetunji Ogunyemi, a lawyer and Senior Lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, said the prevalence of internal corruption is also affecting the performance of the CCB. He said what the bureau needs is to cure itself of its internal contradiction and its administrative inefficiency. And when you deliberately create administration inefficiency you are corrupt. He also noted that the lack of proper record keeping of asset declaration forms is undercutting the efficiency of the agency, citing a survey he conducted in the past. Go and check the ones they keep in Borno, its eaten by termites. They do not have stores, the offices are not well kept and anybody can make claims to say I have an asset declaration form, he said. Mr Adefolahan called for the digitalisation of the asset declaration forms as the best way to safeguard the records, a step the CCB has said it is working on. So there is a need to introduce technology. And also to build the capacity of their staff, he added. A few days after military operations in Zamfara State killed two leaders of terror groups and their followers, another kingpin, Bello Turji, has released dozens of victims his group kidnapped. Mr Turji has released 52 kidnap victims as part of his efforts to appease the Zamfara State government towards granting him an amnesty. Informed sources in the state including a Government House official confirmed the development to this newspaper on Monday. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Turji wrote a ceasefire letter to President Buhari, Governor Bello Matawalle and the emir of Shinkafi. In the letter, he outlined five conditions for the ceasfire. His current gesture is coming a few days after Nigerian Air force jets bombed to death two other bandits leaders and their followers in Gusami forest in Zamfara State. Saturdays air force bombings are part of the renewed efforts by the military to decimate the various terror groups operating in the North-west where thousands of people were killed and kidnapped in 2021. Release of kidnap victims Mohammed Humility, a resident of Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, told PREMIUM TIMES Monday evening that the abducted victims were from communities in Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Birnin Magaji local government areas of Zamfara State as well as Isa and Sabon Birni LGAs of Sokoto State. We were expecting them from morning but they were released around 7 p.m. Five buses were chartered by some officials and sent to a river bank for the meeting, he said. He said the freed captives were being taken to Gusau, the state capital. Another resident, Salihu Shinkafi, a senior lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said he spoke with someone who met the released victims. He added that the release of the victims could be because of the killing of Alh Auta, a notorious bandit leader, by air force bombs. A Zamfara State Government House source, who asked not to be named as he has no permission to speak to journalists on the matter, said Mr Turji took the step to appease the state governor. I can confirm that His Excellency knew of the decision by Turji to release the victims. For now, I know the stand is that there will be no dialogue with bandits because even the letter was disregarded. We also learnt that Turji has been pleading with some of his friends to release some captives as part of his plan to appease us but Im not sure it will work, he said. The police spokesperson in Zamfara State, Mohammed Shehu, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the development. Governor Matawalle was a proponent of dialogue with bandits towards persuading them to drop their arms and embrace the law. But he discarded the policy after some so-called repentant bandits returned to the forests to resume their criminal activities after being paid off by the state government. A military offensive later dislodged many of the bandits from Zamfara forests. But they relocated to neighbouring Sokoto where they have been kidnaping and slaughtering residents and road users. A bombing raid on the hideouts of some of the bandits late last month in Zamfara led to the death of some of them, after which Mr Turji unilaterally declared a ceasefire. Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun on Sunday mourned the demise of a former Military Administrator in the state, Anthony Obi, describing his death as painful. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the death of Mr Obi, a retired colonel who served as the states military governor from August 1996 to August 1998, was announced by his family on Sunday. Mr Obi died on January 1. Mr Oyetola, in a statement signed by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, on Sunday in Osogbo, condoled the family of the deceased and hailed his contributions to governance in Osun. He said that the late Mr Obi was one of the leaders, who laid the foundation of the state. The death of Retired Col. Anthony Obi is painful and a huge loss, not only to his family, but to the nation. He was a brave, committed and an experienced military officer who served Nigeria and Osun in particular, selflessly and passionately. As a Military Administrator, Obi made remarkable contributions to governance in Osun and was one of the leaders who laid the foundation of our state and left some legacies, which he will be remembered for. On behalf of my family, Government and the people of Osun, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Obi. Though, his death is devastating, I urge you to take solace in the legacies of selflessness, professionalism and service to humanity he left behind, Mr Oyetola said. He prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest and give his bereaved family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the huge loss. Similarly, Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, in his condolence message, said the late Mr Obi would be greatly missed. Mr Owoeye, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Afolabi, said the deceased did the best he could do for the five year-old state when he was at the helm of affairs in the state. His wealth of experience will be greatly missed, being advisor to many politicians, who wanted to tap from his wealth of knowledge as an administrator. It is not in doubt his eagerness to get Osun developed even, in the toothing stage of the state of the vitreous. He will be remembered for his efforts at resolving the then misunderstanding in the Ile-Ife axis. Anthony Obi set up a Royal Committee to make recommendations on resolving the crisis, and declared a seven-day fasting and prayer programmes in March 1998 concentrating on peace in Ile-Ife. My condolences to the family he left behind and pray for the fortitude to bear the loss of their patriarch. May he continue to rest in the bossom of our Lord, Mr Owoeye said. The family of Mr Obi had in a statement announced the gentle passing of our Patriarch, and head of the family on Jan.1 2022 by 6:03 p.m. According to the family, our father was a lion, a warrior, a brave soldier who served the nation, Nigeria, as a two-time governor of Osun State and Abia. Obi was a loving husband first, and a devoted father who instilled love, discipline and humility in all he did on his time on earth. He shared with us a love deeply portrayed all through his life, and he, most importantly was the bravest man we ever knew. Advertisements We ask that in this time of our grief, that prayers and goodwill are directed toward our family in this trying moment. Adieu ! Obi, your whole family will forever keep your memory alive, through the mercy of God, the family said in a statement. (NAN) Rauf Olaniyan, the Oyo State deputy governor, and former governors Rasheed Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala, were among those who attended the funeral service for the late Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, on Sunday. The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Abdulganiy Abubakar, led other Islamic clerics to offer prayers for the soul of the late king at Mapo Hall, Ibadan. The remains of the 93-year-old traditional ruler were later interred at his Popoyemoja Palace on Sunday evening according to Islamic rites. Among other dignitaries that attended the ceremony were Oluyemisi Adeaga, the president-general, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), political office holders, and hosts of others. The late Mr Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in the early hours of Sunday after an illness. Speaking with journalists on the death of his father, Mukaila Adetunji said that he lived a fulfilled life and was kind to everyone he came across during his lifetime. I do not feel anyhow over his death, because Baba did his best for the citizens and visitors. He related well with traders, artisans and even, the professionals. He was humble and good to everyone. If not for wealth and position, there are several people who died today. We thank God that Baba died in the hands of his children in peace. May Almighty God forgive his shortcomings, he said. Also, another son of the late king, Lukumon Adetunji, said: It has happened and we have taken it in good faith. He was very social. He did well for family, indigenes and visitors. I pray that God grant him eternal rest and protect all that he left behind. Recounting how the late traditional ruler took ill, Adeola Oloko, the personal assistant to the late Mr Adetunji, said that he died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, within a couple of days after he fell ill. Mr Oloko said: He fell ill, he was in the hospital and he died in the early hours of this morning at the University College Hospital. He was once in a private hospital before he was moved to the University College Hospital at Orita-Mefa. So, nothing was kept away from the media. He described his late principal as a peace-loving traditional ruler, whom he said lived for peace, harmony and the progress of Ibadan. He lived for peace, he lived for harmony, he lived for progress of the city. He was a peacemaker by every standard. He never had in-fight over anything. If you have a domain comprising 21 towns, one city, 1,681 villages, 11 local government councils out of possibly 33, which is 60 per cent of total population of Oyo State, what are you going to live or for, he said. Also, a renowned Fuji Musician, Wasiu Ayinde, said that the late Olubadan lived a fulfilled life, adding that he came, saw and conquered. We give glory to Almighty God. From God we come and to God we return. Baba Olubadan came, he saw and he conquered, he became the Olubadan. You know what it means to toe the line and rise to the point of being Olubadan of Ibadan. He had a marvelous time. He had beautiful reign in fulfilment of the glory of God and the good people of Ibadan land, Ayinde said. The musician, popularly known as KWAM 1, thanked the good people of Ibadanland for the privilege given to Mr Adetunji to serve them. Advertisements We, as his children, thank the good people of Ibadanland for giving our Baba the opportunity to be a shining example and to have given that privilege to him to serve the people of Ibadanland, he said. (NAN) Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari has criticised officials of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja for wrongly accusing him of ordering the arrest of a journalist working for Summit Post Newspaper in Abuja. The FCT council of the NUJ had initially stated that the reporter, Nelson Omonu, was arrested on the order of the governor but the union later withdrew the allegation and apologised to Mr Masari. Speaking afterwards in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, the governors media aide, Abdu Labaran, decried the initial allegation. He said the statement by Abuja NUJ has exposed the bankruptcy of the journalistic ethics among some members of the fourth estate of the realm in the country. The statement read: The attention of Katsina State government has been drawn to a press statement issued by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council in which it accused Governor Aminu Bello Masari of ordering the arrest of one Nelson Omonu, who works for Summit Post Newspaper. As bad as the allegation is, the FCT NUJ went on to make degrading remarks about the security challenges bedevilling the state, as if Katsina is the only state facing the menace of banditry. For the avoidance of doubt, and the purpose of putting the record straight, Governor Masari or, for that matter, any official of Katsina State government, has not ordered the arrest or detention of any journalist, in Abuja or anywhere else. It added: Its also our belief that we may not be wrong to suspect a hatchet job executed for a handsome reward, paid by a shadowy puppeteer who pulls the strings behind the scene. We cannot teach members of the FCT NUJ council how to go about keeping the wolves away from their door, but they would do well, very, as a matter of fact, to make sure of their fact before rushing to put pen to paper. Making laughable allegations in obeisance to their paymasters. Such actions, which have nothing to do with purity of purpose, have a way they easily boomerang. The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has advised the National Assembly to expunge the clauses regarding direct primary election in the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill, for it to be signed by President Muhammadu Buhari. IPAC National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, gave the advice at a news conference on Monday in Abuja. IPAC is the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria. Mr Sani said IPAC was impressed with the lawmakers for the courage, high level of commitment and patriotism they exhibited in the passage of the bill, describing it as ground-breaking and transformative in the annals of the National Assembly. He, however, said IPAC noted that the only expressed grouse of the president was the provision in the bill for a mandatory use of direct primary elections in the selection of flag bearers of all the political parties. While many may not concede to the explanation of security challenges given by the president, it will be difficult, however, to disagree with him on the reason of complex logistics and huge financial burden that direct primary elections will imply for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Many have canvassed the view that no amount of money should be considered too high in the efforts to sanitise the nations electoral process and that the legislature should, therefore, invoke its veto powers to overrule the president. To us in IPAC, such an action may be tantamount to a wholesale wrecking of the boat. We are of the view that, much as we may cherish its perceived benefits, the country at this stage of its democracy, does not appear to be sufficiently ripe and prepared for the direct primary election model in the selection of political party flag bearers. Also, against the backdrop of the presidents decisive aversion to this particular provision of the electoral bill, the use of veto by the legislature may merely result in a fruitless exercise if, at the end of the day, its implementation is not supported by the required funding by the executive, he said. Mr Sani said IPAC was inclined to the opinion that regards the National Assemblys position on indirect primaries as amounting to an attempt to usurp the constitutional rights of parties as to the method of choice of party flag bearers. He said that the lawmakers might have acted as interlopers by trying to run political parties from the hallowed chambers. He said objectively in the context of international practices, primary elections could not be legislated upon, but best left to the discretion of the political parties. We believe and wish to accordingly admonish that as elected officials, the National Assembly and executive arms should be rather more concerned about ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and how to reduce the costs of democratic practices and make our democracy more resilient. The way out of the logjam, in our view in the IPAC, is for the shifting of grounds by the legislature and the executive arms of government for a compromise and amicable resolution resulting in a win-win scenario. This should not be a difficult task given that the two arms are incidentally controlled by the same political party, the APC. The IPAC is accordingly, recommending that the Legislature should accede to the expunging of the clauses regarding direct primary election thereby saving the other equally important provisions among which, is the one on the mandatory electronic transmission of election results by INEC. By that, we believe that President Buhari should have no further reason to withhold his assent. To avoid further pitfalls in the remodelling and implementation of this law, we suggest that the legislature and the executive should consider carrying IPAC along. This is in view of the fact that the Bill directly affects our members, the political parties, who will implement the law when eventually enacted. He who wears the shoes knows where it pinches, Mr Sani said. He also called on the legislature and the executive to come up with measures to address unconscionable defections of elected officials from one party to another to save the countrys democracy. The chairman described such defection as a show of political adventurism, immoral, a rascally display of impunity, a shameless disregard for the constitution and an audacious rape of the mandate of the electorate. Mr Sani said that IPAC believed it was utterly illegal for an elected official who was elected on the platform and manifesto of one political party to abandon such a party while in office, without the constitutional conditions precedent to do so. Advertisements He said, IPAC wishes to point to the fact that frivolous and willful cross carpeting only exists in a parliamentary democracy and not in a presidential system of democracy that is extant in Nigeria. It is our view that any elected official who feels that he or she has reasons to change his political party, our advice in IPAC is that such officials should resign and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate on the platform of his new political party. Mr Sani disclosed that IPAC was working on establishing in Abuja, a pan African democracy institute to be known as, Africa Institute for Democracy. The thrust of the concept is the deepening and spreading of all-inclusive democracy on the African continent through the creation of a centre for research and teaching of democracy with bias on African peculiar characteristics. He said that soon in the New Year, IPAC would be setting up a high-powered body of experts and influential persons to work on the realisation of the project. (NAN) Sudans Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has resigned following mass protests that have continued to rock the capital Khartoum. Thousands have marched against a recent deal Mr Hamdok had to share power with the army, who staged a coup in October, BBC reports. Chanting power to the people, protesters called for a return to full civilian rule. But military forces staged another violent crackdown, leaving two people dead. Mr Hamdoks decision to quit leaves the army in full control. It is another blow to Sudans fragile attempts at a transition to democratic rule after a popular uprising led to the overthrow of Sudans long-term authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. In a televised address, Mr Hamdok said the country was at a dangerous turning point that threatens its whole survival. He said he had tried his best to stop the country from sliding towards disaster, but that despite everything that has been done to reach a consensus it has not happened. Civilian and military leaders had made an uneasy power-sharing agreement after the army staged a coup on October 25 and initially placed Prime Minister Hamdok under house arrest. ALSO READ: The ticking clock in South Sudan could become a time bomb Under the agreement reached with Mr Hamdok in November, the reinstated prime minister was supposed to lead a cabinet of technocrats until elections were held. But it was unclear how much power the new civilian government would have, and protesters said they did not trust the military. Thousands of people were on the streets of the capital Khartoum and the city of Omdurman on Sunday, chanting and calling on the military to leave politics alone. More than 50 people have been killed at protests since the coup, including at least two on Sunday, according to the pro-democracy Sudan Central Doctors Committee. Coup leader Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has defended last Octobers coup, saying the army acted to prevent a civil war that was threatening to erupt. He said Sudan is still committed to the transition to civilian rule, with elections planned for July 2023. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Otu Inyang, has been shot dead by gunmen. Mr Inyang was killed in his hometown, Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Government Area, in the early hours of January 1. According to witnesses, the deceased was on his way home after attending the cross over service at Qua Iboe Church in the community, when he was waylaid by the assailants and shot dead. Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Odiko MacDon said that the state Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme has ordered an investigation into the incident. Mr MacDon described the incident as unfortunate. Yes, it is true that the man was shot dead on his way back home after the Crossover service in his church. The son reported to the police the following morning that the father and his mother were returning from church on 31st December and was attacked by two heavy gunmen who shot the father in the head before he died. The Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book, he stated. In a phone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Emem Wills, a former commissioner in the state, who is also from Eket, said he was still getting information about the incident. I am still trying to uncover what would be the real thing. I have not really laid my hands on it, so I cant give any information right now, he said. PREMIUM TIMES contacted three members of the APC from the area but they all said that they do not have sufficient information on the incident. Samuel Udonsak, president of Ekid Peoples Union, said the incident was discomforting and saddening. Mr Udonsak, a former governorship candidate on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria People Party, described the deceased as a formidable politician and a community leader. I received this news with great discomfort and sadness. I must say that this model of conflict resolution is uncommon in Ekid land. I knew Elder Otu Inyang very well, back in our days of ANPP, 2000 2003 when he helped us build a formidable opposition party. Late Prof Etuk Nssien Etuk, of blessed memory, regarded him rightly then, as a formidable pillar of his strong and resilient political empire and structure. When we attended his thanksgiving service after his retirement, I got to know first hand, how devoted he was to his native Ikot Udoma and the Qua Iboe Church. And, also how his people regarded and respected him, he said. President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State, the Royal Family, the Olubadan-in-council, and the people of Ibadan on the passing of Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji. In a condolence message released by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Sunday in Abuja, the president declared that the late traditional ruler was a visionary and compassionate leader. Mr Buhari said the late traditional ruler used his influence as a respected chief and a lover of the creative industry to advance the progress of his people, encouraging and motivating them to give their best to the nation. According to him, the demise of the royal father understandably leaves a huge void to fill. He urged the people of Ibadan and Nigerians from different walks of life to honour the memory of the deceased by imbibing virtues like generosity, peace, tolerance, and devotion to unity which he cherished so much. The president believes that as the funeral rites of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland get underway, the process of selecting his successor will be guided by wisdom, understanding, and good judgment that exemplified the life he lived, the statement said. It added that Mr Buhari had prayed to God to grant the soul of Oba Adetunji eternal rest and comfort the family, friends, associates, and subjects he left behind. Olubadan, an exemplary leader Fayemi Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti in a statement issued on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described the late Olubadan as an exemplary leader who did not allow old age to hamper his passion for the development of Ibadan and Oyo State in general. The governor, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, described the death of the royal father as the exit of a great and true leader of the people. According to him, the late Mr Adetunjis contributions to the promotion of Yoruba cultural heritage and peaceful coexistence among different groups in Ibadan and the country cannot be over-emphasised. Mr Fayemi said the late traditional ruler would also be remembered for his indelible marks and service, as a custodian of peoples cultural heritage and traditions, especially at a time when many were abandoning their cultural heritage for foreign culture. I received the news of Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, with shock. Oba Adetunji was a man of wisdom who had served his people well despite becoming the Olubadan at an old age. He was an inspiring and emulative leader par excellence. He will be sorely missed for the fatherly roles he played as a royal father. On behalf of my wife, the government, and people of Ekiti, I commiserate with the people of Ibadan as well as the government and people of Oyo State on this great loss. May God grant eternal rest to the departed royal father and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss, the governor said. Colossal loss to Yorubaland Oyetola Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, on Sunday in Osogbo, also commiserated with the royal family, the Olubadan-in-Council, and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad over the incident. He said the passing away of the first-class traditional ruler, which came on the trail of that of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, was another colossal loss to Yorubaland. According to him, the death of Mr Adetunji has left a deep void that will be difficult to fill. Mr Oyetola described the late traditional ruler as a respected royal father as well as an exemplary and compassionate leader. He said that within the short of his reign, the late traditional ruler showed strong concern and commitment to the welfare of his subjects and the development of Ibadan. On behalf of the government and people of Osun, I commiserate with Gov. Seyi Makinde, government and people of Oyo State over the transition of Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji. I also condole with the royal family, the Olubadan-in-Council, and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad as well as the Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers. Advertisements The late Oba Saliu Adetunji was a respected royal father, exemplary and compassionate leader who demonstrated strong concern and commitment to the welfare of his subjects and the development of Ibadan within the short period of his reign. He will be remembered for his fatherly roles and wise counsel, he said. Mr Oyetola prayed Allah to forgive the late traditional ruler and grant his immediate family, the governor, and the people of Ibadan the fortitude to bear the loss. (NAN) The remains of Bashir Tofa, the presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the June 12, 1993 election, have been laid to rest in a public cemetery in Kano. Earlier, his uncle, Bello Dan-Sumaila, told PREMIUM TIMES that the politician passed away at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano at about 4:30 a.m on Monday at the age of 74 years. Mr Dan-Sumaila said Mr Tofa was recuperating from a week-long illness when he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor Monday morning. The remains were lowered to earth at Hajj Camp, a public cemetery in the Kano metropolis. The sombre ceremony was completed at his Gandun Albasa residence after the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, observed his funeral prayers. A former governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau, a former Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono, and a former Secretary to Kano State Government, Sule Yahaya-Hamma, were some of the political dignitaries at the ceremony. In his condolence greetings, the governor of Jigawa state, Muhammad Badaru, through his media aide, Habibu Kila, said he was saddened by the news of the death of Mr Tofa whom he described as a statesman, industrialist, politician and community leader. Mr Badaru said the politician lived and died in the service of humanity, Mr Badaru said. In his own message, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano said Mr Tofas contributions to Nigerias democracy are indelible.. In a statement signed by the state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, the governor noted that Mr Tofa started taking up leadership responsibilities at an early age when he was elected councilor in Tofa in his late 20s, and remained vibrant and dynamic up till the time of his death. He said as a businessman, trader and philanthropist, Mr Tofa touched many lives, especially the down-trodden. The legacy of his political beliefs and triumphs will be important footnotes in the literature of Nigerias government and politics for generations yet to come. He was a great man, a quintessential democrat and outstanding statesman who has left very hold prints both on the politics and political history of Nigeria, the statement added. Northern speakers mourn The Northern Speakers Forum also described the death of Mr Tofa as the loss of a perfect gentleman. The Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Zailani, who is the chairperson of the forum said this in a statement signed by his media aide, Ibrahim Danfulani. He discribed the deceased as peaceful, patriotic and a lover of his country. All through his life time, he was never named among controversial politicians that flame embers of disunity, confusion and disintegration, it said. The forum said Mr Tofa never played do-or-die politics, but was an embodiment of democracy at its finest. He will be deeply missed by all for his silent role in stabilising the polity, the statement added. Arewa Youth Consultative Council mourns The chairperson,the Arewa Youth Consultative Council, (AYCC) Zaidu Ayuba, in a statement described Mr Tofa as the most reliable, promising and listening pillar of the Arewa Youth Consultative Council. Mr Ayuba said the deceased who was the patron to the AYCC was its greatest pillar that always tried to shields us from misbehaving as youths with exuberance, he always taught us tacts and approaches in politics. Today, we lost our greatest pillar. This is a non recuperating lost. We pray for Allah mercy and Rahman to his soul. May Aljannah be his home, May we find the fortitude to bear the loss with strong Iman. Farewell to our leader, AYCC said in a statement. As public and private primary and secondary schools in Lagos prepare to resume for the commencement of second term on Tuesday, authorities in the state have said the embattled Dowen College, a secondary school located in Lekki, will not be reopening. The government said until investigations into the unfortunate incident of the death of one of its junior secondary school two students, Sylvester Oromoni Junior, who was reportedly beaten and forced to drink a poisonous substance allegedly by some bullying seniors, reach a logical conclusion, the school shall not be permitted to resume. This is as the government has advised school administrators to step up school safety measures and reduce unfavorable safety incidences across schools and their neighbourhood. On resumption Speaking exclusively with our reporter on Monday, an assistant director in charge of public affairs unit, ministry of education, Ganiu Lawal, said very soon the school will also join others to resume but not until ongoing investigations into the unfortunate incident reach an advanced stage. According to Mr Lawal, since the matter is not strictly a state matter and with the involvement of the police and other parties, it would be ideal for all ts to be crossed and is to be dotted. But I can assure you that very soon the issue will be resolved, but they are not resuming tomorrow, Mr Lawal said. On safety measures Speaking via a press statement issued on Monday and signed by Mr Lawal, the states commissioner for education, Folasade Adefisayo, said bullying, cultism and other vices will not be tolerated in any part of the school. The caution was coming some weeks after the death of Master Oromoni. Admonishing school administrators to increase counseling of students against these vices, the commissioner welcomed students, teachers and school administrators to the beginning of a new year and second term of 2021/2022 school session. She directed school administrators to ensure exposure of students to danger within the school premises are neutralised while identified possible dangers outside the walls of the schools are escalated to appropriate state safety and enforcement agencies through prescribed channels. Devise appropriate strategies to advance teacher, student interaction in order to gain an insight and expose negative tendencies before they metamorphose into unfortunate situations. Adequate monitoring, especially as it affects boarding school students should be enforced to prevent the incidence of bullying and all other vices, the commissioner advised. The commissioner noted that all public and private schools in the state are expected to resume for the 2nd term of 2021/2022 school session on Tuesday 4th January, 2022 while students in boarding schools are expected back in the hostel by Monday, 3rd January, 2022. Background The Lagos State government ordered the indefinite closure of Dowen College on December 3, 2021 after the parents and extended family members of 12-year old Oromoni Junior, insisted their son was murdered by seniors at the school. Students who were at the time writing their first semester examinations were asked to vacate the school abruptly without completing their examinations. But reports said the school deployed technology to allow the student to complete their examination online. The familys lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, had written to the Chief Coroner of Lagos State requesting an inquest into the students death. An autopsy conducted by the investigators, however, later revealed that the deceased died of acute lung injury due to chemical intoxication in a background of blunt force trauma. The Lagos State Police Command has so far released the housemaster and other Dowen College staffer who were arrested in connection with the students death. President Muhammadu Buhari does not ask for favour from those he has given political appointment, says the Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Effiong Akwa. Mr Akwa said this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, December 6, while presenting a keynote address at the Press Week celebration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council. We have a president who will never call you on the phone, who will never seek favour or send someone to you, Mr Akwa said. That is why he doesnt accept anything substandard or take no for an answer. He said other Nigerian politicians should emulate Mr Buharis lifestyle. Politicians, he said, should live by good principles and persuade the electorate to embrace such principles, instead of vote-buying. Politics without principle is a sin, he said. Mr Akwa spoke against the rotation of political offices, saying such practice should not be promoted above quality political leadership in the country. They are just sending people to Abuja to represent you because it is their turn. Because of this, you end up sending nonentities and people who should be sleeping at home. Enough of this issue of rotation, enough of this is our turn. Any man who has done well should be supported to be (Nigerias) president, he said. The NDDC administrator also advocated for timely conclusion of all litigations on electoral matters to allow elected officials concentrate on their job, as well as making it mandatory for those contesting elections to have at least a university first degree. Journalism the greatest profession The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo, also spoke at the occasion. Mr Ekpo, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, praised journalists for their contributions to Nigerias democracy. Journalism is the greatest profession anyone can think of, we have the opportunity to influence peoples thoughts. I want you (journalists) to consider yourself as critical stakeholders in Nigeria, but please dont rock the boat successful people dont rock the boat, said the deputy governor who is a veteran journalist and a member of the NUJ in Akwa Ibom. I have confidence in the present leadership of NUJ in Akwa Ibom. I germinated from the press, I have grown from the press, and I will perish in the press, he added. The Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom, Ini Ememobong, said journalists must not only interrogate the nations leadership, but must also investigate characters and actions of the followers to find out what has been their contributions to the success or failure of the nations democracy. The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has dissociated itself from a coalition of 57 Yoruba groups allegedly rooting for South-West pro-restructuring presidential candidate in 2023. The OPC Publicity Secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin, in a statement, denied the involvement of Gani Adams in the mega accord, saying such moves were purely fraudulent and very far from the truth. Mr Oguntimehin urged the groups to stop using the name of OPC for petty political mileage, saying OPC was not among the 57 Yoruba groups that met in Lagos at the weekend to mobilise the South-West for Bola Tinubu, Yemi Osinbajo, or Kayode Fayemis presidency. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that OPC was listed among those behind the mega accord of 57 Yoruba civil society groups that met in Lagos recently with a resolve to mobilise the South-West for a pro-restructuring presidential candidate in 2023. The meeting was reportedly presided over by a journalist, Mr Adewale Adeoye, while the communique issued at the end of the meeting was signed by Sunday Akinnuoye, Femi Agbana and Ganiat Toriola. The groups noted that they were aware of presidential aspirants like Messrs Fayemi, Osinbajo and Tinubu. They vowed to ensure that the 2023 presidential election produces a candidate that would restructure the country and resolve the lingering National Question irrespective of political platform. But Mr Oguntimehin said that OPC, under the leadership of Mr Adams, had, at no time, mobilised the group for any politician, insisting that the groups interest is beyond the 2023 general elections. Including OPCs name without (a) specific name attached to the purported arrangement of 57 South-West groups rooting for a South-West presidential candidate was a fraud and illegal because we are not a party to a meeting. There was no visual or audio content of how, when or where the meeting was held, only for us to see the story in the papers. We are aware that when elections are approaching, some politicians usually use the OPCs name to curry favours. READ ALSO: There are some groups that are affiliates of political parties that usually make themselves available for politicians as at when due, he said. According to him, those groups masquerading as OPC members have no programme or activities that they are known for. Even if anything happens in Yoruba land, you dont hear their voices, except, occasionally, during elections or when they are paid to issue statements against us. So, I enjoin whoever that is behind the arrangement to toe the right path and be specific in attaching OPCs name to any political accord. Anybody or group using our name without proper attachment or specification amounts to fraud and we will handle such in the most conventional manner, Mr Oguntimehin added. (NAN) I do not share the belief that the greatness of the Jews has anything to do with fulfilment of any prophecy. On the contrary, it can only be attributed to their iron-cast determination to succeed in the face of all odds. It is awkward to attribute Einsteins success to any special blessing when the man never believed in God or offered any prayer throughout his lifetime. Before I travelled to Israel, I used to believe that the phenomenal achievements of Jews in all areas of human endeavour were because they were the annoited of God but the thought vanished after spending three days there. I saw things for myself. First, there is no milk and honey flowing in their land. It is a desert with acute shortage of rainfall and water. For agriculture, they depend on massive irrigation. The Jews are extremely hardworking, resourceful and innovative. They are determined to rise above the challenges in their environment. The Jews are not Christians but Judaists. The main difference between Judaism and Christianity is the total rejection of Jesus as the messiah. They also do not believe a word of the New Testament. In their Bible, theres no new testament. Despite their abhorrence of Christianity and Jesus, they were smart enough to explore the commercial opportunities that pilgrimage offers. Israel makes billions of dollars yearly by commercialising a belief or faith they do not share. Jesus was not killed by the Roman rulers of Judea but by his fellow Jews, who saw him as a threat to the religious establishment. Over 2000 years after, they are yet to change their minds about him. More than 90 per cent of listed Nobel laureates are atheists. Albert Einstein, who was declared as the greatest scientist of the 20th Century, was an atheist. He neither accepted Christianity nor Judaism. Looking at the countries that are doing well in the world, one will see that this has nothing to do with their religious beliefs or special favours from God. Their progress has more to do with the choices they have made. Look at Donald Trump, he does not read the bible but he knows that to win an election in America, you must pretend to share the sentiments of the evangelical Christians. That was precisely what he did. In Nigeria, despite being blessed with huge natural and human resources, we do not want to succeed by vigorously exploiting the resources. We are dreamers hoping to succeed without lifting our fingers. We are miracle chasers who also cut corners. This explains why there is a huge market in Nigeria for diviners, sorcerers, prophets and Pentecostal pastors, who promise prosperity without labour. Japan was the first country in the world to achieve the feat of turning its name into a brand. Once you see Made in Japan on any product, you are assured of its excellent quality. Japanese people are neither Christians, Muslims nor Judaists. They achieved success because they are hardworking, resourceful, innovative and honest. What of Singapore that leapt from the fringes of the Third World to the First World? I can go on and on. In Nigeria, despite being blessed with huge natural and human resources, we do not want to succeed by vigorously exploiting the resources. We are dreamers hoping to succeed without lifting our fingers. We are miracle chasers who also cut corners. This explains why there is a huge market in Nigeria for diviners, sorcerers, prophets and Pentecostal pastors, who promise prosperity without labour. The Chinese are fast becoming our new masters in Africa. In 1960, Nigeria had a better prospect for success than China and Singapore. In fact, the Western Region in Nigeria had television before Australia. Look at the United Arab Emirates (UAE): Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most visited tourist cities in the world. This was inconceivable just 20 years ago. They are 100 per cent Muslim. This is the same religion that is exporting terror in many Arab and African countries, including our dear country Nigeria. No UAE citizen has been accused anywhere in the world of involvement in terrorism. Their cities are more modern than Paris, New York and London. Therefore, I do not share the belief that the greatness of the Jews has anything to do with fulfilment of any prophecy. On the contrary, it can only be attributed to their iron-cast determination to succeed in the face of all odds. It is awkward to attribute Einsteins success to any special blessing when the man never believed in God or offered any prayer throughout his lifetime. Material success has nothing to do with God. If it were so, Nigerians should be the richest people on earth because our greatest export apart from crude oil is religion. Lets get to work. Olu Daramola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is a Managing Partner at Afe Babalola & Co. now is the time to work hard to solve the soot problem. The government must adopt a bi-partisan, multi-agency, and collaborative approach to tackle this menace. We must not rest until our airs are clean again and we have a breath of fresh air, literally, in Rivers State and by extension in Nigeria. Last week, we considered the scientific, social, economic, and environmental challenges of soot in Rivers State, as representative of what is happening in the whole country. We further posited that all levels of government, security and regulatory agencies have disastrously failed to rise to the occasion of discharging their statutory and moral obligations of protecting lives. The minimum expectation of the people is that their government should confront this issue and save citizens from exposure to unnecessary health hazards and needless death. We vehemently and firmly argued the need for all stakeholders to urgently address this most deadly form of air pollution that constitutes a severe public health hazard. Fortunately, even with little or no intervention thus far, the consequence of soot is still benign, in comparison to what will happen in a few years if serious interventions are not carried out by all stakeholders now. The occurrence of soot is not peculiar to the Niger Delta of Nigeria, so there are models of how soot or air pollution generally was tackled in other parts of the world that we can learn from. Three cases of exceptional air pollution across the globe that posed indeterminate danger stand out the 1952 Great Smog of London, which left 4,000 persons dead in weeks; the two-decade long air pollution of Beijing and other Chinese cities; and the 2018 air pollution in New Delhi, Mumbai, and other Indian cities. These three cases and more offer us historical examples of responses and mitigating strategies adopted in other climes to the challenge of soot and air pollution. It is the truth that when people are confronted with novel environmental challenges or natural occurrences that threaten lives, as we have in the case of soot, governments usually treat these as emergencies that call for the deployment of all state resources to protect their people. The social contract that defines the states relationship with the people comes into play, especially when there is imminent danger. This applies in this case where there is a sense of responsibility and urgency. Based on our analyses of the responses of the three above listed different governmental approaches to solving the soot problem, we deduced a process that is a typology of a systematic and procedural approach to tackling soot in any part of the world. However, there is need for a bespoke solution adapted to the local circumstances. The most critical element of this typology, due to the scale and complex nature of soot, is an extensive state and national level Coordinated Action Plan. With the London smog, the parliament enacted a clean air act and worked with major stakeholders to turn the tide and drastically reduce air pollution in London. When Beijing faced a similar challenge, the government implemented a State Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan to improve air quality and minimise soot within a defined period. India responded with the Mumbai Clean Air Action Plan. These interventions involved multiple stakeholders, including experts fighting a common cause under one roof, with a defined roadmap and integrated master plan. Any bespoke solution for this problem in Rivers and Bayelsa States must also have a Coordinated Action Plan drawn up by the governments in conjunction with multi-agency and multi-stakeholder involvement. Like in Beijing, a State Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan targeted at improving air quality and reducing soot pollution within a defined period must be developed and implemented in the states. Ultimately, the challenge of air pollution and soot is beyond what individuals can handle. The final responsibility rests with the government, and governments at all levels must rise to the occasion and save the people the agony of facing death. The Federal, Rivers and Bayelsa State Governments must champion a solution to the soot problem. The first part of the action plan must be a public advocacy and massive public enlightenment campaign on the health implications of illegal refining, and the consequential toxic air, specifically soot pollution. These information campaigns will aim to influence public understanding of the phenomena and instigate behavioural change. China did the Beautiful China campaign, which required all Chinese cities to achieve a given air quality limit, as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Action plan will involve establishing an all-around monitoring mechanism for illegal refining, tire burning, and soot generating activities using technology. Strengthening this initiative will require the creation of a 24/7 contact line for intelligence gathering and community feedback. The 24/7 monitoring of these activities using various surveillance and environmental monitoring technology and devices is necessary. Then there is an urgent need for a toxicity study for human risk assessment and mitigation; and an emission inventory. The emission inventory will help establish the volume, nature, and sources of all air contaminants, to facilitate the design of mitigation measures. This is important, considering the multiple sources of soot, especially those connected to high-level economic activities, such as the petrochemical industries, gas flaring, and fertiliser producers, that have become a behemoth of sorts, and almost beyond state control. The next part is the provision of supportive legislation at the state and federal levels, and the stringent enforcement of such legislation across board. The government needs to outlaw and criminalise the illegal refining of crude. This will involve state security operatives and a legal system that robustly prosecutes all known cases of such violation of air pollution laws. Although there are relevant laws against air pollution, their enforcement has been weak or non-existence due to the economic complicity of key enforcement actors. Control actions against illegal refiners must be robust, extensive, and comprehensive, while appreciating the sophisticated nature of the illegal refining of oil and the concomitant illicit economy that has ensued from there. It must be extensive, complex and require the cooperation of different levels of government, and multiple agencies. The laws must include stringent punishment and make individuals and communities vicariously liable for illegal refining in their areas. The Action plan will involve establishing an all-around monitoring mechanism for illegal refining, tire burning, and soot generating activities using technology. Strengthening this initiative will require the creation of a 24/7 contact line for intelligence gathering and community feedback. The 24/7 monitoring of these activities using various surveillance and environmental monitoring technology and devices is necessary. Besides, multi-agency and community monitoring will complement the work of experts in this overarching surveillance. The government should engage the local people to provide local monitoring. Who is best to enforce and monitor such anti-illegal mining laws other than local people in communities, who bear the brunt of the soot menace? Therefore, the government should provide a Helpline to all locals to report such illegal activities within their communities. The next part will involve a thorough cleaning of the messed-up environment using technology. Improving the air quality to an acceptable level must be achieved. The US Environmental Protection Agency approved Clean Air programmes that can cut air pollution by 78 per cent and radically improve air quality in each location to protect public health and the environment. The Nigerian government should adopt this. The Ogoni dedicated pollution cleaning programme has been slow and not comprehensive. We should learn from that exercise and use our findings to improve the new clean up exercise targeting soot. There is available technology to clean air pollutants and this can be deployed if the political will and leadership needed to serve the people are available. Beijing, Shanghai, New York, London, and Mumbai provide ready examples of megacities that successfully mitigated soot pollution or progressively achieved clean air due to innovative collaboration between national and regional governments. In the Beijing case of 2008, from one-year continuous innovative solutions and monitoring, local industrial concerns reduced their excessive pollution and were responsible for cutting out two-thirds of the soot emission in Beijing. Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director of UN Environment, posits, this improvement in air quality didnt happen by accident. It was the result of an enormous investment of time, resources, and political will. Understanding Beijings air pollution story is crucial for any nation, district or municipality that wishes to follow a similar path. This pervading psychology, which situates a doctrine of ownership of crude oil within their space, has made youths straddle the borderlines of criminality and agitation for better treatment by all stakeholders in the oil and gas sector. Even if such a claim is justified, illegal fuel refining destroys the environment and lives, and is counterproductive. How much money will non-state actors and non-corporate actors make from these unlawful activities to justify soots health, economic and social implications, and costs? To tackle the three primary sources of soot in Rivers and Nigeria illegal refining, gas flare/ petrochemical industries, and tire burning requires technological innovation, capital investments, complex logistics, and enormous political will. Many of the solutions are evident and available, but the failure of governance and leadership creates obstacles to dealing with the problem of soot endangering lives. There is no doubt that the soot problem is gradually turning into a public health crisis and requires to be treated as such by all stakeholders. The biggest challenge of soot particulate emission is rooted in the fact that it is a complex illegal economy that sustains a substantial population of youths in Rivers and Bayelsa States. The challenge is in providing an alternative economy for these youths to discourage them from engaging in this illegal activity with tremendous health implications. Any attempt to solve this problem must tackle the economic imperatives and provide alternatives. Otherwise, it will be a pipe dream to assume that youths dependent on these illegal activities of bunkering and the illegal refining of crude will jettison these activities simply because they are informed to do so. Therefore, I advocate a combined economic solution provided by state and federal governments for youths in these communities plagued with illegal refining activities and all youths involved in one way or another down the value chain. When the government at the local level plays the Ostrich and pretends that all is well, there is no hope of a sustainable solution soon. The locus of operation and push for a better environment for the people of Rivers State resides with the local people and their government. The popular Ijaw truism is that he who is sick seeks the doctor. Rivers State is sick from debilitating and corrosive soot pollution. It needs as much help as it can from the federal government, international organisations, and other stakeholders to tackle the soot problem. But it must be seen by all as doing its best to tackle the problem or at least championing the cause of finding solutions, so that other stakeholders will come in to help. It is also time the people and government of Rivers State and other states in the Niger Delta stood against the overarching socio-economic and psychological sphere dominated by a sense of entitlement and a desire to justify engaging in dangerous and illegal economic activities, because of the cruel and unwholesome treatment meted out to them by the Nigerian state and international oil companies. This pervading psychology, which situates a doctrine of ownership of crude oil within their space, has made youths straddle the borderlines of criminality and agitation for better treatment by all stakeholders in the oil and gas sector. Even if such a claim is justified, illegal fuel refining destroys the environment and lives, and is counterproductive. How much money will non-state actors and non-corporate actors make from these unlawful activities to justify soots health, economic and social implications, and costs? We must count the actual costs of these activities vis-a-vis the supposed gains. In conclusion, now is the time to work hard to solve the soot problem. The government must adopt a bi-partisan, multi-agency, and collaborative approach to tackle this menace. We must not rest until our airs are clean again and we have a breath of fresh air, literally, in Rivers State and by extension in Nigeria. Dakuku Peterside is a policy and leadership expert. Some of these men live in a world of illusion and assume things based on their perceptions a clear product of pride and perfidy. They push their positions as real and want them to be seen as such. Those who refuse to see it their way are labelled and, or branded by bewitched followers. They appropriate the level of knowledge and wisdom that would make King Solomon insignificant; they assume the type of prophetic elevation that would make Prophet Elijah look very ordinary. Pope Francis admonition in his new year message, asking Vatican leaders to have a change of attitude, may be regarded as a homily on humility; but the widespread sharing of the message on social media platforms across creed and climes sign-posts a deep concern about the unbecoming goings-on in the house of God. Just as in other spheres of endeavour, pride has entered the house of God and the earthly custodians are now possessed by the spirit of arrogance, even though professing the power of the Holy Spirit. The Catholic pontiff talked about the pride-filled clergy, which has become like a pandemic across creeds. He warned that pride and self-interest are harmful to the spiritual lives of church leaders and consequently corrupts the churchs purpose. He was worried that this unbecoming attitude is capable of tainting the church. Even as the warning is being delivered, the deed has already been done. Though he was specifically addressing his Catholic audience, the admonition is very apt in relation to the clergy in Nigeria. There is no doubt that the twin monsters of pride and self-interest have become commonplace. Circumspection and humility, virtues of Gods housekeepers, are no longer common among those who claim to be called of God. Some have abandoned the garment of humility and holiness for the cloak of arrogance and aggression. They are driven by the spirit of mammon and rebellion rebellion against humanity, rebellion against science, rebellion against the state; and in fact, rebellion against the intent of the gospel. Vatican leaders, cardinals, priests and the laity must have taken the pontiffs admonition in good faith. It is unlikely that such would have gone down well with some spirit-filled folks in Nigeria, where pastors do no wrong. Who would lead the charge and where would it start from when owners of worship centres, with some exceptions, are the ones wearing the colourful jackets? In Nigeria, the pastor seems to be infallible. In the church community, the credo is see no evil and say no evil about the pastor or his actions. Those who dare risk the invocation of Holy Ghost Fire because the pastor is led by the Spirit. No one has the right to question any action. Congregants just believe and worship and say Amen to every pronouncement from the pulpit, no matter how inane. The pastor is god and they have become like robots. But it is evident today that quite a number of pastors have descended from the pulpit into the village square and have seized the soapbox. Listening to some pronouncements and arguments on certain issues of public interest, what stares in the face is high level hypocrisy some very mundane, others typically pedestrian. Grandstanding is the performance standard. Decorum has been banished. Some have turned the sacred chambers of the Almighty into comedy theatres. They adorn fanciful titles and wallow in self-adulation. And you see hypocrisy of divergence at full play. Some of these men live in a world of illusion and assume things based on their perceptions a clear product of pride and perfidy. They push their positions as real and want them to be seen as such. Those who refuse to see it their way are labelled and, or branded by bewitched followers. They appropriate the level of knowledge and wisdom that would make King Solomon insignificant; they assume the type of prophetic elevation that would make Prophet Elijah look very ordinary. Given the pedestal they have descended to, they join in spreading untruths, with little or improper knowledge about a subject matter. They do all sorts to justify their ego-inflated prescriptions. They hate with passion and partisan affection, and allow such dispositions to colour their ministrations. They mislead their gullible audiences and instigate them against constituted authority, even on matters of public safety. These are people who believe they have the right to do whatsoever they fancy, including opposing whatever in their estimation seems inappropriate. Such rights are reserved for them only; and not subject to interference, not even by constituted authorities. They have the license to criticise, but not to be criticised. When they speak, they do so like the man on the street and not people with spiritual discernment. The language is not that of peace, love and reconciliation; but of violence, hate and vengeance. Pronouncements from the pulpit are not different from those of tribesmen and partisan politicians. They want things to work normally, as obtained in better organised societies but they loathe regulations that make institutions work for a better society. They hate comparison with other countries when it comes to responsibilities, but easily cite those same countries when it comes to entitlements. They resent laws and policies that make or give impetus to functional systems, but want our systems to work like those in societies with strict regulations, notwithstanding our attitude. Given the pedestal they have descended to, they join in spreading untruths, with little or improper knowledge about a subject matter. They do all sorts to justify their ego-inflated prescriptions. They hate with passion and partisan affection, and allow such dispositions to colour their ministrations. They mislead their gullible audiences and instigate them against constituted authority, even on matters of public safety. They quote portions of the Bible that seem to justify their positions, even if they do so out of context and in obvious isolation of conditions precedent. The same people who on a routine basis subject their members to long lists of levies and demands without considering their income levels, condemn marginal increases in tariffs of basic utilities. They will point to the economic status of the people and the neo-colonialist label of Nigeria being the poverty capital of the world. They feign ignorance or just become deceitful regarding the fundamentals that create such index situations. Out of spite they get excited about such classifications and use them to further twist the consciousness of their followers, hoodwink the people and criticise the authorities, whereas they probably contribute the highest percentage to the indolence responsible for the parlous economic status of the people. They embark on money guzzling programmes and projects, but care less about the source of the money contributed by members. They build empires from contributions and become sole administrators of the estate. They avoid interrogating why things are the way they are. For purely self-serving reasons, they fail to appreciate that the economic status of a country is not driven by mere expression of faith or assessed by the wishful thinking of individuals, but by purposefully driving the fundamental parameters that underpin growth and development. Apparently driven by their primary intentions, these pastorpreneurs have no business with morality. They support whatever situation aligns with their cardinal objective those things that would sustain their flamboyant lifestyles and mundane acquisitions. They invade the territory of politicians and eat of the fruits of the land. In the process, they draw no distinction between the world and the kingdom. It does not occur to them that a people with an uncanny sense of entitlement, people who spend all their productive man-hours on weekdays in worship centres listening to tainted sermons and expecting miracles or manna from heaven, are bound to fall into such poverty categorisations. They lose sight of the biblical admonition that the desires of the sluggard shall kill him. They ignore the clearly stated scriptural prescription that only those who are diligent in their works shall sit with kings, while sluggards are bound to wallow among mean men. Apparently driven by their primary intentions, these pastorpreneurs have no business with morality. They support whatever situation aligns with their cardinal objective those things that would sustain their flamboyant lifestyles and mundane acquisitions. They invade the territory of politicians and eat of the fruits of the land. In the process, they draw no distinction between the world and the kingdom. They encourage corruption in the process and give impetus to impunity, so long as it serves their purpose. When politicians rejoice, they shout hallelujah; when they wail and rant, clergymen carry placards, irrespective of the propriety. Arrogance and greed drive it all! However, no matter the prescriptions or pretentions of these ego-driven tribesmen, politicians and entrepreneurs on the pulpit, it is bound to happen that an indolent people who engage in finger-pointing, while their local and regional leaders engage in mindless financial frolicking, in the name of governance, will definitely feel the pinch of sleeping while the thief is on rampage. Those who indulge brigands in their backyards but label or profile those in other peoples yards are bound to suffer insecurity when the chickens come home to roost. A society that indulges recalcitrant children is bound to have impunity walking the streets when the fruits are ripe. Preaching against these societal afflictions cannot find space in the sermons of this calibre of pastors. There is absolutely nothing wrong with people genuinely opposing policies and actions based on calculated convictions, knowledge and understanding of the issues involved; or those who, though ignorant of the fundamentals and real life situations, make sincere observations and even protestations. However, there is something fundamentally wrong when persons parading the landscape in robes and cassocks pretend to be so concerned about the people or the Church when apparently they are espousing their partisan and ethnic fullness. The vehemence with which some push their messages easily gives them out as either disgruntled elements or those given to rebellious inclinations. The law guarantees the right of citizens to hold opinions, no matter how divergent; but pushing ignorance, mediocrity and callousness beyond reasonable boundaries, simply because of certain claims to apostolic anointing while in fact pushing personal, partisan, political and ethnic carts, is nothing but monumental hypocrisy. Its not a virtue in the household of God. Like the Pope admonished, those serving in the house of God should let humility guide their thoughts and actions. Being human, they are bound to have some sectional inclinations, but such must be kept away from the pulpit and the church. Serving God and mammon is an adulterous spiritual combination. They should stop hiding behind the veil of the church because by their fruits we shall know them. Their actions are bound to define those among them who are partisan activists, entrepreneurs and the truly called. Akpandem James, a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, writes from Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the passing of one-time presidential candidate in a two-horse race, Bashir Tofa, describing him as a politician of note, who was also a promoter of Islamic culture and civilization. The president made his feelings known in a tribute to the deceased which was released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday in Abuja. Mr Tofa, who was the presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the botched Third Republic, died in the early hours of Monday. Mr Buhari described the deceased as a true nationalist that would be difficult to replace. The late Tofa was noted for his untiring commitment to public enlightenment and was unafraid to speak the truth all the time that he lived. He set up the Bureau for Islamic Propagation, BIP, in the mid-80s that helped to unite Muslim Scholars in the Northern States, narrowing the differences that characterized their relationships. The BIP also published books and newspapers. He was, till the end, a patriot to the core. He envisaged a better Nigeria for all. We pray that this dream and collective aspiration and necessary commitment will not go with him. We owe it to his memory and to the nation. Mr Buhari prayed to Allah to repose his soul and grant fortitude to the bereaved family and friends, the Kano Emirate Council as well as the government and people of Kano State to bear the loss. Meanwhile, the President has dispatched a delegation to Kano with a condolence letter to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State. The team is made up of the Ministers of Defence, Bashir Magashi, and Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu, accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris. (NAN) Bayelsa State Government on Monday directed Olice Kemenanabo, the managing director of the State Electricity Company to immediately connect Otuasega community to the national grid. The Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the directive as the government waded into a crisis between Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its Otuasega host community. Otuasega community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa shut activities at SPDCs facilities on December 21, 2021 to protest its failure to provide electricity by December 14, 2021 as promised. Shell had earlier set December 14, 2021 as target date to begin power supply from its Kolo Creek Oil and Gas Manifold to cluster communities in the area. The deputy governors media aide, Doubara Atasi, said in a statement on Monday that Mr Ewhrudjakpo gave the directive during an emergency meeting held with Otuasega community leaders and representatives of SPDC. The deputy governor decried the continued blackout in Otuasega community and in its environs. He blamed SPDCs failure on the inability of the government, Shell, and the people of Otuasega to meet regularly and follow up on resolutions reached at the September 24, 2021 tripartite meeting on power supply. He said the community would enjoy power supply from the national grid as a temporary measure, while efforts would be intensified to power the community from the SPDCs manifold in the first quarter of 2022. Mr Ewhrudjakpo assured that regular meetings would be held with Shell until the power supply issue was resolved. He appealed to the people of Otuasega to be patient and to remain law-abiding to enable the government and Shell to end blackout in the community. Earlier, the Otuasega Community Development Committee Chairman, Raniyar Marcus, expressed disappointment with Shell for reneging on its promise to deliver the job by December 14, 2021. Mr Marcus said the December 21, 2021 non-violent protest that led to the shutting of the SPDC manifold was staged by community members to register their anger. He said Shell had always taken the Otuasega people for granted. In his presentation, Shells Community Relations Manager (East), Evans Krukrubo, explained that the company was not happy that the power project was not delivered on schedule. Mr Krukrubo, however, thanked the Otuasega community for their maturity, patience and understanding so far. He assured them that Shell was committed to working with the state government to deliver on the project by the end of February. (NAN) The Enugu State Government said it would establish new fire stations in nine council areas that are without fire stations in the state in the year 2022. The Chief Fire Safety Officer of the state, Okwudili Ohaa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday that the governments plan was to have a functional fire station in the 17 local government areas of the state. He said the new fire stations had been captured and appropriated for in the states 2022 budget. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, being a people-oriented leader, came up with the grand design to ensure each council area has a functional fire station apart from some fire units created in some strategic markets and locations. So far, we have eight functional fire stations in eight council areas out of the 17 council areas in the state. They are situated in Enugu North, Enugu South, Nkanu West, Udi, Oji River, Igboeze North, Udenu and Nsukka council areas. Hopefully, the fire stations for the remaining nine council areas will come on stream this year and they will have mini-staff quarters for the fire officers as well as new fire engines and tankers. The new fire stations and their monetary provision had been inserted in this years budget and I am optimistic that our amiable governor knowing the import of the stations to the people will complete them in record time, Mr Ohaa said. The fire chief disclosed that apart from the over 10 fire stations and units built by Governor Ugwuanyi, he had facilitated installation of fire extinguishers in public/government buildings, schools and markets in the state. It is clear that Governor Ugwuanyi will be leaving a legacy of the best network of functional fire stations and most rapid responding fire service in the country. The governor has so much supported fire safety, other forms of safety and secured environment in the state; thus, making the state the safest in the country. With the growing network of fire stations scattered in the state and recent deployment of mobile fire units as well, we have drastically reduced our fire response time to about five minutes after receiving distress calls, he said. (NAN) The Chinese community in Nigeria has donated food items to some low-income earners and orphanages in Lagos. Eric Ni, Chairman of the Chinese Industrial and Commercial Enterprises Association and Huaxing Arts Troupe Nigeria, who led the group during the donation disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. Mr Ni, during the donation on Saturday, said that the event was the continuation of the family support programme which the group tagged Sharing Love Without Borders. He said this was done from the slum in Ajegunle to Oworosoki areas of Lagos State, gifting the low-income earners bags of rice, groundnut oil, cartons of noddles, spaghetti, face mask, and other household items. According to him, the Bethesda Home for the Blind in Surulere which also doubles as a school also benefited from the kind gesture. He said 10 bags of 50kg rice, four bags of 25kg rice, nine gallons of 25 litres of groundnut oil, packs of spaghetti, cartons of noodles, face masks, and a cheque of N500,000 were donated. This is not the first time, around 2017, the Chinese community purchased a giant Mikano generator, computers, musical equipment, and lot of other things to this orphanage. We live and conduct our businesses here in Nigeria, so this is our way of showing love to the communities that host us, he said. Also a member of the Chinese community, Loi Koon said, We the Chinese community in Nigeria wish to express our love to every Nigerian, whether you are black or white, whether you are a Muslim or a Christian, we wish you all a prosperous new year. ALSO READ: Chinese firms accused of inflicting injuries on employees In appreciation, the Director of the orphanage and school, Chioma Ohakwe thanked the Chinese community for their continuous support. Today we are very happy because we started 2022 with big humongous gift items, cash, and equipment. If we take you around the school, you will see that almost everything we have here is bought by the Chinese community in Nigeria, thank you is not enough, we pray for you and your businesses, we are very grateful, he said. The Chinese community in Nigeria regularly support Nigerian students with scholarship, low-income families, and helps the youth to attain their height in sporting activities. (NAN) TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Panaxia Global, the controlling owner of Panaxia Labs Israel Ltd. (TASE: PNAX), a global pharma company that develops, manufactures and markets progressive cannabis-based products in pharmaceutical quality, announced today that it has received official approval for the EU-GMP standard for its production facility in Malta from EU Health Authority. This standard is binding and essential for the production, export and marketing of medical cannabis products in EU countries, in accordance with the standards accepted under the European Directive for the manufacture of medical cannabis-based products. Dr. Dadi Segal, CEO of Panaxia: "The EU-GMP Standard granted to our facility in Malta is a significant regulatory achievement and a result of an in-depth and lengthy audit process by the European Health Authority. It will enable us to export our products to markets that Israel can not export to, due to regulatory restrictions. At the same time, we will continue to regularly manufacture and export our medical cannabis products to Germany, France and Cyprus from our facility in Israel, the only one in the country with EU-GMP standard. " Panaxia now owns two facilities with the exclusive and sought-after European standard, which will allow it to export its products to a wider variety of countries. Thus, the company became the first and only medical cannabis company in Israel to have a facility located in the territory of the European Union with an EU-GMP standard from a European authority. Following the adoption of the EU-GMP standard for a facility in Malta, the Panaxia Group now have a significant power multiplier for export capacity, both in terms of output and destinations to which it can export, since the permit allows for export and marketing to all countries that require the registration of the final product in the country of origin, such as Poland, Greece, Portugal and Brazil. Currently, Panaxia has marketing permits in Germany, the largest and fastest-growing cannabis market in Europe, and Cyprus, which do not require product registration in the country of origin. Panaxia regularly manufactures and exports its products to these countries from its facility in Israel, the only one with EU-GMP standard in the country. The EU-GMP standard for a production facility in Malta was adopted shortly after obtaining a marketing permit for cannabis extracts for vaporization in Germany. Following this permit, Panaxia Israel has become the first and only company to export and market medical cannabis extracts for vaporization in Germany, in particular and in Europe, in general. In addition, Panaxia is the only company in Europe to have a regulatory permit for the distribution of medical cannabis tablets in France, as part of the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM). About Panaxia Labs Israel Panaxia Labs Israel, Ltd., which is traded on the Tel Aviv stock exchange (TASE: PNAX), is a global pharma company, which develops, manufactures and markets advanced medical cannabis-based products of pharmaceutical quality and the largest manufacturer of medical cannabis products in Israel. Panaxia is a pioneer in the medical cannabis market in Israel and the only company in Israel with an EU-GMP European production standard from the EU Health Authority, which is required for the commercial manufacturing and export of medical cannabis and its products to Europe. Panaxia specializes in the development, production and marketing of complex and advanced cannabis-based products, based on clinical information and a broad database of tens of thousands of patients. Panaxia Israel is a subsidiary of the Panaxia Pharmaceutical Industries, founded in 2010 by Dr. Dadi Segal (PhD), Dr. Eran Goldberg (PhD) and Adv. Assi Rotbart (LL. B), as the cannabis division of Segal Pharma Group, which has been operating for over four decades, manufacturing more than 600 different pharmaceuticals distributed in over 40 countries. Panaxia USA (a subsidiary of Panaxia Israel) manufactures in North America more than 60 medical cannabis-based products, including sublingual tablets, lozenges, oils, inhalers and more, designed to treat diseases such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Anorexia, Burn Treatment and many other diseases. The Panaxia Group has over 150 employees. To learn more about Panaxia, please visit: https://panaxia.co.il SOURCE Panaxia Pharmaceutical Industries SAO PAULO, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and B3: GOLL4), ("GOL" or "Company"), in addition to the Material Fact disclosed on June 8, 2021 regarding the acquisition of MAP Transportes Aereos Ltda. by the Company ("Transaction"), informs that, on December 30, 2021, the General Superintendency of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense ("CADE") issued the Order SG No. 1929/2021 ("Order") approving the Transaction without restrictions. In accordance with applicable law, the approval decision will become final within 15 calendar days from its publication, with no third-party appeal or summons by the CADE Court. The Order and other documents of public nature about the analysis carried out by CADE may be accessed at the autarchy's electronic address (www.cade.gov.br). Investor Relations [email protected] www.voegol.com.br/ir +55(11) 2128-4700 About GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. GOL is Brazil's largest airline, leader in the corporate and leisure segments. Since its founding in 2001, it has been the airline with the lowest unit cost in Latin America, which has enabled the democratization of air transportation. The Company has alliances with American Airlines and Air France-KLM, in addition to making available to Customers many codeshare and interline agreements, bringing more convenience and ease of connections to any place served by these partnerships. With the purpose of "Being First for Everyone", GOL offers the best travel experience to its passengers, including: the largest inventory of seats and the most legroom; the most complete platform with internet, movies and live TV; and the best loyalty program, SMILES. In cargo transportation, GOLLOG delivers parcels to various regions in Brazil and abroad. The Company has a team of 15,000 highly qualified airline professionals focused on Safety, GOL's number one value, and operates a standardized fleet of 127 Boeing 737 aircraft. GOL's shares are traded on the NYSE (GOL) and the B3 (GOLL4). For further information, visit www.voegol.com.br/ir. Disclaimer The information contained in this press release has not been subject to any independent audit or review and contains "forward-looking" statements, estimates and projections that relate to future events, which are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release including, without limitation, those regarding GOL's future financial position and results of operations, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, future developments in the markets in which GOL operates or is seeking to operate, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "will", "may", "project", "estimate", "anticipate", "predict", "seek", "should" or similar words or expressions, are forward-looking statements. The future events referred to in these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors, many of which are beyond GOL's control, that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding GOL's present and future business strategies and the environment in which GOL will operate in the future and are not a guarantee of future performance. Such forward-looking statements speak only as at the date on which they are made. None of GOL or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents undertakes any duty or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. None of GOL or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, professional advisors and agents make any representation, warranty or prediction that the results anticipated by such forward-looking statements will be achieved, and such forward-looking statements represent, in each case, only one of many possible scenarios and should not be viewed as the most likely or standard scenario. Although GOL believes that the estimates and projections in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they may prove materially incorrect and actual results may materially differ. As a result, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements. SOURCE GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Jan. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced that it has appointed Curtis E. Espeland and Jose Munoz to its Board of Directors. Additionally, the Company announced that it has appointed Cynthia L. Egan as new Lead Independent Director, Non-Executive Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and added Sonia Dula as a member of the Compensation Committee with the intent she becomes Chair when Wayne A. Reaud leaves the Board. All of these appointments are effective January 1, 2022. "As part of our Board's ongoing refreshment process, I am pleased that we have identified two outstanding independent directors in Curt and Jose, who both bring extensive experience in operating companies in or relevant to our industry and in executing on strategic growth plans," said Peter R. Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO. "With these additions, I'm confident that our Board and the Company will be strongly positioned to ensure management achieves the growth strategy and financial targets we outlined at our November Investor Day to unlock value for our shareholders. We continue to engage with shareholders and appreciate the substantive input that we have received to date as our Company continues to evolve our portfolio and execute on our strategy." Huntsman also announced, consistent with the Company's director retirement policy, that three existing directors, Nolan D. Archibald, outgoing Lead Independent Director, Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, M. Anthony Burns, prior Chair of the Audit Committee, whose upcoming retirement was previously announced at the Investor Day, and Sir Robert J. Margetts will transition off the Board as planned at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Wayne Reaud, Chair of the Litigation and Public Policy and Compensation committees, will support the transition of those committees' oversight duties before stepping down from the Board at or before the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders when he will reach the retirement age. The changes announced today reflect the latest steps in the Board's multi-year director succession plan, including recruiting directors with skillsets aligned with Huntsman's upgraded and streamlined portfolio. These appointments ensure the Board continues to have the right combination of experience, expertise and diversity to drive profitable growth for shareholders and to best oversee the Company's strategic initiatives. These include the recently announced review of strategic options for its Textile Effects Division and a multi-year incentive compensation plan aligned with financial targets presented at Investor Day. These changes follow the addition of three independent directors in the last 18 months, including Jeanne McGovern, who joined the Board in February 2021 and was appointed to chair the Audit Committee effective January 1, 2022. As a result, seven independent directors have been appointed since 2018. New Directors Curtis Espeland retired in 2020 from Eastman Chemical Company after almost 25 years in leadership roles, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2008 until his retirement. Prior to joining Eastman, he held various positions of increasing responsibility at Arthur Andersen performing audit, financial due diligence and business consulting services in the banking, manufacturing, media and telecommunications industries in the U.S. and across the globe. Mr. Espeland has been a director of Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. since 2012 and Lead Independent Director since April 2018, while also serving on that board's finance and audit committees and as audit committee chair for three years. Mr. Espeland is also a director of global specialty chemicals company Nouryon and serves as chair of the board's audit committee. Jose Munoz is the Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Company, a global manufacturer of automobiles based in Seoul, South Korea, where he oversees more than 120,000 employees and operations worldwide. In addition to being responsible for the company's overall results, including the nearly $88 billion in total 2020 revenue, Mr. Munoz leads the company's global operational strategies and their implementation. He oversees the development and implementation of the company's fuel cell vehicle and mobility services strategy, and serves as President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, the company's largest operating subsidiary. Prior to joining Hyundai in 2019, Mr. Munoz served in leadership roles at Nissan (most recently as global Chief Performance Officer and head of the company's China region), Toyota and Daewoo. New Board Leadership Roles Cynthia Egan and Sonia Dula both joined the Huntsman Board in June 2020. Ms. Egan, the Board's new Lead Independent Director, Non-Executive Vice Chair and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, brings extensive investment company experience and shareholder perspective from her prior senior-level positions at T. Rowe Price Group and Fidelity Investments, as well as an advisory role for the U.S. Department of Treasury. Ms. Dula, the newly-appointed member of the Compensation Committee, brings substantial finance and investment banking expertise that will benefit the Committee as it oversees implementation of the new incentive compensation program announced last week. Ongoing Board Refreshment Consistent with the Company's director retirement policy, Nolan Archibald, the outgoing Lead Independent Director and Vice Chair of the Board and outgoing Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, M. Anthony Burns, prior Chair of the Audit Committee, whose upcoming retirement was previously announced at the Investor Day, and Sir Robert Margetts are expected to conclude their service on the Board, effective at the time of the Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Further, as the Board has successfully implemented substantial refreshment of the Board and transition of Board and committee leadership, including the appointments announced today, the Board has determined it will no longer grant non-executive directors waivers to the Company's director retirement policy requiring directors to resign after their 75th birthday. Mr. Huntsman continued, "On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank Nolan, Tony and Sir Rob for their years of committed service and the important roles they have played in the Company's success, including their contributions to the deliberate and thoughtful Board refreshment process, the latest phase of which we began more than 18 months ago." Mr. Archibald commented, "I'm proud of the transformation the Board underwent during my tenure, and Huntsman's commitment to bringing on diverse expertise and fresh perspectives is demonstrated by today's addition of two stellar new directors. It has been an honor to serve alongside fellow directors truly committed to best-in-class accountability and oversight. I'm confident, given the broad expertise and experience of the incoming and existing directors, the Board is ideally positioned to oversee Huntsman's next chapter, and I look forward to witnessing the Company's continued growth and success." 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders The Company also announced that it will hold its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on March 25, 2022. In light of the announcements made today and based on ongoing dialogue with shareholders, the Huntsman Board determined that holding the Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders as expeditiously as possible is in the best interests of Huntsman shareholders as it minimizes potential disruption and distraction and allows management to focus on executing on its ambitious strategic and operational goals, including those outlined at the Company's Investor Day and the recently announced strategic review for the Textile Effects Division. Additional information regarding today's announcements, including the Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K. About Huntsman: Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals with 2020 revenues of approximately $6 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 70 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 9,000 associates within our four distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com. Social Media: Twitter: www.twitter.com/Huntsman_Corp Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorp LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsman Forward-Looking Statements: This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenue or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, divestitures or strategic transactions, including the review of the Textile Effects Division, business trends and any other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "likely," "projects," "outlook," "plans," "intends," "believes," "forecasts," or future or conditional verbs, such as "will," "should," "could" or "may," and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends and data, are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions and beliefs. In particular, such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, prices and other factors as discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). In addition, there can be no assurance that the review of the Textile Effects Division will result in one or more transactions or other strategic change or outcome. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, ongoing impact of COVID-19 on our operations and financial results, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, timing of proposed transactions, reorganization or restructuring of the Company's operations, including any delay of, or other negative developments affecting the ability to implement cost reductions and manufacturing optimization improvements in the Company's businesses and to realize anticipated cost savings, and other financial, operational, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. Any forward-looking statement should be considered in light of the risks set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which may be supplemented by other risks and uncertainties disclosed in any subsequent reports filed or furnished by the Company from time to time. All forward-looking statements apply only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Additional Information and Where to Find It: The Company intends to file a proxy statement and accompanying WHITE proxy card with the SEC with respect to the Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2022 Annual Meeting"). The Company's shareholders are strongly encouraged to read such proxy statement, the accompanying WHITE proxy card and other documents filed with the SEC carefully in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information. The Company's shareholders will be able to obtain any proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available free of charge at the Company's website at www.huntsman.com. Certain Information Regarding Participants: The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers will be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Information about the Company's directors and executive officers is available in the Company's (a) annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on February 12, 2021 and (b) proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 18, 2021 with respect to the Company's 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. To the extent holdings of the Company's securities by such directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts printed in the proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the 2022 Annual Meeting. SOURCE Huntsman Corporation ISOA forms Afghanistan Working Group to support evacuation, resettlement and stabilization efforts Tweet this ISOA has asked two veterans of Afghanistan-related programs to co-chair AWG: John Gastright of Amentum, ISOA board vice chairman and former Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; and Jeffrey Grieco, former ISOA board member, current ISOA Advisory Board member and former USAID Assistant Administrator. Grieco currently serves as President & CEO of the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC). "The main goal of the Afghanistan Working Group is to meet the immediate requirements of ISOA members," noted Grieco. "Meetings will cover current updates and members can recommend events for ISOA to undertake or provide critical business matchmaking with other members focused on Afghanistan programming." Recent discussions by the Afghanistan Working Group will be the topics of two panels at ISOA's upcoming Middle East Conference in Dubai on January 18-20, 2022. Critical subjects that may be covered include visa processing, evacuations, humanitarian efforts, resettlement projects and the banking system. Both ISOA members and non-members can sign up to attend this conference to participate in these substantive discussions. To learn more about ISOA's Afghanistan Working Group and to sign up for AWG emails, visit the AWG Resource Page or contact [email protected] . Ongoing participation in ISOA's AWG is available to ISOA members only. Information about ISOA's Middle East Conference is available at stability-operations.org/page/dubai2022. About ISOA: ISOA is a global, nonprofit association whose mission is to serve as the primary point of strategic engagement for the government and private sector in support of stability operations worldwide, providing critical services in fragile environments in an accountable, transparent and ethical way. ISOA serves the implementing community, providing member services focused on contracting, partnerships, regulatory and legal developments, research initiatives and policy movement. For more information, visit stability-operations.org. SOURCE International Stability Operations Association HAYWARD, Calif., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MediBalloon, Inc., a specialty medical balloon design and manufacturing company, today announced the partnership with Medeon Biodesign, Inc. (TPEX: 6499), a Taiwan publicly traded medical device company with operations in Taipei, Taiwan and Sunnyvale, California, to expand the US operations and footprint in Asia. The new manufacturing organization established in Taiwan will be called Medeologix and will be in full operation in 2022 to not only serve the global market, but also provide customers the one-stop-shop service from prototyping to mass production of medical devices. MediBalloon, with over 25 years of medical device industry experience, is specialized in specialty medical balloons across a wide range of clinical applications including cardiovascular, neurovascular, structural heart, peripheral, general surgery and urology. The team is experienced in handling advanced materials to design medical balloons with a spectrum of compliance, size, shape, complexity and composite construction. MediBalloon provides the most comprehensive services in the industry for this critical component from design and development, assembly process, coating, to manufacturing and mass production of specialty medical balloons. Mr. Anant Hegde, the founder and CTO of MediBalloon, and board member of Medeologix stated, "Our goal has been to provide our customers the ultimate solution when developing medical balloon products. We provide short turnaround time during the design and development phase, and now we will be equipped with a state-of-the-art facility and multiple production lines, which significantly boosts our capacity to meet the growing demand of mass production for our global customers. The partnership between MediBalloon and Medeon Biodesign benefits from the efficiency and manufacturing capabilities of Taiwan, with a highly educated and talented workforce, which will allow us to extend the top-notch medical balloon development know-how to mass production." "We are very excited to partner with MediBalloon to establish the most premier medical balloon manufacturing organization. We envision the partnership to provide cutting-edge, high quality medical products to the globe, with more efficient and effective operations." said Dr. Yue-Teh Jang, Chairman and CEO of Medeon Biodesign. About MediBalloon MediBalloon is a privately held company based in Hayward, California. The company specialized in developing medical balloons across a wide range of clinical applications using Silicone, Polyurethane, Polyethylene, Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), PEBAX, Nylons and other thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), etc. For more information, please visit www.mediballoon.com . About Medeon Biodesign Medeon Biodesign (TPEX: 6499) is a publicly traded company listed on Taipei Exchange, headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan with operation in Sunnyvale, California. The company focuses on the development of medical devices and supplying key injection molded components to the medical device industry through its Delta Asia subsidiary. For more information, please visit www.medeonbio.com/en . SOURCE MediBalloon, Inc BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages respectively with First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In his message to Nazarbayev, Xi noted that since China and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties 30 years ago, bilateral relations have kept advancing with the times and breaking new ground, and always maintained vigorous development, setting an example of neighboring countries upholding good-neighborliness and pursuing win-win cooperation. Xi said he highly appreciates the fact that Nazarbayev has firmly followed a friendly policy towards China, and made outstanding contributions to advancing bilateral ties and deepening Belt and Road cooperation. Calling Nazarbayev an old friend of his, Xi stressed that he cherishes the sound working relationship and deep personal friendship with Nazarbayev. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and stands ready to work with Nazarbayev to push for steady and long-term development of the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of both countries and their people. In his message to Tokayev, Xi pointed out that China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors and permanent comprehensive strategic partners. In the past 30 years, Xi noted, bilateral relations have always maintained high-level development, with deepening political mutual trust, intensifying exchanges at all levels, and fruitful outcomes in Belt and Road cooperation, which has brought tangible benefits to the people in both countries. Stressing that China will, as always, support Kazakhstan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Kazakhstan relations. He added that he stands ready to work with Tokayev to take the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries, better synergize their development strategies, and lift their permanent comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels, so as to create benefits for both countries and their people. In his message, Nazarbayev noted that China is one of the first countries that recognized Kazakhstan's independence, and that the two sides have established a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership on the basis of mutual trust and mutual respect. He added that Kazakhstan is ready to work with China to push for greater development of bilateral cooperation in various areas. In his message, Tokayev said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, Kazakhstan and China have set a good example for the international community to develop state-to-state relations, and have become an important factor for the stability and prosperity in the Eurasian region. The two sides have completely resolved the boundary issue left over from history, and built their border into a bridge of friendship and unity between Kazakhstan and China, he said. Tokayev said he would like to work with Xi to make greater efforts for the development of Kazakhstan-China relations. Enditem The Miller Family Wine Company has built a reputation for making high quality wines sourced from both its own Central Coast estate vineyards and extraordinary vineyards throughout California. For the first time ever, Miller Family Wine Company is venturing into the non-alcoholic wine space with the launch of Hand on Heart, a new venture that puts quality and taste first and foremost. Hand-crafted by esteemed winemakers with over 50 years of collective experience, and sourced from exceptional vineyards across the leading wine regions of California, Hand on Heart's lineup of non-alcoholic wines are made for wine lovers who are looking for an occasional change of pace but don't want to compromise on taste. Using cutting-edge technology to gently remove the alcohol while preserving the delicate aromas, flavors, and mouthfeel all things that "are imperative in great wine," says Head Winemaker Jonathan Nagy Hand on Heart is raising the bar in the non-alcoholic beverage category. Adds Nagy, "We approach these just as we would any premium wine, and though the alcohol is extracted in these wines, they consistently and harmoniously highlight desirable characters and textures." What's more, the wines, including a Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rose, are lower in sugar, calories, and carbs than most other zero- and low-alcohol beverages, making them the perfect fit for the wine-loving wellness enthusiast. "As health and wellness considerations have cemented themselves as key factors in consumers' purchase decisions, the alcoholic beverage industry has responded with an influx of innovation aimed at meeting our consumers' changing needs," says Tommy Gaeta, Director of Marketing. "While there are an increasing number of premium non-alcoholic spirit and beer offerings out there, non-alcoholic wine options continue to be extremely limited." Looking to fill this void, Gaeta explains that the Miller Family Wine Company team set out to produce "palate-pleasing options that place an emphasis on quality and are well suited for occasions when consumers want to skip the alcohol but not the wine." "We're thrilled to meet the needs of both the wine lovers wanting to explore something new and those who are choosing to forgo alcohol all together, all without having to waver in our own standards of excellence," says Nicholas Miller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Indeed, quality is of the utmost importance to the Miller Family Wine Company, who developed the brand in collaboration with Cat Cora, a world-renowned chef, tastemaker, and health and wellness enthusiast. Says Cora, "For some time I've been on a mission to find a non-alcoholic wine for people like myself who are seekers of superb flavors, want to enjoy a delicious wine, even in the dry times, and aspire to embrace a balance of health, wellness, and great food. So I am thrilled to be involved with Hand on Heart. It's vibrant, complex, food-friendly absolute perfection." Adds Gaeta, "We could not be more excited to be able to bring the wide array of sober curious consumers out there a non-alcoholic wine that they will be able to truly enjoy. And we are only just getting started." Hand on Heart wines will be available on January 1, 2022, just in time for those partaking in "Dry January" after indulging during the busy holiday season. Ask for them at your local retailer or purchase online at www.handonheartwine.com , and follow along on Instagram @handonheartwine and Facebook @handonheartwine. For more information on Cat Cora, visit www.catcora.com . Miller Family Wine Company Miller Family Wine Company is a division of the Thornhill Companies the industry-leading umbrella brand of one of California's premier winegrowing families, the Miller Family, who have been farming California's Central Coast for five generations. Miller Family Wine Company includes the prestigious Bien Nacido Estates and acclaimed national branded wine labels such as Butternut, J. Wilkes, optik, Ballard Lane, Smashberry, Barrel Burner, Volunteer, and Hand on Heart wines, in addition to control label brands for prominent retailers across the U.S. and the French Camp vineyard in Paso Robles. For more information on Miller Family Wine Company, please visit www.millerfamilywinecompany.com . SOURCE Miller Family Wine Company STOCKHOLM, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Press release - Oslo, Norway, 3 January 2022: Photocure ASA (Photocure, PHO: OSE) today announces the start of its Cysview sales, marketing and distribution operations in the Canadian market. In August 2021 Photocure had reached an agreement with BioSyent Pharma Inc. ("BioSyent") to reacquire the marketing and distribution rights to Cysview in Canada, effective on January 1st, 2022. The reacquisition of marketing and distribution rights enables Photocure's direct management of the Cysview brand in Canada and consolidates the territory into Photocure's existing U.S. business to form its North America sales segment. Following the Marketing Authorization transfer expected this month, Photocure assumes all rights and obligations related to Cysview in Canada. "We are very pleased to integrate the Canadian territory into our U.S. business to form Photocure's North America commercial segment, expanding the direct market opportunity for Cysview in number of procedures by approximately 10%", said Daniel Schneider, President and CEO. "Photocure and BioSyent have ensured active customer support and uninterrupted product distribution during the transition period. We can now fully leverage our commercial infrastructure and our expertise in market access, sales and marketing. In addition, we look forward to broadening patient access to blue light cystoscopy (BLC) with Cysview in conjunction with the recently strengthened Canadian treatment guidelines." "Since the agreement to reacquire the commercial rights to Cysview in Canada, Photocure has worked actively to build an infrastructure to support product sales in the region," said Geoffrey Coy, Vice President and General Manager North America. "The Company has set up product distribution and fulfilled the regulatory obligations needed to initiate its Canadian operations. Photocure has also begun establishing relationships with key opinion leaders, societies and hospital personnel focused on bladder cancer management and education." In 2015, Photocure entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with BioSyent for the commercialization of Cysview in Canada. Photocure has since grown its U.S. operations and executed on its global expansion strategy by reacquiring the commercial rights to its Hexvix brand and business in continental Europe in October 2020. BioSyent has served as a strategic partner in the Canadian market, building awareness and creating interest in the treatment of bladder cancer using BLC with Cysview. BLC is included in the Canadian guidelines, and reimbursement processes are at advanced stages in the main provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. Each year, there are approximately 35,000 TURBT* procedures performed in Canada and 12,000 new bladder cancer patients diagnosed5. *TURBT: trans-urethral resection of bladder tumors Note to editors: About Bladder Cancer Bladder cancer ranks as the seventh most common cancer worldwide with 1 720 000 prevalent cases (5-year prevalence rate)1a, 573 000 new cases and more than 200 000 deaths annually in 2020.1b Approx. 75% of all bladder cancer cases occur in men.1 It has a high recurrence rate with an average of 61% in year one and 78% over five years.2 Bladder cancer has the highest lifetime treatment costs per patient of all cancers.3 Bladder cancer is a costly, potentially progressive disease for which patients have to undergo multiple cystoscopies due to the high risk of recurrence. There is an urgent need to improve both the diagnosis and the management of bladder cancer for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems alike. Bladder cancer is classified into two types, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), depending on the depth of invasion in the bladder wall. NMIBC remains in the inner layer of cells lining the bladder. These cancers are the most common (75%) of all BC cases and include the subtypes Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS) and T1 lesions. In MIBC the cancer has grown into deeper layers of the bladder wall. These cancers, including subtypes T2, T3 and T4, are more likely to spread and are harder to treat.4 1 Globocan. a) 5-year prevalence / b) incidence/mortality by population. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed [April 2021]. 2 Babjuk M, et al. Eur Urol. 2019; 76(5): 639-657 3 Sievert KD et al. World J Urol 2009;27:295300 4 Bladder Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer.html 5 Photocure internal patient-based model built on Globocan 2019, Canadian Urological Association guideline on the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: https://cuaj.ca/index.php/journal/article/view/7367/4867 About Hexvix/Cysview (hexaminolevulinate HCl) Hexvix/Cysview is a drug that preferentially accumulates in cancer cells in the bladder making them glow bright pink during Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC). BLC with Hexvix/Cysview improves the detection of tumors and leads to more complete resection, fewer residual tumors and better management decisions. Cysview is the tradename in the U.S. and Canada, Hexvix is the tradename in all other markets. Photocure is commercializing Cysview/Hexvix directly in the U.S. and Europe, and has strategic partnerships for the commercialization of Hexvix/Cysview in China, Chile, Australia and New Zealand. Please refer to https://photocure.com/partnering-with-photocure/our-partners/ for further information on our commercial partners. About Photocure ASA Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com, www.hexvix.com, www.cysview.com All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA. This press release may contain product details and information which are not valid, or a product is not accessible, in your country. Please be aware that Photocure does not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin. Important information This announcement is not and does not form a part of any offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities of Photocure ASA (the "Company"). The distribution of this announcement and other information may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Copies of this announcement are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful or would require registration or other measures. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. Matters discussed in this announcement may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "strategy", "intends", "estimate", "will", "may", "continue", "should" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control. Actual events may differ significantly from any anticipated development due to a number of factors, including without limitation, changes in investment levels and need for the Company's services, changes in the general economic, political and market conditions in the markets in which the Company operate, the Company's ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel, changes in the Company's ability to engage in commercially acceptable acquisitions and strategic investments, and changes in laws and regulation and the potential impact of legal proceedings and actions. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this release by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not provide any guarantees that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this announcement are free from errors nor does it accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the opinions expressed in this announcement or any obligation to update or revise the statements in this announcement to reflect subsequent events. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this announcement or any of its attachments. The information, opinions and forward-looking statements contained in this announcement speak only as at its date and are subject to change without notice. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review, update, confirm, or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise in relation to the content of this announcement. This announcement is for information purposes only and is not to be relied upon in substitution for the exercise of independent judgment. It is not intended as investment advice and under no circumstances is it to be used or considered as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities of the Company. This information is subject of the disclosure requirements of section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. For further information, please contact: Dan Schneider President and CEO Photocure ASA Email: [email protected] Erik Dahl CFO Photocure ASA Tel: +4745055000 Email: [email protected] David Moskowitz Head of Investor Relations Tel: +1 202 280 0888 Email: [email protected] Media and IR enquiries: Geir Bjrlo Corporate Communications (Norway) Tel: +47 91540000 Email: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/photocure/r/photocure-launches-cysview-commercial-operations-in-canada,c3479916 The following files are available for download: SOURCE Photocure CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Raise $20,000,000 in two months that was the goal set by Semper Fi & America's Fund (The Fund) during its 10th annual Double Down for Veterans fundraising campaign. Thousands of supporters stepped up to donate the first $10 million which was then matched, dollar-for-dollar, by The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The challenge ran November 1 through December 31, 2021 and, this year, The Fund reached its $10 million goal a record nine days before the deadline. "Veterans who are wounded in the line of duty, and facing both physical and psychological battles, come home to a very different reality than the one they left behind," said Bob Parsons, Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran and Founder and CEO of PXG. "Although numerous programs and organizations exist to assist our nation's veterans, none measure up to the immediate and long-term support provided by The Fund." The donations will support critically wounded, ill, or injured service members, veterans, and military families across all military branches. The ultimate goal is for these service members and their families to create lives that are not defined by injury or illness but rather filled with hope for what the future holds. "Bob and Renee Parsons have once again shown the incredible hearts they have for our military families," said Karen Guenther, Founder, President and CEO of Semper Fi & America's Fund. "The effect that their generosity has on our Fund family is, quite simply, extraordinary." Inspired by the grit, courage, and sacrifice of our nation's service members, The Fund has provided immediate, needs-based financial assistance and tailored support to more than 27,000 service members and military families. This support can start the first moment of injury and last a lifetime. "There are so many examples I could give of how The Fund has been there over the years. They help individuals like me regain that independence and have a new mission that's really the biggest thing," Gabe said, a Marine injured in Iraq. "They truly are family. I love them like they were my own family." From injury through recovery, The Fund's comprehensive programs improve the lives of wounded veterans, their families, and military family members with an injury or illness. Case managers, visiting nurses and entire support teams help those they serve to navigate complex medical and emotional recovery. "The Fund's individualized support for service members is unique among veterans' organizations," said Renee Parsons, President and Executive Creative Director for PXG Apparel. "Even as challenges and new needs arise, The Fund is there, treating each hero under their care like family." To learn more or donate to meet the needs of military heroes, visit: thefund.org. About Semper Fi & America's Fund Semper Fi & America's Fund was started by military spouses, who immediately jumped in to provide bedside support to wounded and injured service members from Iraq and Afghanistan over 17 years ago. The Fund is run today by those same military spouses, and now includes a patriotic staff of veterans, community members, and volunteers, who are dedicated to providing hope, healing, and quality of life solutions through needs-based financial assistance, tailored support, and innovative programming. About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture, and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country's most vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. The Foundation's giving is driven by the core belief that all people regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community. SOURCE Semper Fi & America's Fund ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida is facing a critical nursing shortage and St. Petersburg College (SPC) and its partners are taking a solutions-based approach to fixing the problem. A spring 2021 survey by the Florida Hospital Association found that one out of four registered nurses and one out of three critical care nurses had left their jobs in the previous year. It also noted a 25 percent turnover rate, the highest over the past several years, and a projected deficit of 59,100 nurses in Florida by 2035. To address the issue, SPC recently gathered more than 50 regional stakeholders - including leaders from hospitals, education institutions, nursing associations and government officials - to discuss solutions to problems contributing to the decline. Taking Action to Address the Critical Nursing Shortage in Tampa Bay was hosted by St. Petersburg College, Pasco-Hernando State College, State College of Florida and Hillsborough Community College. "Everyone has been having solo discussions on how to address the nursing shortage," said Dr. Louisana Louis, Dean of SPC's College of Nursing. "This allowed us all to be in one room. It had not been done this way before, and that made all the difference." According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for nurses in Florida is expected to grow by 21 percent, while 40 percent of nurses will approach retirement age in the next decade. Stressful working conditions caused by the pandemic are also creating an increase in turnover. "In the middle of 2021, we asked hospitals to report vacancies and turnover," said Cheryl Love, Chief Clinical and Patient Safety Officer at Florida Hospital Association. "Overall, there was an 11 percent RN vacancy rate in Florida over 12 months, which is higher than the national rate of 9.9 percent. We need to add more (nurses) than a couple thousand per year to mitigate the projected workforce shortage." Challenges include: difficulties recruiting and hiring experienced nurses and nursing faculty, often due to low salaries; establishing work environments that promote job satisfaction and loyalty; the need for recurring state funding to address salary issues; and a lack of clinical site access. Some of the top solutions identified were: Increase and allocate recurring funding from the state for educational technology and to raise faculty salaries Establish creative scheduling outside the 12-hour scheduling model for nurses to free experienced nurses to teach Create dedicated partnerships for clinical experiences Re-imagine clinicals to explore alternative experiences and add clinical capacity Cultivate student engagement and look at student evaluation methods to ensure they are rigorous, fair and equitable SPC is already working on some of these ideas. A gift last year from the Hough Family Foundation is allocated to enhance the college's nursing simulation area so students get hands-on training to mirror situations they would see in a live clinical experience. Another focus is getting more nurses out into the community. "We are creating a special cohort in the summer for students who were not successful in their last semester to give them another opportunity to graduate early," Louis said. "And we are working on implementing an evening and weekend program within the next year, which will produce more nurses." SOURCE St. Petersburg College South Dakota (69%), South Carolina (63%), West Virginia (63%) and Florida (62%) were also revealed as the top inbound states for 2021. Meanwhile, states like Illinois (67%), New York (63%), Connecticut (60%) and California (59%), which have regularly appeared on the top outbound list in recent years, again ranked among states with the largest exoduses. In addition to the state-by-state data, each year United Van Lines also conducts an accompanying survey to examine the motivations and influences for Americans' interstate moves. This year's survey results indicated 31.8% of Americans who moved did so in order to be closer to family a new trend coming out of the pandemic as priorities and lifestyle choices shift. Additionally, 32.5% of Americans moved for a new job or job transfer, a significant decrease from 2015, when more than 60% of Americans cited a job or transfer. "This new data from United Van Lines is indicative of COVID-19's impact on domestic migration patterns, with 2021 bringing an acceleration of moves to smaller, midsized towns and cities," Michael A. Stoll, economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, said. "We're seeing this not only occur because of Americans' desire to leave high density areas due to risk of infection, but also due to the transformation of how we're able to work, with more flexibility to work remote." What's more, amid the pandemic, many Gen Xers are retiring (often at a younger age than past generations), joining the Baby Boomer generation. While many are retiring to states like Florida, United Van Lines' data reveals they're not necessarily heading to heavily populated cities like Orlando and Miami they're venturing to less dense places like Punta Gorda (81% inbound), Sarasota (79% inbound) and Fort Myers-Cape Coral (77% inbound). Similarly, in Oregon, cities including Medford-Ashland (83%) and Eugene-Springfield (79%) saw high inbound migration in 2021. "For 45 years now, our annual United Van Lines study, with its data-driven insights, has allowed us to explore a deeper understanding of Americans' overall migration patterns," Eily Cummings, director of corporate communications at United Van Lines, said. "As the pandemic continues to impact our day-to-day, we're seeing that lifestyle changes including the increased ability to work from home and wanting to be closer to family are key factors in why Americans are moving today." Moving In The top inbound states of 2021 were: Vermont South Dakota South Carolina West Virginia Florida Alabama Tennessee Oregon Idaho Rhode Island Of the top ten inbound states, six Vermont, South Dakota, West Virginia, Alabama, Oregon and Idaho are among the 20 least densely populated states in America, with less than 100 people per square mile. And, Tennessee and South Carolina are among the top 25. Moving Out The top outbound states for 2021 were: New Jersey Illinois New York Connecticut California Michigan Massachusetts Louisiana Ohio Nebraska Nine of the top 10 outbound states are considered densely populated, further illustrating America's shift to less crowded states. Balanced Several states saw nearly the same number of residents moving inbound as outbound. Kentucky and Wyoming are among these "balanced states." Since 1977, United Van Lines annually tracks migration patterns on a state-by-state basis. The 2021 study is based on household moves handled by United within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. and ranks states based off the inbound and outbound percentages of total moves in each state. United classifies states as "high inbound" if 55 percent or more of the moves are going into a state, "high outbound" if 55 percent or more moves were coming out of a state or "balanced" if the difference between inbound and outbound is negligible. To view the entire 2021 study, an interactive map and archived press releases and photos from United, please visit United Van Lines. Press Kit: The United Van Lines 2021 National Movers Study press kit includes additional data, including a map, the complete inbound/outbound rankings for states and metropolitan statistical areas and statistics around COVID-influenced migration. Available on the United Van Lines website here. SOURCE United Van Lines TYSONS, Va., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Great Resignation era of workers are returning to the workforce but not as originally imagined. Carolyn Thompson, CEO of talent acquisition and consulting services company Merito Group states, "With new priorities and values, Americans are searching for a new job or a new career, which also means becoming an entrepreneur." Employers, especially those in strained industries such as transportation and finance, are fighting to keep current employees and compete to grab candidates within the same industry who may have quit another company. "Companies are shifting their policies to better accommodate hybrid or remote work schedules, as well as bonuses to retain current employees and to hire new ones," Thompson states. The latest report from the Census Bureau's Business Formation Statistics shows that nearly 1.4 million applications have been filed to form new businesses likely to hire employees. Since 2018, new business applications filed per week averaged 67,000, but since June 2021 that number has skyrocketed to 100,000 new business applications per week. Thompson, an entrepreneur herself, says "Entrepreneurship has always been part of the American spirit. But with so much uncertainty in the past few years, these Covid-preneurs want more control over their future." About Merito Group: A US-based, certified woman owned company, Merito Group is a talent acquisition consulting firm providing excellence in outsourced solutions. The team of experienced Executive Recruiters has thousands of successful placements under their belt because they take the time to get to know you, your company, division, or department's needs as well as our candidates' personal interests and goals through a thorough in-person interview process. Blending corporate needs with candidates' desires make the right match more attainable for all parties. Learn more at https://www.meritogroup.com/ This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com SOURCE Merito Group MAULDIN, S.C., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Xcelerate, Inc. (OTC pink sheets: "XCRT") today announced it has signed a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement to acquire a 51% interest in AfiyaSasa Africa, LLC, ("ASA") a start-up medical technology and virtual health company that the Company believes is uniquely positioned to help patients in developing countries meet their medical needs by extending the reach of physicians through the technology. This technology is centered on software that uses and incorporates artificial intelligence ("AI") and Augmented Reality ("AR") developed by AdviNOW. The application is designed to connect people in remote areas where there is limited medical infrastructure and/or limited medical professionals. ASA was recently founded by Dr. Dilan Ellegala and Doyle Word. "This project, among others, has been at the forefront of our planning ever since Dilan Ellegala joined our Advisory Board in 2021. ASA is uniquely positioned to help the people of Africa meet their medical needs by extending the reach of physicians to their patient's mobile devices through a patented breakthrough technology." said Michael O'Shea, Xcelerate's CEO. The ASA system is accessed by patients on their cell phones, tablets, or computers, and allows licensed physicians and other medical personnel to conduct initial check-in, triage, and determine the most appropriate care path, virtually. The system is equipped with facial recognition and storage capability to ascertain if the patient is a return patient. Additionally, through a set of questions and answers that are dynamically integrated with the systems proprietary AI component, measurements are taken with medical devices connected to a cell phone, tablet, or computer (e.g. stethoscope, thermometer, pulse oximeter etc.), bringing the telemedicine virtual appointment to the next level. The AI assists with Q&A and with the AR to arrive at diagnostic possibilities, testing and treatment options and next steps for the patient. Dr. Ellegala, Co-Founder of ASA, has spent much of his professional life laying the foundation for transformational medical advances in Africa. His training of healthcare workers in remote Tanzania to perform brain and spine surgery and his pioneering work in global medical education is documented in Pulitzer-nominated journalist Tony Barthelme's book, "A Surgeon in the Village: An American Doctor Teaches Brain Surgery in Africa." NBC's Tom Brokaw described the work as "A lyrical, inspirational, altogether rewarding account of first-and third-world surgeons working together to perform neurosurgery miracles in the heart of Africa. "ASA is now poised to take Dr. Ellegala's foundational work to the highest level by dramatically improving the health care delivery system for hundreds of millions of Africans and we're excited to be a partner in the project. Xcelerate remains focused on joining early-stage medical technology companies and acquiring and applying patented technology to clinical care world-wide," said O'Shea. For more information, please visit www.xcelerate.global SAFE HARBOR This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including all statements not of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of Company, its directors or officers with respect to, among other things: (i) the Company's financing plans; (ii) trends affecting Company's financial condition or results of operations; (iii) Company's growth strategy and operating strategy; and (iv) the declaration and payment of dividends. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many beyond the Company's ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements resulting from various factors. Media contact: Karla Hernandez 561-750-9800; 561-768-1773 (c); [email protected]. SOURCE Xcelerate, Inc. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Vision Capital & Consulting is thrilled to announce $3 million in real estate acquisition grants to five community-based performing arts groups. These awards are funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and administered by Community Vision, with the intention of stabilizing and advancing performing arts throughout the Bay Area, especially in historically disinvested communities. "We are excited to support these community-led projects that demonstrate how investing in performing arts spaces drives equitable community development and holistic support for artists and the communities they represent,'' said Catherine Howard, President of Community Vision. "These grants will build power and advance community ownership of community assets." The five projects funded were selected from among 42 applications representing more than $25 million in requested funds from 9 of the 10 Bay Area counties where organizations were eligible to apply. Priority went to projects led by organizations that are driving change and amplifying visions for their own communities. "Arts facilities are vital to maintaining the presence and fostering self-determination of cultural and artistic communities," states Emiko Ono, Performing Arts Program Director with the Hewlett Foundation. "These grants help ensure spaces are owned and activated by local artists, cultural leaders, and community-based organizations, which is part of what makes neighborhoods and the Bay Area unique and vibrant. These projects ensure the arts and artists have a place to call home in the Bay Area they're a source of stability and vitality now and for future generations." The five projects receiving funding are: East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative & House/Full of Blackwomen, West Oakland ($600,000) This award will be used to activate the Esther's Orbit Room Cultural Revival Project, a historically Black-owned space closed for many years, and transform three parcels into a new BIPOC-centered hub of culture and art. Oakstop, LLC & Black Music Entrepreneurship Incubator, West Oakland ($707,200) This award will be used to purchase a property in West Oakland, fit with recording and performance studios, that will offer wrap-around business support services and shared space rentals. Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation, East Oakland ($553,000) This award will be used to develop a ground-up community arts hub on a lot in East Oakland known as Liberation Park, activated by the Black Cultural Zone since April 2020. Pajaro Valley Arts, Watsonville ($540,000) This award will be used to purchase a 11,980 sq ft building in downtown Watsonville that will open as a new visual and performing arts hub for the Pajaro Valley in Santa Cruz County. Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Berkeley ($599,800) This award will support the acquisition of the organization's currently leased space in Berkeley and will permanently stabilize the legacy of its US-Bali musical exchange. Community Vision Capital & Consulting is a CDFI working throughout California with offices in San Francisco, Oakland, and Fresno. Since its inception, Community Vision has supported 2.5M Californians, deployed more than $483M in capital, and provided more than 1,000 real estate and financial management consults. SOURCE Community Vision STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aircastle Limited ("Aircastle") announced today that it plans to release its third quarter financial results for the period ended November 30, 2021 on January 13, 2022. In connection with the financial release, management will host a conference call on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 9:00 A.M. Eastern time. A copy of the press release and accompanying presentation will be posted to the Investors section of the Aircastle Limited website provided below. All interested parties are welcome to participate on the live call. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (888) 394-8218 (from within the U.S. and Canada) or (646) 828-8193 (from outside of the U.S. and Canada) ten minutes prior to the selected start and referencing the passcode "3653488". A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available on a listen only basis at http://www.aircastle.com. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast. For those who are not available to listen to the live call, a replay will be available until 12:00 P.M. Eastern time on Saturday, February 12, 2022 by dialing (888) 203-1112 (from within the U.S. and Canada) or (719) 457-0820 (from outside of the U.S. and Canada); please reference passcode "3653488". About Aircastle Limited Aircastle Limited acquires, leases, and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of August 31, 2021, Aircastle owned and managed on behalf of its joint ventures 264 aircraft leased to 76 customers located in 42 countries. Contact: Aircastle Advisor LLC Jim Connelly, SVP ESG & Corporate Communications Tel: +1-203-504-1871 [email protected] SOURCE Aircastle Limited Related Links http://www.aircastle.com NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Skin Association (ASA) announced the renewal of its support for the SPOTS (Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students) program. SPOTS is a public health outreach educational program aimed at both elementary school students and young teenagers. The comprehensive program, taught by medical school students, teaches early detection and prevention measures for skin cancer in an effort to increase knowledge and hopefully affect young people's attitudes and behaviors towards sun protection. SPOTS, run by a stellar team including Dr. Sofia Chaudhry of St. Louis University and Drs. Laurin Council and Lynn Cornelius of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, aims to educate medical/allied health students in sun protection methods, teaching strategies, and the basics of cutaneous malignancies in order to better prepare them for educating and treating current and future patients. "ASA is proud of the work the SPOTS program is doing to educate future generations on skin health. This worthwhile partnership is part of our mission to educate young people on the importance of sun safety and caring for their skin and we are excited to continue our support," said ASA Chairman Howard Milstein. With ASA's support, the SPOTS program expanded its teaching platforms by developing a virtual curriculum to allow these critical efforts to continue during the global pandemic. This new platform has in turn allowed the program to move into new communities, growing its reach. It is available through both a live Zoom virtual experience and a self-guided voice-over version which can be utilized in a school setting or at home reaching many more children and teens. The program has also achieved many other goals in the last year including completing the development of a "take-home" curriculum with a SPOTS educational pamphlet including a Skin of Color teaching points, a Spanish language version, and a Skin Cancer in Skin of Color module. Recent program outreach includes the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in Florida where 1000 educational brochures and t-shirts and 100 SPOTS posters were sent for their students. SPOTS has also expanded to more diverse, urban school settings populated by more students of color, such as urban neighborhood schools near Columbia Medical School in New York and many others. The program is currently partnering with dozens of university medical school programs around the nation. Members of the SPOTS leadership team recently published their findings in an article titled, "Program Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS) Evaluating the Efficacy of Skin Cancer Prevention Education for Adolescents" in the Journal of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Also, in the Spring of 2021 SPOTS animated video on sun protection received the bronze award in the Digital Health Media category of the Digital Health Award. "We are grateful to ASA and its Education Council for their continued support of SPOTS. We look forward continued growth of this critical program," said Dr. Cornelius. The SPOTS program is designed to present the facts about skin cancer and sun protection to teenagers in an interesting and engaging way, allowing them to make informed choices regarding future behaviors. The program has the potential to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in the future, increase awareness about the importance of sun protection, and educate the next generation of physicians in a subject that is often not a required clinical block in U.S. medical school curricula. Over the past 25 years, there has been a notable increase in the incidence of melanoma in children, particularly in adolescents. ASA's mission includes championing skin health among children by educating youth and parents on the importance of skin health and sun safety. "We are excited to continue our partnership with Dr. Cornelius and the SPOTS program and look forward to the program's continued growth," said ASA President, Dr. David Norris. ABOUT AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION A unique collaboration of patients, families, advocates, physicians and scientists, ASA has evolved over three decades as a leading force in efforts to defeat melanoma, skin cancer and other skin diseases. Established to serve the now more than 100 million Americans one-third of the U.S. population afflicted with skin disorders, the organization's mission remains to: advance research, champion skin health particularly among children, and drive public awareness about skin disease. For more information, visit americanskin.org. ABOUT SPOTS SPOTS (Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students) is a community outreach program designed to teach students from preschool through high school about the importance of early detection and prevention of skin cancer. Medical students visit local schools to instruct students about sun safe habits, avoiding artificial tanning beds, and skin self-exams. SPOTS started as a collaboration between Saint Louis University and Washington University Medical Schools in Saint Louis, Missouri, but has expanded to programs across the country, and with your help, will continue to do so. Download teaching materials to start your own SPOTS chapter today. For more information, visit spotseducation.org/. SOURCE American Skin Association KUNMING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Two people were severely injured and 20 slightly injured in a 5.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the county of Ninglang in southwest China's Yunnan Province at 3:02 p.m. on Sunday, local authorities said. All the injured have received timely treatment and none suffered life-threatening injuries, the county information office said, adding that there are currently no reports of deaths or collapsed buildings. The power and water supply and telecommunications service in the quake-hit areas are basically in normal operations, and the life of local residents is not severely affected, the office said. But there are still some houses and roads and water conservancy facilities damaged to various degrees by the quake and the local government is checking the losses, it said. The Yunnan provincial earthquake bureau has activated a Level III emergency response and sent a 23-member working team to the quake-hit region. The epicenter was about 60 km away from the county seat of Ninglang in the city of Lijiang and 110 km from the Old Town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The earthquake struck at a depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). Fifteen firefighters with four vehicles from the fire brigade in Ninglang arrived in a village of Yongning township at around 6:30 p.m., where local road traffic and telecommunications were undisrupted. The rescue team went door-to-door to check the damage and coordinated with local government staff workers in evacuating local villagers to safe areas. The provincial fire brigade has dispatched forces from the city of Lijiang and other neighboring regions to join in the quake relief efforts. Enditem LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 15, 1947, the Black Dahlia murder hit Los Angeles like a bombshell. The savage death of beautiful 22-year-old Elizabeth Short, an aspiring starlet and nightclub habitue known as the "Black Dahlia," commanded the attention of post-WWII America. In the seventy-five years since her murder, the Black Dahlia has become a magnetic icon in American pop culture, a mythical symbol of noir Hollywood. With Severed: The True Story of the Black Dahlia, acclaimed author John Gilmore plumbs the dark core of this terrifying story. Here is the real Elizabeth Shortthe enigmatic Black Dahlia. Cover, Severed: True Story of the Black Dahlia by John Gilmore Author John GIlmore in front of residential hotel where Black Dahlia suspect died in fire. The Black Dahlia murderunlike such earlier headline-grabbing cases as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and the Lindbergh kidnappingwas the first to grip the psyche of post-war America with its stark carnality. The question of who killed the Black Dahlia stands today as one of the most intractable mysteries in the annals of true crime. Director David Lynch described Severed as "the most satisfying and disturbing conclusion to the Black Dahlia case. After reading Severed, I feel like I truly know Elizabeth Short and her killer." In his hard-boiled yet haunting prose, Gilmore evokes some of the spookiest corridors of old-time Los Angeles, the wartime world of Hollywood bars, dance halls and rooming houses where, as the author puts it, "no one remembers the names." Severed also unfolds the tangled inside story of the police investigation into the murder and the Hearst-stoked media frenzy that paralleled it. Severed remains the first non-fiction book to offer a documented exploration of the Black Dahlia case endorsed by law enforcement and forensic science experts. Gilmore reveals the twisted psychology and down-and-out life story of the murder suspect, including transcripts of his taped "indirect confession." In his book The Cases That Haunt Us, legendary FBI profiler John E. Douglas (author of Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit) states that "Gilmore has done extensive research into the Short case. . . Had Detective St. John had the opportunity to interview Arnold Smith, the outcome might have been different." Publishers Weekly declared that Severed "delves deeply into one of Hollywood's most celebrated murder cases." Through Gilmore's relentless spade work, the spectral luster of this most spectacular unsolved murder in American crime history seems not diminished but enhanced. The updated third edition of Severed includes a new foreword and afterword, expanded photo section, index and never-before-published evidence and forensic material from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. Ultimately, John Gilmore boils down the undying allure of the case to this haiku-like equation: "The pale white body severed in two and left for the world to view, and her name: Black Dahlia." About the Author John Gilmore has been internationally acclaimed for his true crime books, literary fiction and Hollywood memoirs and biographies. Described by the Sydney Morning Herald as "the quintessential L.A. noir writer," it is fitting that Gilmore should be the one to have penetrated the mystery of this archetypal Los Angeles murder. Gilmore's father was an LAPD officer at the time of the Black Dahlia murder, his mother was a would-be starlet with MGM and Gilmore himself was a rebellious young actor in the '50s, carousing with the likes of James Dean, Dennis Hopper and Vampira. John Gilmore died in Los Angeles in 2016. Available online: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1878923315/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_2ABTFH9MK4X17TS9VG7W Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/severed-john-gilmore/1100238397?ean=9781878923318 Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/books/severed-the-true-story-of-the-black-dahlia-9781878923318/9781878923318 Contact: Stuart Swezey Publisher, Amok Books 323-219-0363 www.amokbooks.com SOURCE Amok Books NORTHVILLE, Mich., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With over twenty years in the Manufacturing and Engineering industry, Andrea Jemison-Smith has a wide range of knowledge in the field. Andrea Jemison-Smith As the Senior Torque Manager at Stellantis/FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ms. Jemison-Smith sets torque integrity standards, and manages the procedural operations for fastening systems in the company's North American locations. Stellantis is a global vehicle company that provides sustainable solutions for customers, offering a full line of luxury, premium, and passenger vehicles. Beginning this role in 2014, she manages vehicle launches, and creates procedure guides to prepare for the global product launches. She works with FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Auburn Hills, MI, one of the many branches of Stellantis. Ms. Jemison-Smith attributes her success to the strong work ethic she learned from her parents, as well as to a high school aptitude test that steered her in the direction of a career in Science and Math. Ms. Jemison-Smith first attended Tennessee State University from 1987-1989. She continued her education at Lawrence Technological University, graduating with her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1993. Here she was involved with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which she still volunteers with today. She got her start at the Ford Motor Company in 1993, where she worked for over two decades. Ms. Jemison-Smith excelled as a Manufacturing Engineer and Torque Senior Lead until she left the company in 2014. Highly involved in her community, she is a Deacon at her church, a United Way Worldwide supporter, and is certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt. Ms. Jemison-Smith is also a volunteer for the Detroit High School Stem Program and remains involved with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She has been recognized as a Top Executive by Marquis Who's Who and as a Woman of Color in STEM at a STEM Conference, along with many other awards and honors throughout her career. Looking to the future, Ms. Jemison-Smith plans to start her own business of procedural writing, accreditation, and ISO standards, and is researching procedural writing and testing methods for cannabis products. For more information, visit https://www.stellantis.com/en. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com - Ritonavir oral tablet annual production capacity has been expanded to 100 million tablets and can be further rapidly expanded based on market demand - ASC10 is an oral direct-acting antiviral drug candidate targeting RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection - ASC11 is an oral direct-acting antiviral drug candidate targeting 3-chymotrypsin like protease (3CLpro), combined with ritonavir oral tablets, to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection HANGZHOU and SHAOXING, China, Jan. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX: 1672) today announces the expansion of the production of ritonavir oral tablets and oral direct-acting antiviral R&D pipeline for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Company's COVID-19 pipeline currently includes (i) ritonavir oral tablet (100mg), an authorized product, (ii) ASC10, an oral RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitor and (iii) ASC11, an oral 3-chymotrypsin like protease (3CLpro) inhibitor. The Company owns the only authorized ritonavir oral tablet in China, which passed bioequivalence study. The Company's ritonavir oral tablet was approved in September, 2021 by China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). As a pharmacokinetic booster of multiple antiviral protease inhibitors, a low dose ritonavir oral tablet (100mg) is a component of oral direct-acting antiviral drug Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir+ritonavir). The Company applied the sophisticated formulation technology to significantly increase the human bioavailability of ritonavir which has a very poor solubility and successfully achieved human bioequivalence with the ritonavir oral tablets produced by the Originator, AbbVie. The Company is planning to file generic drug applications for registrations in multiple countries in the world. Ritonavir oral tablet annual production capacity has been expanded to 100 million tablets and can be further rapidly expanded based on market demand. ASC10 is an oral direct-acting antiviral drug candidate targeting RdRp. In vitro data showed significant activity against SARS-CoV-2. ASC10 is an in-house discovered drug candidate with the global intellectual property and commercial rights. Compared to RdRp-targeted Molnupiravir which was approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ASC10 has a new and differentiated chemical structure. The Company has filed multiple compound and use patent applications. The data from animal studies demonstrated that ASC10 has higher bioavailability when compared to Molnupiravir. The Company plans to submit investigational drug applications (INDs) for clinical trials in China, USA etc. in the first half of 2022. ASC11 is an oral direct-acting antiviral drug candidate targeting 3CLpro, in combination with the authorized ritonavir oral tablets produced by the Company, to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. ASC11 is an in-house discovered drug candidate with the global intellectual property and commercial rights. Compared to 3CLpro-targeted Nirmatrelvir which was approved by US FDA, ASC11 has a new and differentiated chemical structure. The Company has filed the compound and use patent applications. The Company plans to submit INDs for clinical trials in China, USA etc. in the second half of 2022. The Company has extensive R&D experience in viral protease inhibitors and successfully developed and commercialized oral HCV protease inhibitor GANOVO in combination with ritonavir oral tablets for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. "At the beginning of COVID-19 in 2020, based on its antiviral platform and R&D experience, the Company made the firm and rapid decision to invest in oral direct-acting antivirals R&D against RdRp and 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2. Meanwhile, the Company accelerated the development effort to obtain the approval of ritonavir oral tablets in China and successfully achieved the authorization by China NMPA for ritonavir oral tablets," said Dr. Jinzi J. Wu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis, "The Company has tremendous experience in antiviral oral protease inhibitors and successfully developed the fixed-dose combination ASC09F (ASC09+ritonavir) to treat HIV infection, in addition to launching GANOVO/Ritonavir combination for chronic hepatits C." SOURCE Ascletis Pharma Inc. LONDON, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Vaccines Market is valued at USD 56.98 Billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 153.49 Billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 14.1% over the forecast period The global disruption caused by Covid-19 pandemic, and new threats by variants like Omnicron remain key drivers of growth for the global vaccine market. Globally, major regions like the North America, EU, and Asia Pacific are undertaking initiatives to provide booster shots to population. The limited time-period immunity offered by many current vaccines, and large threats to lives, and livelihoods continue to increase threats for global population, and the global economy. The World Health Organization estimated that in 2019, there were over 5.5 billion doses administered globally. Apart from Covid-19, polio, tetanus, measles, and diphtheria vaccine promise major growth around the globe in 2020-2028 period. Moreover, commercialization promises also remains high as most procurement comes from self-procuring middle-income countries. The growing vaccine manufacturer in the Asia Pacific region, and development of new vaccines like rotavirus, pneumococcal conjugate, and human papillomavirus vaccine promise new opportunities in cost-reduction, and establishment of new supply chains, and distribution logistics. Get Sample Copy of This Premium [email protected] https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/276 Global Vaccines Market Companies Covered : Global Vaccines Market reports cover prominent players like Glaxo Smith Kline plc, Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co. Inc., Sanofi, CSL Limited, Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited, Bavarian Nordic,Panacea Biotech, Protein Sciences Corporation, AstraZeneca, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. , Johnson & Johnson, Medimmune, LLC, AstellasPharma Inc., Serum Institute of India, Bavarian Nordic, Abbott, Bristol-Myers Squibb,Novavax Inc., Gritstone Oncology, PaxVax Corporation.,Bharat Biotech., VBI Vaccines Inc.,Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc., Gamma Vaccines Pty Limited, Sinovac Biotech Ltd., Prokarium, and ImmunoBiology Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, ,Janssen Pharmaceutical Company,Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., China National Biotech, Tiantan, Hualan, Kangtai,Hissen andJintan. Market Segmentation of Global Vaccine Market By Technology Conjugate Vaccines Inactivated Vaccines Live Attenuated Vaccines Toxoid Vaccines Recombinant Vaccines Others By Indication Influenza Pneumococcal Disease Meningococcal Disease Human Papilloma Virus Rotavirus Varicella Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DTP) Polio Hepatitis Measles-Mumps- Rubella (MMR) Others By End User Pediatric Vaccines Adult Vaccines Traveller Vaccines Others Purchase this Premium Report @ https://brandessenceresearch.com/Checkout?report_id=276 Global Vaccine Market: Key Opportunities The global vaccine market accounted for USD 33 billion in valuation in 2019. This valuation is roughly 2% of the global pharmaceutical market. Moreover, while demand for middle-income countries like India, and China continues to be strongest, the large value proposition, over 68% is generated in high-income countries. Vaccines like Diptheria, pneumococcal conjugate, and tetanus, and human papillomavirus vaccine remain the largest value acquiring vaccines, globally. The growing demand in new regions like Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, with global partnerships like GAVI remain promising driver of growth for the global vaccine market. Vaccine procurement partnerships like SIA remain the highest procurer in the global vaccine market by volume. Vaccines like Bivalent OPV or Oral Polio Vaccine remains the highest in demand, globally, with Diptheria, and MCV remaining second- highest, and third-highest globally. Furthermore, PCV is likely to witness highest growth in the upcoming future, as growing demand for three-dose series, and increased conformity to WHO recommendations remain promising drivers of growth. Similarly, HPV also remains a promising vaccine for future growth, as growing end to supply constraints, and increased global initiatives to eliminate the virus remain key drivers to growth. The vaccine for measles is likely to be replaced by MR and MMR vaccines containing rubella, predicting a decline for the measles vaccine. On Special Requirement the above Market Reports is also available for below regions: North America U.S, Canada Europe Germany , France , U.K., Italy , Spain , Sweden , Netherland, Turkey , Switzerland , Belgium , Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific South Korea , Japan , China , India , Australia , Philippines , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand , Indonesia , Rest Of APAC Latin America Mexico , Colombia , Brazil , Argentina , Peru , Rest of Latin America Middle East and Africa Saudi Arabia , UAE, Egypt , South Africa , Rest Of MEA i-Factor: Live Market intelligence platform I-Factor is our guaranteed seal to keep our clients ahead of the competition, always. This knowledge platform delivers real-time updates on key economic indicators, competitive landscape, changing demand, trends, customized regional insights, and more. The platform visualizes key data points to help make decision making agile, trustworthy, and holistic. Register for free trail here @ https://brandessenceresearch.com/i-factor/login/userRegister For All Trending Reports of Vaccine: https://brandessenceresearch.com/Category/Vaccines/ Brandessence Market Research & Consulting Pvt ltd. Brandessence market research publishes market research reports & business insights produced by highly qualified and experienced industry analysts. Our research reports are available in a wide range of industry verticals including aviation, food & beverage, healthcare, ICT, Construction, Chemicals and lot more. Brand Essence Market Research report will be best fit for senior executives, business development managers, marketing managers, consultants, CEOs, CIOs, COOs, and Directors, governments, agencies, organizations and Ph.D. Students. We have a delivery center in Pune, India and our sales office is in London. Website: https://brandessenceresearch.com Blog: Pea Protein companies Mr. Vishal Sawant Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Corporate Sales: +44-2038074155 Asia Office: +917447409162 SOURCE Brandessence Market Research And Consulting Private Limited SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- California attorney Douglas Borthwick has been selected as a 2021 Attorney of the Year in the field of personal injury law by the National Alliance of Attorneys (NAOA). NAOA is an organization committed to advocating for attorneys with the highest legal standards in each state. NAOA reviews select candidates who have positive recommendations of other lawyers in their field, along with no ethical concerns from their local licensing authority. Less than 1% of all attorneys are invited to be a member of NAOA. Award Photo Membership is only extended to those attorneys who demonstrate leadership, superior qualifications in their field, and trial results in their state. Douglas Borthwick is also AV PREEMINENT RATED by Martindale-Hubbell. This is the highest possible attorney peer review rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. Martindale-Hubbell is the Gold Standard among attorney peer review ratings. Attorney Douglas Borthwick has further achieved a "SUPERB" Rating from Avvo, the highest evaluation given by the nationally acclaimed attorney rating agency. Douglas Borthwick has earned the trust and respect of his clients and colleagues for his integrity, preparation, determination, and attention to detail. Douglas Borthwick's experience includes, but is not exclusive of, the following areas: personal injury law, family law, criminal law, and general civil litigation practice. Mr. Borthwick is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. When not practicing law, he is active in his Church and spending time with his adored grandchildren. "Life is the most precious thing we have and it's probably the thing most people take for granted. We're busy. We don't even take time to consciously think of our lives because we are too busy living them. Appreciate your life. We all only get one. Invest in what makes you happy. There is so much to be thankful for. We all have rotten things happen to us and we all have unfortunate things. But there is good in everything that happens if you look for it. Give thanks every day. Live consciously with awareness and gratitude; appreciate the moments as they occur before they forever pass so quickly."- Attorney Douglas Borthwick, Esq. To learn more about Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick, visit: www.borthwicklawyer.com Also visit: https://calbizjournal.com/attorney-douglas-borthwick/ Also visit: https://www.acq-intl.com/issues/2018-Leading-Adviser-Supplement/32/ Media Contact: John Walter Phone: 714-564-9400 Santa Ana, California Contact Douglas M. Borthwick Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick Telephone: 714-654-6742 Firm website: www.borthwicklawyer.com SOURCE Douglas Borthwick NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fact.MR's latest report on SiC & GaN semiconductor market uncovers the growth projections across major regions. It also discusses in detail, various growth drivers, restraints, latest trends and emerging opportunities affecting the market dynamics. In order to gain comprehensive insights, the report has been segmented on the basis of material type, component and application. Fact.MR A Market Research and Competitive Intelligence Provider: As per latest Fact.MR analysis, the global SiC & GaN power semiconductor market is estimated to reach around US$ 884 Mn in 2022. With flourishing semiconductor across the globe, the overall market is anticipated to witness growth at a CAGR of 22.9%, surpassing US$ 6.95 Bn by 2032. Surging demand for SiC & GaN power semiconductors in myriad applications such as power supplies, wireless charging PV inverter, and electric vehicles is driving the global SiC & GaN power semiconductor market. Further, Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) have become the most significant wide bandgap (WBG) materials in the semiconductor industry. They have gained immense popularity in modern electrical and electronic industries. Additionally, these semiconductors offer various advantages such as higher operating temperature, maximum thermal conductivity, better efficiency, and reduced costs. Hence, rapid transition from conventional energy sources to renewable ones has improved the demand in SiC & GaN power semiconductor market. On account of this, governments across the globe are investing extensively to increase their renewable power generation abilities. For Critical Insights On This Market, Request For More Info https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=381 Subsequently, new initiatives are being launched to facilitate the adoption of eco-friendly energy sources. For instance, the European Commission launched the European Solar Initiative in 2021, to scale up the solar PV industrial ecosystem in Europe. Semiconductors have become indispensable part of majority of electric products. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the global semiconductor industry sales in the month of August 2021, reaching US$ 47.2 Bn. This is expected to impact the growth positively in the market. Moreover, growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles across the globe is spurring the sales of advanced semiconductor components such as SiC & GaN. Implementation of stringent emission regulations coupled with soaring fuel prices is prompting consumers to adopt ecofriendly electric vehicles. As per Fact.MR, in terms of material, SiC segment is anticipated to dominate the global SiC 7 GaN power semiconductor market, accounting for over 58.4% of revenue in 2022. As SiC is most preferred in larger power products due to its power capabilities and higher thermal conductivity, demand is expected to accelerate. Regionally, East Asia will dominate the global SiC & GaN power semiconductor market, expanding at a CAGR of 26.8% through 2032. East Asia is home to leading high-tech countries called "Big Four", including China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Growth in the region is driven by rising penetration of advanced technologies across these aforementioned countries. As per the study, East Asia market is projected to surpass US$ 476.4 Mn in 2022. "The roll out of 5G technology and increasing investments in solar power generation infrastructure are creating lucrative growth prospects in SiC & GaN power semiconductor market. In order to capitalize on this trend, market players are levering various strategies such as cost reduction and integration of new technologies.," says a Fact.MR analyst Key Takeaways from SiC & GaN Power Semiconductor Market Survey With flourishing semiconductor industry and surging export of electrical and electronic products, China is set to expand at 28.6% CAGR between 2022 and 2032. is set to expand at 28.6% CAGR between 2022 and 2032. Japan is slated to experience strong growth on account of increasing electric vehicle production and presence of leading market players. is slated to experience strong growth on account of increasing electric vehicle production and presence of leading market players. South Korea will exhibit robust growth due to the strong presence of gigantic semiconductor enterprises. will exhibit robust growth due to the strong presence of gigantic semiconductor enterprises. By material type, SiC segment will continue to lead the global market, accounting for nearly 3/5 th of revenue share in 2022. of revenue share in 2022. Based on component, SiC power modules segment is anticipated to grow by 3.5x over the forecast period. Key Drivers Introduction of automation and robotics will continue to drive the SiC & GaN power semiconductor market during the forecast period. Growing preference for electric vehicles coupled with rapid adoption of digitalization is projected to create a plethora of growth opportunities within SiC & GaN power semiconductor market. Increasing government initiatives to enhance renewable power generation capacity will spur the growth of SiC & GaN power semiconductor market. Key Restraints Low penetration of technology across some underdeveloped countries such as Brazil , Indonesia , and others is restraining the growth in the market. , , and others is restraining the growth in the market. High cost of manufacturing may also limit the growth. To learn more about SiC & GaN Power Semiconductor Market, you can get in touch with our Analyst at https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=381 Competitive Landscape Leading players operating in the SiC & GaN power semiconductor market are employing various strategies such as partnerships, continuous branding, and advanced product launches to gain competitive edge. Meanwhile, some of the players are focusing on collaborations with local market players to expand their customer base. For instance, In June 2021 , ON Semiconductor announced the launch of new full silicon carbide MOSFET module solutions for charging electric and hybrid vehicles. The new pair of 1200 V full silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET 2-Pack modules will further enhance the company's product portfolio. , ON Semiconductor announced the launch of new full silicon carbide MOSFET module solutions for charging electric and hybrid vehicles. The new pair of 1200 V full silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET 2-Pack modules will further enhance the company's product portfolio. In October 2020 , Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH launched a 1200V silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET for high power industrial applications including Photovoltaic (PV) inverters and bi-directional DC-DC converters for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). The new TW070J120B power MOSFET is an ideal alternative for conventional MOSFETs , Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH launched a 1200V silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET for high power industrial applications including Photovoltaic (PV) inverters and bi-directional DC-DC converters for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). The new TW070J120B power MOSFET is an ideal alternative for conventional MOSFETs IN March 2021 , Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH introduced a compact but effective MOSFET module "MG800FXF2YMS3". , Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH introduced a compact but effective MOSFET module "MG800FXF2YMS3". In November 2020 , Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced the launch of a new series of silicon-carbide metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), the N-series of 1200V SiC-MOSFETs in a TO-247-4 package. Some of the prominent players operating in the SiC & GaN power semiconductor market profiled by Fact.MR are: VisIC Technologies Ltd Panasonic Corporation NXP Semiconductors N.V. GaN Systems Inc. Exagan S.A.S Cambridge Electronics Avogy, Inc. Vincotech GmbH United Silicon Carbide Inc. STMicroelectronics N.V. Raytheon Company Genesic semiconductor Inc Transform, Inc. Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Renesas Electronics SEMIKRON International GmbH Danfoss A/S Microsemi Corporation Wolfspeed, Inc. ROHM Semiconductor Global Power Technologies Group Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd Infineon Technologies. More Insights on the Global SiC & GaN Power Semiconductor Sales Outlook Fact.MR provides an unbiased analysis of SiC & GaN power semiconductor market, presenting historical demand data (2017-2021) and forecast statistics for the period from 2022-2032. The study divulges compelling insights on the global demand for SiC & GaN power semiconductor with a detailed segmentation on the basis of: Material Type SiC GaN Component SiC Power Modules GaN Power Modules Discrete SiC Power Devices Discrete GaN Power Devices Application Power Supplies Wireless Charging Power Storage Hybrid and EV Components HEV Charging Equipment Motor Drives PV Inverter Traction Motor Components Others Key Questions Covered in the SiC & GaN Power Semiconductor Market Outlook Report The report offers insight into SiC & GaN power semiconductor demand outlook for 2022-2032 The market study also highlights projected sales growth for SiC & GaN power semiconductor market between 2022 and 2032 SiC & GaN power semiconductor market survey identifies key growth drivers, restraints, and other forces impacting prevailing trends and evaluation of current market size and forecast and technological advancements within the industry SiC & GaN power semiconductor market share analysis of the key companies within the industry and coverage of strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations or partnerships, and others Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Technology Domain Hybrid Inverters Market Analysis - Hybrid inverters are in high demand as solar inverters become more widely used. Grid-tied and off-grid inverters are combined in hybrid inverters. In general, hybrid inverters are grid-independent, but they synchronize with the grid when solar energy usage is minimal. Due to the limited availability of power in rural regions, hybrid inverters have become very popular. The primary factor predicted to drive the growth of the global hybrid inverter market during the forecast period is several technological improvements in hybrid inverters. Motor Driver IC Market Forecast - As the semiconductor industry becomes more automated and digitalized, the global motor driver IC market is expected to increase significantly over the next decade. The motor driver IC is most commonly seen in autonomous robots, where it serves as a current-supply link between microprocessors and motors. With so much innovation in self-driving automobiles and autonomous robotics on the horizon, demand for motor driver IC is projected to continue robust in the future. GaN RF Devices Market Insights - During the historical time, sales of GaN RF devices were improved by optimising the distribution network. The emergence of 4G LTE and 4G VOLTE in recent years has boosted the market for GaN RF power devices. Due to product expansions and technological advancements in the telecommunications business, the aforementioned gadgets are expected to have exceptional growth. The transition from 4G to 5G networks is projected to increase demand for GaN RF devices in the telecommunications industry. About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a market research and consulting agency with deep expertise in emerging market intelligence. Spanning a wide range from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare, technology to even the most niche categories. 80% of Fortune 1000's trust us in critical decision making. MarketNgage is powered by Fact.MR our Unified Intelligence Engine, a revolutionary Market Research Subscription platform with a flexible pricing to suit your needs. You can access all our technology research reports by signing up with MarketNgage's Market Research Subscription with FREE credits. MarketNgage is powered by Fact.MR A Fully integrated research solution for seamless single-window access Widest coverage on emerging markets, nascent products, and disruptive technologies. Contact: Mahendra Singh US Sales Office 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Tel: +1 (628) 251-1583 E: [email protected] SOURCE Fact.MR MIAMI, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cano Health, Inc. (NYSE: CANO), a leading value-based primary care provider for seniors and underserved communities, today announced it will participate in the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. Dr. Marlow Hernandez, Chairman and CEO, will present virtually at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time. A live webcast will be accessible through Cano Health's Investor Relations website at https://investors.canohealth.com/. The webcast will be archived for replay following the conference. About Cano Health Cano Health operates value-based primary care medical centers and supports affiliated medical practices that specialize in primary care for seniors in Florida, Texas, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, California, Illinois, and Puerto Rico, with additional markets in development. As part of its care coordination strategy, Cano Health provides sophisticated, high-touch population health management programs including telehealth, prescription home delivery, wellness programs, transition of care, and high-risk and complex care management. Cano Health's personalized patient care and proactive approach to wellness and preventive care sets it apart from competitors. Cano Health has consistently improved clinical outcomes while reducing costs, affording patients the opportunity to lead longer and healthier lives. Cano Health serves a predominantly minority and low-income population. For more information visit www.canohealth.com or https://investors.canohealth.com/. Investor Relations Contacts: Alan Oshiki or Sydney Isaacs Abernathy MacGregor (212) 371-5999 / (713) 817-9346 [email protected] / [email protected] Media Relations Contact: Patricia Graue Brunswick Group (212) 333-3810 [email protected] SOURCE Cano Health, Inc. BEIJING, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The year of 2021 was undoubtedly extraordinary for China. It marked the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) period (2021-2025). It was also a year during which the time frames for materializing China's two centenary goals building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and building a great modern socialist country in all respects made their historic convergence. "The past year has been a year of exceptional significance," said Chinese President Xi Jinping in his 2022 New Year address. How did China make full preparations last year to embark on a new journey to build a modern socialist country? A good start China's gross domestic product (GDP) exceeded the 100-trillion-yuan (about $15.42 trillion) threshold in 2020, official data released on January 18, 2021 showed. In early January, Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addressed a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. He called on the over 190 provincial and ministerial-level officials in attendance to strive for a good start in fully building a modern socialist country. About two weeks later, chairing a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi reiterated the need to ensure sound economic and social development, as the "first step" of the 14th Five-Year Plan was crucial. Later in March, China unveiled the final version of its national development blueprint for the next five and 15 years, with focuses on sustainable economic growth, the "dual circulation" economic growth pattern, innovation-driven industrial systems and rural area development. "Throughout the year, we have put in our efforts, contributed our part, and received much in return," Xi said when sending New Year greetings to the Chinese people. The guidance of new development philosophy Compared with previous five-year plans (FYPs), the 14th FYP conveys a new development paradigm no numerical GDP growth target but more focus on balanced and sustainable development with the domestic market as the mainstay. The new development philosophy is based on an innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development that will guide and pave the way for putting high-quality development in practice. Putting innovation at the center of its modernization drive, China made various scientific and technological breakthroughs such as the launch of the crewed spaceship Shenzhou-13, the landing of the Mars probe Tianwen-1 on the red planet, advancement in the chip-making industry and leaps in quantum computing. In 2021, Xi inspected several sci-tech companies, where he repeatedly highlighted the importance of self-reliance and self-strengthening in high-level sci-tech innovation. As going green is a hallmark of high-quality development, the past year also witnessed achievements in this area. China has seen across-the-board improvements in its eco-environment amid the country's intensifying efforts to spur green development, according to the China Environment Report 2020 published by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in May. The ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin, as a major national strategy, was a vivid demonstration of China's endeavors in promoting ecological civilization. In October of last year, China released an outline for the Yellow River Basin's protection and development through 2030, serving as a guide for policy-making and engineering project planning in the basin to address challenges. Since the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress, the Chinese president has visited all of the provinces and autonomous regions in the basin, sharing his concerns about China's "Mother River." In less than a year from August 2019 to June 2020 alone, he inspected the Yellow River Basin four times. "In the passage of time, we have seen and experienced a resilient and dynamic China, a country with its amicable and respectable people, a country developing rapidly with each passing day, and a country making continual progress in all its undertakings," Xi said on Friday in his New Year address. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-01-03/How-did-China-prepare-in-2021-for-building-a-modern-socialist-country--16uwrdXNaY8/index.html SOURCE CGTN NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The following event roundup from Cision PR Newswire is a list of featured exhibitors for CES 2022, one of the most influential tech events in the world, which takes place from January 5-7 in Las Vegas and digitally. CES 2022 exhibitor media kits, news releases and photos are available on the Official Exhibitor Media Center, managed by Cision PR Newswire: https://ces.vporoom.com/ CES 2022 press kits on the Official Exhibitor Media Center Aetrex Booth #54559 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Aetrex Aetrex Worldwide is widely recognized as the global leader in foot scanning technology and orthotics. Aetrex develops state-of-the-art foot scanning devices designed to accurately measure feet and determine foot type and pressure points. Albert 2, the latest foot scanner from Aetrex Technology, combines all the features a retailer could possibly need in one compact device. Albert 2 offers a simple, quick scanning process that enables retailers to access unmatched data and add-on sales opportunities, while giving the customer a safe, socially distanced, unique in-store experience. Since 2002, Aetrex has placed over 10,000 scanners worldwide and performed over 40 million scans. AirGo.Ai Booth #61311 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/AirGO.ai The founders at AirGo.Ai have lived and worked around the world and understand that all roads are not equal. Winding roads, visibility, and weather conditions are as different as the drivers. We all deserve to be kept safe, no matter where and no matter the conditions. Our goal is to protect drivers of all ages by leveraging recent advancements in IOT hardware and machine learning to bring the critical safety system of new vehicles to every vehicle. First the headrest became the standard of auto safety, then the seatbelt; now there is AirGo.AI. Alfred Technologies Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/AlfredTechnologies For more information, visit alfredtechnologies.com Allterco Robotics Booth #52239 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Allterco Allterco Robotics is an innovative technology company with a market presence in over 100 countries. With quarters in Bulgaria, United States, and Germany, we are constantly growing thanks to a dedicated team devoted to producing the competitive and easy-to-use smart home devices Shelly. Shelly provides flexible home automation solutions, entirely adjustable to customer's needs. All Shelly devices can work independently or as part of other home automation platforms, providing modular, step by step automation based on customer's preference. In our mission to achieve the best value for money, we create high quality products with professional support and full device warranty. Ambient Weather Booth #51458 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/AmbientWeather Ambient Weather has been a market leader in weather stations, environmental monitoring instruments and intuitive web-based dashboards for viewing and sharing weather data for over two decades. Our personal weather dashboard at AmbientWeather.net is the most versatile and intuitive in the industry. Asensing Technology Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Asensing Asensing Technology is engaged in the design and development of safe, efficient and high-precision positioning solutions for autonomous driving. Reliable, exceptional and specialized, Asensing Technology's system is designed for both advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD). Baracoda Daily Healthtech Booth #8419 LVCC Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Baracoda Baracoda Daily Healthtech, established on three continents, is a company that helps people easily track their self-care by infusing connected tech into the everyday routine leveraging AI, data analysis, machine learning, app development, gamification and more. An incubator, accelerator and manufacturer, Baracoda's strategic vision makes health data available to individuals and medical providers (with user opt-in) to encourage healthy habits and improved holistic health. Baracoda launches products and scales businesses alongside global market leaders, relying on a unique B2B2C speed-to-market approach. Baracoda's CES-awarded innovation model is driven by quantitative indexes, developed in-house to promote wellness. Blickfeld GmbH Booth #7022Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Blickfeld Founded in 2017 and based in Munich, Germany, Blickfeld provides cutting-edge LiDAR sensors and perception software, enabling countless mobility and IoT applications. The Blickfeld LiDAR products meet extremely demanding technical specifications concerning the performance, cost and dimensions required for the mass market. The main focus is on software-defined LiDAR, to make Blickfeld solutions more powerful and flexible and bring more and more analysis capabilities directly to the device. Blickfeld is backed by Bayern Kapital, Continental, Fluxunit ams OSRAM Ventures, High-Tech Grunderfonds, New Future Capital, Tengelmann Ventures, and UVC Partners. Bodyfriend Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Bodyfriend Bodyfriend, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is an award-winning global healthcare and wellness company with more than 1,300 employees, 1,200 patents and 127 stores (2018), with many more distribution channels being implemented. In less than 10 years, the company has become the number one massage chair brand in South Korea and a leading brand globally, with global partnerships including Lamborghini and Marvel, among others. Bodyfriend also manufacturers a variety of health and wellness products, including a line of GLED facial beauty masks and line of water purifiers. Bodyfriend was the recipient of the CES 2019, 2020 and 2021 Innovation Awards. Business France FRENCH TECH PAVILLION - VENETIAN EXPO Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/BusinessFrance Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It promotes France's companies, business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location, and also runs the VIE international internship program. Business France has 1,500 employees, both in France and in 58 countries throughout the world, who work with a network of partners. Business France has given private partners responsibility for supporting French SMEs and mid-size companies in Belgium, Hungary, Morocco, Norway, the Philippines and Singapore. Cleer Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Cleer Established in 2012, Cleer is a U.S. based, award-winning manufacturer of high-performance personal products audio brand. Our purpose is to elevate and transform every experience, inviting you to enhance your lifestyle through uncompromised audio that is designed with you in mind. The Choice Is CLEER Minimalistic Design, Uncompromised Performance. Located in San Diego, CA, we're champions of functionality, minimalism, and superior sonic performance. Sound has the extraordinary ability to transport us and enrich every moment. It is our quest to pioneer the highest standards of audio and realize its full, future potential through impeccable performance and style. Our Mission We are passionate audio lovers devoted to blazing new trails in wireless headphones and smart audio speakers. We aim to exceed expectations through thoughtful, intuitive design and expert craftsmanship that delivers uncompromising performance that inspires joy. Learn more at: cleeraudio.com Doosan Bobcat North America Booth #5318 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Bobcat Since 1958, Bobcat Company has been empowering people to accomplish more. As a leading global manufacturer of compact equipment, Bobcat has a proud legacy of innovation and a reputation based on delivering smart solutions to customers' toughest challenges. Backed by the support of a worldwide network of independent dealers and distributors, Bobcat offers an extensive line of compact equipment, including loaders, excavators, compact tractors, utility products, telehandlers, mowers, attachments, implements, parts and services. Headquartered in West Fargo, North Dakota, Bobcat leads the industry while helping people succeed, build stronger communities and a better tomorrow. Visit bobcat.com for more information. EarlySense Suite 29-221 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/EarlySense EarlySense is the global leader in 100-percent contact-free, continuous monitoring solutions. Used worldwide in hospitals, post-acute care facilities and in the home, the company's technology and predictive data science applications empower providers, clinicians and patients with continuous multi-vital data and actionable insights that improve quality of life and patient outcomes across the care continuum. EarlySense is based in Ramat Gan, Israel and Woburn, Massachusetts. For more information, visit the company's website at earlysense.com. Eon Media Eureka Park # 61724 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/EonMedia Eon Media's flagship solution allows broadcasters to detect logos in real-time during a live game and generate accurate brand exposure data across the arena, players' gear, graphic overlays, and commercial breaks generating accurate ROI measurement. Eon provides a new monetization opportunity by automatically detecting brands in real-time during gameplay without any 3rd party dependencies. Eon reduces the 40+-second lag to net-zero when watching a live game on Internet-connected devices, and provides 60% - 70% cost savings by significantly reducing video-on-demand content processing time. Etekcity/VeSync Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Etekcity Evocargo International Holdings limited Booth #6031 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Evocargo For more information, visit evocargo.com Gyeonggi Content Agency Booths #62936, 62938, 62940, 62942, 62944, 62946 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/gcon For more information, visit gcon.or.kr Hapbee Technologies Inc. Booth #8107 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Hapbee Grounded in science, the Hapbee Smart Wearable is designed to help people find calm, improve focus, sleep and performance. Powered by patented ultra-low radio frequency energy (ulRFE) technology, Hapbee wearables deliver low-power electromagnetic signals that produce sensations felt by our bodies, such as happy, alert, focus, relax and deep sleep. Hapbee's mission is to give people greater control of how they feel without any strings attached or hidden side effects of using mood-altering compounds. Hapbee technology helps people enjoy better sleep, greater focus and pain recovery without ingesting pills, alcohol or other substances. For example, Hapbee users can experience the focus that comes from nicotine without smoking a cigarette or the relaxation from a glass of wine without imbibing. This year, Hapbee's unique signal blends are silently played back through the Hapbee wearable, helping users feel their best throughout the day and night. Whether people need support going to sleep, waking up, staying alert and focused, or relaxing and calming down, Hapbee offers the right signal blend to help users achieve their wellness goals. Hapbee was able to use groundbreaking technology to record the low-frequency magnetic waves of popular consumable substances, giving people the feeling of using that substance without the body actually processing it. Operating at a radio frequency a million times less than a smartphone, Hapbee is a safe, effective way to achieve a desired vibration to help people reach their wellness goals. Backed by decades of research, Hapbee subscribers have reported 100 percent effectiveness with no reported side effects. High-profile advocates include global wellness leader Deepak Chopra and renowned recovery expert "Dr. Drew" Pinsky. Hapbee wearables a core part of their wellness routines, helping people experience better sleep, deeper relaxation, sharper focus and more creative energy. Learn more by visiting hapbee.com Hyundai Motor Company Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Hyundai Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision 'Progress for Humanity,' Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions, while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero emission vehicles equipped with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies. More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: worldwide.hyundai.com or globalpr.hyundai.com iMediSync Booth #8455 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/iMediSync iMediSync is an AI-driven, EEG-centered, digital mental healthcare platform company. We provide early detection, treatment, and telemedicine services for Alzheimer's dementia as well as other neuropsychiatric disorders through our patented AI brain mapping & scanning solution and wearable helmet device with EEG/HRV measurement and therapeutics. Industrial Technology Research Institute Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/ITRI Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world's leading technology R&D organizations aiming to innovate a better future for society. The Institute focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, and Sustainable Environment, and strives to strengthen Intelligentization Enabling Technology to support diversified applications. ITRI is also dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. For more information, please visit: itri.org/eng. Indy Autonomous Challenge LVCC, West Hall, #5029 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/IndyAutonomousChallenge The Indy Autonomous Challenge is set to make history at CES 2022 as the first high-speed, head-to-head autonomous racecar competition with 9 race teams from 19 universities representing 8 countries seeking to compete in the Autonomous Challenge @ CES on Friday, January 7, 2022, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Race teams and the IAC Dallara AV-21, the most advanced race car ever built, are speeding the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and deployments of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). These enhancements will lead to increased safety and performance in motorsports as well as all modes of commercial transportation. Internet of Everything Corp Booth #60940 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/ioecorp Internet of Everything Corp develops and manages an Internet-based decentralized End-to-End service platform, consisting of an infrastructure and service layer, and a service management system. Internet of Everything (IoE) is the secure decentralized software layer that lives on top of IoT devices, clusters them into computation resources, data lake storage, and provides localized D2I (data to information) processing with AI capabilities. IoE moves the current Internet services out of the request-response systems and sets them, into data lake access scenarios. Where massive amounts of sensors feed data streams into a data lake where services, AI, and users collect from it to display, refine or use. InWith Corporation Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/InWithCorp The World's Leading Smart+Biology Platform and IP: Microelectronics embedded into molded hydrogel devices, from smart contact lenses to smart implants. Imagine a patented technology that enables computer circuitry to be embedded into name-brand soft contact lenses. This makes our platform the ultimate discrete wearable XR technology. KanDao Technology Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/KanDaoTechnology Kandao Technology is a national high-tech enterprise. Adhering to the mission of "creating distinguished imaging products, enriching human life experience", and driven by the mutual development of hardware and software, Kandao is a pioneer in the field of VR technology, Ultra-HD cameras and video conferencing cameras. Kandao sets a new record for being the first Chinese company honored by the CES Innovation Awards in the digital imaging category, and the first Chinese company that won Good Design Award Best 100 in the camera category. Magnima Booth #19032 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Magnima Magnima develops state-of-the-art presentation gadgets and software for teachers, trainers, and speakers. Magnima's AirPoint Ring is the world's first wireless wearable mouse that offers dual surface and air tracking. Designed for delivering stunning presentations, the AirPoint Ring allows users to change slides with air gestures. With the flick of a finger, any apps on a connected Mac, Windows, iPad or tablet can be controlled wirelessly. Magnima also offers a free AirPoint app available for Mac and Windows that supports any connected mouse to spotlight, magnify, and point presentation contents. A presentation made with AirPoint creates memorable and uplifting moments. Marelli Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Marelli MARELLI is one of the world's leading global independent suppliers to the automotive sector. With a strong and established track record in innovation and manufacturing excellence, our mission is to transform the future of mobility through working with customers and partners to create a safer, greener, and better-connected world. With around 58,000 employees worldwide, the MARELLI footprint includes 170 facilities and R&D centers across Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Africa, generating revenues of 1,266 billion JPY (10.4 billion EUR) in 2020. MedWand Solutions, Inc. Booth #8655 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/MedWand For more information, please visit medwand.com Mimi Hearing Technologies GmbH Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Mimi Mimi is building a digital wellbeing platform that bridges the gap between hearing wellbeing and the best personalized listening experience. Our passionate team of scientists, engineers and researchers is constantly developing a platform of pioneering technology and features that can upgrade any audio product to deliver a holistic approach to hearing health, aligned with its users' growing wellbeing needs. MultiTech Booth #10115 in the IoT Infrastructure Pavilion - North Hall Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/MultiTech MultiTech makes work and life better by leveraging sensor and connectivity technology to bring systems and processes into the future and drive new revenue streams and efficiencies. Our extensive portfolio of technologies, paired with design, integration and manufacturing expertise, result in unparalleled performance, simplicity, and user experience. We have a passion for service that drives us to meet and exceed expectations with outstanding service and support throughout the lifecycle of your solution. We never stop looking for novel ways to solve problems with technology, which is how we continue to deliver industry firsts for us and for our customers. N.THING Booth #50839 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/NTHING N.THING is a Seoul-based Agri-tech company seeking to create a sustainable food future by combining agriculture with IoT technology. The company is on a mission to innovate the farm-to-table food value chain and provide fresh, high-quality crops to everyone, stably. N.THING's technology offers a more sustainable, more stable, and safer farming method, with mass productivity. The Agri-tech company designs the farm as a product, and provides farming as a service. All components of the farm are standardized and modularized. With a dedicated operating system, complete environment control is possible and farms can be managed by anyone, anywhere. NuraLogix Corporation Booth #8119 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/NuraLogix NuraLogix are the award-winning creators of Anura, the world's first contactless wellness and vital sign monitoring solution. Their technology provides instant vital sign measurements using data gathered from a 30-second video selfie. They have been featured in over 100 international media reports, peer-reviewed papers, including American Heart Association, Springer Science, and The International Journal of Clinical Practice. NuraLogix was founded in Toronto in 2015 and has raised $30M+ in funds to date. NuraLogix currently employs 65+ members, ranging from neuroscientists to software engineers with 11 patents registered in the United States and being fully compliant with GDPR, HIPAA, PIPEDA, and SOC2. For more information, visit nuralogix.ai. Okai Booth No. 4671, West Hall Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/OKAI Okai is a multinational team with more than 17 years of micro-mobility experience. We have multiple locations worldwide. While our R&D facilities and corporate offices are located in Hangzhou our production facilities are located an hour south in Jinhua, Zhejiang. We serve our global clients out of our European headquarters in Berlin, Germany. We have received 100+ patents in the micro mobility space. OneLife.eco Inc. Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/OneLife For more information, visit onelife.eco POSCO AMERICA (POSTECH) Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/POSCO Pudu Robotics Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/PuduRobotics Shenzhen-based and founded in 2016, Pudu Robotics is a world-leading tech-focused enterprise dedicated to the design, R&D, production and sales of commercial service robots on a mission to use robots to improve the efficiency of human production and living. Pudu Robotics has been rapidly growing in recent years to become a "leader" in the global markets with coverage of over 60 countries worldwide. The robots are widely applied in restaurants, hospitals, schools, office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, airports and much more. PulseForge Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/PulseForge PulseForge Corp, based in Austin, TX, has a long-standing commitment of developing innovative and earth-friendly solutions for consumer electronics and other applications. PulseForge's team of experts' guide clients in liberating innovation in design and manufacturing of next-gen products such as AR/VR/XR, medical and consumer wearables, and automotive. PulseForge's thermal processing solutions are created to benefit a variety of industries, from consumer electronics and transportation to renewable energy such as photovoltaics. For more information, visit pulseforge.com. RainStick Shower Booth #60524 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/RainStickShower RainStick Shower is North America's first WiFi-enabled circular shower that saves 80% water and up to 80% energy while providing almost double the flow of a traditional low flow shower. Using proprietary water recirculation technology, RainStick Shower recovers the water and energy typically wasted to create a luxurious, environmentally conscious shower experience. Users can download the RainStick App to see environmental insights in real-time and track their own water and energy savings. RDX WORKS LVCC North Hall Nr. 8977 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/RDXWorks RADIX DLT Radix (www.radixdlt.com) is the first layer-one protocol specifically built to serve Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Radix is the only decentralized network where developers will be able to build quickly without the constant threat of exploits and hacks, where every improvement will get rewarded, and where scale will never be a bottleneck. AT CES 2022 RDX WORKS celebrates the launch of their purpose-built decentralized finance (DeFi) programming language SCRYPTO. About Alexandria: Alexandria is the newest iteration of the RADIX network. It enables developers to experiment with creating, compiling, and interacting with SCRYPTO-based blueprints and components in a simulator environment running on their local machine. REE Automotive Booth #4865, West Hall Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/REEAutomotive REE is an automotive technology leader whose mission is to empower companies to build any size or shape of electric or autonomous vehicle from Class 1 to 6 for any application and target market. REE aims to serve as the underpinning on top of which EVs and AVs will be built and envisions a future where EVs and AVs will be 'Powered by REE'. REE's revolutionary technology, REEcorner, packs critical vehicle components into a compact module between the chassis and wheel, enabling REE to build the industry's flattest EV platforms with more room for passengers, cargo and batteries. RoboSense Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/RoboSense RoboSense (Suteng Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.) is a world-leading provider of Smart LiDAR Sensor Systems. Founded in 2014, RoboSense is headquartered in Shenzhen, China. With a complete portfolio of LiDAR sensors, AI perception and IC chipsets, RoboSense transforms conventional 3D LiDAR sensors with comprehensive data analysis and interpretation systems. Its mission is to innovate outstanding hardware and AI capabilities to create smart solutions that enable robots, including autonomous vehicles, to have perception capabilities superior to humans. Saltlux Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Saltlux Introducing DeepSignal, a cross-platform solution. DeepSignal is our answer to making AI accessible to everyone through a hyper-personalized experience. Our mission is to change the paradigm of search engines. No one algorithm can consider the differing needs and interests of every human being. By creating AI that learns from an individual's activity, you will find information that matters to you. DeepSignal identifies topics of interest and keeps you up to date. You can be the first in the know to address industry news or pivot to stay ahead of the competition. Never be the last one to find out. SelfCareOne Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/SelfCareOne For more information, visit familyselfcare.fr/ SK Telecom Booth #16761 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/SKTelecom SK Telecom (SKT) is the top mobile operator in Korea with nearly 50% of the market share. With its extensive ICT assets, the company is now shaping into an AI & Digital Infrastructure Service Company that achieves constant innovations in Fixed and Wireless Telecommunications, AI Service and Digital Infrastructure Service. SKT is focusing on providing unrivaled connectivity, while creating new growth drivers in metaverse, subscription-based service, and data & cloud business. With the aim to build a better world, SKT is actively promoting ESG management to tackle social challenges by utilizing ICT, while taking actions to reduce its environmental footprint. Sky Labs Inc. Booth #8063 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/SkyLabs To summarize, Sky Labs is a data-driven preventive healthcare company. To keep people safe from life-threatening illnesses, we utilize big data to predict them in real-time. The development of medical devices that continuously monitor critical signals is what we are concentrating on. We're well aware of the value of ongoing surveillance in the fight against illness. Keeping this in mind, we're doing all we can to ensure that patients are comfortable with the shift from hospital-centred treatment to patient-centred care. In which the priority is on early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease to avoid life-threatening hazards. Somalytics Unveiled in Booth #513 or at CES Booth #15879 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Somalytics Nanotechnology innovator Somalytics will be unveiling SomaControl, a first-of-its kind 3D gesture monitor for gaming and the SmartSense 3D floor mat, which detects human foot, gait and balance to protect at-risk people at home. These are the first in a portfolio of products Somalytics is developing using its groundbreaking CPC sensor technology the world's first paper-based carbon nanotube capacitive sensors and world's smallest nano-based capacitive sensors. The new 1mm paper sensors "feel" human presence and are virtually invisible. Somalytics sensors are a breakthrough for the industry, creating a new genre of gesture-based digital interfaces, wellness monitoring and safety applications. Splitvolt, Inc. Booth #3513 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Splitvolt Splitvolt, the innovator and leader for a new EV-related product category called Splitter Switches, allows you to simply, safely, and automatically share your existing 240v dryer circuit with your EV charger for fast home charging without the high cost and complexity of installing a dedicated EV charging circuit. Splitvolt Empowers the Adoption of Electric Vehicles(TM) with solutions that make owning and operating an EV simple and affordable for everyone. Splitvolt's seasoned team has a shared vision to help improve lives, reduce pollution and protect the environment for future generations. To find out more visit splitvolt.com or the Splitvolt Amazon Store. SportsArt Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/SportsArt A pioneer in sustainable fitness, SportsArt has been innovating design and manufacturing premium fitness equipment for more than 40 years. We believe that fitness equipment can help people reach their highest potential and protect our planet. Nowhere is this more clear than our ECO-POWR(TM) line, the world's first energy-generating cardio equipment, engineered to offset consumption and change the world for the better. SportsArt also offers a full range of high-quality cardio, strength and rehabilitation equipment for the fitness, medical and residential markets. By creating solutions that positively impact users, partners and our planet, SportsArt is inspiring performance for our shared world. Swisstech Pavilion Booth #62821 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Swisstech The swisstech campaign is a public-private partnership supported by Presence Switzerland, Innosuisse, the swissnex network, digitalswitzerland, and Switzerland Global Enterprise. The campaign aims to raise Switzerland's profile as an innovative location for business and to promote the visibility of Swiss companies and universities abroad. Follow #swisstech to discover the best Swiss-Made Technology at the most relevant global tech events. As an outstanding innovation and technology hub, Switzerland is an attractive location for investors and foreign companies. TOTO USA, INC. TOTO digital portal at CES Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/TOTO For more information, visit: totousa.com Unistellar Booth #17917, N105 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Unistellar Unistellar is the start-up behind the eVscope 2 and the eVscope eQuinox, the world's most powerful and simple-to-operate digital telescopes that bring the wonders of the universe to life in secondseven in light-polluted urban settings. Thanks to a partnership with the SETI Institute, these game-changing consumer telescopes allow users to become citizen scientists and contribute to cutting-edge research on exoplanet transits, asteroid occultations, comets, and much more. For more information visit: unistellaroptics.com. Valeo Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Valeo Valeo's ambition, as a tech company, is to play a major role in tomorrow's mobility. At the heart of today's environmental and social issues, future mobility must be greener, safer and more diverse. It must also contribute to the well-being and safety of citizens and consumers. Our unique positioning and technological leadership resides in areas that are at the heart of the transformation of the automotive industry and sustainable mobility, across the globe. This positioning and leadership are rooted in our expertise, innovations and operational excellence. Voice Life Inc Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/VoiceLife Voice Life Inc, is building a continuous wireless power energy system built upon a terahertz based scalable blockchain network, paving the way for tomorrows' electronic devices to have secure, clean, continuous and limitless charge. Voice Life is also tokenizing its intellectual property that will create a new vehicle for the individual investor, in addition to the usual investor classes, to access the purchase, trade, sale and otherwise monetize this asset class. The process will bring new diversity, stability and liquidity to this asset class for innovators and investors. VT Corporation Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/VTCorporation Wellysis Booth #8777 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Wellysis For more information, visit wellysis.com Wi-Fi Alliance Booth MP31866 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Alliance is the worldwide network of companies that brings you Wi-Fi. Members of our collaboration forum come together from across the Wi-Fi ecosystem with the shared vision to connect everyone and everything, everywhere, while providing the best possible user experience. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED seal of approval designates products with proven interoperability, backward compatibility, and the highest industry-standard security protections in place. Today, Wi-Fi carries more than half of the internet's traffic in an ever-expanding variety of applications. Wi-Fi Alliance continues to drive the adoption and evolution of Wi-Fi, which billions of people rely on every day. Yangyoo Booth #53761 Press Kit: ces.vporoom.com/Yangyoo Yangyoo is a Korea-based Food Tech company leading the industry by introducing various food brands through its own developed big-data analysis solution. Among the brands, (YOUNG MAN DDUK) has attracted attention also in the U.S. with its product collaboration with the BTS character Tinytan. Recently, Yangyoo has paid attention to the growing interest in "Vegan Food" caused by the buoyant demand for environmental protection, along with anxiety for various diseases such as Covid-19. That is why Yangyoo established a U.S. subsidiary, 'Armored Fresh', and has been intense in our Vegan Cheese R&D. The above media kits will continue to be updated throughout the show. Please check back during CES 2022 or the latest news. Need some pointers on how to get the most out of your CES story? Check out the blog post from Cision PR Newswire "5 Insider Tips for Pitching Your CES Story." About Cision As a global leader in PR, IR, marketing and social media management technology and intelligence, Cision helps brands and organizations to identify, connect and engage with customers and stakeholders to drive business results. Through a suite of IR services, PR Newswire helps companies meet their communications and disclosure needs. A network of over 1.1 billion influencers, in-depth monitoring, analytics and its Brandwatch and Falcon.io social media platforms headline a premier suite of solutions. Cision has offices in 24 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA and APAC. For more information about Cision's award-winning solutions, including its next-gen Cision Communications Cloud, visit www.cision.com and follow @Cision on Twitter. If you have questions about Cision PR Newswire's event services, or if you would like to offer feedback on this exhibitor profile roundup, please email the Cision PR Newswire VPO events team at [email protected]. SOURCE Cision Ltd. SUZHOU, China, Jan. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CStone Pharmaceuticals ("CStone", HKEX: 2616), a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of innovative immuno-oncology therapies and precision medicines, today announced that the investigational new drug (IND) application of CS5001, a potential global best-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) has received a STUDY MAY PROCEED (SMP) letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CS5001 will commence in the clinic as one of the three most advanced ROR1 ADCs globally, marking another important milestone for CStone's Pipeline 2.0 strategy. ROR1 is an oncofetal protein with low or no expression in adult tissues but high expression in a variety of cancers including various forms of leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, making it an ideal ADC target. CS5001 is an ADC targeting ROR1 with multiple differentiated features including proprietary site-specific conjugation, tumor-selective cleavable linker and pro-drug technology. Results from pre-clinical studies showed that CS5001 exhibited potent and selective cytotoxicity to a variety of ROR1-expressing cancer cell lines and demonstrated remarkable in vivo antitumor activity in both hematological and solid tumor xenograft models. Dr. Archie Tse, Chief Scientific Officer of CStone, said, "We are glad that the IND application of CS5001 received the SMP letter from the U.S. FDA in 2021. The preclinical pharmacology data were encouraging and demonstrated CS5001's therapeutic potential in multiple hematological and solid malignancies. There are only three ROR1 ADCs including CS5001 in clinical development. The upcoming first-in-human Phase I study aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of CS5001 in advanced B cell lymphomas and solid tumors. We will make every effort to advance this clinical trial of CS5001, meanwhile we have already submitted the CTN application in Australia and plan to submit the IND application in China soon." About CS5001ROR1 ADC In October 2020, CStone signed a licensing agreement with LegoChem Biosciences, Inc. (LCB) for the development and commercialization of CS5001 which was originally generated by collaboration of LCB and ABL Bio, both South Korea-based leading biotech companies. Under the agreement, CStone obtains the exclusive global right to lead development and commercialization of CS5001 outside the Republic of Korea. CS5001 is now a clinical-stage antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting ROR1 (receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1). CS5001 has uniquely designed and LCB's proprietary tumor-cleavable linker and pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) prodrug. Only after reaching the tumor, the linker and prodrug are cleaved to release the PBD toxin, resulting in lethal DNA cross-links in cancer cells. The use of the linker plus PBD prodrug effectively helps addressing the toxicity problem associated with traditional PBD payloads, leading to a better safety profile. Additionally, CS5001 utilizes site-specific conjugation for a precise drug antibody ratio of 2 which enables homogeneous production and large-scale manufacturing. About CStone CStone Pharmaceuticals (HKEX: 2616) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on researching, developing, and commercializing innovative immuno-oncology and precision medicines to address the unmet medical needs of cancer patients in China and worldwide. Established in 2015, CStone has assembled a world-class management team with extensive experience in innovative drug development, clinical research, and commercialization. The company has built an oncology-focused pipeline of 15 drug candidates with a strategic emphasis on immuno-oncology combination therapies. Currently, CStone has received five drug approvals in Greater China, including three in Mainland China, one in Hong Kong, and one in Taiwan. CStone's vision is to become globally recognized as a world-renowned biopharmaceutical company by bringing innovative oncology therapies to cancer patients worldwide. For more information about CStone, please visit: www.cstonepharma.com. Forward-looking statement The forward-looking statements made in this article only relate to events or information as of the date when the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or publicly revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. All statements in this article are made on the date of publication of this article and may change due to future developments. SOURCE CStone Pharmaceuticals BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages respectively with First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In his message to Nazarbayev, Xi noted that since China and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties 30 years ago, bilateral relations have kept advancing with the times and breaking new ground, and always maintained vigorous development, setting an example of neighboring countries upholding good-neighborliness and pursuing win-win cooperation. Xi said he highly appreciates the fact that Nazarbayev has firmly followed a friendly policy towards China, and made outstanding contributions to advancing bilateral ties and deepening Belt and Road cooperation. Calling Nazarbayev an old friend of his, Xi stressed that he cherishes the sound working relationship and deep personal friendship with Nazarbayev. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and stands ready to work with Nazarbayev to push for steady and long-term development of the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of both countries and their people. In his message to Tokayev, Xi pointed out that China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors and permanent comprehensive strategic partners. In the past 30 years, Xi noted, bilateral relations have always maintained high-level development, with deepening political mutual trust, intensifying exchanges at all levels, and fruitful outcomes in Belt and Road cooperation, which has brought tangible benefits to the people in both countries. Stressing that China will, as always, support Kazakhstan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Kazakhstan relations. He added that he stands ready to work with Tokayev to take the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries, better synergize their development strategies, and lift their permanent comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels, so as to create benefits for both countries and their people. Enditem AURORA, Colo., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Three years ago, Dogs Den Films executive producers Curtis Johnson and Trenell Blanks produced their first feature full-length film titled Alien Domicile 2: Lot 24, released via distributor ITN Films, home of the Krampus movies click here . After a couple of trips to the Cannes Films Festival, the film would eventually land worldwide distribution and gross north of 17k from a combination of downloads, streams, and international licensing sales to Canada, China, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The film is available on Tubi, VUDU, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies, and many others. There was also an online niche and organic following associated with the film, and a quick Google search produced no less than 15 pages of content being viewed internationally. What is most telling is the number of platforms the films streamed internationally and the number of foreign subtitles. You will find over 150k views of the film on the Sci-Fi Central YouTube channel click here with over 500k followers, and other 113k views on video outlet Stadium Media click here and many others. With a 4.1 out of 10 rating on IMDB and over 1100 votes click here , it is apparent that Alien Domicile 2: Lot 24 may have slightly missed the mark of convincing 50% of viewers of its amazing potential. But still, 1100 people watched and took action, which according to Dogs Den Films, is a win. They say all press is good press, and this appears to be the case from official IMDB critic Jim Morrazzini, whose article states "Lot 24 as a whole looks good considering its budget, writer/director Curtis Johnson knows how to make a good looking film, he just needs to learn how to make an interesting one" click here . We Produce Responsible Content Dogs Den's Executive Producers Make an interesting film? Not a problem as Dogs Den Films produces their next installment in the Lot 24 series, Lot 24: Haunted House. A horror film that loosely connects the first film with a new theme location and, of course, plenty of suspense and horror. The film is currently in pre-production with a tentative production start date of May 2022. With the success of the first film, Lot 24: Haunted House (tentatively titled) will feature a couple of familiar faces from the original movie, Trenell Blanks (Sheriff Po) and Shane Franklin (DJ). They will play totally different characters in the next chapter of the franchise. Lot 24: Haunted House currently does not have a distributor, but Dogs Den Films are in discussions with potential partners. "We understand what we need to do this time around to leverage the success and reach of our first film", states Dogs Den Films managing partner Bobby Robinson. "If they stick to the formula and concentrate on solidifying their niche base, they just might do it again!" Media contact: Bobby Robinson [email protected] 626-826-5997 SOURCE Dogs Den Films L.L.C. ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- E-LIFT, a Rotterdam-based smart hardware company that manufactures EV charging solutions for vehicles and boats, will introduce their new customizable GS Pop-Up Station during the CES event from January 5 to 8 in Las Vegas. The company will branch out into North America with their retractable charging station, which is unique of its kind. It is available with up to four plugs for simultaneous EV charging and several personalization options. Additionally, it can be equipped with sensors that link to E-LIFT's Sustainable and Smart Energy Management System (SENSE). The SENSE platform functions as the adaptive and modular management system for users' mobility and energy needs in times of transition. Consumers can log into the system to remotely monitor and manage their mobility and energy consumption data, resulting in a cost-effective energy transformation that is beneficial for governments and companies looking to reshape their future with the use of renewable energy resources. The SENSE platform connects to the GS Pop-Up Station and the entire range of products in E-LIFT's portfolio, which includes a variety of charging stations suitable to any setting, such as power generators, solar panels and batteries for energy storage. "We are thrilled to announce our Pop-Up Charging Station at CES2022 and to show the world what smart hardware can do in combination with a sustainable digital infrastructure," said Patrick Oranje, E-LIFT co-founder and CEO. "We sincerely believe that our vision, products and services make the mobility and energy transition accessible and beneficial to all. Moreover, E-LIFT will help businesses and governments create a greater impact on society. By introducing new concepts, business models and delivering tangible results, customers and citizens can increase efficiency in their day-to-day activities, ultimately resulting in an improved mobility experience and smarter energy use." This year E-LIFT will deliver solar panels and batteries to create a future-proof smart grid to meet the needs of local, regional and national communities. These products will dually function as a power source and power storage point, supporting a sustainable and smart energy ecosystem. Additionally, they will enable users to store excess energy for later consumption or sharing across homes, buildings and businesses. With its smart grid, E-LIFT will leverage proven and new technology to help generate solutions for global environmental challenges. The company will facilitate the integration of renewable energy and mobility networks with greater intelligence to support international environmental goals and the transition towards a low-carbon economy. According to Arthur Dallau, E-LIFT co-founder, Business Development & Partnerships, "We are on a clear mission during CES 2022. Through partnerships, we want to reinforce and promote the responsible use of technology to improve current and future generations' lives and build a brighter future. As industry innovators and leaders, our duty is to make the energy and mobility transition a reality. We have the conviction that our corporate responsibility consists of creating a balance between financial and societal value. For this reason, E-LIFT is presently collaborating with partners not only to develop a circular production process for all of our products as part of our sustainability strategy but also to become a frontrunner in co-developing industrial symbiosis in several continents." To learn more about E-LIFT's charging solutions, go to www.elift.nl/en and visit the E-LIFT booth (Exhibitor 3) at Eureka Park as part of the Dutch Pavilion at CES 2022. About E-LIFT Established in 2019, E-LIFT is a Dutch smart hardware company that manufactures customizable charging solutions with simultaneous EV charging capabilities and personalization options. Through continuous innovation, E-LIFT has produced a wide range of premium-quality products with a modern design and unique features: the Pop-Up (ground retractable) Station, Fixed Station, Quick Charger, and Wall Station. In 2021, E-LIFT expanded its product range by adding solar panels and batteries for energy storage to its portfolio. Additionally, the company has developed the Sustainable and Smart Energy Management System (SENSE) platform with partners, geared towards energy network consumption and management. E-LIFT also offers project management services to support businesses in the transition to electric mobility and ensure seamless integration of its charging infrastructure. E-LIFT is currently active in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. It is branching out into North America through partners and resellers. E-LIFT products are now available in Europe, North and South America, Asia and more. For more information, visit www.elift.nl/en. Contact To schedule a meeting for business inquiries at CES 2022, please get in touch with Arthur Dallau, Business Development & Partnerships, at [email protected] or Lisa van der Heijden, Project Manager, at [email protected]. For media inquiries, please contact Nathy Ercol at [email protected]. CES is a registered trademark of Consumer Technology Association (CTA). SOURCE E-LIFT Last year the Israeli government introduced its goal of generating 30% of its electricity needs via renewables by 2030. Solar PV is expected to contribute to most of it, corresponding to 26% of Israel's renewable electricity in 2030, indicating 12 GW to 15 GW of new PV installations in the coming decade. To reach such a high percentage of solar usage, Israel is currently aiming to develop an advanced solar-plus-storage system to ensure a stable and reliable electricity grid. Sungrow will supply 430 MWh of its latest 4-hour liquid cooled ESS, a combination of a contracted 230 MWh for stage 1 and a locked 200 MWh battery for stage 2, which enables profitability, flexibility and safety. The capital and operating expenses of Sungrow's ESS are reduced as a result of pre-assembly, easy on-site installation, and a more effective cell working environment which slows capacity loss substantially. With the modular DC/DC converter, the battery rack can be fully charged and discharged. Further, the system is optimized in safety performance because of its standout anti-leakage design and an integrated aerosol fire fighting system. Combing with the solar system, the highly integrated ESS can be widely used in multiple applications, including energy shifting, ancillary service, like ramp rate control, reactive power provision and more. "We are excited to announce our first strategic procurement agreement in the energy storage arena via the selection of Sungrow's New ESS Li-ion Solution. We believe that the combination of Sungrow's product leadership and CATL's cell technology will provide us with the superior solution we need for our advanced solar plus battery projects, driving best-in-class plant performance," said Gilad Yavetz, CEO of Enlight Renewable Energy. "Following a stringent selection process including visits to Sungrow's ESS reference sites and manufacturing facility, and strict technical specifications, we are proud to be selected as the solution provider for Enlight's 430 MWh project in Israel, a landmark of installations which represents our commitments to the decarbonization process that Israel is leading," said Tzvi Ben David, Country Manager of Sungrow Israel. James Wu, Vice President of Sungrow also commented, "The advanced liquid cooled ESS technologies we offer make it easier for our customers to turn more solar energy into assets. Israel is the key market for Sungrow to expand the global business. The booming of renewable energy entails a broader trajectory for energy storage development. Through our efforts, we have seen an intense desire by the people and the government to continue evolving in ways to the grid parity and a cleaner future." Israel, though a country with scarce land and natural resources, attaches great importance to technological innovation. As one of the most innovative and energetic PV and ESS players, Sungrow made its first entry into the Israeli market two years ago and has built a professional local team offering responsive service. Adding the 430 MWh project to its portfolio, the Company will gain over 50% of the Israeli market share in 2022. The Company endeavors to create value through its technology initiatives and application teaming up with more partners. About Enlight Renewable Energy Traded on the Tel Aviv stock exchange (TASE: ENLT), Enlight is a leading renewable energy company which focuses on initiation, development, financing, construction and operation of renewable energy generation projects. The company operates in Israel, Europe and the United States, with a diversified portfolio of operating projects and projects under construction and pre-construction, with a total generation capacity of 2.2 GWDC and total energy storage capacity of 0.5 GWh. In addition, the company owns an additional 14.8 GWDC pipeline of generation capacity and 6.9 GWh of energy storage pipeline in various stages of development. For more information, visit https://enlightenergy.co.il. About Sungrow Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over 182 GW installed worldwide as of June 2021. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters, with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions. With a strong 24-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power installations in over 150 countries. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com. SOURCE Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Exro has switched to an all-virtual presentation for the upcoming 2022 Consumer Electronics Show due to the rapidly spreading COVID-19 omicron variant. CES registrants can visit Exro's digital booth between January 5-7, 2022 , to tour its next-generation electric vehicle demonstrators and learn about its Coil Driver and Battery Control System technologies. , to tour its next-generation electric vehicle demonstrators and learn about its Coil Driver and Battery Control System technologies. Exro CEO Sue Ozdemir will provide a live virtual booth tour for CES registrants on Thursday, January 6, 2022 , at 10 AM PST . CALGARY, AB, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Exro Technologies Inc. (TSX: EXRO) (OTCQB: EXROF) (the "Company" or "Exro"), a leading clean technology company that has developed a new class of power electronics for electric motors and batteries, announced today that it will switch to an all-virtual presentation for the upcoming 2022 Consumer Electronics Show due to the rapidly spreading COVID-19 omicron variant. All CES registrants are invited to experience Exro's virtual booth, learn more about its Coil Driver and Battery Control System technologies, and tour three next-generation electric vehicle demonstrators that have been retrofitted with its technology to improve performance and versatility here: https://www.exro.com/investors/events/ces. Exro's digital presence will feature exciting content including: Booth virtual tour: Registrants can experience a direct simulation of the Exro CES booth on-demand via video and images. Here, guests can tour Exro-owned vehicle demonstrators, including an electric Polaris Ranger Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and Zero Motorcycle featuring Exro's 100 Volt Coil Drive System, and an electric Humvee showcasing Exro's 800 Volt Coil Drive System. Booth visitors can virtually discover Exro's Coil Driver and Battery Control System technologies and learn about how these innovations are driving EV performance, introducing AC fast-charging capabilities, and enabling Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capabilities, along with other consumer-benefits. Live virtual booth tour with Exro CEO: On Thursday, January 6, 2022 , at 10 AM PST , Exro CEO Sue Ozdemir will provide CES registrants with a digital live tour of the booth. Ozdemir will take visitors through each section of the booth, sharing more information about Exro technology, applications, and partners, as well as speaking to what the community can expect from Exro in the summer of 2022. Meetings with the Exro team: CES registrants are also invited to book personal meetings with Exro experts for individual booth tours. Exclusive giveaways: Lastly, registrants can participate in Exro's CES exclusive virtual giveaways for a chance to win an adventure and solitude experience. One winner and their guest will receive travel and accommodations in Arizona in June 2022 for an unforgettable electric experience, including a ride in Exro's retrofitted fully electric Humvee. "The health and safety of Exro employees is our top priority. Though we were pushing towards an in-person event, ultimately both the decision made by CES to reduce exhibiting days and the highly transmissible and rapidly spreading COVID variant impacted our plans," said Sue Ozdemir, CEO of Exro. "That is why we've made the decision to take an all-digital approach at CES 2022. We're confident that our digital booth experience will offer tremendous value to CES registrants, and the Exro team looks forward to virtually showcasing breakthrough vehicle technologies to engaging with key stakeholders and markets." CES registrants can access Exro's virtual booth and engage with the team from January 5-7, 2022. Due to Exro's late decision to shift to a digital presence, Exro's physical booth will remain on-site at CES, staffed by its booth service provider who will be directing CES attendees to Exro's virtual booth. About Exro Technologies Inc. Exro is a clean technology company pioneering intelligent control solutions in power electronics to help solve the most challenging problems in electrification. Exro has developed a new class of control technology that expands the capabilities of electric motors, generators, and batteries. Exro enables the application to achieve more with less energy consumed. Exro's advanced motor control technology, the Coil Driver, expands the capabilities of electric powertrains by enabling intelligent optimization for efficient energy consumption. Exro is working with many partners from all over the world to bring their technology to the electric mobility industries and beyond. For more information visit our website at www.exro.com . Visit us on social media @exrotech. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, including the Company's annual information form for the financial year ended December 31, 2020, and financial statements and related MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE Exro Technologies Inc. FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) completed another successful year as the F-35 program continued to expand its global footprint and enhance operational capabilities. In 2021, two new countries Switzerland and Finland selected the F-35 for their new fighter jet programs. Additionally, Denmark received its first F-35 and the Royal Netherlands Air Force became the ninth nation to declare their F-35 fleet ready for Initial Operational Capability. The F-35's operational capabilities continued to advance and further demonstrated its value as the most advanced node in the 21st century battlespace. Last year alone, the F-35 successfully participated in a series of flight tests and exercises, including Project Hydra, Northern Edge, Orange Flag, Talisman Sabre and Flight Test-6. "The F-35 joint enterprise team continues to provide unmatched combat capability to the 21st century battlespace through the F-35," said Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. "Providing unparalleled support to the growing fleet, participating in numerous Joint-All Domain exercises and meeting our delivery target during a global pandemic is no small feat while the F-35 was also chosen by Switzerland and Finland as their next fighter." The F-35's operational performance remains strong. Some of the F-35A deployments and exercises demonstrated over 80% mission capable rates. As one of the most reliable aircraft in the U.S. fighter fleet, 93% of F-35 parts are performing better than predicted. In the last year, F-35s were part of four base and ship activations and participated in more than 60 deployments and detachments, including the first U.S. Navy F-35C deployment aboard the USS Carl Vinson. During the first deployment of the Royal Navy's flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of the UK's Carrier Strike Group 2021, F-35Bs from the U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Air Force flew nearly 1,300 sorties, more than 2,200 hours and conducted 44 combat missions. These program achievements are enabled by employing digital technologies, which were vital to achieving 142 deliveries in 2021. Smart tools, connected machines and augmented realities all contribute to the delivery and sustainment of aircraft. "Lockheed Martin is investing in digital technology that advances the F-35's 5th Gen capabilities long after delivery," Lauderdale added. "We're embracing digital transformation to enable faster development and continuous deployment of software, using digital models and supercomputers to augment physical test data with simulation-based verification, and automating data processes to save time and glean insights that improve sustainment." With more than 750 aircraft operating from 30 bases and ships around the globe, the F-35 plays a critical role in the integrated deterrence of the U.S. and our allies. More than 1,585 pilots and 11,545 maintainers are trained, and the F-35 fleet has flown nearly 470,000 cumulative flight hours. Nine nations have F-35s operating from a base on their home soil, 12 services have declared Initial Operational Capability and six services have employed F-35s in combat. For additional information, visit www.f35.com. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation. SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- During National Sex Trafficking Awareness Month this January, writer-director Janet Craig unveils her new eye-opening dramatic feature film, WAKE UP, during a 10-city Premiere and Panel Road Tour series. These pre-release special screening events are to raise community awareness about the hidden victimization of foster youth in suburban America who fall prey to sex trafficking. WAKE UP - a film by Janet Craig; Special 10-city Pre-Release Premiere and Panel special events during National Sex Trafficking Awareness Month throughout January 2022 New dramatic feature film WAKE UP by Janet Craig embarks on 10-city special event premiere screenings during January 2022 to raise awareness about the sex trafficking of foster youth in America (film still LtoR: Briana Price, O'Shay Neal, Chasnie Houston) The FBI estimates that more than 100,000 children and teens in the U.S. are victims of sex trafficking and 60% of victims have been within the foster care or child welfare system. Based on real-life stories of foster youth and human trafficking victims, WAKE UP tells the story of a quiet community rocked when a pair of foster youth are targeted and taken by a sex trafficking ring. A daring rescue is mounted -- but will it be too late? Beginning January 4th, Craig and producer Kristen Wise, both foster moms themselves, head out on a grass-roots road tour screening their film in 10 cities that are currently battling high rates of human trafficking. These cities include Phoenix (1/4), Tucson (1/5), Dallas (1/7), Atlanta (1/9), Nashville (1/10), Chicago (1/12), Milwaukee (1/13), Twin Cities (1/14), San Diego (1/22), and Los Angeles (1/29 & 1/30). To further help suburban America "wake up", after each premiere screening, Craig and Wise will be joined by local organizations, leaders and experts for a valuable Q&A Panel and discussion in an effort to bring the community together and raise awareness about the widespread reality of sex trafficking. Delivering a powerful message at the end of WAKE UP, the filmmakers recruited prominent survivor-turned-advocate Rachel C. Thomas (Presidential appointee to the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking). The filmmakers have pledged to donate the profits to assisting non-profits fighting this injustice with many involved from the very beginning, including foster care support organization RaisingHOPE, and the anti-trafficking organizations Forever Found and ZOE International. More recently, the film gained additional support from Aetna, Soroptimist International, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, Christian Alliance for Orphans among others. More about WAKE UP: WAKE UP stars Janet Craig (Butterfly Caught), David Gridley (Team Kaylie), Isaac C. Singleton, Jr. (Anger Management, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl), Judson Mills (Walker, Texas Ranger), Brooke Anne Smith (Too Close To Home), Matt Socia (Breaking Them Up, Better Call Saul); along with several newcomers at the center of the story, including Tori Griffith, O'Shay Neal, Chasnie Houston and Xan Gabriel. The film finishes with an essential message from prominent human trafficking survivor and outspoken advocate Rachel C. Thomas. Janet Craig and her husband Doug Grossman, produced the project to shed light on the sinister world of sex trafficking, an issue of importance to the longtime foster parents. To help produce the project, Craig has partnered with Mike and Kristen Wise, who have personally fostered over 100 children, and executive producer Deborah Smerecnik of Busy Bee Film Productions. The WAKE UP message is already resonating with audiences, earning Best Picture, Best Actor (O'Shay Neal) and a standing ovation at the 2021 Sunscreen Film Festival West in California. Learn more about WAKE UP at: OfficialWakeUpMovie.com For 10-City Premiere and Panel Event info/tickets visit: OfficialWakeUpMovie.com/tour Follow on Instagram: @OfficialWakeUpMovie Twitter: @WakeUp_Movie Facebook: /OfficialWakeUpMovie Press Contact: Tammy Lynn, Spotlight PR Company 310.867.1952 [email protected] SOURCE Janet Craig NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with the 65th anniversary of its first publication in 1957, Frommer's is proud to reveal a special list of elite destinations: the Best Places to Go in the United States in 2022. For more than six decades, millions of people have depended on Frommer's Travel Guides to help them experience unforgettable vacations and adventures. As it does annually, Frommer's is proud to inspire travelers by revealing its eagerly anticipated list of the best places to travel in the coming year. Frommer's Editorial Director Pauline Frommer revealed the list on ABC's Good Morning America on New Year's Day. The honorees, which were determined by Frommer's' global team of award-winning editors and writers, are (in no particular order): The Great Lakes , a richly historic region worthy of discovery via new luxury cruises , a richly historic region worthy of discovery via new luxury cruises San Juan, Puerto Rico , newly revitalized following its quincentenary , newly revitalized following its quincentenary Oklahoma , plumbing its complex history and culture with a trio of new museums plumbing its complex history and culture with a trio of new museums Charleston, South Carolina , as "the Ellis Island for Black people" revisits its origins as "the Ellis Island for Black people" revisits its origins Kennedy Space Center, basking in the renewal of the American space industry basking in the renewal of the American space industry New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia , the country's newest (and its state's first) national park the country's newest (and its state's first) national park Yellowstone National Park , marking 150 glorious years since its establishment , marking 150 glorious years since its establishment The Kenai Peninsula , Alaska , home of one of America's most underrated road trips , home of one of America's most underrated road trips New York City , newly affordable thanks to the drop in business travel, and with impressive new attractions newly affordable thanks to the drop in business travel, and with impressive new attractions Las Vegas , solidifying its place as a live music mecca The full list, with photography, is available at Frommers.com Media opportunities: Frommer's editors are available for interviews in New York City, in Los Angeles, and by phone. About Frommer's: 2022 marks the 65th anniversary of Frommer's. One of the most trusted brands in travel, Frommer's has been in publication since the 1957 debut of Arthur Frommer's revolutionary book Europe on $5 a Day, which changed the way the world traveled. The family-owned business continues its seven-decade tradition with its current lineup of titles, which were produced to reflect the global travel changes brought by Covid-19. The Frommer's collection of travel products includes over 100 award-winning guidebooks, podcasts, and Frommers.com, which consistently ranks among the most popular and trusted sources for information in travel. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: Frommers SOURCE Frommer's TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New Horizons IT and Business Training Solutions, a global leading provider of cutting edge IT training to corporate learners and administrators for 40 years, has launched a new website the company says will better meet the needs of today's younger IT trainees. The site brings more visual engagement and is easy to use, providing more educational opportunities for the new generation of IT professionals. "Our 18- to 24-year-old demographic has seen significant growth over the past three years. It is now our fastest-growing customer segment," said Dave Saben, Chief Experience Officer for New Horizons. "Our goal has always been to meet learners on their own terms, and those terms are changing. Our new mobile-first, responsive site was specifically designed to appeal to younger learners who demand a seamless experience across all screen sizes." Because New Horizons interacts with so many of its learners via the internet, the website needed to change from an assisted sales model, where a call center employee would follow up with website visitors to complete the transaction, to a new model that can facilitate user-driven transactions. "When a learner lands on our website today, they can choose one of thousands of available courses in just three clicks of the mouse, enrolling themselves in a life-changing experience without the need to talk to any of the hundreds of consultants we have working across the globe," Saben said. Most of the learners that New Horizons served in the past were from the Baby Boomer or Generation X demographics. Today's Millennials don't have as much interest in talking on the phone with a human when they can complete the transaction quickly on their own. So, the company is shifting to meet their needs, while it continues to partner with an older demographic of learners as their careers advance. But not everything has changed. Like previous generations, today's learners want to be prepared for the future by having the skills it takes to succeed. They want to "learn what earns" and see their educational efforts tied to outcomes, whether that means moving up within their existing profession or moving out and up in a future profession. "We helped define IT training and we're very proud of our 40-year history in this business, but we also remain focused on the future," said New Horizons CEO Mikell Rigg Parsch. "We're not here to deliver a single course, but rather to really partner with our learners and our corporate administrators throughout the entire knowledge transfer process. When our learners are ready to advance, we'll be there with the learning resources they need to increase their skills. We want to be there for them throughout this entire process." About New Horizons New Horizons IT and Business Training solutions have kept businessesfrom startups to global enterprisesahead of the technology curve since 1982. The New Horizons Global Franchise network spans six continents and over 30 countries. New Horizons provides measurable returns on any company's training investment while our learning methods meet the styles, demands and schedules of today's management and employees. New Horizons combines the resources of the world's largest IT training company with the responsiveness of a local partner. New Horizons is certified as an AWS Training Partner, Citrix Authorized Learning Center, Cisco Partner for Platinum Learning Solutions, CompTIA Authorized Platinum Partner, Microsoft Partner with a Gold Learning competency, RedHat Business Partner, and VMware Authorized Training Center. For more information, visit www.newhorizons.com. SOURCE New Horizons BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Epika Fleet Services, a leader in commercial fleet maintenance services, is pleased to announce that John Holbeck has been named Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2022. As Chief Financial Officer, John will lead Financial Planning & Analysis, Accounting, Treasury and Tax incorporating strategic planning and M&A, cash flow management, debt covenant compliance, and board and lender reporting. John Holbeck Named CFO of Epika Fleet Services, Inc. "I am pleased to welcome John to our leadership team," Epika CEO Glenn Sherburne said. "His extensive experience will help ensure our continued financial success as Epika looks to the future. John's expertise will enhance many dynamic areas of our organization serving our growing and evolving industry." John Holbeck added, "I'm excited to join the Epika Fleet Services family. I believe the potential for growth and value creation is tremendous, and I look forward to partnering with the rest of the Management team, Operations and all support functions, and sharing experiences so that together we can elevate the company to the next level." Prior to joining Epika, John worked at Toppan Merrill as SVP Finance, Accounting, Tax and Treasury. Toppan, headquartered in Tokyo, acquired the majority of Merrill Corporation based out of St. Paul, Minnesota, where John provided 13 years of Finance leadership and acquisition growth for a $1.2B private equity owned portfolio company, to the transformation into a focused, SaaS company generating $400M in annualized recurring revenue. Within Merrill Corporation John had many roles, including leading multiple acquisitions, divestitures, and refinancing for the company. John also worked closely with the new executive team on integration activities and leading the development and execution of business strategies and the launch of annual and long-term planning initiatives for the combined organization. John earned his Bachelor of Accounting degree from the University of Minnesota in Duluth. Prior to joining Merrill Corporation, he spent 14 years in various senior global positions at Honeywell and Cargill. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Rakhma, an organization focused on memory care. Outside of work, he enjoys the outdoors and the change of seasons Minnesota has to offer. About Epika Fleet Services, Inc: Epika is a network of mobile and in-shop preventative maintenance service centers focused on commercial fleets across the country. Our company was built by partnering with and investing in the best-of-the-best in every market we serve. Our brands include LubeZone, ProFleet, All Star Truck Service, and Deaton Fleet Solutions. We currently have 11 quick service preventative maintenance locations in California, Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia; five full-service repair and maintenance facilities and 15 branch locations operating nearly 50 mobile service units in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi. For more information, visit www.EpikaFleet.com. Contact: Megan McTaggart 612-509-1411 [email protected] SOURCE Epika Fleet Services, Inc. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kura Technologies' CEO, Kelly Peng, a Forbes 30 under 30, announced today that the company has been honored with a CES 2022 Innovation Award for Kura Gallium which is setting the industry standard with the best performing AR glasses and platform. This year's CES Innovation Awards program received a record high number of over 1800 submissions. The CES Innovation Awards is one of the most respected awards for frontier electronic devices. "Kura Gallium is shaping up to be one of the most impressive consumer AR devices we've seen yet ..."Techradar Tweet this Kura CES 2022 Innovation Award Kura Technologies' AR Glasses Kura Gallium significantly outperforms all other augmented reality headsets by every measurable metric including: field of view, transparency, form factor, resolution, brightness and depth of field. Kura Gallium are the first AR glasses in the world to achieve a full frame field of view of 150 compared to 52 by their nearest competitor. Its display is 95% transparent, allowing the displayed image to blend more seamlessly into one's immediate surroundings, representing a vital breakthrough for the telepresence, training, and medical markets. The best current alternative offers only 25% transparency, making all other AR headsets a compromised solution for outdoor use. The company's array of best-in-class solutions which are complemented by 8K resolution, in a compact form factor (80g), with unlimited depth of field, and unrivaled brightness (100x brighter) prompted Techradar to write in advance of CES, "Kura has been working on the Gallium for a number of years now, and it's shaping up to be one of the most impressive consumer AR devices we've seen yet a positive showing at CES 2022 could make the Kura Gallium appear to be worth investing in when it launches." Kura's revolutionary, not evolutionary architecture, has allowed it to leapfrog the competition. Its roadmap has been to develop novel proprietary approaches to the technology ex novo rather than relying on modifying existing components and systems. The company's award winning first product, Kura Gallium, features several breakthrough technologies including a miniature customized full color MicroLED display based on customized full color silicon. This approach represents a quantum improvement over the deployment of single color, color combiners or color conversion phosphors. Two other key breakthroughs are customized MicroLED display-driver ASICs as well as a customized pinhole waveguide designed by proprietary optical optimization software developed by Kura. Kura Gallium includes both hardware and software, with SDK and service upgrades for premium users. The product's ability to enable a 1:1 virtual to reality ratio allows for a truly immersive experience in a telepresence environment. This stands to lay the foundation for blending Metaverse content seamlessly into a users' immediate surroundings. Kura Technologies was recently admitted to Silicon Catalyst, the world's only incubator for semiconductor startups. Industry authority Semiconductor Review named Silicon Catalyst a Top 10 in 2021 for semiconductor manufacturing solutions. CEO Pete Rodriguez commented, "we are extremely impressed with Kelly as a technologist and Kura as a technology breakthrough startup for augmented reality, a market we see with prospectively the largest growth potential on the semiconductor horizon. Their industry-first advances in performance directly address today's biggest challenges to AR's mass adoption." About Kura Technologies Founded in 2016, in Silicon Valley, the company specializes in the development of AR solutions and boasts a world class team of seasoned engineers and entrepreneurs. More than half of the founding and leadership teams are graduates of MIT. SOURCE Kura Technologies BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Gates Foundation) have launched a joint program to call for global scientific research cooperation in 2022 to accelerate progress toward malaria eradication. The program, part of the Grand Challenges China initiative co-established by the two sides in 2015, will fund research projects that develop innovative solutions for malaria vector control, including outdoor vector control strategies, tools and products. Malaria is a deadly yet preventable and treatable mosquito-borne disease. Despite progress made over the past decades, many countries and regions are still under its threat. According to the recent world malaria report released by the World Health Organization, approximately 241 million malaria cases were recorded globally in 2020, and out of these, 627,000 malaria patients have died. While the majority of malaria transmission occurs indoors, there are increasing concerns around the magnitude of outdoor transmission, where more investment in scientific and technological breakthroughs is much needed, said the Gates Foundation in a statement, noting the challenges in outdoor malaria transmission. China has abundant experience and expertise in eliminating malaria, and it was declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization in 2021. The NSFC, a major source of funding in China for basic research and frontier exploration, released an application guide on its website, stating that the joint program will fund up to six proposals on malaria vector control. Eligible projects must involve international collaborations between researchers from China-based and international institutions. It also encouraged female scientists and young researchers under the age of 45 to apply. Each proposal, if selected, will receive a combined grant of up to 3 million yuan (470,500 U.S. dollars) from the NSFC and the Gates Foundation. Interested institutions should submit online applications to the two foundations before Feb. 24. Enditem "We are excited to add to our team such well-respected former federal prosecutors with extensive investigative and trial experience across the spectrum of white collar cases," said Doug Greenburg, Global Chair of the firm's White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. "Scott and Alex are talented litigators and their experience, credentials, and substantive abilities will enhance the practice's offerings across California and beyond." Joiner is a seasoned trial lawyer who has led teams on a wide range of white collar matters, including those involving allegations of securities fraud, cryptocurrency, investment and bank fraud, insider trading, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act matters, public corruption, and money laundering. Before joining the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, Joiner worked in private practice on complex commercial litigation, antitrust, and securities matters. During a four-year tenure in the US Marine Corps, he successfully tried numerous criminal cases to verdict as a judge advocate while handling a wide variety of military justice matters. He also deployed to Iraq with a Marine Corps infantry battalion, receiving the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Ramadi in 2007. "Scott is a fantastic addition to our Bay Area white collar team. His experience leading complex trials and investigations will be invaluable to our clients," said Tad Freese, Managing Partner of the Bay Area Offices. "During his time at the US Attorney's Office, he worked on a variety of matters that position him for success with Latham's White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, including securities fraud, investment fraud, financial institution fraud, insider trading, and FCPA violations." Joiner added: "I appreciate Latham's trial-ready approach and deep investigatory experience, as well as the firm's broader litigation platform. I look forward to building an active local and national practice and upholding the practice's reputation for excellence built on the firm's collegial culture and team-based approach." As an AUSA, Wyman served as lead or co-lead prosecutor in eight jury and bench trials and handled high-profile investigations involving securities fraud, healthcare fraud, investment fraud, financial institution fraud, tax fraud, government contract fraud, insurance fraud, and corporate embezzlement and kickbacks. In 2021, he earned the Director's Award for Superior Performance by an Assistant United States Attorney for successfully prosecuting a complex insurance fraud and murder case. "From day one, Alex's trial and investigative experience will enable him to effectively support clients facing high-profile criminal and civil disputes," said Larry Seymour, Los Angeles Office Managing Partner. "He will help clients in Southern California and beyond navigate the complex legal risks and challenges inherent in doing business in today's global economy." Wyman added: "I have always admired Latham's talented lawyers, collaborative culture, diverse client roster, and robust platform. I look forward to working with some of the brightest litigators in the industry and building my practice at a firm with the global resources to meet any client need." Joiner received his JD from the Georgetown University Law Center and his BA from the University of California, Los Angeles. Wyman received his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and his BA from Princeton University. In 2014, he clerked for Judge Beverly Reid O'Connell of the US District Court for the Central District of California. About Latham & Watkins (lw.com) Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world's largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability. Notes to Editors 1 Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Contacts Doug Greenburg, Global Chair, White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, +1.202.637.1093 Tad Freese, Bay Area Offices Managing Partner, +1.650.463.3060 Larry Seymour, Los Angeles Office Managing Partner, +1.213.891.8780 SOURCE Latham & Watkins CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning Blade announces the release of "Introduction to Coding" to help teachers provide students with an introduction to computers, text-based computer programming, and computer science careers. This accompanies the over 100 computer science-related lessons and lesson plans that are already part of Learning Blade's online lessons and offline lesson plans that are designed to increase awareness and interest in computer science, STEM and CTE careers, and that are aligned to state academic standards for grades 5-9. The Introduction to Coding is a 5-week coding course providing 7th and 8th-grade students with 20+ hours of robust coding experience that includes both online and offline activities. These unique lessons include topics such as basic algorithms, security issues of online accounts, common hacking methods and means for combatting them and many more. This course was created at the request of Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and with input from the state's computer science team. "Having the Learning Blade tool in schools, students are exposed to the world of CS courses, CS opportunities, and CS career paths, and that is getting more students interested in CS jobs such as coding. The new "Intro to Coding" Block will continue to enhance what teachers can provide to their students." remarked Governor Asa Hutchinson. Governor Hutchinson is currently the National Governor's Association's (NGA) Chair and has chosen Computer Science Education as his chairman's initiative. Learning Blade, a CS/STEM/CTE resource, is a supporter of this initiative and is currently available free to all educators in Arkansas, thanks in large part to the Governor's CS Initiative and the Arkansas Department of Education, in partnership with the Arkansas Public School Resource Center. Sheila and Dr. Dane Boyington, creators of Learning Blade, and Learning Blade Board Chair Former US Congressman Zach Wamp, have been invited to participate in the upcoming NGA meetings this year to share some of the best practices from their current eight statewide efforts. "Learning Blade is continuing to innovate and expand the resources provided to teachers and students in support of growing the future workforce and increase economic opportunities for states that are offering this excellent system statewide," stated Zach Wamp. For more information email [email protected]. Media Contact Sheila Boyington, 423-309-3667 [email protected] SOURCE Learning Blade TOKYO, Jan. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MagniLearn announced today that the company has signed a strategic agreement in Japan with a large private school network. The network, AIC Education with over 61 private after-schools (Jukus) and more than 12,000 students chose to implement MagniLearn's localized solution to facilitate extremely efficient and hyper-personalized learning for its students. AIC Education has already launched MagniLearn in seven schools and four of its locations: Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Fukuyama, and Okayama. "Efficiency is the key to successfully acquiring a foreign language. With built-in language awareness, our system discerns which vocabulary and grammar rules have not yet been completely understood by the student. It identifies common errors, provides recommendations, alerts teachers and builds the next lesson plan for that student's needs," said Lana Tockus, CEO of MagniLearn. "MagniLearn arms our schools with a unique, data driven, real-time personalized learning and insights system. These insights, coupled with the curriculum integration to our schools' textbooks, enable us to further empower our students to realize their full potential, and provide our teachers with the tools to maximize their role in-class. This partnership with MagniLearn brings cutting-edge technology to our schools, allowing students to dramatically improve their English in a much shorter time frame," said Mr. Kuwabara, President of AIC Education. According to Tockus, the Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms at the heart of MagniLearn restore the ability to teach one-on-one. The user's experience is extremely personalized and flexible, as each exercise is generated by an NLP-engine in real-time to maximize the user's learning efficiency. According to language learning experts, fluency in English involves attaining an active vocabulary of about 8,000 words as well as hundreds of grammatical patterns. MagniLearn reports that students using its system have demonstrated an ability to acquire these language skills three times faster than by using traditional methods. MagniLearn targets a variety of customers, such as K-12, higher education institutions, book publishers, information service companies, and EdTech corporations. For the Japanese market, MagniLearn has integrated the national textbook's curriculum to its existing product, and included unique customized features tailored to Japanese schools, teachers and students. MagniLearn emerged from the groundbreaking work of scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Natural Language Processing, Neuroscience, Cognition and Education led by Professor Ari Rappoport. Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU9QAUq0DnY&t=14s SOURCE MagniLearn NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicory, the leading contextual commerce advertising platform, today announced its partnership with global brand owner, marketer and media company Marquee Brands. Select recipes on Martha.com will now be powered by Chicory, allowing site visitors to shop for ingredients directly on the site using Chicory's signature "Get Ingredients" button. Chicory is the first shoppable recipe technology provider to integrate with Martha.com. "With Martha.com, we are focused on using digital technology to extend and enhance the values that have built Martha Stewart into one of the most trusted brands in the world," said Neil Fiske, CEO of Marquee Brands. "We are always looking for new ways to improve and simplify our customer's shopping experience. Therefore, we are thrilled to be partnering with Chicory to incorporate this new functionality on our recipe pages." The Chicory and Marquee Brands partnership comes just after Marquee Brands announced the expansion of Martha.com, an online platform that includes housewares, kitchen goods, recipes and much more, with products designed and curated by the world-renowned lifestyle influencer Martha Stewart. In its expansion, the site aims to bring products to life, making it simple to explore and shop Martha's favorite household picks. "We're thrilled to be partnering with Marquee Brands in this new chapter for Martha.com, and to be selected as their premier provider of shoppable recipe technology," said Chicory Co-Founder and CEO Yuni Sameshima. "Together, we're simplifying the lives of shoppers, taking them from inspiration to checkout in just a few clicks." Martha.com is one of 1,500+ sites that features Chicory's shoppable recipe technology. Its signature "Get Ingredients" button is just one of several digital tools the platform offers to publishers, CPG brands and grocery retailers looking to enhance the online user experience, and drive items to cart. About Marquee Brands: Marquee Brands is a leading global brand owner and marketer. Owned by investor funds managed by Neuberger Berman, one of the world's leading employee-owned investment managers, Marquee Brands targets high-quality brands with strong consumer awareness and long-term growth potential. Marquee Brands seeks to identify brands in various consumer product segments with the goal of expanding their reach across retail channels, geography, and product categories while preserving the brand heritage and enhancing the ultimate consumer experience. Through its global team of professionals and partners, Marquee Brands monitors trends and markets in order to grow and manage brands in partnership with retailers, licensees, and manufacturers through engaging, impactful, strategic planning, marketing, and e-commerce. www.marqueebrands.com. In 2019, Marquee Brands acquired the Martha Stewart brand, which reaches approximately 100 million consumers across all media and merchandising platforms each month. Martha Stewart is the Founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and America's most trusted lifestyle expert and teacher. Her branded products can be found in more than 70 million households and have a growing retail presence in thousands of locations. Visit Martha.com. About Chicory Chicory is the leading contextual commerce platform for CPG and grocery brands. Its signature "Get Ingredients" button can be found on over 1,500 recipe websites, including Taste of Home, Delish, LandOLakes.com and thousands of influencer food blogs. Leveraging its extensive recipe network, Chicory partners with leading CPG brands like Campbell's and grocery retailers like Wakefern to serve hyper-relevant ads to consumers in the moments when they're planning their grocery purchases. As the pioneer of shoppable recipes and the expert in contextual commerce, Chicory creates the digital tools to take grocery shoppers from inspiration to checkout in a few clicks. Learn more at www.chicory.co. Contact: Madeline Lenahan PR Manager [email protected] (917) 463-3434 SOURCE Chicory AMSTERDAM, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares will host a live webcast during CES 2022 to discuss the company's transition to a sustainable mobility tech company. WHEN: Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 8 a.m. PST / 11 a.m. EST / 5 p.m. CET WHERE: Stellantis Display, Booth 4643, Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall, "Tech East" WEBCAST LINK: https://stellantis.ezlivecaption.com/Stellantis_CES_2022/main.htm ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: North America CES newsroom CES newsroom Stellantis' presence at the event Replay accessible on the Recent Events page of the Stellantis corporate website after the event Stellantis Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is one of the world's leading automakers and a mobility provider, guided by a clear vision to offer freedom of movement with distinctive, affordable and reliable mobility solutions. In addition to the Group's rich heritage and broad geographic presence, its greatest strengths lie in its sustainable performance, depth of experience and the wide-ranging talents of employees working around the globe. Stellantis will leverage its broad and iconic brand portfolio, which was founded by visionaries who infused the brands with passion and a competitive spirit that speaks to employees and customers alike. Stellantis aspires to become the greatest, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders, as well as the communities in which it operates. Follow company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com Company website: www.stellantis.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Stellantis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellantisNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellantisna Twitter: @StellantisNA YouTube: http://youtube.com/StellantisNA SOURCE Stellantis MIAMI, Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez became the 80th President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). Suarez was inaugurated at an event in Miami where he laid out his vision for American cities and the Conference. The mayor had been serving as USCM's First Vice President but has been elevated to carry out the remaining term of outgoing President Nan Whaley, whose term as mayor of Dayton, Ohio expired at the beginning of the year. Suarez is also eligible to continue serving as president for another full year after this term expires this summer. "The Conference of Mayors is fortunate to have such a dynamic leader serving as our next president," said USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. "Francis Suarez has limitless energy and a true passion for solving problems. The innovative approach he brings to Miami is emblematic of the way American mayors are thinking differently about the country's greatest challenges. Mayor Suarez will be a powerful voice for America's mayors and those they serve, and I know he's going to get to work quickly as our new president. The Conference of Mayors is also eternally grateful to Nan Whaley for her distinguished service to this organization, and we wish her nothing but the best." "It is such an honor to lead this organization and carry the torch for America's mayors as we continue to blaze a path toward better days," said Mayor Suarez. "Mayors are proving every day that local leadership and fresh thinking can dramatically improve people's lives. Here in Miami, we have a vision for what American cities can be vibrant, resilient, inclusive and I'm excited to lift up the voices of my fellow mayors who are also delivering real change. There is so much we can accomplish when we work together and leave partisanship behind, and that is the spirit of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. My father was a member of this organization and I have long understood how powerful it can be to have America's mayors speaking together. I also want to thank Nan Whaley for her extraordinary leadership as President of the Conference. I'm excited to begin this new chapter serving the Conference, my fellow mayors, and the people of Miami." About the United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors ALBANY, N.Y. , Jan. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transparency Market Research: The global mining explosives market is anticipated to attain valuation of US$ 32.69 Bn by 2031, at a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period. As mining explosives are extensively utilized in quarrying, rise in demand for building materials obtained from quarrying is projected to boost the global mining explosives market during the forecast period, from 2021 to 2031. Mining explosives are witnessing rise in demand from various end-use industries, such as defense, construction, and mining. As TNT, RDX, ANFO, RDX, and PETN are extensively utilized in various industries, this has generated profitable opportunities for the global mining explosives market. The expansion of the guns and ammunition industry is one of the primary drivers of the growing demand for RDX. In order to fulfil the demand for these explosives in various armed units, RDX manufacturers are concentrating more on processing and manufacturing. In quarrying, coal mining, metal mining as well as non-metal mining industries, mining explosives are being widely utilized. Coal mining is an important application category for mining explosives. Get PDF Brochure for More Insights https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19079 Rocket fuels, plastic explosives, nuclear devices, melt castable explosives, and booster charges are manufactured with ANFO and RDX in military applications. The growing demand for securing national borders, as well as increasing safety concerns, is driving government of many countries to invest more on weaponry and ammunition. This is expected to create new growth avenues for the RDX segment, which is estimated to bolster the growth of the global mining explosives market during the forecast period. Key Findings of Market Report Non-metal mining applications, such as rock breaking, are now using digital tools. AECI Mining is acquiring recognition for supporting the mining industry with digital solutions that maximize blasting results and improve the efficiency of all downstream operations. Such developments are estimated to assist in the growth of the global mining explosives market. Manufacturers of mining explosives are taking inspiration from various technological developments to improve bench productivity and reduce total blast & drilling costs The track-and-trace technology has the ability to reduce explosives smuggling. As such, market participants in South Africa are becoming aware of the problem and urging users to adopt computerized systems, thereby providing better control over explosives smuggling. Such innovative technologies are likely to benefit the global market. Ask for Special Discount on Report https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=19079 Rising demand for coal and rare earth metals (particularly silver and gold) as well as earth minerals, such as iron ore and bauxite in industries, such as automotive, chemical, and thermal is anticipated to drive the demand for extremely powerful explosives in the mining explosives market Quarrying produces materials that aid in the construction of roads and building structures. Quarries provide building materials such as crushed rock, gravel, and sand. Need for mining explosives is increasing, as the demand for limestone, rocks, and building stones for construction activities is rising. Global Mining Explosives Market: Growth Drivers Heavy dependence of construction industry on materials obtained by quarrying is likely to benefit the global mining explosives market Abundance of materials such as coal, copper, gold, tin, and others elevated mining operations in India and China , which is expected to drive revenue generation opportunities in Asia Pacific Request a Sample https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=19079 Global Mining Explosives Market: Key Competitors Some of the key market players are Ensign- Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company & Defense Company Chemring Group PLC SBL Energy Limited Omnia Holdings Limited Orica Limited Nitro-Chem S.A. Global Mining Explosives Market: Segmentation Type ANFO [Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil] RDX [Research Department Explosive] TNT [Trinitrotoluene] PETN [Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate] Application Coal Mining Metal Mining Quarrying & Non-metal Mining Buy an Exclusive Research Report at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=19079